James Anaya's message to the UN: Canada faces crisis over aboriginal issues | CTV News

23.10.13

James Anaya's message to the UN: Canada faces crisis over aboriginal issues | CTV News - Such disputes include recent protests against shale gas exploration in eastern New Brunswick, opposed by the Elsipogtog First Nation. The protests turned violent last week when the Royal Canadian Mounted Police enforced an injunction to end a demonstration against seismic testing by energy company SWN Resources. Six police vehicles were set on fire and 40 people were arrested. Anaya said he had no first-hand knowledge of the violence, which occurred after his visit, but he called it a "manifestation of this frustration with the unresolved issues." "There's a crisis in Canada with regard to indigenous issues, notwithstanding some important developments within Canada over the last decades," Anaya said at a news conference. On Monday, a New Brunswick judge lifted the injunction against a blockade outside a compound owned by SWN Resources, saying it was no longer needed because vehicles and equipment owned by the company have been removed and protesters are no longer blocking the road. Members of the Elsipogtog First Nation beat drums and sang in celebration. The chief of Elsipogtog, Aaron Sock, criticized the police for their actions and vowed to keep up the fight against the shale gas exploration. The RCMP defended its actions, saying it had worked hard to try to resolve the situation peacefully before moving in. In a statement following his visit to Canada, Anaya said aboriginal peoples live in conditions comparable to much poorer countries.