by Nick Pelosi
In December 2012, the Canadian government passed the Jobs and Growth Act, an omnibus budget implementation law that, according to many Indigenous Canadians, contains measures that undermine First Nations’ sovereignty and treaty rights. By amending the Fisheries Act, the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, and the Navigable Waters Protection Act, the law gives the Canadian government greater control over natural resources, and drastically lowers the threshold of consent needed from First Nations to develop their lands.
Thousands of protestors in dozens of cities throughout Canada marched in opposition to the law, uniting under the slogan Idle No More. The movement was organized a group of Indigenous women from Saskatchewan who were frustrated over the lack of public discussion about the law and organized a public information session. One of the organizers, Tanya Kappo, posted about the session on Twitter with the hashtag #IdleNoMore, and the slogan quickly spread. The protests began on December 10, which is International Human Rights Day.
The protesters sentiments were echoed by the Assembly of First Nations, a national representative organization of the First Nations in Canada, which unanimously approved a Statement of Unity that “unconditionally rejects any Canadian or provincial legislation, policies, or processes that impact our lands, air, waters and resources which have not obtained our free, prior, and informed consent.”
The protests coincide with a high-profile hunger strike by Attawapiskat First Nation Chief Theresa Spence. Spence, who declared a state of emergency last year due to widespread poverty on her reservation, is refusing to eat until Canadian President Stephen Harper agrees to meet with First Nations representatives to discuss the rights of Indigenous Canadians. Spence has received support from numerous Indigenous and non-Indigenous groups, including the Canadian Auto Workers Union and the Communications, Energy, and Paperworkers Union.
Wab Kinew, the Director of Indigenous Inclusion at the University of Winnipeg, wrote an article in The Huffington Post asserting that the Idle No More protests have quickly expanded to a “loosely-knit political movement” promoting “broader conversation calling for recognition of treaty rights, revitalization of Indigenous cultures and an end to legislation imposed without meaningful consultation.” Kinew also notes that Idle No More “is not just an Indian thing,” and could draw significant attention from non-Indigenous Canadians, because of its underlying emphasis on democracy and the environment.
Do you think the Idle No More protests will prompt the Canadian government to pay better attention to Indigenous Peoples’ rights? Let us know in the comments section.
Caption: An Idle No More rally in Alberta draws over 1,500 (Source: Indian Country Today)