UPDATE Idle No More gathering planned for Terrace tomorrow, December 28, 2012 at 4 pm at the Skeena Mall. Gathering begins outside near the Liquidation World store. Come out and show your support for the movement that keeps growing. Be prepared to sing, dance, smile and laugh with your neighbours.Meet the women that started it all. "These four Warrior women woke the world up and brought unprecedented attention and solidarity to our cause! The four female warriors did what political leaders could never do!
They are the true example to our people and the world that the true leaders of Indigenous Nations are our women! I am so darned proud of them!"-Ozaway Pinesse
Unions Support IdlenomoreMy ode to my fellow CanadiansStories and sayingsTestimonyGenocide attempted on our peoples over several generations, still continuing I might add, tends to create resiliency and strength as unintended byproducts.
Even those whose spirits are sleeping and are living an extended nightmare of greed are beginning to wake.
Question is: Can we continue to make enough noise to awaken everyone and how do we stop others (sometimes our "own people") from trying to lull us back to sleep?
Here is a letter from Marc Garneau addressed to Stephen Harper that seems to say it all:
Dear Prime Minister,
Since December 11, 2012, Chief Theresa Spence of the Attawapiskat First Nation has been on a hunger strike. On behalf of her people and all First Nations, Chief Spence has asked for a meeting with you to discuss Canada’s treatment of First Nations people.
Across the country, Canadians are calling for meaningful action to support this woman.
A growing grassroots First Nations movement called “Idle No More” is gaining momentum and urging Canadians to support Chief Spence’s request for a meeting with you and its quest for Ottawa’s recognition of First Nations treaty rights.
Prime Minister, you cannot continue to ignore this request. This is not a question of not wanting to set a precedent.
Four years ago on June 11th, 2008, you called for politicians across the country, from across partisan lines, to stand in unity behind your apology for the historic wrongs of the Residential Schools system.
The date of that apology was hailed as a new chapter of engagement between our federal government and all Aboriginal peoples. In your words, that day was to be “a new beginning…a positive step in forging a new relationship between Aboriginal peoples and other Canadians, a relationship based on the knowledge of our shared history, a respect for each other and a desire to move forward together with a renewed understanding that strong families, strong communities and vibrant cultures and traditions will contribute to a stronger Canada for all of us.”
I stood that day, as a citizen of Canada, in solidarity behind that message. Those words were not only a commitment by you, but a commitment by me, indeed by all Canadians, to forge that new beginning.
Let our words not be empty. This past January at the Crown – First Nations gathering, Canada committed to re-establishing its relationship with our First Nations through mutual recognition, sharing and trust. That trust has been lost. To regain it, it must be earned. Trust is not built on a single statement. It is built step-by-step, day-by-day, through action.
I ask you to take the next step to building the “renewed understanding” we promised and grant Chief Spence and First Nations leadership a meeting to plan a course of action respecting the treatment of Aboriginal peoples.
Sincerely, Marc Garneau
View Letter HereIn the Newsfrom the Guardian.co.uk'Aboriginals face legacy of genocide'Relations with Ottawa - SourPM Stephen Harper Is Selling Out On Canadians In Leaked Secret Foreign Policy DraftUN Responds to Harper GovernmentFirst Nations prepared to fight Harper government, Enbridge in international courtImmigrants Supporting IdlenomoreMarc Garneau and Justin Trudeau seek action from Harper GovernmentIdle No More: David Suzuki urges PM to meet with First NationsIdle No More map: Events Spreading across Canada and the WorldRail BlockadeCHIEFS OF ONTARIO ISSUES URGENT OPEN LETTER TO HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN URGING DIRECT BRITISH CROWN INVOLVEMENT IN CHIEF THERESA SPENCE HUNGER STRIKETwitter HarperTestimonialOne of the tribe wishes to share this beautiful song with you... a great tribute to the Rainbow Warriors of this Earth... ♥Flashmob Round DancesAt Stephan Harpers house round dancing #idlenomoreIDLE NO MORE Farmington New Mexico 12-26-12Rest of CanadaWest Edmonton Mall Boxing Day Flash Mob Round DanceIdle No More Toronto Flash Mob Round Dance Aerial ViewSarnia Police Officer drumming at the Aamjiwnaang First Nation Blockade Dec. 26, 2012All over the World#Idle No More - Australia
dle No More - Portland, OR December 23, 2012EVENT CALENDAR This movement is spreading way to fast for one reporter to keep up. Every minute there are new supporters from all walks of life. To view more go to the
Idlenomore Facebook page or the
idlenomore blog Chief Spence with Adam Beach.