MNC President Sees Similarities in Easter Island

MNC President Sees Similarities in Easter Island

Monday, August 08, 2011 at 13:42

The President of the Metis Nation Council says Northwest Saskatchewan could take a page from the people on Easter Island.

Clem Chartier recently travelled to the Island to assist the Rapa Nui Nation with their fight for self-determination.

Chartier says the Rapa Nui have been mistreated since Chilean police forces began arriving from the mainland last September.

He says the Island people are worried that their small population will get swallowed up by the large groups of Chilean citizens who want to move over there.

Chartier says they are trying to maintain their culture and traditions in the face of mass-immigration.

He says this threat is faced by people in Northwest Saskatchewan as well.

Chartier adds the trip was helpful as it allowed him to see the struggle of an indigenous group of people seeking many of the same things as the Metis.