Is hunger striker Chief Theresa Spence, who entered Day 20 of her peaceful protest today, your 2012 newsmaker of the year? Is it the Idle No More movement? The Quebec student movement? Beleaguered Toronto Mayor Rob Ford? Is it Kevin Page, Canada’s fearless gallant Parliamentary Budget Officer, who showed uncommon courage recently when he took the Harper government
Continue readingTag: Idle No More
Song of the Watermelon: Three New Year’s Resolutions for Canada
I have never been a fan of New Year’s resolutions. The practice always struck me as little more than an excuse to put off self-improvement until next year. But now, with year’s end upon us, and solutions nowhere in sight for the host of problems that we face as a
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Monday Afternoon Links
Miscellaneous material for your Monday reading. – Michael Harris comments on Stephen Harper’s reckless choice to gamble that Theresa Spence in particular and First Nations issues in general will go away on their own, rather than exhibiting any leadership whatsoever: Stephen Harper has placed his bet. It is clear from
Continue reading350 or bust: Best of 2012
We’ve made it past the Mayan Apocalypse and are poised enter 2013, a brand spankin’ new year. ‘Tis the season for reviewing 2012. Here’s my personal, and entirely random, “best of 2012″ list: Best NonFiction: * Goodness knows we need inspiration and encouragement in these times, and Andrew Harvey gives
Continue readingNorthern Reflections: Out of Touch
There is no love lost between Stephen Harper and Joe Clark. When Clark’s official portrait was hung in the Centre Block four years ago, Stephane Dion and Paul Martin attended the ceremony. But, breaking with tradition, Harper managed to be away in Europe. So, when Clark came out in support
Continue readingMontreal Simon: Idle No More and the Power of Solidarity
One day historians, or forensic psychiatrists, will no doubt argue over why Stephen Harper was prepared to let Chief Theresa Spence die.Was it because that cold, cruel, man couldn't feel the pain of others?Or was it because he was a coward?Read more »
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Idle No More at Ottawa’s Rideau Centre today
At the Idle No More event at Ottawa’s Rideau Centre today, I bore witness: I saw friendly activists handing out literature: I saw a poster that said “We Support Chief Spence”. Theresa Spence, the Chief of the Northern Ontario First Nation of Attawapiskat is in Day 20 of her hunger strike. She
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Sunday Morning Links
Assorted content for your Sunday reading. – Pam Palmater explains the historical background to Idle No More: (M)ost Canadians are not used to the kind of sustained, co-ordinated, national effort that we have seen in the last few weeks — at least not since 1969. 1969 was the last time
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Idle No More dance and speeches on Parliament Hill (VIDEO)
This colorful video of the December 21, 2012, Idle No More protest on Parliament Hill, will always remain one of the highlights of my career as a progressive activist. The video includes speeches by supporters and helpers of hunger striker Chief Theresa Spence. The speakers also repeated Spence’s call for a meeting involving Prime
Continue readingbastard.logic: #IdleNoMore: What Do Protesters Want?
Dr. Dawg: The other day, I got into it a bit with John Ivison, who expressed polite disdain for the allegedly “hapless” Chief Theresa Spence—and then admitted that he had no idea what her demands actually were. That’s all too typical. But not all of us who support #IdleNoMore are as informed
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Saturday Morning Links
Assorted content for your weekend reading. – Lana Payne discusses the contrast between Theresa Spence’s selfless efforts to improve the lives of First Nations citizens, and Stephen Harper’s callous indifference: Is a hunger strike the answer? I honestly do not know, but then I have not known Chief Spence’s anguish.
Continue readingMontreal Simon: Idle No More and the Bigot Voices
As Chief Theresa Spence enters the 16th day of her hunger strike, with Stephen Harper still refusing to meet her, I see his inaction is causing some old Canadian demons to take flight.Flying out of their internet caves like bats, and emitting bigot sounds.Read more »
Continue readingWalking Turcot Yards: Idle No More
I wanna round dance neath the stars tonight I wanna stand up for what I believe tonight I wanna see peace in the skies tonight I wanna be love neath the stars tonight
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Theresa Spence Hunger Strike: Social Media Conversation on Friday, December 28, 2012
Today, Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence’s indefinite hunger strike, taking place here in Ottawa, enters Day 18. Spence started her peaceful protest on December 11, 2012. She’s demanding a meeting involving Prime Minister Stephen Harper, a representative of the Queen and First Nations leaders. She wants to discuss treaty agreements between Canada and First
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Why does it take a hunger strike to gain media attention for Aboriginal issues in Canada?
Dana Wensley | Troy Media: The issue is one of of fairness As First Nation groups continue their protests against Bill C-45, what comes as a surprise to me is that it took so long to happen in Canada. In the lead up to Canada Day I noted that while other
Continue reading350 or bust: The Drumbeat Continues
The story of the Idle No More is far from over. Over the holiday season, when people are generally too busy celebrating with friends and family to pay attention to political or social movements (there’s a reason why Stephen Harper shut down Parliament not once but twice in December). However,
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: New column day
Here, on how Canadians have a far more positive view of protest movements than of the politicians whose actions bring about the need for activism – and how joining movements like Idle No More can ensure we have less to complain about. For further reading.– Environics’ polling on public support
Continue readingdrive-by planet: Idle No More: inspirational Thunder Bay rally and video
Idle No More is first and foremost a grassroots movement – a movement that has risen up to confront the unjust dealings of the Harper government with indigenous peoples. The moderate approach that has been favored by Assembly of First Nations’ national chief, Shawn A-in-chut Atleo, has been in certain
Continue readingMontreal Simon: Idle No More and the Con Denial of History
When I woke up today and saw that it had snowed, for the first time this winter, I felt like I was back in Canada eh?Because I can't imagine winter in the Great White North without snow. Just like I can't imagine this country without the Québécois or the First
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Idle No More: Map Reveals A Global Movement
Map shows places around the world where Idle No More blockages, rallies, flash mobs, teach-ins, hunger strikes and other acts of civil disobedience against Prime Minister Stephen Harper have occurred in the last few days. Says the creator of the map, Toronto-based investigative researcher and journalist, Tim Groves: Although far from a complete list,
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