Algonquins joined in Ottawa by political parties, major unions, Indigenous groups, protesting Conservative government's assimilation of their governance system http://www.mediacoop.ca/newsrelease/3639

Barriere Lake Algonquins protest Conservative government's attempt to assimilate their traditional political governance system: Political parties, major unions, Indigenous groups call for respect for community's Inherent rights.Barriere Lake is one of the few First Nations in the country that have never been under the Indian Act’s electoral system, continuing to operate under a traditional political governance system that is connected to their use of the land.

Despite there being a broad community consensus opposing Indian Act elections, Indian Affairs has announced they will try to impose them on August 19, 2010. 

“Community members refuse to accept this unilateral and draconian attempt to wipe out the way we govern ourselves. The government is attacking our governance system because it is intimately tied to our continuing use and protection of the land. We will defend our rights and customs for the sake of our generation and the generations to come," says Tony Wawatie, a Barriere Lake community spokesperson.