Marcel Lewis of Michipicoten First Nation has coordinated a protest/demonstration that will create traffic delays on Highway 17 just south of the Wawa Goose Monument (Pinewood Drive) from 12 to 1 p.m. today, December 5th, 2016. It joins many other demonstrations planned across Ontario at that time, including those in the Algoma District:
- Wawa – Highway 17 just south of the Wawa Goose Monument (Pinewood Drive)
- Sault Ste. Marie – at the intersection of Highway 17 and Highway 17B at the east boundary of the City of Sault Ste. Marie
- McKerrow – Highway 17 east of the town of McKerrow.
- Blind River – Highway17, at Mississauga River First Nation
These events are a show of support for the water protectors at Standing Rock Sioux Reservation, North Dakota, and is inspired by 12-year-old Autumn Peltier from Wikwemikong First nation. Autumn is reaching out to all First nations to shut down highways across North America at 12 noon for 1 hour to raise awareness of what is happening in Standing Rock.
OPP press releases explain “Protest activities will be occurring and may periodically delay or interrupt the normal flow of traffic in the area.
The OPP’s objective is to maintain the safe flow of traffic and, when delays occur, restore traffic flow in the safest manner possible. The OPP is also working with those who may organize protest events to provide a safe and peaceful opportunity to exercise their lawful rights while minimizing the impact on the traveling public, where possible.
Motorists should check in advance for road advisory information and monitor local media for the latest updates. The OPP appreciates everyone’s cooperation and patience during these occurrences.”
Autumn Peltier’s Speech at GlobeDays, a Children’s Climate Conference held in Sweden, November, 2015.
Aanii, Bozhoo,
Mskwaageezo-kwe Ndishnikaas, Migizi Ndodem, Wikwemikong Ishkoonigong Ndoonjibaa. My English name is Autumn Peltier, I come from the Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve located on Manitoulin Island, Ontario, Canada.
I would like to take share my thoughts about the importance of water. Our water is very important because it brings new life. We see this when babies are born when the water breaks. The reason I’m talking about the water is because our water is getting sick. The people/factories of the world are making the water sick. If we as Anishinaabe/fellow humans don’t do anything now, the sick water will make mother earth sick. Imagine a world without water? Our animals would die, our insects would die, our medicines would die, all life as we know it would die. This makes me very sad. Some countries have very little water. In my own territory there are First Nation families that can’t drink the water. I have an auntie Joesphine Mandamin “Biidasige-kwe”, she prays for the water everyday, she understands the importance of water. The woman of the world must continue to support her, we need to heal the earth, now is the time for the future of humanity following behind us.
I would like to offer up a water song to pray for our water and our woman of the earth. (Sings water song 4x through)
Miigwech (Thank you)
Autumn Peltier, Ojibwe/Odawa
Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve
Manitoulin Island, Ontario, Canada
