First Nation youth continue the Idle No More struggle to protect environment with 4 day march

From CBC.ca

First Nation youth walk to protest environment law changes

About 50 young people marched 250 kilometres over 4 days to Winnipeg

Feb 11, 2013Youth from a Manitoba First Nation walk 250 kilometres over four days to Winnipeg to protest federal legislation that they say could harm land and waterways.First Nations youth protest Bill C-451:18

Youth from Manitoba First Nations arrived in Winnipeg on Monday, after walking hundreds of kilometres to protest changes to federal environmental laws that they say will harm their land.

More than 50 youth, mainly from the Jackhead First Nation, spent the past four days marching about 250 kilometres from their home reserve to the capital city, stopping only to sleep.

Young people from the Fisher River and Peguis First Nations joined the walk along the way. They finished their trek in front of the Manitoba legislature late Monday afternoon.

"Without these youth, there is no future," event organizer Ben Raven said on the front steps of the legislative building.

The protesters are opposed to Bill C-45, also known as the second omnibus budget bill, which was recently passed by the House of Commons and Senate.

Critics say the legislation will make harmful changes to Canadian lands, natural resources and waterways.

The Jackhead First Nation is located on the shore of Lake Winnipeg, which was recently named the world's most threatened lake for 2013 by the Global Nature Fund.

The youth who marched to Winnipeg say they won't stop protesting until the legislation is revisited.

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