IDLE NO MORE organizing public education rallies on First Nation rights and treaties
MANIFESTO
We contend that:
The Treaties are nation to nation agreements between Canada and First Nations who are sovereign nations. The Treaties are agreements
that cannot be altered or broken by one side of the two Nations. The
spirit and intent of the Treaty agreements meant that First Nations
peoples would share the land, but retain their inherent rights to lands
and resources. Instead, First Nations have experienced a history of
colonization which has resulted in outstanding land claims, lack of
resources and unequal funding for services such as education and
housing.
We contend that:
Canada has become one of the wealthiest countries in the world by using
the land and resources. Canadian mining, logging, oil and fishing
companies are the most powerful in the world due to land and resources.
Some of the poorest First Nations communities (such as Attawapiskat)
have mines or other developments on their land but do not get a share of the profit. The taking of resources has left many lands and waters
poisoned - the animals and plants are dying in many areas in Canada. We
cannot live without the land and water. We have laws older than this
colonial government about how to live with the land.
We contend that:
Currently, this government is trying to pass many laws so that reserve
lands can also be bought and sold by big companies to get profit from
resources. They are promising to share this time...Why would these
promises be different from past promises? We will be left with nothing
but poisoned water, land and air. This is an attempt to take away
sovereignty and the inherent right to land and resources from First
Nations peoples.
We contend that:
There are many examples of other countries moving towards
sustainability, and we must demand sustainable development as well. We
believe in healthy, just, equitable and sustainable communities and have
a vision and plan of how to build them.
Please join us in creating this vision.
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First Nations demonstrate against federal bills outside Kenora MP's office
By Jon Thompson, Kenora Daiy Miner & News
Monday, December 10, 2012 6:13:22 EST PM
Tania Cameron addresses a demonstration of over 130 people outside of Kenora MP Greg Rickford's office on Monday. Protesters opposed a number of bills regarding First Nations governance. JON THOMPSON/Daily Miner and News
Over 130 First Nations people and supporters demonstrated outside of Kenora MP Greg Rickford's office in Kenora on Monday against federal bills they say are taking away indigenous rights.
The Idle No More demonstration was one of many protests in cities across Canada, including Dryden and Thunder Bay, against Bill C-45. One by one, local chiefs spoke against a range of new legislation, mincing no words of disapproval.
"Prime Minister (Stephen) Harper said that we don't practise colonialism in Canada. You know what? That's a bunch of bullshit. If you believe that, you'll believe anything," Asubpeeschoseewagong (Grassy Narrows) First Nation Chief Simon Fobister told the crowd through a bullhorn. "There has been no consultation by Mr. Rickford here, our MP. He has never been to our communities explaining to us what the changes are going to be. Now, we're going to have to live with them if they pass this bill (C-45)."
Tania Cameron led the organization for Monday's demonstration. She has run against Rickford twice under the banner of the NDP, the party that has called for all bills related to First Nations to be halted until further consultation is undertaken. She also spoke against Bill C-45.
"Under the name of the economy, they seek to make it easier for First Nations to surrender their lands," Cameron said. "Right now, if there's any talk of leasing lands or whatnot, you need 51 per cent of your band membership to approve any such move. Under this chaange you can have 10 people show up at a community meeting and they decide on the spot. We are treading on dangerous waters with this legislation."
Wabaseemoong (Whitedog) First Nation Chief Eric Fisher attacked the federal government on pending laws he contends will weaken environmental oversight in Canada's lakes and rivers, remove First Nations lands and resource concerns, hold First Nations to impossible standards for drinking water, and remove reference to residential schools before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission has completed its work. Fisher accused the Conservatives of unilaterally imposing new laws on First Nations without consultation.
"As Rickford moves up the ladder in the Conservative party, he is becoming more and more out of touch with the Anishanaabe Nation in his own riding," said Fisher. "Our silence is consent. We can not be silent anymore."
Ojibways of Onigaming First Nation Chief Norman Copenace called on First Nation chiefs to embrace traditional governance.
"I'd like to break the pen that I use to sign contribution agreements and (Memorandums of Understanding), the little power that I have from the Indian Act. Today, our chiefs have to stop being Indian Act chiefs. They have to lay down their pens, pick up their eagles and all the traditional protocols we are given to govern ourselves. We have to become the spokespersons of our treaties."
Recently-elected Naotkamegwanning (Whitefish Bay) First Nation Chief Joyce White framed the protest as standing up for future generations.
"Our ancestors didn't sign these treaties so that the government could walk all over us. They're taking away our lands and rights," she declared. "We have a history - obviously - through residential schools and everything, has crippled us. We've been damaged and with these bills they're trying to pass right now, it's going to do further damage to us, our children and to future generations - to the unborn."
C-27: The First Nations Financial Transparency Act
Concern: The transparency demanded is higher than those in non-aboriginal governance.
C-428: Indian Act Amendment and Replacement Act
Concern: Lack of consultation, concern over treaty rights by dismantling the Indian Act piece-by-piece and removal of residential school clauses before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission has finished its work.
C-45: Jobs and Growth Act
Concern: The bill changes the rules to make First Nations lands easier to surrender. It also greatly decreases the federal role in river and lake protection.
S-2: Family Homes on Reserves and Matrimonial Interests or Rights Act
Concern: Provincial courts would preside over disputes related to the division of matrimonial real property on reserves, contrary to the Constitution Act 1867, which states First Nations have inherent authority over their lands.
S-6: First Nations Elections Act
Concern: Includes provisions that empower the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada to order First Nations under the act, including those conducting traditional elections.
S-8: The Safe Drinking Water for First Nations Act
Concern: First Nations would be responsible to achieve provincial standards for drinking water with no financial commitment to assist in doing so. Control of water management could be passed to a third party control.
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Hundreds of First Nations, Métis, rally in opposition of Bill C-45
Hundreds of Edmonton's First Nations, Metis and supporters gathered downtown on Monday in an Idle No More rally in opposition of the federal government's contentious omnibus budget bill.
Linda Hoang, CTV Edmonton - Published Dec. 10, 2012
Hundreds of people in Edmonton joined countless more across the country on Monday for a rally in opposition of the federal government's Bill C-45.
First Nations, Métis and supporters in Edmonton came together for an 'Idle No More' demonstration downtown Monday afternoon.
The demonstration coincides with International Day for Human Rights and rallies took place in 13 cities across Canada.
Photos
First Nations, Metis and supporters across Canada are protesting Bill C-45, which they say infringes on treaty rights.
Hundreds of people in Edmonton joined countless more across the country on Monday for Idle No More rallies in opposition of the federal government's Bill C-45.
Related Stories
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- Flaherty tells opposition to move 'expeditiously' on budget bill
- First Nations chiefs disagree with several measures in Bill C-45
More Details
Protesters say First Nations lands and treaty rights are being infringed upon through the government's contentious omnibus budget bill.
Bill C-45 was more than 400 pages long and, like its predecessors, made changes to a myriad of rules and regulations.
The most contentious amendments were those to the Navigable Waters Protection Act, which removed thousands of lakes and streams from federal protection under that law.
The Conservatives said the changes streamline regulation and remove red tape that held up projects along waterways, however, opposition parties argue that it removes environmental oversight of some of Canada's most valued lakes and rivers.
First Nations groups are concerned over changes to the Indian Act, some of which may affect the leasing of reserve lands and how decisions involving band territories are made. First Nations are also opposed to the waters protection act, among other legislative amendments.
A group of First Nations chiefs frustrated with what they say is a lack of consultation over measures in the bill attempted to get in the chamber of the House of Commons last week and had a brief confrontation with security staff.
Pam Palmater, chair of indigenous governance of Toronto's Ryerson University told CTV's Power Play last week that Prime Minister Stephen Harper specifically promised First Nations leaders that his government would not approve any unilateral changes to the Indian Act, but "he has broken that promise with at least eight pieces of legislation since."
Palmater said aboriginal groups are considering "all options," including seeking a court injunction.
Monday's rally and march in Edmonton included a pipe ceremony, singers and speakers.
In Calgary, hundreds gathered outside Prime Minister Stephen Harper's constituency office to protest the bill.
Click here to read more about the Idle No More movement.
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Idle No More rally draws 100 to Manitoba legislature
CBC News - Posted: Dec 10, 2012
Idle No More protestors carry signs, chant and
sing on Monday, trying to raise awareness of proposed federal
legislation that they say attacks aboriginal rights. (Tiar Wilson/CBC)
First Nations across Canada are holding rallies to express opposition to proposed legislation by the federal government that they feel is a direct attack on aboriginal rights.
Idle No More protestors gather in front of the Manitoba legislative building on Monday. (Tiar Wilson/CBC)
The national day of action and solidarity, called Idle No More, drew about 100 protestors to the Manitoba legislative grounds on Monday, despite the bitter cold.
Many held signs and flags in protest to bill C-45, the federal government's omnibus budget bill, which proposes significant changes to the Indian Act, including changes to land management on reserves that make it easier for the federal government to control reserve land, rally organizers said.
The Idle No More movement emerged about four weeks ago in Saskatchewan as an effort to educate First Nations people on the multitude of legislation being put forward by the government.
People at the Winnipeg rally chanted "we have a voice" alongside traditional drummers and singers.
Organizers said the rally is also about a larger issue, that of the federal government's habit of making changes to the Indian Act without consulting First Nations people beforehand.