Idle No More has gained international attention, and the burgeoning movement also has a strong presence in Halifax. Rebecca Moore of Pictou Landing First Nation, now residing in Halifax, is a key organizer and participant. Through her involvement with the Halifax aboriginal community, she learned of the campaign, which was started during a November teach-in in Saskatoon.
The movement is a response to the Harper government’s Bill C-45, the latest ideological omnibus bill introducing sweeping legislative changes. Of particular concern to First Nations are changes to the Navigable Waters Protection Act, which has been renamed the Navigation Protection Act. It no longer protects waterways—only the act of navigation. Oil pipelines can be built underneath rivers if they don’t interfere with boats.
“First Nations treaties protect land,” Moore says. “The water and surrounding land were promised to us. If you disregard treaties, corporations can buy these lands, including on reserves, for commercial use.” She also notes Bill C-27 – First Nation Financial Transparency Act. “They want to see the bookkeeping of every business on the reserve put online.”
Moore and a group of young women organized a December 21 rally in Grand Parade, attended by hundreds of Mi’kmaq and supporters. A week later, Moore rented a van with two sisters and a friend. They attended a rally on Parliament Hill. “We wanted to ensure a Mi’kmaw presence,” she says.
They learned of a four-day fast—with no food or water—in support of Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence, who began a hunger strike December 11 and vowed to continue until prime minister Stephen Harper agreed to a meeting. Moore stresses that her fast was a spiritual act of solidarity, not a hunger strike in its own right. Harper will meet Chief Spence as part of a delegation of First Nations Chiefs this Friday. Spence says she will continue her hunger strike at least until that time.
“I’m trying to stay optimistic,” Moore says. “If we don’t like what we hear we’ll keep protesting as long as we have to. When I hear [backlash], it’s not well informed. I hope our allies will share the knowledge of aboriginal history.”
This article appears in Jan 10-16, 2013.
The Idle-no-More cause is a worthy one…..well overdue. I support the First Nations People in their struggle to bring 3rd world conditions on reserves up to a par with the average Canadian condition.
I do not support disruptions to the average Canadian (disrupting movement on roadways) to achieve support for the cause.
I also support transparency of Federal funds distribution to the First Nation accounts. I think that will be a positive exposure for the First Nation Peoples to see where the money is going.
From what I’ve read, and maybe I’m wrong (if I am, someone correct me), it seems like a big part of what’s being asked for is an improvement in reserve conditions using taxpayer dollars, but while saying at the same time that it’s none of our business where that money goes once it’s in their hands.
I can only support one of those two.
Also I ask, as someone who is embarrassingly not as “up to speed” on Idol No More as I’d like to be, why seemingly reasonable requests such as clean drinking water and first world living conditions aren’t able to be met by the (according to the National Post) “billions” of dollars already allocated to the First Nations. Are the “billions” not enough? Are they currently going to the wrong places (straight into a few peoples’ pockets)? Or are the populous just unwilling to make changes to how money is currently allocated in order to make the necessary improvements?
Also, if certain band chiefs want the First Nations to be an autonomous nation, operating within Canada, perhaps it’s time to start fixing their problems like an autonomous nation. I’m sure that, had Quebec separated, they would’t be knocking on the PM’s door looking for federal funding. Either you are a part of Canada, or you’re not. You can’t have it both ways.
Matthew Coon Come rocks.
I ate bouillabaisse for a month and still look like a Yaris. Thanks for nothing, Chief Spence. Jerk.
I don’t like social disruptions but I can always go back to where I came from.
I been checking out some websites of Polish nude beaches.
Veeeerrrry tempting.