by Obert Madondo: If it’s a Christmas present, it’s a terrible one. No, an insult. A window into the insidious, hostile and frozen core of political power in Canada under Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the Conservatives. Yesterday, Christmas Day, Harper’s Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan wrote to Chief Spence, whose indefinite hunger
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The Canadian Progressive: Idle No More: An audio essay by the CBC Radio’s Jian Ghomeshi
Jian Ghomeshi, the host of “Q”, a national daily cultural affairs talk program on the CBC’s Radio One, weighs in on the Idle No More grassroots movement for First Nations rights in Canada. Ghomeshi tackles the slogan, the hashtag, and the movement. RELATED: Canada’s First Nations leaders confront Harper Gvt
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: This Christmas, Canadians and First Nations Idle No More
Neither the bitter Canadian winter nor the holiday season are slowing down Chief Theresa Spence and the phenomenal Idle No More movement. Flash mobs and other peaceful protest actions are either under way or planned for the near future, including the ongoing blockade of a CN Rail line in Sarnia, Ontario. Chief
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Hunger striker Chief Theresa Spence gets 5 500 Twitter followers in only 40 hours
Today marks Day 14 of Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence’s indefinite hunger strike. Still, Canada’s Prime Minister refuses to tear down his stubborn wall of silence over the peaceful protest. He remains unwilling to meet Spence legitimate demand for a face-to-face meeting of the prime minister, Governor General and First Nations leaders. Michael
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: David Suzuki Foundation supports Idle No More movement
by David Suzuki Foundation: Dear Prime Minister Harper, Two years ago, under your leadership, Canada endorsed the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, despite initially voting against it at the UN General Assembly. Canada’s decision to reverse its position to support international efforts that recognize and protect
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Alberta Federation of Labour urges Canadians to be Idle No More
by Alberta Federation of Labour: The Alberta Federation of Labour is urging Canadians to be Idle No More in opposing Bill C-45. On the morning of Friday, Dec. 21, union representatives marched with First Nations leaders and Albertans from all walks of life in Edmonton at an “Idle No More” rally against
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: For Idle No More, A solidarity statement from the gates of Buckingham Palace (Video)
For Idle No More, from Idle No More London: solidarity statement from the gates of Buckingham Palace in London urges resistance to the budget implementation bill C-45 and other assimilation plans of the Harper government. WATCH: This video is available on Idle No More London RELATED: Idle No More: Canadian
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Canadian Labour Congress supports Idle No More and Chief Spence
by Canadian Labour Congress: The Canadian Labour Congress supports Chief Theresa Spence of the Attawapiskat First Nation in northern Ontario, who is on a hunger strike in Ottawa. She is determined not to eat until granted an audience with the Prime Minister to discuss conditions on her reserve and government
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Elizabeth May’s Green Party of Canada supports the #idlenomore movement
by Green Party of Canada: The Green Party of Canada calls on all Canadians to take part in #idlenomore events throughout Canada. Green Leader Elizabeth May, Member of Parliament for Saanich-Gulf Islands, specifically invites citizens to take part in the 21 December 2012 rally in Ottawa. “Harper’s record on Aboriginal Affairs is
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Pressure mounting on PM Harper to meet hunger striker Theresa Spence
by Obert Madondo: Pressure is mounting on Prime Minister Stephen Harper to tear down his stubborn wall of silence over hunger striker Chief Theresa Spence. First Nations leaders, the opposition, unions, the media, grassroots movements and individuals are urging Harper to meet with the Attawapiskat First Nation chief as her indefinite protest reaches the
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Idle No More: Canadian Citizen Writes to the Governor General
A Canadian citizen writes to the Governor General, declaring fierce opposition to numerous pieces of legislation recently passed by the Harper Government. The bills the writer has issue with seek to further exploit, disempower, control and marginalize First Nations. They include Bill C-45, which is at the heart of both the
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: What Chief Spence’s Hunger Strike Says About Canada
by Obert Madondo | Huffington Post Blog http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/obert-madondo/cheif-hunger-strike-democracy_b_2298786.html “I’m willing to die for my people because the pain is too much and it’s time for the government to realize what (it’s) doing to us.” The chief of the northern Ontario First Nation reserve of Attawapiskat uttered the haunting statement as
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Chief Theresa Spence speaks on first day of her hunger strike (VIDEO)
Maggie Padlewska of One Year One World interviews Attawapiskat First Nations Chief Theresa Spence on Victoria Island on December 11, 2012, during the first day of her hunger protest against the Harper government’s continuing abuse of First Nations. Chief Spence is demanding a meeting with Prime Minister Stephen Harper and a representative of the Queen.
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Idle No More Movement’s Manifesto
The Idle No More grassroots movement has taken Canada by storm. On Monday, it held peaceful protests in major cities across Canada, calling for progressive action on aboriginal and land treaty issues. On Twitter, hashtags associated with the movement, such as #idlenomore and #nativewinter, are gaining in popularity. The movement’s
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Attawapiskat First Nations Chief Theresa Spence Protests Harper With Hunger Strike
by Obert Madondo | The Canadian Progressive “I’m wiling to die for my people,” Theresa Spence says. The Chief of the northern Ontario First Nation reserve of Attawapiskat began a hunger strike here in Ottawa yesterday to protest the Harper Government’s continuing abuse of First Nations. Chief Spence is demanding
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Toronto solidarity fast in support of Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence
The details, from the organizers: Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence has begun her hunger strike in Ottawa today and she has pledged to continue until Prime Minister Stephen Harper (and the Queen of England) agree to respect colonial and Canadian treaties and work with First Nations in Canada. She has offered
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Obert Madondo’s Canada crime Bill C-10 hunger strike: Response from the Minister of Justice
On June 6, I ended my 85-day hunger strike against Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s New Jim Crow-style crime Bill C-10, the deceptively christened “Safe Streets and Communities Act”. Two of my demands: the immediate repeal the Safe Streets and Communities Act and a national inquiry for the 600+ missing and murdered aboriginal women and girls. I
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Ontario students to walkout in support of teachers’ Bill 115 protest (VIDEO)
Please share this video and make our voices heard! We have the power to make a difference in our education! On Monday, December 10th, 2012 at 10:00 am, we are walking out from our school. We are not walking out on our teachers, we are walking out to support out teachers. We are
Continue readingCanadian Progressive World: Federal Budget 2012 Cuts: Statement from Katimavik
It is with extreme disappointment that we learned today that the Government has decided to end its funding commitment to Katimavik. Today’s announcement comes as a surprise, since we are entering the third year of a funding agreement whose terms … Continue reading →
Continue readingCanadian Progressive World: On International Women’s Day, A Focus on Canada’s Gender Deficit
As the world celebrates women’s achievements, Naomi Klein stands out among the many gifts Canada has given to the world. Her work and passion around globalization, capitalism, human rights and, recently, the Keystone XL pipeline, …Read More
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