OTTAWA 鈥� Groups affiliated with the Idle No More movement held protests across sa国际传媒 and in parts of the United States on Monday as an important document for aboriginal land claims and self-government marked its 250th anniversary.
"We have chosen this day, the 250-year anniversary of the British Royal Proclamation," Clayton Thomas-Muller, one of the leaders of the Idle No More movement, said in a statement.
"We are using this founding document of this country and its anniversary to usher in a new era of reconciliation of sa国际传媒's shameful colonial history, to turn around centuries of neglect and abuse of our sacred and diverse nations."
The Royal Proclamation of 1763 set out rules for European settlement in North America, recognized First Nations' land rights and set out the treaty process.
Idle No More organizers said more than 50 events were scheduled to take place in sa国际传媒, the U.S. and in other countries. One of the planned protests was at the sa国际传媒 legislature over planned pipeline projects and oil tanker ports.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper, NDP Leader Tom Mulcair, Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau and Gov. Gen. David Johnston all released statements about significance of the Royal Proclamation.
In Ottawa, the head of sa国际传媒's largest aboriginal group said the anniversary should be the catalyst for action on a number of fronts.
"Two-hundred and fifty years, we still, with every government 鈥� including this one 鈥� are saying that the time for First Nations to help drive a future must be led by them," said Shawn Atleo, national chief of the Assembly of First Nations.
"Not just on land. On education, in child welfare, in all aspects of our lives. So it is an important moment. What's even more important than the words that we're hearing, including the words that go back to the 2008 apology, (is) it's time for action."
Among other issues that need to be addressed, Atleo said an inquiry needs to be called into the hundreds of aboriginal women who have been murdered or who have gone missing.
The governing Conservatives have so far not heeded calls for such an inquiry. Atleo said Aboriginal Affairs Minister Bernard Valcourt has not given him any indication that the Conservatives would commit to a public hearing.
"He's not mentioned it, but I remain hopeful," Atleo said. "Our people remain resolute."
Atleo added that he hopes the visit to sa国际传媒 of a special United Nations fact-finder will draw worldwide attention to these and other issues.
The UN has dispatched law professor James Anaya to speak to First Nations representatives and government officials as he drafts a report for the world body. He arrived in sa国际传媒 on Sunday evening and will travel the country before leaving next week.
