Idle No More

[polly7]

By Winona LaDuke

Source: LA Progressive
Wednesday, January 02, 2013

As Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence enters her fourth week on a hunger strike outside the Canadian parliament, thousands of protesters in Los Angeles, London, Minneapolis and New York City voice their support. Spence and the protesters of the Idle No More Movement are drawing attention to deplorable conditions in Native communities and recently passed legislation C-45, which sidesteps most Canadian environmental laws.

“Flash mob” protests with traditional dancing and drumming have erupted in dozens of shopping malls across North America, marches and highway blockades by aboriginal groups from across Canada and their supporters have emerged from as far away as New Zealand and the Middle East.

This weekend, hundreds of Native people and their supporters held a flash mob round dance with hand drum singing at the Mall of America near Minneapolis, again as a part of the Idle No More protest movement. This quickly emerging wave of Native activism on environmental and human rights issues has spread like a wildfire across the continent.

“Idle No More” is Canadian for, “That’s Enough BS, We’re Coming Out to Stop You” – or something like that. Spence is the leader of Attawapiskat First Nation — a remote Cree community from James Bay, Ontario. The community’s on-reserve 1,549 residents (a third of whom are under 19) have weathered quite a bit: the fur trade, residential schools, a status as non-treaty Indians, and limited access to modern conveniences — like toilets, or maybe electricity. Conditions like these are all too commonplace in the north, but they have become exacerbated in the past five years with the advent of a huge diamond mine.

Full Article: http://www.zcommunications.org/idle-no-more-by-winona-laduke

[polly7]

2. Well, it appears I *'d up with this earlier in your other thread.

The greatest injustice to any indigenous nations was done in Canada. Treaties were signed to give the settlers and the Dominion of Canada access the land and resources. In return the indigenous nations agreed not to molest the settlers. The indigenous nations kept their word. The Crown didn't. It wasn't the indigenous nations who wanted treaties. The dominion of Canada came looking for the indigenous nations to sign treaties. The nations reluctantly agreed to sign. This injustice must be corrected. Otherwise there will always be turmoil and conflict between the First Peoples of this land and the successive governments of Canada. Canada will not a whole country unless justice is done.

Democracy freedom in this country came about because of the First Peoples generosity and cooperation. Many aboriginal people shed their blood on the battle fields fighting for Canada, to preserve the integrity of democracy and freedom. My dad, for example, shed his blood in France. My son just recently represented Canada in lands far away. The contribution to preserve the integrity of democracy by aboriginal soldiers was paid in blood, along side their comrades who represented many diverse cultures of Canada. There was brotherhood and honor amongst the soldiers regardless of their background. If veterans ran this country there would be justice.

The good news is there are more aboriginal people becoming lawyers, doctors, surgeons, managers, land developers, architects, engineers, teachers, professors, professional athletes, etc. And they all pay taxes, including property and income tax. They live in cities and townships throughout this great land. They are also part of governments and corporations that help build our national, regional, and local economies that strengthen the social fabric of Canada.

Just something to think about.

I'm sure I did make your day! I was in a rush, and had quickly read only the first post, above, in your thread that I see now has been locked ... I mistakenly thought it was you who wrote that and looked forward to reading more. Glad you copied it here, so I can tell you what an ignorant, bigoted crock of crap your responses are.

[Joe Shlabotnik]

3. LOL

The alert and subsequent tombstoning 5 minutes later made my day. And he got the best PPR reason ever: "Racism, homophobia, and public sammich-eating."

[polly7]

4. I saw that

.... it was an awesome PPR, I wish I hadn't missed it .... still po'd at myself I made his day. Hopefully being tomb-stoned cancelled that out.