The Idle No More movement has swept to prominence in Canada over the last few weeks. First Nations people have risen up against the government of PM Stephen Harper which is pushing through legislation that reduces environmental protections for rivers and lakes and makes it easier to sell reserve lands to the fossil fuel and mining industries.
Starting small
The Idle No More movement began with just four women in the province of Saskatchewan raising awareness about the conservative government’s budget legislation passed earlier this month.
It has no real leader, per se, but has as its center a First Nations chief. Theresa Spence from the remote northern Ontario community of Attawapiskat has been fasting since December 11 and says she will continue until PM Harper commits to talks on a whole range of complaints, including the new legislation that will harm native lands.
The Harper government appears intent on getting rid of the “Indian problem,” assimilating First Nations people, and taking over the land covered by First Nations treaties.
The message has been spread through social media and word of mouth, and some mainstream media coverage. There have been rallies, marches and highway blockades by First Nations groups across Canada and voices of support have come as far away as New Zealand, Asia and the Middle East. Peaceful flash mob protests with traditional dancing and drumming have erupted in dozens of shopping centers across Canada, as well as in a few in the United States.
On the face of it, this is a Canadian indigenous rights movement. The campaign aims to draw attention to bad conditions faced by many of the country’s 1.2 million First Nations people, including poverty, inadequate housing, poor drinking water supplies, drug and alcohol addiction and high suicide rates.
Naturally, there are many voices in the First Nations communities – communities that have suffered from their own internal divisions and allegations of corruption and mismanagement. There are some who would argue that they want a piece of the action, a chance to profit from the exploitation of the natural resources. There are a few who side with the Harper government, a handful standing in parliament. However, it would seem the majority of First Nations people supports the ideas behind the Idle No More campaign.
More than an ‘Indian thing’
But Idle No More should not be considered merely an “Indian thing.” It is far more than that.
The Canadian government is poised to dig up the country in pursuit of wealth for the few. That process has already begun. With little or no safeguards, the government is encouraging the exploitation of natural resources for profit, claiming it brings jobs and economic growth.
The result is that mining of tar sands and minerals and fracking for gas are wrecking the environment and communities.
Growing voices of protest claim the country will be turned into China’s or the world’s gas tank.
These are reasons why all Canadians should be concerned.
And it is here where the Idle No More movement faces its biggest challenge – helping non-indigenous Canadians understand why they should bother with these First Nations issues.
The underlying message, as lawyer Pamela Palmater put it is that honoring constitutionally protected aboriginal and treaty rights provides Canadians of all colors and creeds their “last best hope to protect the lands, waters, plants and animals from complete destruction.”
Backing the Idle No More cause “doesn’t just benefit our children, but the children of all Canadians.”
A planet-wide concern
And it is not just Canadians who should be marching and signing petitions. Such is the dirty and destructive fossil fuel potential of Canada that scientists claim the burning of the oil and gas mined over the coming decades has the potential to push climate change over the cliff.
This is no time to stand idly by. This is not just an Indian thing, not just a Canadian thing. This is an issue for everybody on this planet.
Idle No More offers a platform to hammer out a fair solution to issues that not only deeply affect Canada but also affect the world.
Idle No More is a movement whose time has come. Support it.
To learn more check out their website, Idle No More.
