Lia Tarachansky

Barriere Lake Algonquins hold three-day protest
Protests were in front of Minister of Transport and Member of Parliament Lawrence Cannon's office. Serving also as Stephen Harper's Quebec Lieutenant, MP Cannon is responsible for the Barriere Lake region. The protests included marches throughout the Ottawa downtown, a panel discussion and film screening, as well as a poetry and music concert. 
The Algonquins protested also outside the Indian and Northern Affairs building in Gatineau, across the Ottawa river. They demanded the government oversee a leadership reselection on their reserve after a Securite Quebec backed coup d'etat ousted the traditional Customary Cheif and Councel and appointed a minority faction as leadership. For more information, see article by Martin Lukacz in The Dominion.


Mohawk grandmother challenges border jursidiction
On July 14, 2008, Janet Davis, a.k.a. Katenies, a Mohawk grandmother challenged the jurisdiction of colonial borders through her traditional territory of Akwesasne. 
Katenies, and her friend and co-writer at Mohawk Nation News, Kahedineta, were stopped and arrested at the Canada-U.S. border in Akwesasne for a warrent issued against Katenies for allegedly running the border in 2003.





Algonquin protest outside Indian Affairs building
On June 26th, 2008 Algonquin representatives from Barriere Lake and allies assembled outside the Indian Affairs government building in Gatineau, QC. Their demonstration was a diversion for a peaceful occupation of Lawrence Cannon's office, the MP for the Barriere Lake region. The Algonquins demand a meeting with the MP to discuss the recent government ousting of the Customary Chief and Council.





McCain Visits Ottawa in Vain
On June 21st, 2008, American purresidential candidate, Senator John McCain visited Ottawa, ON.  Speaking to a packed luncheon at the prestigious Fairmont Chateau Laurier, the Senator was met coldly both by Ottawa citizens and the Prime Minister, Stephen Harper.   See Article Here.






Judaism not Zionism
On May 20th, 2008 dozens of protesters assembled outside the National Arts Centre in Ottawa, ON.  Representatives from the Orthodox Jewish organization Naturei Karta from Montreal joined the Ottawa Palestine Solidarity Network in protesting a fundraiser at the Centre funded by the Jewish National Fund.  They also opposed the guest of honour, Israeli Ambassador to Canada, Alan Baker.  In an attempt to creatively protest they set up a mock checkpoint where soldiers with the inscription "Israeli Offense Forces" demonstrated the daily treatment of Palestinians in the West Bank.  See article here



New Orleans, 2008
Attending The People's Summit, a counter action to the Security and Prosperity Partnership of heads of state pf North America, a Canadian contingent visits New Orleans.

During the counter summit, actions, workshops, and rallies have filled 4 days full of education, resistance, and solidarity.

For coverage of the contingent's visit, see my blog on The Dominion or the News Reporting section of this site.



Al Nakba, 2008
Opposing celebrations of the Israeli 60th Day of Independence on May 15th, Ottawa groups united.  Here, the Ottawa Palestine Solidarity Network with Not In Our Name: Jews Against Israel's Wars held a mournful silent protest outside the Civic Centre where an Israel@60 celebrations was taking place.
Hanging images of the ethnic cleansing of 1948 around their necks, protesters raised awareness of various issues in the ongoing struggle in Israel/Palestine. For a report of the Nakbah events, please see The Dominion.






Exile Infoshop Re-Openning, 2008
The Exile Infoshop, an anarchist bookstore opened on May 1st, 2007. One year later, on May 1st, 2008 the beautiful collective moved to a new space. This is the unveiling of their new space.