"We're here basically to bring attention to the impact that G8 and G20 meetings have, and the effect their social and economic policies are going to have on indigenous people, lands and resources," said Russell Diabo, a Quebec Mohawk and spokesman for Defenders of the Land. "We have a lot of unresolved issues we need to see addressed domestically, without Stephen Harper talking about going overseas and dealing with development there."

The group also called for control of claimed land, and urged the government to investigate the disappearance of some 500 aboriginal women across Canada.

Members of the rally passed out mock report cards for Canada, giving the country failing grades in several categories, including the failure to adopt the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and a failure to protect of lands and resources.