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Idle No More
Idle No More protest draws 1,000 supporters to London park
Chippewa First Nation members Lucy Riley (left) and Chelsea Kennedy, both 20, say their treaty-guaranteed right to a post-secondary education has been stolen by the Harper government.
London Community News
by Craig Gilbert
Standing among hundreds of protestors in Ivey Park Wednesday afternoon (Dec. 19), Chelsea Kennedy said the Harper government has stolen her right to a post-secondary education.
The 20-year-old marched on Highway 401 down Wellington Road and then Dundas Street with her “best friend since daycare,” Lucy Riley, as part of the Idle No More rally against the omnibus budget bill C-45.
The Idle No More movement is calling for a new conversation on First Nations treaty rights.
Both women are members of the Chippewa First Nation. Kennedy said she wants to study early child education and become a teacher, but cutbacks to post-secondary funding for First Nations students initiated four years ago have deprived her of that opportunity.
“I deserve to go to school,” she said. “I was told all my life I would be able to go and now I can’t. If we don’t protest, who will?”
The rally started at about 10 a.m. when a caravan of vehicles travelled from a hotel on Colonel Talbot Road east on the 401 to Wellington Road, essentially halting traffic for over an hour.
With a London police escort, the protestors marched down Dundas Street and assembled in Ivey Park.
What is now called Ivey Park at the fork of the Thames River in downtown London is a historically significant place for the seven First Nations in southwestern Ontario. According to Raymond Deleary, a member of the Idle No More organizing team, it’s where the chiefs of the Chippewa Nation met with the British Crown for “nation-to-nation treaty discussions” in the late 1790s.
“I estimate it was about 1,000 people that showed up here,” he said of Wednesday's protest. “It was great — when you looked back from a high point on Wellington Road and you could see the sea of people and the convoy of vehicles coming up, we knew that this was a real show.”
The rally at the park saw several speakers, most chiefs and former chiefs, calling on the crowd to fight against what they perceive as continued attempts by the federal government and Prime Minister Stephen Harper specifically to “extinguish” their cultural identity and inherit treaty rights. Several protestors carried posters with an effigy of Harper, many saying the Conservative leader sucks buffalo genitalia.
According to Oneida man Lo:T^T, who spoke wearing full traditional garb, the rally had representatives from all of southwestern Ontario’s seven First Nations.
“We didn’t expect this to happen but Harper is trying to push things through without us noticing,” he told London Community News when the rally dispersed shortly before 3 p.m. “He wants us to assimilate; he thinks that Canada is this cultural melting pot. He wants us to become Canadian citizens, but we are not. We have our own language and culture.”
He told the crowd of a lesson his grandfather taught him. He said the elder told him to never call himself an “Indian,” or even “First Nations.”
“He told me those are their words for us,” Lo:T^T said. “He said our word for ourselves is Ukwehu:we, which means “original people. This is the place we were put when we were created. We didn’t come from anywhere else. We didn’t cross a land bridge.
“There is a plan going on here that’s a lot bigger than Canada.”
The London rally followed a 500-person flash mob in Regina on Monday, and a rally in Edmonton Tuesday night (Dec. 18). A one-day hunger strike is planned for Thursday (Dec. 20) in Kitchener, while other rallies are to take place in Toronto, Los Angeles and London, UK on Friday (Dec. 21).
Meanwhile, Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence is on a hunger strike in Ottawa in hopes of meeting the prime minister. Mentioned numerous times during the London rally, she has been on the strike for nine days as of Dec. 19.
To see more photos from the protest, go to www.londoncommunitynews.com/photogallery/1488472.
‘Idle No More’ movement grows beyond a single hunger strike
Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence’s plan to starve herself until she gets a meeting with Prime Minister Stephen Harper is rounding through its second week without an end in sight.
However the First Nations leader’s hunger strike is just the tip of a mountain of discontent growing in Canada, as members of aboriginal communities coast-to-coast rise up and demand to be heard. Elders in Manitoba and Saskatchewan have joined Spence in her campaign.
But more than that, an informal campaign to have the voice of First Nations heard in Ottawa has grown into a nation-wide movement.
The group Idle No More, borne at a kitchen table in Saskatoon, has organized more than a dozen protests and rallies across the country.
Hundreds of supporters have gathered at shopping centres and along highways everywhere from Toronto and Winnipeg to Vancouver and Whitehorse.
The push will grow even larger on Friday, when protests are held outside the Canadian embassy in Los Angeles and the consulate in San Francisco, as well as on Ottawa’s Parliament Hill, where thousands are expected to gather.
Idle No More stems from outrage at Bill C-45, an omnibus budget plan that, among other things, is being accused of weakening environmental protection and Indian reserve land rights.
First Nations chiefs are upset that such changes would be pushed forward without input from the aboriginal community. So are Jessica Gordon, Sheelah McLean, Sylvia McAdams and Nina Wilson – the four Saskatchewan women who sparked the Idle No More movement.
Gordon told the Saskatoon StarPhoenix the name started out as a motivational slogan:
We thought it would just be a planning group and we titled the page Idle No More as a way to get our butts off the couch to work on this.
Since then, the movement has grown through word of mouth and on Twitter, and rallies have been planned through Facebook. Leaders including NDP Leader Tom Mulcair and the National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations have weighed in, urging Harper to meet with Spence.
So far, no luck. But Spence is expected to appear at Friday’s rally in Ottawa, raising the hope that something may be arranged.
A mere meeting might end her hunger strike, but at this point it likely won’t end the Idle No More movement.
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/blogs/daily...220638876.html
i've been trying to research the specifics of C-45 with little success. what are the actual amendments is it proposing to the Indian Act?
idlenomore.com links directly to the bill but like, i'm a big dummy and need this shit in layman's terms.
Long story short it's yet another attack on the environment by the Harper regime. On December 4th, Canada had millions of protected rivers/lakes, but after this bill there are only 82. What this means is that a lot of the environmental legal hurdles and oversight to projects like the Enbridge Pipeline are being removed.
Here's a good page to start with: http://www.ecojustice.ca/blog/breaki...ronmental-laws
There's also a general frustration among First Nations' communities over the lack of consultation on things like this Bill which impact them especially.
So essentially this Bill undermines land sovereignty and other treaty rights of First Nations communities and they weren't even consulted on it. I don't know any of the specific legal details or anything but that's what I've gathered.
"I'm a pessimist because of intelligence, but an optimist because of will." - Antonio Gramsci
"If he did advocate revolutionary change, such advocacy could not, of course, receive constitutional protection, since it would be by definition anti-constitutional."
- J.A. MacGuigan in Roach v. Canada, 1994
It is completely crazy legislation -- it's a giant bill on hundreds of unrelated issues.
The main issue is giving more control to the Federal government over issues of land and resource control on reserves and the ability of the Feds to interfere politically with reserves.
A call out for international action January 5:
If you're near a Canadian border, consulate or embassy, please come out on the 5th.
Idle No More is smashing the complacent consensus on Native Peoples in Canada -- please be part of the fight back internationally.
I'll post more details here and elsewhere -- for folks overseas an electronic picket line would be appreciated.
From one organizer: "-- We are asking that this message be shared all over - we want to have peaceful blockades all over Canada - shut down borders, ship yards, railroads, airports etc - The goal is to send a message to pm harper that we are not going to continue to be silent!
This is in solidarity with idle no more movements taking place all over turtle island & also Chief Theresa Spence's fast.
Create an event page - Let us know what else is going to happen on Jan5th - we need to continue moving forward - United!
Enough is Enough - Young Warriors Rise Up!"
Chelsea Vowel: No, things are not getting better for Canadian natives
Chelsea Vowel, Special to National Post
Monday, Dec. 24, 2012
Picture this. You and I are sitting at my local laundromat slash fair trade café, and while you warily wait for me to get my first caffeine fix of the day, you lean in and prepare to ask the question that’s been on your mind since you first read the hyperbolic headline, “[external] Native Leaders Try to Burst Into Chambers in Ottawa, Held Back By Guards.” Licking your lips nervously, you spit it out. The question. Not this fantastic espresso.
So what’s got you all upset this time?
While I savor what has got to be the most widespread addiction in the world by now, I wonder how it is you and I ended up hanging out in the first place, but hey, it’s an honest question. If you strive to be a bit more tactful, I’ll strive not to move beyond visualising punching you in the throat, okay?
Although thousands of indigenous people all over Canada rallied together under the banner of [external] Idle No More on December 10th, there has been very little media coverage on the movement. Most of what is being said in the mainstream media is focused on [external] Bill C-45. I’d like to make it clear…they’re getting it wrong.
Attawapsikat still lacks desperately needed housing units, a year after the crisis was declared. Rather than deal with the situation in good faith, the Canadian government has continued to blame Chief Theresa Spence who is now taking drastic measures to open an honest dialogue.
[external] Chief Theresa Spence of Attawapiskat did not launch a hunger strike over a single piece of legislation. The women who are planning on supporting her in a nationwide fast, in relay, are not doing this because of a single piece of legislation. Canada, this is not just about Bill C-45.
Then what? What is the problem?
I’m going to go to the [external] Idle No More page and click on “Manifesto”. I think it’s important you read this in its entirety rather than just have me excerpt it for you:
We contend that:
The Treaties are nation to nation agreements between Canada and First Nations who are sovereign nations. The Treaties are agreements that cannot be altered or broken by one side of the two Nations. The spirit and intent of the Treaty agreements meant that First Nations peoples would share the land, but retain their inherent rights to lands and resources. Instead, First Nations have experienced a history of colonization which has resulted in outstanding land claims, lack of resources and unequal funding for services such as education and housing.
The #IdleNoMore hashtag on twitter has been an amazing source of information on the nationwide rallies, and the further efforts of indigenous peoples to organise a sustainable grassroots movement.
We contend that:
Canada has become one of the wealthiest countries in the world by using the land and resources. Canadian mining, logging, oil and fishing companies are the most powerful in the world due to land and resources. Some of the poorest First Nations communities (such as Attawapiskat) have mines or other developments on their land but do not get a share of the profit. The taking of resources has left many lands and waters poisoned – the animals and plants are dying in many areas in Canada. We cannot live without the land and water. We have laws older than this colonial government about how to live with the land.
We contend that:
Currently, this government is trying to pass many laws so that reserve lands can also be bought and sold by big companies to get profit from resources. They are promising to share this time…Why would these promises be different from past promises? We will be left with nothing but poisoned water, land and air. This is an attempt to take away sovereignty and the inherent right to land and resources from First Nations peoples.
We contend that:
There are many examples of other countries moving towards sustainability, and we must demand sustainable development as well. We believe in healthy, just, equitable and sustainable communities and have a vision and plan of how to build them.
Please join us in creating this vision.
In short, this is what we have always been talking about. Whether the particular focus has been on housing, or education or the environment, or whatever else. What lies at the heart of all these issues is our relationship with Canada. And Canada? This relationship is abusive.
I don’t get it, I thought things were getting better?
You’re right, you don’t get it. Things are not getting better. In fact, many of us feel that things are getting worse. Many of us feel that the reason things aren’t getting any better, is because Canada has forgotten it is a Treaty nation too.
When the relationship between indigenous peoples and Europeans first began here, we had a relationship based on [external] Treaties of Peace and Friendship. As indigenous peoples understand this relationship, it is one that should work to the mutual benefit of all involved. That relationship quickly became overshadowed by one more focused on [external] extinguishing (getting rid of) aboriginal rights, particularly as they relate to the land. I am not speaking about events hundreds of years ago. I am telling you that Canada continues to focus on [external] stripping away all of our rights and land while at the same time telling the world that it is doing the opposite.
[external] In this document (PDF) Canada clearly lays out its interests in any negotiations it enters into with indigenous people. The term ‘certainty’ has replaced ‘termination’, but the intent is still the same.
I can go find dismal statistics on pretty much any aspect of life for indigenous peoples in this country; trot them all out and say, ‘look it’s really bad’ and you will nod and say, ‘wow it sure is’, but that still won’t make it clear for you. I need you – WE need you, to see the forest and not just the trees.
I’m really sorry, I just…I don’t understand what the issues are?
[external] Aaron Paquette does a wonderful job of highlighting why this is not just about indigenous peoples. It is about everyone living in Canada:
This is much greater than angry protesting natives, this is about becoming aware of the world in which you live.
First they gutted the sciences, long term studies that would help us understand our ecosystem better so we could develop more responsibly, and no one said a word.
Then they cut funding for our shared history and those who work to preserve it, while at the same time dumping tens of millions of dollars into celebrating a British colony war that happened before we were even a country, and still no one said anything.
Then the world was made aware of the shameful conditions for small children growing up on underfunded, polluted Reservations. A small murmur and then nothing.
And now, because of the apathy they see, this government has taken galling steps to sell out our wilderness, our resources and sovereignty. And not even to the highest bidder. It’s a yard sale with no regard for responsibility or care for anyone who might be negatively affected (in other words, all of us).
From millions of protected waterways a couple weeks ago, we now have hundreds. Yes, you read that right.
So why are Canada’s Indigenous Peoples the only ones who are standing up? Why are they now the World’s Protectors?
What are the issues? The issues are many. The issues are [external] well documented. The issues have been studied and researched and reported on ad nauseum until we have literally filled libraries with the issues and the recommendations and words words words…
What it all boils down to is this. Canada has not committed itself to addressing the colonial relationship it still has with indigenous peoples. Canada is in denial about that relationship. I think it’s fair to say that most Canadians believe that kind of relationship no longer exists. We are trying to tell you that you are wrong.
So what now, more talks?
Contrary to popular perception, indigenous peoples are not just about blockades and protests. We have engaged in every dialogue Canada has been willing to enter into since before Canada was even a nation. When the requirements changed, often arbitrarily, we complied. When Canada pulled out of the structures it built, dumping years of work down the tubes only to decide to set up a different structure and begin again, we were there, at the table, ready to do it over.
We will not let Canada forget it is a Treaty nation. All Canadians are a Treaty people.
This has gone on for too long. The Canadian government continues to mouth platitudes about its supposed dedication to this relationship, while it slashes funding, ignores our emergencies, pulls out of comprehensive land claim discussions, ‘consults’ with us and then ignores everything we told them, all while pursuing a hard-line agenda which accepts only termination as a result.
We have been backed into a corner and we are literally fighting for our lives. We are literally dying, in so many preventable and unacceptable ways. I’m not being poetic or hyperbolic here and I don’t just mean culturally.
We are dying.
No one should expect us to stay quiet or polite about this. We have done what has been asked, we have played along to the constantly changing rules. It hasn’t worked. It hasn’t saved us. Idle No More is about saving ourselves.
We will continue to talk, and meet, and submit hundreds of thousands of reports each year…but we will also rise. We are rising. You will find that you have many issues in common with us, as Aaron pointed out. This is not us against you. This is hopefully all of us. Together.
Let’s move past chats in cafés, okay?
National Post
Chelsea Vowel is Métis from the Plains Cree speaking community of Lac Ste. Anne, Alberta. She currently lives in Montreal, Quebec. She holds a BEd, an LLB and is working on a Bachelor of Civil Law.
Speaking of young warriors - some critical perspective from Gord Hill.
The life we have conferred upon these objects confronts us as something hostile and alien.
Formerly Virgin Molotov Cocktail (11/10/2004 - 21/08/2013)
@VMC -- Are you supporting Idle No More, but also calling for the end of corruption at the the AFN and band level?
We go after the PA for collaborating, we should be going after the chief apples as well.
Sorry, I appreciate the opportunity to clarify. I do support Idle No More, and, though I've been traveling, I do plan to actively involve myself as soon as I'm home.
I'm particularly excited about the January 5th border blockades, and hope that it's indicative of a ramping up of disruption.
As for "calling for the end of corruption", I'm not entirely sure how to negotiate that sort of thing. Like, as a settler, it probably isn't my place to muddle in the governance of indigenous communities. That said, I would say that I'm interested in working with "the grassroots", and trying to take direction from folk whose struggles seem most oriented toward autonomy, rather than collaboration with the Canadian state.
I confess, I'm relatively new to this, and still have a lot to learn before I can really say much. Hence posting Gord Hill instead of just spouting off my opinion.
The life we have conferred upon these objects confronts us as something hostile and alien.
Formerly Virgin Molotov Cocktail (11/10/2004 - 21/08/2013)
Thanks for clarifying VMC.
@cynicles -- I don't know that that's the best way to go. Could be depending on circumstance. While we always want a strong moral leadership from the oppressed and exploited, that places an extra onus on folks facing many difficulties. The level of corruption in the native and labour leaderships is way smaller than the corruption in the general public sector or in private industry.
Part of the bill that Idle No More is fighting against is about over regulation by the federal government in both native reserves and in the labour movement. I'm very much in favour of an open book policy on most institution but when the scrutiny only goes one way...
http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwor...s-today-146630
Their corruptions has always been an impediment to movements both by betraying the people they're supposed to represent and other first nations groups. The problem only gets worse the more you ignore it, again I point to the PA and now more and more so Hamas.
On the plus side can you believe that this is the 2nd major movement in 1 year in Canada? First the Quebec Student Movement and now this. We have to start pushing for more especially with teachers on strike there is some definate huge potential for consciousness building.
Last edited by cynicles; 3rd January 2013 at 01:06.
There are a number of major crises hitting folks in the Canadian state. Manufacturing has totally tanked, the only economic plan the ruling class has one of resource extraction in the dirtiest scummiest anti-worker anti-aboriginal anti-environmental ways possible, the public sector keeps getting effed over, household debt is at an all time high, and the "official" movements are essentially impotent in the face of all this.
The Ontario teachers have been pathetic in the face of 115, but the whole labour movement is split.
Anyways...
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/...19/?cmpid=rss1
The link here is to Google maps made by the author of the piece below: http://tinyurl.com/a2978fw Or follow the link at the end of the article.
http://www.mediacoop.ca/story/idle-n...t-canada/15395
I have no idea what you mean by 'official' movements but they need to be engaged with and pushed.
By "official" I simply mean those representatives and supposedly representative organizations of oppressed and exploited people that are legally and/or institutionally recognized. So stuff like AFN, CLC, CFS -- sometimes they offer legitimate leadership, but more often are just conflict avoidant. It can make sense to work through some of these institutions, but it also makes sense to just do grassroots autonomous stuff not dependent on any bureaucracy. This is a tactical and strategic question but one that can be worried about too too much.
Anyways, HOLY POOP, apparently the Conservatives have barred the UN's expert on indigenous issues from Canada! The UN has been pushing an extremely moderate line, but it seems like the Tories can't deal with it.
greenpeace published memo's indicating that the harper government was acting on orders of the oil-industry, no surprise there but nice to see some proof; http://www.greenpeace.org/canada/en/...rn/blog/43617/
The mind is its own place, and in itself Can make a Heaven of Hell, a Hell of Heaven. What matter where, if I be still the same, And what I should be, all but less than he Whom thunder hath made greater?
Here at least We shall be free
