Other groups usually hold these type of things on weekend's.....
Aboriginal rally in Old Market Square today
By: Alexandra Paul
Updated: May 29 at 09:48 AM CDT
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Old Market Square in Winnipeg will host four hours of speeches and entertainment today as part of a National Day of Action organized by First Nations.
The gathering in Winnipeg, organized by the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will celebrate aboriginal culture and traditions. The public is invited for the speeches, the food, prayers and to see aboriginal talent from hip hop and powwow dancing to rap and country music.
Similar rallies are taking part across the country. The biggest will be in Ottawa where the Assembly of First Nations is bringing in hundreds of Cree schoolchildren from the remote northern Ontario reserve of Attawapiskat to draw public attention to poor education on First Nations.
Also today, seven First Nations in Manitoba are to test the waters for a possible Caledonia-style standoff over the profits of a proposed oil pipeline in southern Manitoba.
Roseau River First Nation Chief Terry Nelson said he'll use the day to gather support with other Treaty One First Nations to go after a share of profits from oil sales to the United States.
"The main point of the rally is to get our people together and hear what has to happen if we physically have to stop the pipeline," Nelson said Wednesday. "We are going to have to gear up to do a Caledonian-type intervention on this and the reality is if we don't get people together, it's just me and (Peguis) Chief (Glenn) Hudson getting arrested."
In Caledonia, Ont., near Hamilton, protesters from Haudenosaunee Six Nations have occupied a construction site for more than two years.
Out here, Treaty One First Nations expect as many as 500 people today at the Manitoba border near Haskett, south of Winkler, where a proposed Trans-Canada pipeline will cross into the U.S. carrying oil.
The Treaty One group, which includes Roseau River, Brokenhead, Swan Lake, Long Plain, Peguis, Sagkeeng and Sandy Bay, has already filed a court motion in a legal attempt to stop the pipeline running through treaty lands.
Supporters are gathering at 9 a.m. at Memorial Park in Winnipeg to drive to the Tim Hortons in Winkler for 11 a.m. and then on to Haskett.
alexandra.paul@freepress.mb.ca