Read this story from APTN on the escalating tensions over the crisis at Attawapiskat, culminating yesterday in calls from aboriginal leaders for an oil pipeline blockade to get the Harper Government’s attention.

“OTTAWA–Some Manitoba chiefs called for “action”
against existing oil pipelines on a day of heated words at a special
chiefs assembly in Ottawa that heard from embattled Attawapiskat Chief
Theresa Spence and saw an impromptu march to the doors of Parliament
Hill that ended with police intervention.

Terry Nelson, who is no longer officially chief of Roseau River, told
the assembled chiefs that the only way to escape from Attawapiskat-like
situations was to seize a portion of the resource wealth flowing from
their lands.

Nelson, who was given the microphone by Waywayseecappo First Nation
Chief Murray Clearsky, said there were plans to launch actions against
existing oil pipelines in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta, along with
several U.S. states.

He said the only way First Nations can deal with the nagging funding
problems plaguing their communities was to seize a share of the
resources flowing from their territories.

“The chiefs in Manitoba have been listening and they hear very
clearly we have to take action,” said Nelson. “In June, we are going to
have continuous, ongoing demonstration action on the pipelines, from
Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, northern Minnesota, Wisconsin, North
and South Dakota, to sit on those pipelines until this government comes
to their goddamn senses.” (Dec. 6, 2011)

Read full article: http://aptn.ca/pages/news/2011/12/07/chiefs-rally-around-attawapiskat-as-call-issued-for-oil-pipeline-blockade-in-three-provinces/