By KATHLEEN HARRIS
Fri, June 29, 2007
Winnipeg Sun
Police are pleading for peace but bracing for violence today as aboriginal Canadians stage mass protests against a "crisis" of poverty and despair on native reserves.
With road and rail blockades raising the spectre of ugly altercations on the National Day of Action, Assembly of First Nations Chief Phil Fontaine acknowledged that frustration is justifiably raging over unsettled land claims, a lack of clean drinking water and substandard education. But he urged a calm approach to raising awareness and drawing deeper support at an
"We believe in reaching out to Canadians," he said. "We want Canadians to join us, to walk with us, to accept First Nations people as an integral part of the country. And we will continue to believe that the positive transformation that we seek can be best achieved at the table, with governments."
Ontario Provincial Police Commissioner Julian Fantino said police will provide a measured response to avoid escalating tensions, but will also deal with any public safety concerns or law-breaking.
"There's always a time when enough is enough. We will certainly negotiate diligently, we'll talk to the extent that we can. But we will also deal with lawbreaking for what it is," Fantino said. "It may not be immediate, but we are certainly prepared, as we have in
Provincial and territorial leaders from across