Peace Gathering Agenda

On behalf of the Womens International  League for Peace and Freedom,

I welcome you here today.

We thank the Snaw-Naw-as Mustimuxw First Nation for the land we are gathering on today.  Haych qu.

 The  Canadian Forces Maritime Experimental and Test Range ( CFMETR) base is on the unceded lands of the Te’mexw Treaty Association. The Snaw-naw-as Nation has recently asked for a portion of their land back for a community park.

We support their efforts and will look for ways to assist

where necessary and appropriate.

We are gathering on Remembrance Day to remember all the casualties of war including

children killed, injured or orphaned by war,

refugees  fleeing conflict,

citizens relocated,  ostracized and lands stolen

Indigenous victims of genocide and cultural destruction,

 women raped in war,

and the environmental destruction caused by wars.

 We understand that increased militarism only escalates conflict

and we urge real dialogue and communication in ongoing wars today.

Together we reaffirm our commitment to  peace.

In being here, we follow our code of peace:

I will act in a peaceful and positive way with my words,

with my tone and with my physical body.

I will listen to the perspective  of  others.

I will not respond to provocation.

Please  move back to allow any vehicles through to or from the base

and act with respect.

Since it is a cold day, we will be brief.

We will have a song,

then a few words from anyone who would like to speak  ( max  3 minutes)

then Brad from the  Freedom from War  Coalition  will say a few words

and introduce a moment of silence.

There will be a second song

and then we will officially adjourn

and those who  want to stay can continue to share music or visit.

Thank you all.