Ottawa, June 15, 2015 – The Anishnabe Nation of the Ottawa River Watershed will declare its TIBENINDIZOWIN (Independence) on June 26, 2015, in order to protect its unceded national territory and resources from the massive exploitation of Canadian governments and all corporations such as mining, logging, fishing and gaming commissions (SEPAQ). The Anishnabe Nation of the Ottawa River Watershed, people known as the stewards of the land, are claiming their rightful TIBENINDIZOWIN - independence and title, to protect Mother Earth from all the harm that has been inflicted to the ecosystem and all its beings throughout the years by disrespectful governments and corporations, which has also directly threatened the distinctive culture of the Anishnabe Nation. This will restore the historical nation-to-nation Two Row Wampum Treaty.

The world is facing one of its most dramatic crises. Man-made environmental disasters such as climate change, pollution, loss of biodiversity, deforestation, natural resource depletion, over-fishing, among many others, have destroyed and continue to destroy our planet and all its living creatures on a daily basis. The tipping point has already passed and it foreshadows a darker and painful future for all humankind.

According to the teachings of the Seven Prophets (Seven Fires), there will be a time when the light-skinned race will be given a choice between two roads. If they choose the right road, then the Seventh Fire will light up the Eighth and final Fire - an eternal fire of peace, love, brotherhood and sisterhood. If the light-skinned race makes the wrong choice, then the destruction brought by them to this country will return and cause enormous suffering and death to all the people.

Thus, the Anishnabe Nation is launching a call-to-action aimed at gathering supporters, donors and walkers for the Walk to Ottawa Towards the Path of the 8th Fire and Tibenindizowin. The walkers are carrying a traditional birch bark canoe representing the Anishnabe traditions and culture. The walk started on June 15 from La Verendrye Wildlife Reserve, an old park that once provided a sanctuary for the animals, wildlife, flora and fauna, approximately the heartland of the Anishnabe lands. The walk proceeds toward Victoria Island in Ottawa, to end on June 26, 2015, with the Declaration of Independence Day celebration.

A Peace Flame, symbol of unity, lighted at commencement, will be carried throughout the 275km walk.

We invite other walkers from all 4 directions to walk with us, carrying flames from their territories, to be merged on June 26, in Ottawa, into a single flame to begin a new era of peace, love, understanding and respect for each other and for Mother Earth.

Come support the walkers to declare independence and to help Mother Earth. http://www.gofundme.com/wvr389s

If you are interested in joining the Indigenous Peoples Independence Day, or the walk, please contact the Traditional Anishnabe Government, Provisional Governing Council as follows:

Shannon Chief, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Nathalie Mathias, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

#IdleNoMore #IndepenDay #AnishnabeNation #ANORW #June26 #26June