ABORIGINAL AFFAIRS:
CHARGES AGAINST ROBERTA KEESICK DROPPED:
It's a good news day today. Charges against Anishinabek activist Roberta Keesick for (I shit you not) an Indian building an Indian cabin on Indian land have been dropped. probably because carrying on with the case would involve an eventual Charter challenge. Rather than risk that and seeing the regulations of the Province of Ontario dissolve in smoke the prosecution has decided to drop the charges. Here's the announcement sent to the Roberta Keesick Facebook support group.
ANANANANANANAN
All charges on Roberta Keesick for building a log cabin without a permit have been dropped:
Official Announcement: All charges on Roberta Keesick for building a log cabin without a permit have been dropped.

Therefore, there will be no trial in Red Lake, Ontario Oct 20-23/09!!!!!!!

We would like say thank you to everyone for their positive support and prayers for this case. Many people sent emails, sent prayers, put tobacco down and cared about Roberta and this case.

Roberta said she is very happy that the charges have been dropped, but is sad that it put her 5 years back in building her log cabin until the trial was done. She had to travel to Red Lake, Ontario for 2 years (5 hour drives from Grassy Narrows) only to get her case remanded after a 5 minute session with the judge. Roberta had a lot of perseverance and always prayed for a good lawyer and she found one.

Roberta said she believes that now any anishinabe can build a log cabin in the forest unhindered by the govt.

There were supporters in Winnipeg that set up an evening fundraiser for her legal cost during the winter and many people were involved and worked hard.

Roberta also said she hope that more anishinabek will go back into the forest and utilize the land as our ancestors have and train our children, grandchildren how to survive in there.
Thanks to everyone for their support.
Gitchi Meegwetch!!!!!

ABORIGINAL AFFAIRS-NORTHERN ONTARIO:

THE TRIAL OF ROBERTA KEESICK:

Molly has just received the following appeal from the Support Roberta Keesick Facebook group. Further information on Roberta Keesick follows after the appeal. Roberta is from the Grassy Narrows First nation, and her crime was...building a cabin without a provincial permit. I'm not kidding. For decades now the people of Grassy Narrows have suffered from the actions of those who do obtain permits- to pollute their water and to clear cut their traditional lands. Since the mercury poisoning due to pulp and paper operators in the 1970s the people of that small community have fought a David and Goliath struggle against both corporations and government. Sometimes they have won. Keesick has been very much a part of this struggle. Here's the appeal.

AFAFAFAFAFAFAF

Roberta Keesick's Trial Date October 20, 2009:

Hi Everyone.

I would like to thank all of you for your interest in Roberta's plight to protect the way of life for the Anishinabe.

October 20, 2009 will be the trial date for Roberta in Red Lake, Ontario.

Leanne Simpson asked how people can support Roberta and I asked her; Roberta could not think of a way that people can support her. So I am putting it out there to you....How can people support Roberta. Can you post it on this site? (The facebook site-Molly )Maybe even people's reaction will also give other people ideas and also remind Roberta of how many people care about her stand on the date of the trial.

Some ideas for support: Prayers; putting tobacco down, or fasting on that day, drumming singing, rallies, letter campaign to MNR, AFN, INAC, Treaty #3 Office, MP etc...

Attend the Trial physically in Red Lake, Do a radio show for her talking about Anishinabek building log cabins on our territories, build awareness and activism. Write an article of Roberta Keesick's stand.

These are just some ideas I have; maybe you have other ideas.

Again Meegwetch for having an interest in this fight.

AFAFAFAFAFAFAF

Here, from the Support Roberta Keesick website is more information on Roberta.

AFAFAFAFAFAFAF

ROBERTA KEESICK

January 27, 2009

In early June, 2008 news that Grassy Narrows First Nation's demand that industrial logging on their territory stop was met when Abitibi-Bowater announced that they would not be seeking a licence in the Whiskey Jack Forest. However the struggle is not over. While the chainsaws have stopped at Grassy Narrows, persecution of those that assert their traditional rights on the land has not ended.

Roberta Keesick, a Grassy Narrows clan mother, trapper, blockader, and grandmother, is facing charges in Red Lake Ontario for building a trappers' cabin on her traditional family lands without a Provincial permit. She has been a tremendous force in the grassroots struggles at Grassy Narrows to reclaim traditional land and assert the right of self determination. The act for which she now faces criminal charges is part of a process of reclamation and revival for Grassy Narrows where people are using the land on their territory as their ancestors have for generations; it is a critically important piece of the work that is being undertaken by the people of Grassy Narrows to empower themselves and to sustain their families, revive their culture and heal their community-this access to land is crucial for the healing of First Nations, and it is this right that is being challenged by the court with the charges that have been brought against Roberta Keesick.

Roberta's trial date is in the spring(It was remanded to the fall-Molly ), and while she has found a lawyer donating his services, he needs his costs of travel, and filing documents with the court covered. These costs will be approximately $4000. She is seeking donations for a legal defense fund. The assertion of rights on traditional land is one of the most important components of the ongoing struggle for Indigenous rights. This case has the potential to set an important precedent; Indigenous people have a right to traditional land use on their traditional territories. This case represents an example of the way that governments disable First Nations from sustaining and empowering themselves. Roberta Keesick's actions-the building of a trapping cabin on her own family's trap line-is a perfect example of how people from Grassy Narrows are asserting their rights through the straightforward actions of living an Anishnaabe life. It is of the utmost importance that any and all of us who are concerned with Indigenous rights and the well being of First Nations communities, support the grassroots struggles at Grassy Narrows and in other communities and to support Roberta Keesick in her struggle to simply live her life on her land. Please donate generously.

To make a donation to Roberta Keesick's legal defense fund you can send an email money transfer to Leah Henderson: leah.m.henderson@gmail.com With the security question: what is your favourite flower Answer: sunflower.

You can also email leah.m.henderson@gmail.com to find alternative ways of donating (ie cheque, cash etc).

FOR PAYPAL USERS YOU MAY DONATE TO LEANNESIMPSON@SYMPATICO.CA .

CANADIAN ANARCHIST MOVEMENT/LOCAL EVENTS-WINNIPEG:
FUNDRAISER FOR ROBERTA KEESICK:
The case of Roberta Keesick, and her legal trials for asserting her aboriginal rights, has been mentioned before here at Molly's Blog. The Winnipeg Anarchist Black Cross will be holding a fundraising brunch to support her legal defence this coming May 3. Here`s the promo. Just in passing Molly would like to mention that this is the sort of thing that an Anarchist Black Cross should be doing. It makes our ABC more like the European versions of same and less like the American versions. Roberta is a person who is part of a genuine popular struggle, whether she shares the anarchist ideology or not. Furthermore her actions have been such that even people who cannot agree with her claims have to admire her for her courage and peaceful methods. But enough of that. On to the blurb.
@@@@@@@@@@
Winnipeg Anarchist Black Cross Fundraiser Brunch:
A delicious vegan brunch to raise funds for Roberta Keesick's legal defense
Host:
Winnipeg Anarchist Black Cross
Date:
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Time:
11:00am - 2:00pm
Location:
Mondragon Bookstore and Coffeehouse
91 Albert Street
Winnipeg, MB
Description
Winnipeg Anarchist Black Cross, the Mondragon Bookstore and Coffeehouse & CKUW 95.9 FM present :

A fundraiser Vegan brunch for Roberta Keesick

on Sunday, May 3rd from 11AM to 2PM

@ the Mondragon Bookstore and Coffeehouse.

Roberta Keesick, a Grassy Narrows clan mother, trapper, blockader, and grandmother, is facing charges in Red Lake Ontario for building a trappers' cabin on her traditional family lands without a Provincial permit. She has been a tremendous force in the grassroots struggles at Grassy Narrows to reclaim traditional land and assert the right of self determination.

Cost for the brunch is $10

All proceeds from the brunch go to Roberta Keesick's legal defense fund.

LOCAL EVENTS-WINNIPEG:
SUPPORT ROBERTA KEESICK FUNDRAISER:
Coming up this March 7 at the Red Road Lodge, 631 Main St., a fundraiser to support Roberta Keesick. Here's the details.
...........................
The Boreal Action Project / Friends of Grassy Narrows / WIPSM Friends in Solidarity Coffeehouse Fundraiser: Standing with Grassy Narrows:
Host:
Support Roberta Keesick
Type:
Causes - Fundraiser

Time and Place
Start Time:
Saturday, March 7, 2009 at 7:00pm
End Time:
Sunday, March 8, 2009 at 12:00am
Location:
Red Road Lodge
Street:
631 Main Street @ Logan (side entrance)
City/Town:
Winnipeg, MB

Contact Info
Phone:
480-8565
Email:
borealaction@gmail.com
Description
Co-sponsored by Sweet Spot Productions http://www.mysweetspotproductions.com/ www.myspace.com/mysweetspot



PROGRAM
7:00 - Doors
7:00 to 7:55 pm - 'Meet & Greet'
8:00 to 8:10 pm - 'Words of Welcome'
Alon Weinberg, Winnipeg Indigenous Peoples' Solidarity Movement
8:10 to 8:15 pm - Spoken Word
Shayla Elizabeth, Aboriginal Writer's Collective
8:15 to 8:45 pm - Musical Guest TBA
9:00 to 9:15 pm - Guest of Honour
Gwawich, Anishinabek from Asubpeeschoseewagong, Friends of Grassy Narrows speaks about her experiences on asserting Aboriginal rights on traditional territories.
9:15 to 9:30 pm - Gwawich Q&A
9:30 - 9:35 - Film Excerpt 'Scars of Mercury'
Tadashi Orui and Thor Aitkenhead present an excerpt of 'Scars of Mercury' about mercury poisoning in Grassy Narrows, White Dog and Japan.
9:35 to 9:45 - Thor Aitkenhead & Tadashi Orui Q&A
9:45 to 10:00 pm - Guest Speaker TBA
10:10 to 10:15 pm - Spoken Word
Werner Van Harder, Political Wordist www.myspace.com/wernerharder
10:15 to 10:45 pm - Musical Guest
A Choir of Rog – One man. One Voice. One intention... influenced by the Tuvan voice, the wind, Buddhist monks, Inuit games, and Dextar – a soul mate who has come to pass in this life... www.myspace.com/achoirofrog
10:55 to 11:00 pm - Spoken Word
Kitty, Poet www.myspace.com/spacekitty67
11:00 to 11:45 pm - Musical Guest
Jason Tuesday, Singer Songwriter (Facebook)
11:45 to 12:00 pm - Silent Auction, Raffle, Thank Yous - Alon Weinberg, Susanne McCrea, Paulette LaFortune



$5 in advance at the following outlets:

Mondragon Bookstore and Coffeehouse, 91 Albert


Organic Planet, 877 Westminster


Neechi Foods, 325 Dufferin


Info Booth, University of Winnipeg, Main Floor

Admission:


$10 to $5 sliding scale includes one complimentary beverage and healthy foods snacks

Boreal Bounty Dinner also available.

Silent Auction.

The organizers of this event thank you in advance for your support of Roberta Keesick and her campaign.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Who is Roberta Keesick you may ask. Here's a little more information from the Facebook group set up to support her.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Support Roberta Keesick:
Description:
We are a group of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people supporting Roberta Keesick in her defense of Anishinaabek land rights.
Contact Info:
email leannesimpson@sympatico.ca
Recent News
January 27, 2009
In early June, 2008 news that Grassy Narrows First Nation's demand that industrial logging on their territory stop was met when Abitibi-Bowater announced that they would not be seeking a licence in the Whiskey Jack Forest. However the struggle is not over. While the chainsaws have stopped at Grassy Narrows, persecution of those that assert their traditional rights on the land has not ended.




Roberta Keesick, a Grassy Narrows clan mother, trapper, blockader, and grandmother, is facing charges in Red Lake Ontario for building a trappers' cabin on her traditional family lands without a Provincial permit. She has been a tremendous force in the grassroots struggles at Grassy Narrows to reclaim traditional land and assert the right of self determination. The act for which she now faces criminal charges is part of a process of reclamation and revival for Grassy Narrows where people are using the land on their territory as their ancestors have for generations; it is a critically important piece of the work that is being undertaken by the people of Grassy Narrows to empower themselves and to sustain their families, revive their culture and heal their community-this access to land is crucial for the healing of First Nations, and it is this right that is being challenged by the court with the charges that have been brought against Roberta Keesick.




Roberta's trial date is in the spring, and while she has found a lawyer donating his services, he needs his costs of travel, and filing documents with the court covered. These costs will be approximately $4000. She is seeking donations for a legal defence fund. The assertion of rights on traditional land is one of the most important components of the ongoing struggle for Indigenous rights. This case has the potential to set an important precedent; Indigenous people have a right to traditional land use on their traditional territories. This case represents an example of the way that governments disable First Nations from sustaining and empowering themselves. Roberta Keesick's actions-the building of a trapping cabin on her own family's trap line-is a perfect example of how people from Grassy Narrows are asserting their rights through the straightforward actions of living an Anishnaabe life. It is of the utmost importance that any and all of us who are concerned with Indigenous rights and the well being of First Nations communities, support the grassroots struggles at Grassy Narrows and in other communities and to support Roberta Keesick in her struggle to simply live her life on her land. Please donate generously.




To make a donation to Roberta Keesick's legal defense fund you can send an email money transfer to Leah Henderson: leah.m.henderson@gmail.com . With the security question: what is your favourite flower Answer: sunflower.




You can also email leah.m.henderson@gmail.com to find alternative ways of donating (ie cheque, cash etc).




The following is a statement from Roberta's brother:

We should not have to explain ourselves to the government and the court . The
Anishinabek of Asubpeeschoseewagong have always lived in this part of the world.
The creator placed us here to live in freedom and harmony with the land, without
boundaries and interference . We can’t make a boundary around ourselves and
limit our way of life. The paddles of our ancestors have touched the waters of
every lake and river across this land. The feet of our relatives have touched
the soils of the earth from here to the horizon. Our Ancestors have placed their
hands on the rock face of every cliff along these lakes and rivers. The red hand
prints left on this earth forever are the signatures of our grandfathers and
grand mothers, this part of the world belongs to us. What the creator gives our
people, we do not change or question. Look at the forest and you see the trees,
the water, the animals and us . In the silence of your minds you recognize and
accept what is true and what has always been . We are a part of this land and
that is the truth.