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OTTAWA - Hundreds of Natives from across Canada and northern New York marched on Parliament Hill on Dec. 5 demanding that the new government reinstate funding that had been earmarked for language preservation in Native communities. The Department of Canadian Heritage announced in November that it would not be providing the $172 million that Native communities were expecting. Instead, $5 million per year for seven years would be allocated for language purposes.
"Our people are frustrated and angry," said Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine. "And they have a right to be. We feel betrayed and we simply can't be silent about this betrayal."
Protesters, which included busloads of children, met at a hotel in downtown Ottawa, Canada's capital city, and marched together to Parliament Hill. Carrying aboriginal flags and signs critical of the government cuts, the group of roughly 400 made their case known.
"This rally is to underscore that First Nations people are here to stay, and that we will not remain out of sight and out of mind," said AFN Ontario Regional Chief Angus Toulouse. "We want what all people want for our children -...