Dear friends and allies,

We are seeking endorsements from groups and organizations for the following  letter addressed to Prime Minister Paul Martin regarding the situation in  Kanehsatake.  Please send us your endorsement by e-mail to i...@resist.ca as  soon as possible.  For more information on the current situation in Kanehsatake, checkout the pamphlet posted at http://www.friendsofgrassynarrows.com/item.php?id=134&type=F

In Solidarity,

Indigenous People Solidarity Movement (IPSM), Montreal

Attention: Prime Minister, Paul Martin

We are writing out of great concern for the community of Kanehsatake and the  very serious abuses and irregularities by federal and provincial government  officials in their dealings with Grand Chief James Gabriel and his Council.  This political and financial interference in Kanehsatake’s affairs has  resulted in the state of crisis within the community today. As Prime  Minister, it is incumbent upon you to ensure all levels of government  respect Kanehsatake’s right to self-determination.

You have spoken strongly, and publicly about bringing an end to Canada’s legacy of colonial relations with Indigenous nations. This requires disciplinary measures be put in place against federal and provincial officials disrespectful towards, and manipulative of Indigenous political processes for their own political ends of assimilation and municipalization.

The rights of the people of Kanehsatake have been undermined by Quebec and Canada’s support for unilateral decisions made by the Grand Chief that have  not been approved by the Kanehsatake peoples. We demand you provide leadership through the following restorative measures to hold those officials responsible for created the policing and governance crisis in Kanehsatake today. It is time for you, Prime Minister Paul Martin, to put your words into action.

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1)  We demand an immediate forensic audit into the third-party mismanagement  of Kanehsatake funds by PriceWaterhouseCoopers? and Hartel Financial  Management Corporation, completed to the satisfaction of all Kanehsatake  community members.

2)  We demand a judicial inquiry into the conduct of all officials within the Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness; the Quebec Public Security Ministry; Department of Indian Affairs; and, Quebec Native Affairs involved in decisions breaching legal and fiduciary duties outlined in the 1991 Agenda for the Process of Negotiations, and 1994 memorandum of  Understanding in support of Grand Chief James Gabriel’s policing agenda.

3)  We demand an immediate repeal of the April 1, 2004 Kanesatake Tripartite  Policing Agreement negotiated and signed without the input or consent of all  members of Kanesatake Band Council, nor the community of Kanehsatake.

4)  We demand the Kanesatake Interim Land Based Governance Act be repealed -  as requested by Chief Crawford Gabriel on September 21, 2001 - until a funded, and full legal review of Bill S-24 can be conducted, an informed community consultation respectful of all community members can take place, and a pre-determined level of support for the Agreement can be set satisfying all community members.

5)  We demand a judicial inquiry into the conduct of Federal Negotiator, Eric Maldoff, and Department of Indian Affairs representative, Walter Walling for their breach of fiduciary duty and threats of financial punishment should Kanehsatake choose not to go forward with the Kanesatake Interim Land Based Governance Act.

Sincerely,

Indigenous Peoples Solidarity Movement, Montrea