Chief Del Riley, Hereditary Crane Clan Chief, former leader of the National Indian Brotherhood, past president of the Union of Ontario Indians, and past chairman of the World Council of Indigenous Peoples is doing a speaking tour to discuss the constitutionally protected Aboriginal right to cannabis. Chief Riley will be…
Posts published in “Shawanaga First Nation”
The position paper “opposes the proposed cannabis law for multiple reasons, including but not limited to: A) its unconstitutional violation of our Aboriginal and Treaty rights on our unceded Indigenous lands, B.) the failure of Chief and Council to involve or consult with the people, C) the lack of transparency or accountability over the convoluted corporate structure created to monopolize the cannabis industry, and D) the way in which the law criminalizes Shawanaga members involved in the cannabis industry.”
Chief Pamajewon and a council made up of Patricia Pawis, Richard Jason, Dan Pawis, Alfred Stevens and Sherrill Judge have set election regulations that will reduce voter turnout and eliminate online voting. In the midst of a pandemic and ‘stay at home’ order, all voter are now required to travel in person to vote at the recreation centre in the First Nation on May 15th.
About two dozen people gathered at the Shawanaga Band Council office on Monday, March 22nd to rally against the March 11th, 2021 raid by Anishinabek Police Services on the High-Way 69 Medicinal dispensary. The group was led by Hereditary Chief Del Riley, a former head of the National Indian Brotherhood, and one of the main authors and negotiators for the sections of the Canadian constitution which are meant to safeguard Aboriginal and Treaty Rights.
Algonquin Amikwa Anishinaabek (Beaver People) living in Reserves #13 and #2 as described by the 1854 Rowan Proclamation and the 1850 Indians’ Protection Act are waging a legal battle to defend the Indigenous right to grow and trade cannabis.
At 9:30am on Monday, March 22nd, supporters of the High-Way 69 Medical Cannabis dispensary will gather in the parking lot of the store, and then travel in a convoy to the APS station in Wasauksing First Nation which launched the raid. The convoy will be led by Chief Del Riley and will demand that the APS return the stolen medicines and apologize for the raid. Supporters are asked to bring flags and signs and wear camo to show their support.
The High-Way 69 Medicinal Cannabis Shop was not deterred by the raid and has decided to re-open and will continue providing medicinal cannabis for their customers. According to one staff member, “Our rights have been violated, and I think we have to take a stand on it. By opening up again, we’re taking a stand.”
Nipissing First Nation resident awarded cannabis shop licence: Nipissing First Nation is one of eight Indigenous communities authorized by the province to be able to sell cannabis.
Shawanaga First Nation learned July 8 that the Ontario Gaming Commission of Ontario awarded it a licence to operate a cannabis retail store. It is one of eight First Nations in the province to receive a licence.
‘I don’t believe we’re ready at all’ says Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief on new cannabis legislation: federal cannabis legislation came into effect on October 17, 2018. Cannabis policies vary right across Canada and Anishinabek First Nations