2012-12-24T18:04:00.001-08:00

As a white Canadian, I am both shocked and ashamed at the way the Governments of Canada, through the centuries, have committed atrocious human rights violations on First Nations People. Starting in the 1800s, colonial administrators undertook many 'initiatives' aimed at "assimilating" First Nations.

FACT: 'initiatives' were and are today, horrific government experiments designed to end the Culture, Language and Lives of First Nations - the government's end goal is the extermination of First Nations.

Recently, stephen harper of the harper government in Canada is pursuing this assimilation and extermination plan in ways that equate to horrendous crimes against humanity. In fact, the United Nations released scathing criticisms over the harper government's treatment of First Nations. The harper govenment, in an abuse of power, has created laws that violate both the Constitution and First Nations Treaties, threatening the very lives of First Nations Individuals.

Canada it's time to fix this!

December 11, 2012 Chief Theresa Spence from Attawapiskat began a hunger strike. She has vowed to continue her hunger strike until the prime minister, the Queen or a representative, agrees to sit down in good faith with First Nations leaders to rebuild what has become a fractured and abusive relationship.

In support, the Assembly of First Nations published an open letter to the Governor General and to Stephen Harper to meet with Chief Spence saying:

“The Government of Canada has not upheld nor fulfilled its responsibilities to First Nations, as committed to by the Crown including at the Crown-First Nations Gathering January 2012. Canada has not upheld the Honour of the Crown in its dealings with First Nations, as evidenced in its inadequate and inequitable funding relationships with our Nations and its ongoing actions in bringing forward legislative and policy changes that will directly impact on the Inherent and Treaty Rights of First Nations. Treaties are international in nature and further indigenous rights are human rights, both collective and individual and must be honoured and respected.”

Treaties are international in nature and as such, are laws that must be adhered to. Therefore, the primary issues is that there were no consultations with with First Nations, making the harper actions violations of Constitution and Treaties.

'Idle No More'

Idle No More is grass roots movement that grew up out of the a string of emails among four women from Saskatchewan. Disappointed with harper government legislations they created a Face-book page for a small rally at Station 20 West in Saskatoon. The page was named 'Idle No More' as a motivational slogan, said Jessica Gordon, one of the local and national organizers."

It is a movement of "incredible awakenings" with events, marches, rallys held across Canada and now around the world! Idle No More rumbles from Cairo to Ottawa, Prince Albert to Los Angeles! Idle No More grows stronger every day.

'Idle No More' Mission:
"Idle No More calls on all people to join in a revolution which honors and fulfills Indigenous sovereignty which protects the land and water. Colonization continues through attacks to Indigenous rights and damage to the land and water. We must repair these violations, live the spirit and intent of the treaty relationship, work towards justice in action, and protect Mother Earth."

All people. We must all stand together to protect the land and water and the lives of ALL who live in this country.

WE'RE STILL HERE!

We're still here . . .We've all seen what they're trying to do to us and we're still standing. They tried to beat the Indian out of us, and yet here we are still here.

"I say we stand together like this every day, every day. . . We carry this in our hearts. We teach our people." ~ Chief Robert Edward, of Lower Similkameen Indian Band Canada's First Nations (Idle No More in Penticton, BC Dec 21, 2012)

Dec 21, 2012 was designated a Canada-wide, world-wide gathering of Idle No More. The following videos are from the Idle No More Event of the Okanagan Nations held in Penticton, BC, Canada.

Links:

Attawapiskat Chief Spence says not “afraid to die” as she launches hunger strike

Aboriginal Issue Primers

Status Indian Explained

Idle No More movement started with string of emails between four Sask. women
Idle No More
Idle No More FaceBook
âpihtawikosisân

IDLE NO MORE ~ Okanagan Nations, Penticton, BC