Idle No More: Indigenous-Led Protests Sweep Canada for Native Sovereignty and Environmental Justice

Summary

The 'Idle No More' movement in Canada is a nationwide campaign for indigenous rights and environmental justice. It began as protests against government budget bills and has expanded to demand political transformation, with activists calling for Prime Minister Stephen Harper to honor treaties, engage in dialogue with environmentalists, and reject pipelines that would affect First Nation territories. The movement has gained support from high-profile figures like Chief Teresa Spence, who is on a hunger strike to demand respect for historical treaties.

Takeaways

• 🌐 The Idle No More movement is a nationwide campaign for indigenous rights and environmental justice in Canada.
• 🏛️ It began as protests against a government budget bill and has expanded into a broader movement for political transformation.
• 🤝 Aboriginal and environmental activists are uniting to resist the Canadian government's attempts to appropriate resource lands and assimilate Aboriginal Nations.
• 📜 They are calling on Prime Minister Stephen Harper to honor treaties with Aboriginals, open dialogue with environmentalists, and reject pipelines that would affect First Nation territories.
• 📢 The movement's message is spreading through social media, with activists rallying in cities, blocking highways, organizing flash mobs, and interrupting the legislature.
• 🌳 Chief Teresa Spence, a high-profile supporter, is on a hunger strike demanding a meeting with Prime Minister Harper to discuss respect for historical treaties.
• 🏙️ The movement's name, Idle No More, symbolizes the need to organize grassroots efforts and empower indigenous people in decision-making processes.
• 📈 The movement was sparked by changes to the Indian Act and the Navigable Waters Act, which activists argue would allow for the easy surrender of reserve lands and impact waterways.
• 🌳 The movement is also connected to resistance against pipelines like the tar sands pipeline, which activists argue would negatively impact Aboriginal territories and the environment.
• 🌐 The movement highlights the broader issues faced by First Nations, including high rates of unemployment, homelessness, incarceration, and suicide.
• 💬 Dialogue is not enough; activists argue that action is needed to address the fundamental crises in many First Nations communities, such as underfunding of water, sanitation, housing, food, and education.

Q & A

What is the 'Idle No More' movement and what sparked its creation?

The 'Idle No More' movement is a campaign for indigenous rights and environmental justice in Canada. It began as a series of protests against a controversial government budget bill and has since expanded into a nationwide movement for political transformation. Aboriginal and environmental activists are resisting the conservative Canadian government's attempts to appropriate resource lands and assimilate Aboriginal Nations.

What are the main demands of the 'Idle No More' movement?

The movement is calling on Prime Minister Steven Harper to honor treaties with aboriginals, open dialogue with environmentalists, and reject pipelines that would infiltrate First Nation territories.

Who is Chief Teresa Spence and why is she on a hunger strike?

Chief Teresa Spence is a high-profile supporter of the 'Idle No More' movement and is on her 16th day of a hunger strike. She is protesting to demand a meeting with Prime Minister Harper to discuss respect for historical treaties and the rights of her people.

What are the key issues raised by the movement regarding the treatment of First Nations in Canada?

The movement highlights issues such as the higher rates of unemployment, homelessness, incarceration, and suicide among First Nations compared to the general population. It also addresses the lack of benefits from resource exploitation on their lands, which are instead going to the government.

What is the significance of the name 'Idle No More'?

The name 'Idle No More' symbolizes the movement's aim to organize people at the grassroots level and to empower the indigenous grassroots to be involved in decision-making processes that affect their lives, which have traditionally been controlled by politicians and the Indian Act.

What specific legislation sparked the initial protests of the 'Idle No More' movement?

The initial protests were sparked by Bill C-45, an omnibus bill that made amendments to various pieces of legislation, particularly changes to the Indian Act and the Navigable Waters Act, which the movement sees as a violation of their treaty rights and a threat to waterways.

How has the Canadian government responded to the 'Idle No More' movement?

The government, represented by Parliamentary Secretary Greg Rickford, has expressed willingness to engage in more dialogue between First Nations and the Canadian government, emphasizing the need for shared priorities to deliver real results.

What is the connection between the 'Idle No More' movement and the resistance against tar sands pipelines?

The movement ties together various forms of resistance, including against tar sands pipelines, as part of a broader effort to protect lands and resources. The pipelines are seen as an aggressive form of resource development happening without the knowledge and consent of First Nations.

What are the broader implications of the 'Idle No More' movement for environmental protection in Canada?

The movement underscores the role of First Nations as the last best hope for protecting lands for food and clean water for future generations, not just for their people but for all Canadians, given their constitutionally protected Aboriginal and treaty rights.

What criticisms has Chief Teresa Spence's hunger strike faced, and how does the movement respond to them?

Some critics, including Senator Patrick Brazao and others, have voiced caution or disapproval of the hunger strike, suggesting it sets a bad example or is not an effective method for dealing with the government. The movement counters these criticisms by highlighting the dire conditions faced by First Nations and the symbolic importance of the hunger strike to bring awareness to these issues.