Some of the people behind this movement were interviewed yesterday on the Current. It may take Occupy to a new level.
Thanks to Anke:
Hi everyone
This is notice of a growing movement called IdleNoMore.ca - please feel free to send on to your contacts not on facebook.
You may have heard that Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence is now on the ninth day of her hunger strike in Ottawa as she calls on Harper or the Queen to meet with her. She says NO MORE to the Crown's blatant disregard of native treaty rights and is prepared to go to her death for this cause.
Omnibus Bill C-45, passed in early December, was the straw that broke the camel's back for Chief Spence. This Bill, among many other things, changed the Indian Act re. management of reserve lands and it removed environmental protection of tens of thousands of Canadian streams and waterways. Much is under threat as the oil and gas industry successfully lobbies the Harper government to remove obstacles to profit-making.
With 80% of us now living in cities, it can be easy to forget that our water ran wild before it came out of our taps, that our food was grown in the earth before it was stuffed into a package of some sort. Clean water, air and land are the basics of a healthy existence.
In the last 2 weeks, we have seen indigenous chiefs trying to enter the House of Commons, a "National Day of Solidarity and Resurgence" with marches on December 10th, highway blockades in the East and flash mob-style aboriginal round dances at several malls. This Friday December 21st there is another national day of action - see the beautiful poster cree8'ed by Metis artist Aaron Paquette here: http://www.aaronpaquette.net/?page_id=440 . Over 70 busloads of First Nations supporters from throughout Canada are heading to Ottawa to take part in a noon ceremony on Friday.
Victoria solidarity action: Friday Dec. 21st. 12 noon, flash mob round dance at the Bay Centre downtown - BYOD (bring your own drum).
For some background:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idle_No_More
http://apihtawikosisan.com/2012/12/11/the-natives-are-restless-wondering-why/
In the meantime, the holiday season is upon us - may you be warm, safe and loved <3..
Anke
