Robin Rowland, a B.C. based journalist writes about an overlooked aspect of the omnibus Bill C-45, its drastic reduction of rivers, lakes and streams protected by the Navigable Waters Protection Act from 2.5 million to 159. This is one of the driving concerns underlying the Idle No More movement as
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The Canadian Progressive: To Chief Theresa Spence, From Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan
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
Continue readingThe 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 readingAccidental Deliberations: Tuesday Afternoon Links
Assorted content for your Christmas reading. – Naomi Klein comments on what we should take from the Idle No More movement: Chief Spence’s hunger is not just speaking to Mr. Harper. It is also speaking to all of us, telling us that the time for bitching and moaning is over.
Continue readingCowichan Conversations: ‘Idle No More’ Receives Support from Columbia- Aboriginal Pushback Grows
Richard ‘Hub’ Hughes- Political Blogger Support for Attawapiskat Chief Teresa Spence is it sees going international as the word of her hunger strike for aboriginal justice continues. Canada’s Prime Minister Stephen Harper refuses to meet with the Chief Spence. Harper’s Omnibus Bill contained measures that further damaged a marginalized people
Continue readingMontreal Simon: Chief Spence, Harper, and the Attawapiskat Christmas
I didn't want to blog tonight. I just wanted to enjoy Christmas.But I couldn't get these two contrasting images out of my mind. Chief Theresa Spence slowly starving to death.While Stephen Harper, with a weird look on his face, plays cribbage. Read more »
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 readingAccidental Deliberations: Monday Morning Links
Miscellaneous material for your Monday reading. – Michael Harris asks why Stephen Harper is afraid to look Theresa Spence in the eye: (Harper) believes that the government’s lying about all these things is far less important than the fact that it is the government. Incumbency is a magic potion. Under
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 readingdrive-by planet: Idle No More protests: national chief calls on Canadians to ‘stand with us’
Top: Alberta horseback protest / Center: Attiwapiskat Chief Theresa Spence First Nations has taken a stand against the Harper government’s omnibus budget bill C-45 in protests from coast-to-coast – part of the Canada-wide Idle No More movement. The movement opposes provisions in Harper’s omnibus bill that violate treaty rights and
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 readingMontreal Simon: Idle No More: The Sounds of Resistance
It was a wonderful sound. A glorious sound that made my spirit soar like a bird. The sounds of native drums beating all over North America. Read more »
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 readingNorthern Reflections: She Has His Number
As Theresa Spence enters the tenth day of her hunger strike — and as Canada’s First Nations put the Harper government on notice that they will be Idle No Longer — it’s becoming clear that Stephen Harper has a big problem — a problem of his own making. Michael Harris
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Friday Morning Links
Assorted content to end your week. – Jim Stanford is the latest to point out that the Cons see accountability and transparency solely as punishments to be inflicted on their perceived enemies, not as values to be applied to their own decision-making: Following Mr. Hiebert’s logic, any organization in society
Continue readingMontreal Simon: Why is Stephen Harper Afraid of Chief Spence?
It's hard to believe that a native leader from a suffering community, would have to go on a hunger strike, to try to get a meeting with a Canadian Prime Minister.On the eve of a day of aboriginal protest, the hunger-striking chief of the troubled Attawapiskat First Nation is again calling
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
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