Dene Suline community members from the Cold Lake First Nation (CLFN) have occupied an area of their traditional territory which the Alberta government wants to develop into the English Bay Provincial Recreation Area.
The protesters say they are "protecting burial sites and many other cultural significant areas" at the site, which is located about 40 kilometres north of the city of Cold Lake in the province of Alberta.
In 2006, the government began working to expand and redevelop the area into a feature-rich campground, complete with power hookups, a boat launch, a registration booth, a playground and new washrooms, reports Postmedia News.
However, the redevelopment project was brought to a halt later that year, after several historical artifacts were found, some of which dated back more than 4,000 years.
Earlier this year, Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation (TPR) managed to gained approval to resume the redevelopment project.
About 30 Dene Suline from CLFN, responding to the government’s preparations to resume work on the project, set up their camp on May 6, 2011.
Soon sater it had been established, the Alberta government ordered the group to vacate the area by 5 p.m.. However, the Dene refused to leave.
"We’re not going to relinquish our access or our rights to this land," said Chief Cecil Janvier, about an hour after the province’s deadline passed. "We’re going to voice our opposition to their proposed development … and if I have to park my truck in the middle of the road or whatever, I will do it."
Chief Janvier also said the CLFN has filed a lawsuit against the Alberta government.
The major concern now is that the protesters could soon face an injunction, which could well lead to a heavy-handed eviction by the RCMP.
In a statement issued on the evening of May 8, 2011, the protesters, which are being supported by CLFN Chief and Council, asked other Indigenous People across Canada "to support our position."
They also aksed other Dene "for verbal support on our position," stating, "We are denying contractors and the Alberta government access to our territory."
For more information, please contact Brian Grandbois: 780-812-6873
Concerns about the project can be sent directly to Alberta Parks at http://www.tpr.alberta.ca/
John Schertow is the author of Intercontinental Cry, a journal devoted to the struggles of Indigenous Peoples.
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