The movement began as a grassroots protest in Saskatchewan against the Canadian Conservative government’s omnibus Bill C-45, which, among other things, changes land designations in the Indian Act and weakens Canada’s environmental protection laws.
A hunger strike
The hunger strike by Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence has been a rallying point for supporters, Spence has been on a hunger strike for more than 11 days now, and vows to continue until Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Governor-General David Johnston agree to meet with Native leaders to forge a new relationship, one based on mutual respect.
Spence said she is willing to die for her and her peoples’ cause. There has been no indication that Prime Minister Harper will meet with Spence.
More than just a rights movement
The movement evolved from the rights movement of the First Nations people in Canada, one concerned about the government Bill C-45 that takes away rights of these people and removes protection from rivers and lakes. This is just as much a movement against the industrialization and privatization of Canada and the major threats posed by this government against the environment as it is an indigenous protest.
Helped by social media
Through social media, Idle No More is becoming an international movement, with rallies and demonstrations spreading to the United States, the UK, Ukraine and even Egypt.
The movement has seen peaceful blockades, flash-mob round dances, marches and rallies.
Idle No More supporters are demanding that Prime Minister Harper agree to meet with Spence and other Native leaders. Idle No More is highlighting Canada’s treatment of Native people and how, through a grassroots movement, Native people are saying we won’t sit by and watch the government continue to act as oppressors. Last winter, when Spence declared a state of emergency for her Northern Ontario community, the Harper Conservative government responded by putting Attawapiskat under third-party management.
More than an ‘Indian thing’
It has been said that Bill C-45 is more than just an “Indian thing.” It is a law that all Canadians should be fighting against, because it affects more than just Native people.
A group of environmental and Native groups said in an open letter last month: “The changes proposed in this omnibus bill would further weaken Canada’s environmental laws, remove critical federal safeguards, and reduce opportunities for the public to have their say about major industrial projects that could threaten the air, water, soil and natural ecosystems on which all Canadians, and our economy, depend.”
