The Canadian Islamic Congress has thrown its support behind the Onkwehonweh (Six Nations) land reclamation campaign near Caledonia, Ontario, which began February 28 with the peaceful blockade of a housing construction site on First Nations territory.
In a strong statement issued today, the CIC challenged the Canadian government's flawed historical record in dealing with legitimate aboriginal claims to lands whose titles have been illegally altered, disregarded or transferred numerous times since the 1700s.
"Many of Canada's 750,000 Muslims have strong emotional ties to this situation, in which aboriginal peoples are systematically being denied their birthright. Palestinians are being robbed of their native land in similar ways by the Israeli occupying power that denies them justice through unilateral expropriations and by refusing to negotiate in good faith with their elected representatives."
The 40-hectare area in Caledonia is one of some 600 native land claims that have been bogged down in the Canadian court system for decades. The Onkwehonweh have repeatedly pointed out that the land, which may also contain ancient burial sites, was improperly taken from their ancestors more than 200 years ago.
"The Onkwehonweh are asking for respect, consensus, and full participation in any decision made about their ancestral lands," the CIC statement continued. "Anything less would amount to a continuation of the historical colonialist exploitation - in a word, government-sanctioned policies of genocide -- that robbed all Canada's First Nations of so much of their land and culture. This is not about economics or politics as much as it is about basic human rights."
The CIC is calling for all governmental and corporate parties involved in the ongoing Caledonia negotiations to respect and implement the principle of Kaianereh'ko:wa, or State of Peace, declared by the Six Nations Clanswomen, who are traditionally recognized as titleholders to native lands.
CONTACTS:
Dr. Mohamed Elmasry
(519) 746-4107 (O)
(519) 498-1350 (Cell)
e-mail:
np@canadianislamiccongress.com
Mrs. Wahida Valiante
(905) 771-1023
e-mail:
nvp@canadianislamiccongress.com
