18 March, 2008

4:00 pm PST

 

MEDIA ADVISORY

 

 

Vancouver, Squamish Nation territory:

 

In response to claims that our action last Sunday "disrupted" services at Holy Rosary cathedral, and that an element of the Squamish band leadership disagrees with our action, I wish to make the following statement:

 

1. At no time have I claimed or attempted to "speak for the Squamish nation", as Squamish band chief Bill Williams has alleged. In participating in the memorial vigil at Holy Rosary Cathedral last Sunday, March 16, I have spoken and acted solely under the authority of hereditary Squamish Chief Kiapilano and not as a spokesperson for the Squamish Nation. My aim was and is to speak to my own Euro-Canadian culture and its churches, and to urge them to take responsibility for the deaths of chidlren in their Indian residential schools.

 

2. Despite the distorted portrayal of our action by some media as a "disruption" of the mass at Holy Rosary, in reality our action was peaceful, respectful, and an integrated part of the service itself following a verbal welcoming of us by presiding priest Rev. Glen Dion. Lasting barely ten minutes, our action consisted of a silent procession to the front of the church, where we were welcomed by Rev. Dion and where we stood in silent prayer. We then left the church sanctuary, led by aboriginal elders and Chief Kiapilano, at which point the entire congregation stood as we passed. At no time did we slow the progression of the mass or interrupt its normal functioning. Further, at no point prior to or during our action did police or church staff interfere with our action, or warn us not to enter the church sanctuary.

 

3. We welcome the public discussion generated by our action, which was taken solely because of the refusal of Archbishop Raymond Roussin of Holy Rosary Cathedral to answer our Letter of January 13, 2008, asking him to help identify the burial sites of children who died in local Catholic Indian Residential Schools. To resolve this issue amicably, we are willing to meet with Archbishop Roussin at any time to discuss our concerns. Failing such a meeting, our actions will continue. We invite all aboriginal people and members of the Squamish Nation, along with Chief Bill Williams, to join us in this effort to bring home the children who died in Indian residential Schools, and to bring to justice those persons responsible for their deaths.

 

Kevin D. Annett (Eagle Strong Voice)

Friends and Relatives of the Disappeared (National Committee)

 

253 B East Hastings St.

Vancouver, BC
V6A 1P4

18 March, 2008

4:00 pm PST

 

MEDIA ADVISORY

 

 

Vancouver, Squamish Nation territory:

 

In response to claims that our action last Sunday "disrupted" services at Holy Rosary cathedral, and that an element of the Squamish band leadership disagrees with our action, I wish to make the following statement:

 

1. At no time have I claimed or attempted to "speak for the Squamish nation", as Squamish band chief Bill Williams has alleged. In participating in the memorial vigil at Holy Rosary Cathedral last Sunday, March 16, I have spoken and acted solely under the authority of hereditary Squamish Chief Kiapilano and not as a spokesperson for the Squamish Nation. My aim was and is to speak to my own Euro-Canadian culture and its churches, and to urge them to take responsibility for the deaths of chidlren in their Indian residential schools.

 

2. Despite the distorted portrayal of our action by some media as a "disruption" of the mass at Holy Rosary, in reality our action was peaceful, respectful, and an integrated part of the service itself following a verbal welcoming of us by presiding priest Rev. Glen Dion. Lasting barely ten minutes, our action consisted of a silent procession to the front of the church, where we were welcomed by Rev. Dion and where we stood in silent prayer. We then left the church sanctuary, led by aboriginal elders and Chief Kiapilano, at which point the entire congregation stood as we passed. At no time did we slow the progression of the mass or interrupt its normal functioning. Further, at no point prior to or during our action did police or church staff interfere with our action, or warn us not to enter the church sanctuary.

 

3. We welcome the public discussion generated by our action, which was taken solely because of the refusal of Archbishop Raymond Roussin of Holy Rosary Cathedral to answer our Letter of January 13, 2008, asking him to help identify the burial sites of children who died in local Catholic Indian Residential Schools. To resolve this issue amicably, we are willing to meet with Archbishop Roussin at any time to discuss our concerns. Failing such a meeting, our actions will continue. We invite all aboriginal people and members of the Squamish Nation, along with Chief Bill Williams, to join us in this effort to bring home the children who died in Indian residential Schools, and to bring to justice those persons responsible for their deaths.

 

Kevin D. Annett (Eagle Strong Voice)

Friends and Relatives of the Disappeared (National Committee)

 

253 B East Hastings St.

Vancouver, BC
V6A 1P4