June 5, 2008

Canadian Union of Public Employees Ontario Passes Resolution 38!

Stop the Criminalization of Indigenous Resistance
Stop the Theft and Plunder of Indigenous Land

The Tyendinaga Support Committee extends its warm congratulations to the delegates of the Canadian Union of Public Employees Ontario convention held in Niagara Falls, May 21-24, 2008.

At the convention, CUPE passed a crucial resolution, Resolution 38, in support of indigenous struggle for the land, against the criminalization of indigenous resistance, and in support of the Mohawks of Tyendinaga, and spokesperson Shawn Brant.

At a time when indigenous peoples are being criminalized and incarcerated for defending and protecting their traditional territories, when Federal and Provincial governments continue to plunder and profit from resource extraction on indigenous land, and when hundreds of land claims and treaties are stalled or broken in a colonial government system, this resolution is a huge step forward in bringing people together to support and defend the rights of indigenous people, and for justice for First Nations peoples.

The resolution calls for an educational campaign, developed with indigenous communities and supportive organizations, around the exploitation of Native land and resources, and the struggle for sovereignty.

It further calls for the staying of charges against Shawn Brant, a Mohawk spokesperson facing 12 years in federal prison, for his role in highway/rail blockades to draw attention to indigenous issues, and the dropping of a multi-million dollar lawsuit launched by corporate power CN Rail, against Tyendinaga Mohawks.

Finally, it calls for the return all lands rightfully belonging to the Tyendinaga Mohawks and cease exploitation of resources, in accordance with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, passed by the UN General Assembly, September 2007. Canada is one of only three countries in the world that refuses to sign.

The explicit recognition by a Canadian union that justice for First Nations peoples must prevail, and the exploitation and theft of Native land and resources must cease, is an inspiration for the labour movement. We congratulate CUPE on taking such a principled and decent stand in support of the Mohawks of Tyendinaga, and First Nations people and their just struggle for the land.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

If you are a member of a union then get involved! Please contact the Tyendinaga Support Committee to have an educational workshop presented in your local, get a resolution passed by your local/union, and for other ways to get involved with indigenous solidarity work within your workplace and union.

Tyendinaga Support Committee
support.tmt@gmail.com
http://www.ocap.ca/supporttmt

CUPE Ontario Convention, 2008:
Resolution 38

Whereas:

• First Nations’ lands have been continuously occupied by others without consent/ compensation; and
  
• Over 800 unresolved land claims and broken treaties exist, erecting serious obstacles to First Nations’ self-sufficiency; and
  
• First Nations have been forced to take action to bring unresolved issues to the attention of government and the public; and
  
• Strikes and other forms of economic disruption led by unions are considered legitimate manifestations of protest; and
  
• CUPE has adopted many resolutions/statements of support for First Nations’ quest for justice and fairness.
  

Be it resolved that CUPE Ontario will:

1. With Indigenous communities and human rights organizations develop an educational campaign about the exploitation of native land, resources, and the indigenous struggle for self-determination.

2. Issue a public statement calling on the OPP and the Attorney General of Ontario to stay the charges against Shawn Brant, who faces serious time in a federal penitentiary; and calling on CN Rail to abandon its multi-million dollar lawsuit.

3. Lobby provincial/federal governments to return all lands rightfully belonging to the Tyendinaga Mohawks and cease exploitation of resources, in accordance with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, passed by the UN General Assembly, September 2007.