From Arauco to Caledonia, only struggle will set us free.

                                                                               August 26,2006.

From: The Women's Coordinating Committee Chile Canada-Toronto.

The Women's Coordinating Committee Chile Canada is a political solidarity organization that works in defense of human rights, specifically in the area of Chilean, Mapuche and International political prisoners. Our objective is to diffuse information on the systematic violation of human rights in today's Chile to the international community. Not forgetting of course, yesterday's Chile and the constant pending struggle for justice.

We are a non-profit completely voluntary organization that identify's itself with the liberation struggles in our continent, especially grassroots movements and those that liberate the hungry masses at a world wide scale.

Under this framework, and wanting to contribute a grain of sand to the necessities that our indigenous people are facing through their struggles in defense of their identity, culture, and territory, we plan to carry out a political - cultural event of solidarity, uniting the struggles that are joined by historic ties of bravery and courage as are the Six Nations here in Canada and the Mapuche Nation in southern Chile. The event will be called "From Arauco to Caledonia, only struggle will set us free."

This political - cultural event will also have a very important economic factor. Fundamentally due to the current necessities, all the money collected at the door and food table, will be completely for Six Nations, submitting the total that same night to their representatives. That is why your presence and your support is extremely important. We would love to have your organization sponsor the event so that we may place your group on the poster. We now go on to what the event will be in general.

PROGRAM

1. Political - cultural event in solidarity with Six Nations and the Mapuche peoples.

2. The direct participation of the indigenous nations (names to be confirmed). Speeches.

3. Participation of brotherly organizations and their representatives in Toronto and abroad. Speeches.

4. The implementing of information, craftsmanship tables of solidarity organizations.

5. The artistic participation of community artists and native artistry (Six Nations).

6. Exclusive presentation of the Mapuche video filmed in the territories in conflict with their own representatives.

7. This program would be presented through poetry, theatre, song and speech with an intermission of 20 minutes, ending finally with the video.

This is the general program to be presented that night, under a four hour time schedule (8pm to 12pm).

ORGANIZATION

A. In order to organize this event, as we are a small committee that does count on special funds, we are planning  a rumage sale to try to cover the heavier costs, such as the venue, and with luck the costs of flyering/postering, and food. What we are completely sure about is that we will not touch a cent of the money agreed upon to give to Six Nations. (We reiterate: door tickets and sale of foods).

B. Having in mind the objective of the event, apart from it being a political necessity, it is also economically necessary and urgent to our brothers at Six Nations. This is why we have suggested a $10 door entrance fee, for those who can do so, or Pay What You Can. We would like to request the presence of a speaker from your group, in order to explain the group's work in solidarity, and linking their struggles with that of the indigenous situation here in the Americas.  We would would also like for your organization to have an information table present. There is no additional fee for the table, we simply ask that the members attending it pay the entrance fee.

C. Finally, in general terms, we would like to say that our spirits are high and believe that with the subjective factor we will go on forward, especially if we count on your help. We are not asking for monetary help; we believe that in this event, what we need is solidarity between companions, that friendly smile, that hand in order to go forward.

The event is planned for Saturday, September the 9th (from 7:30pm to 12pm) at the George Ignatieff Theatre, in the University of Toronto.

In solidarity,

Vivana Avila

Women's Coordinating Committee Chile Canada - Toronto 2006

Email: wccc_98@hotmail.com

Tele/Fax: (416) 489 - 7040.