Oka joins oilsands and pipeline protests

Kanestake residents in Oka joined in a Canada-wide protest Saturday against the expansion of the oilsands and the pipelines bringing oil east from Alberta.

According to the Gazette, Kanesatake Mohawks are opposed to the oilsands projects in Alberta due to the detrimental effects to First Nations communities.

They are also against the direction of Enbridge’s 9B pipeline through Mohawk territory.

Three busses that left Montreal Saturday morning for the protest carried representatives of Québec solidaire, prominent activist Ellen Gabriel and members of the Idle No More movement.

Spokesperson for Idle No More, Melissa Mollen Dupuis says First Nations are once again having to protect their territory.

The Quebec government announced this week that its own hearings will be held from Nov. 26 to Dec. 5, with a report to be submitted to the National Assembly by Dec. 6 concerning the pipeline project.