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Seven Native Canadians finish arduous protest trek | Seven Native Canadians finish arduous protest trek |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Seven young Native Canadian men have finished a 1,600km (1,000-mile) trek to the Canadian capital in protest against living conditions on reserves. | |
Their journey from Whapmagoostui, Quebec, to Ottawa began in January and included travel by snowshoe and sled. | |
They were joined by demonstrators on the way, with hundreds arriving outside the Canadian parliament on Monday. | They were joined by demonstrators on the way, with hundreds arriving outside the Canadian parliament on Monday. |
The men, aged between 17 and 21, were due to meet Aboriginal Affairs Minister Bernard Valcourt later. | The men, aged between 17 and 21, were due to meet Aboriginal Affairs Minister Bernard Valcourt later. |
"This is not the end. We started with a walk but our movement will continue," said 18-year-old David Kawapit in his native language, Cree, with use of an interpreter. | "This is not the end. We started with a walk but our movement will continue," said 18-year-old David Kawapit in his native language, Cree, with use of an interpreter. |
A 44-day hunger fast in December and January by Theresa Spence, one of Canada's tribal chiefs, raised the profile of the Idle No More protest. | A 44-day hunger fast in December and January by Theresa Spence, one of Canada's tribal chiefs, raised the profile of the Idle No More protest. |
They triggered road and rail blockades, dozens of demonstrations and emergency talks between First Nations leaders and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. | They triggered road and rail blockades, dozens of demonstrations and emergency talks between First Nations leaders and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. |
Following those discussions, Mr Harper agreed to continue "high-level dialogue" with the leaders. | Following those discussions, Mr Harper agreed to continue "high-level dialogue" with the leaders. |
Critics say little has been achieved to address a severe shortage of housing and schools on the reserves. | |
Native leaders said that in addition to acute poverty, they opposed changes made in November to environmental laws. | Native leaders said that in addition to acute poverty, they opposed changes made in November to environmental laws. |
They say the changes would affect their hunting and fishing rights, as well as their ability to lease land to non-Native tenants. | They say the changes would affect their hunting and fishing rights, as well as their ability to lease land to non-Native tenants. |
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