If you have been watching the news, have been on Facebook, or Twitter, you probably have heard of Idle No More. But what is Idle No More? Idle No More began as a Twitter hash tag to show support to Attawapiskat First Nation’s Chief Theresa Spence. Theresa Spence asked to meet Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper in mid December to discuss bill C-45. This bill changes laws on water pollution that is crucial to Native Peoples. She was denied a direct meeting with the Prime Minister and was invited to a meeting with the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs John Duncan. Theresa Spence, however, was disgusted by the offer and immediately declined the invitation. She additionally went on a hunger strike until her wants were met. The country was inspired by Theresa Spence’s courage to stand up for her rights and the rights of other native people. Natives and non-natives joined together in flash mobs, protests and demonstrations. The main objective of Idle No More is to make the government aware that the people do not view them as idles if their behaviour and ignorance continues.
On January 4th, 2013, Stephen Harper himself released a statement saying that he scheduled a meeting with Theresa Spence on January 11th, 2013. Even after this announcement, Theresa Spence kept fasting. Many have asked the question, why? Large numbers of protesters thought that the campaign was for a meeting. But what they didn’t realize was that it was for something much larger. As the campaign progressed, expectations increased on the abolishment of bill C-45.
The future for Idle No More is unclear. Nobody knows how much progress the January 11th meeting will make or how much longer Theresa Spence’s hunger strike will continue. One thing, however, is for sure; the First Nation’s community is not backing down. Whichever path this campaign takes, all supporters will continue to disgust the Conservative Government. The only clear way that this fight will end is if the government and the people make any decent progress in their meeting. As for now, we can only hope that nothing catastrophic happens during this waiting time period.
My opinion on Idle No More is as clear as it can be. The First Nations community needs to continue to fight back and the Harper Government must compromise to the Native People and must accept that their rights and freedoms in the Canadian Charter of Rights are what they are fighting for. Therefore, he, lawfully, cannot fight back. If all people stay united, then we can achieve the freedom of the people and the abolishment of bill C-45.
On January 4th, 2013, Stephen Harper himself released a statement saying that he scheduled a meeting with Theresa Spence on January 11th, 2013. Even after this announcement, Theresa Spence kept fasting. Many have asked the question, why? Large numbers of protesters thought that the campaign was for a meeting. But what they didn’t realize was that it was for something much larger. As the campaign progressed, expectations increased on the abolishment of bill C-45.
The future for Idle No More is unclear. Nobody knows how much progress the January 11th meeting will make or how much longer Theresa Spence’s hunger strike will continue. One thing, however, is for sure; the First Nation’s community is not backing down. Whichever path this campaign takes, all supporters will continue to disgust the Conservative Government. The only clear way that this fight will end is if the government and the people make any decent progress in their meeting. As for now, we can only hope that nothing catastrophic happens during this waiting time period.
My opinion on Idle No More is as clear as it can be. The First Nations community needs to continue to fight back and the Harper Government must compromise to the Native People and must accept that their rights and freedoms in the Canadian Charter of Rights are what they are fighting for. Therefore, he, lawfully, cannot fight back. If all people stay united, then we can achieve the freedom of the people and the abolishment of bill C-45.