On December 31, the founders of Idle No More issued a statement distancing themselves from Native chiefs who they say claim to be acting on behalf of the campaign.
“The Chiefs have called for action and anyone who chooses can join with them, however this is not part of the Idle No More movement as the vision of this grassroots movement does not coincide with the visions of the Leadership,” said the statement, released on Idle No More’s official website.
“While we appreciate the individual support we have received from chiefs and councilors, we have been given a clear mandate… to work outside of the systems of government and that is what we will continue to do.”
According to their website, the focus of Idle No More is on grassroots voices, treaty and sovereignty, and it began in the early part of October when discussing Bill C 45. All four women knew that this was a time to act, as this bill and other proposed legislation would affect not only Indigenous people but also the lands, water and the rest of Canada.
Critics say the underlying reasons for the Canadian government’s legislative changes is to free up land for natural resource exploitation, as well as try to “get rid of the Native problem” – work towards assimilation of indigenous people in Canada.
Quoted in a story in the Ottawa Citizen, Tanya Kappo, one of the first Idle No More organizers, says the campaign was, in part, a reaction to the Conservative government’s omnibus budget bill — which strips environmental regulations from thousands of lakes and rivers throughout Canada. The bill amends the Indian Act in a way that critics believe could threaten aboriginal land rights.
“From day one we wanted this to be something that was led by every day people, a horizontal movement,” said Kappo, an aboriginal mother and law student. “If this was ever going really take off, it had to come from the ground up, not the other way around.”
“If this was ever going really take off, it had to come from the ground up, not the other way around.”
Tanya Kappo, one of the Idle No More organizers
Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence, currently on hunger strike over her demand to meet Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper to discuss the issues, is part of the movement.
As Idle No More said in their statement: “Chief Spence decided she would fast on that day as part of her action to support the Idle No More movement. It is very important this history is known. We are very greatful for Theresa Spence’s honourable and courageous support, we also need to remember the face of Idle No More is also the grassroots people.”
As background, the local governance of First Nations affairs by the chiefs has often come in for criticism and their relationship with the government has been troubled. Most of the First Nations communities suffer from a range of problems, including unemployment, insufficient education, and drug and alcohol addiction, and some critics within the communities put part of the blame on poor leadership and corruption.
Idle No More appears to be a movement for First Nations rights, the environment, and a freeing of their communities from inadequate governance.
For more information, please check Idle No More.
