I remember when I first heard about the Omnibus bill going through congress, specifically the parts about the waterways. I felt outraged but also rather defeated. I posted about the changes made by the Harper administration online to friends in a somewhat halfhearted attempt to spread the word, but I was truly at a loss at what to do...
And then the Idle No More Campaign began.
And Chief Teresa Spence began a hunger strike, demanding talks.
So I started to hope that the people could defeat the ridiculous and harmful changes in this bill.
The Idle No More movement says it wants to "stop the Harper government from passing more laws and legislation that will further erode treaty and indigenous rights and the rights of all Canadians."
The mission statement reads, "Idle No More calls on all people to join in a revolution which honors and fulfils Indigenous sovereignty which protects the land and water."
The movement was started by four women in Saskatoon, in response to the launch of bill C-45. They started a local event, addressing the potential further erosion of indigenous people's rights and environmental impacts of this new bill. It has caused a reaction from the people of this country and blossomed as a movement throughout Canada from there. Chief Teresa Spence began her hunger strike on the first national day of action for the campaign, December 11th. Most recently, there have been rally's and shopping mall flash mobs by groups in solidarity with Idle No More to address the issue across Canada. A few groups have staged blockades against train lines and bridges in an attempt to convey the gravity of the situation.
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| Toronto Sun |
- The Idle No More movement and several other First Nations refuse to honour the bill. They claim that C-45 violates the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples because it does not honour the treaties or indigenous sovereignty and because the federal government did not adequately consult with First Nations before instituting the legislation.
- Idle No More spokesperson Eriel Deranger told Global News that changes to the Indian Act will make it easier for the federal government to remove land from the First Nations. She said that not only can the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs now call a referendum for land removal but also that the referendum’s results will stand no matter how few members of a First Nation attend — previously, a referendum had to include all members of a First Nation.
- Changes to the Fisheries Act, which previously required companies to build new lakes or streams when one of their projects damaged waterways, will allow companies to opt out of these environmental commitments. They also argue that changes in the Environmental Assessment Act will too significantly relax the environmental review process.
- The 130-year-old Navigable Waters Protection Act will be changed to the Navigation Protection Act, which will see thousands of Canadian lakes and rivers removed from federal protection. The government argues that the new act makes it easier to begin necessary infrastructure projects along waterways but Idle No More supporters believe the amendment too highly prioritizes industrial development over the environment. Critics fear will leave them open to harm from major resource projects, such as Enbridge's proposed $6-billion pipeline from Alberta's tarsands to Kitimat. These changes will weaken Canada’s environmental laws.
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| Chief Teresa Spence |
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| Idle No More Rally, Pen Centre, St. Catharines, ON, December 2012 |
This Friday, join the Montreal manifestation of Canadians in solidarity with Idle No More, Chief Theresa Spence and all First Nations. In solidarity with the environment and social sustainability!
Friday, January 11th, 1pm-5pm
Palais des congrès de Montréal - Convention Center,1001, place Jean-Paul-Riopelle
THIS MUST BE SEEN AS A CANADIAN POPULAR MOVEMENT. A movement that is ready to demand an end to Harper's relentless legislations that amount to nothing less then an outright assault on the fabric of this country.
It is HIGH TIME that non-Aboriginal Canadians woke up, and began to shake off the shackles of apathy. Apathy is destroying this country. The apathy of the masses is eating this great nation from the inside out. We as CANADIANS must be united. We must stand as one.
Bring signs, and express your outrage PEACEFULLY and NON VIOLENTLY.
However let your outrage be known **loud** and clear.
It's time we took back our country from this out of control government. We must make our concerns heard. We must spread the word. It IS our duty.
MORE INFO:
Idle No More - Official Site
An amazing short documentary addressing first nations history - The Canary Effect