Canadian First Nations at COP 15 Roll Out the Welcome Mat for Stephen Harper
in Rally at Canadian Embassy
PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES: Indigenous Peoples Ceremony, Oily Footprints, Welcome Mat, Giant Banner, Rally and Gift Basket Delivery to Canadian Embassy
"Harper: Climate Commitments = Shut Down Tar Sands"
Photos and Video: Coming soon at http://pitch.pe/37846
Today they rolled out the "welcome mat" for Prime Minister
This action was part of a global day of action against the Canadian tar sands.
The tar sands are the largest and most carbon intensive industrial project on the planet.
Indigenous leaders of communities impacted by the tar sands and allied campaigners contend that
In a gesture of hospitality for the Prime Minister and an act of solidarity with communities directly impacted by the tar sands, Indigenous representatives and their allies delivered a gift basket full of Treaties for Prime Minister Harper to honor and/or sign in
These included important documents such as the
"As Indigenous People, we are here at the international climate negotiations to speak about threats to our cultural survival and the direct life-threatening impacts of climate change in our communities," said
"
"Fossil fuel extraction from the tar sands are killing our people with cancer, killing our culture by destroying our traditional lands, and killing our planet with CO2," said Eriel Tchekwie Deranger, member of the Athbasca Chipewyan First Nation and Tar Sands Campaigner for the Rainforest Action Network.
"It seems that
"The tar sands are a key reason why
Today's action is part of a global day of action organized by a coalition of groups including: Indigenous Environmental Network, Rainforest Action Network, Council of Canadians, Indigenous Peoples Power Project, and UK Tar Sands Group.
Actions are occurring in tandem with the
About Indigenous Environmental Network: Indigenous Peoples empowering Indigenous Nations and communities towards sustainable livelihoods, demanding environmental justice and maintaining the Sacred Fire of our traditions. www.ienearth.org/cits
The Indigenous Environmental Network is in
For further information: Contact: Clayton Thomas-Muller, Indigenous Environmental Network, +45 52685598, [email protected]; Eriel Deranger, Rainforest Action Network, +45 50119390, [email protected]; Brent Patterson, Council of Canadians, (613) 882-4408 (mobile in Copenhagen), [email protected]; Jess Worth, UK Tar Sands Campaign, 0044 07946645726, [email protected]
Share this article