Jo Seenie Redsky: “We’re your last resort.” Photo: Paul S. Graham If your only source of information is the mainstream news media you can be forgiven for wondering what the Idle No More movement is all about. Since it burst on the scene late last year, media attention has darted
Continue readingTag: Indigenous Rights
The Canadian Progressive: Chief Spence takes fight against Harper government’s Bill C-45 to UN
Chief Theresa Spence, Mushkegowuk People of Attawapiskat First Nation and the International Indian Treaty Council file urgent “Action Request” with U.N. human rights body By Obert Madondo | The Canadian Progressive, Feb. 25, 2013: Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence hasn’t given up her fight against Prime Minister Stephen Harper‘s draconian omnibus Bills C-45 and C-38.
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Excessive corporate rights in Canada-EU CETA trade deal unacceptable to Canadians and Europeans
Transatlantic Statement Opposing Excessive Corporate Rights (Investor-State Dispute Settlement) in the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) By Trade Justice Network | Feb. 5, 2013: BRUSSELS, BELGIUM and OTTAWA, ONTARIO and MONTREAL, QUEBEC – Labour, environmental, Indigenous, women’s, academic, health sector and fair trade organizations from Europe, Canada and Quebec
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Gyasi Ross: The Future of ‘Idle No More’ (VIDEO)
Indian Country Today and Huffington Post contributor Gyasi Ross discusses the future and impact of the Idle No More movement, and the lived experiences of First Nations in Canada and the United States: Video available on YouTube The Canadian Progressive recommends: Stephen Harper Launches Major First Nations Termination Plan In Canada,
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Stephen Harper Launches Major First Nations Termination Plan
As Negotiating Tables Legitimize Canada’s Colonialism by Obert Madondo | The Canadian Progressive, Feb. 3, 2013: The following is a prophetic editorial detailing a major plan by Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the Conservatives to terminate First Nations in Canada “as negotiating tables legitimize Canada’s colonialism”. The editorial originally appeared in the June-October 2012 edition of the First
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: CASWE and CASW joint statement supporting Indigenous peoples of Turtle Island
A Canadian Association of Social Work Education (CASWE) and Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW) joint statement supporting the aspirations of Indigenous peoples of Turtle Island and their aspirations, currently being articulated by #IdleNoMore. by CASWE and CASW, Jan. 31, 2013: As social work educators and practitioners the members of the
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Fractured Land: A Dene warrior battles Big Oil and neo-colonialism
by Obert Madondo | The Canadian Progressive, Feb 1, 2013: This is the trailer of Fractured Land a film that tells the story of Caleb Behn, a young Dene warrior from northeastern British Columbia, “taking on Big Oil and Gas to protect his ancestral land and people from the ravages of neocolonialism.” I met Behn
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: New social movement assembly launches to take on the Harper agenda
Common Causes to hold solidarity actions across the country by Council of Canadians | Jan 24, 2013 On January 28, when Parliament resumes, the Harper agenda will face an unprecedented assembly of social movements uniting in Common Causes. The new people’s network is working with progressive partners, including Idle No More, to
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Supreme Court of Canada to hear landmark Tsilhqot’in Aboriginal title case
by Tsilhqot’in National Government | Jan 24, 2013 TŜILHQOT’IN TERRITORY, BC – The Supreme Court of Canada announced today that it will hear the Tsilhqot’in Nation’s landmark Aboriginal title claim, a decision welcomed by the Tsilhqot’in Nation and its members. “We are truly grateful for the many Tsilhqot’in Elders that showed the courage
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Chief Theresa Spence Ends 43-Day Hunger Strike With Declaration “Towards Fundamental Change”
by Guest Blogger | The Canadian Progressive, Jan 25, 2013 Attawapiskat First Nation Chief Theresa Spence signed the First Nations declaration that ended her 43-day hunger strike at Ottawa’s Victoria Island . The 13-point declaration, entitled “First Nations: Working Towards Fundamental Change”, was signed jointly with First Nations leaders and Canada’s federal opposition parties.
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Council of Canadians supports First Nations legal challenge to Canada-China investment treaty (FIPA)
by Council of Canadians | Jan 22, 2013: Ottawa – The Council of Canadians supports the Hupacasath First Nation’s legal challenge to the Canada-China Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA), a notice of which was filed in B.C. court on January 18. The Council hopes the dispute will force
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: AFN update on meeting with PM Harper, Chief Spence and Idle No More
by Assembly of First Nations | Jan 16, 2013 The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is pleased to offer this update regarding recent discussions, strategy sessions, meetings and developments regarding the First Nation-Crown relationship, and the continued priorities of First Nations in achieving change for our peoples, communities and nations. Meeting
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: “The people have said that enough is enough”: ACFN Chief Allan Adam
By Chief Allan Adam, Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, Jan 15, 2013: January 15, 2013 – Fort McMurray, AB: In the wake of Idle No More and the AFN’s calls for blockades, peaceful protests and a stall of the Canadian economy Chief Allan Adam of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation (ACFN) has made waves
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Chief Spence decries Harper’s “paternalistic relationship” with Aboriginals
For Immediate Release: January 11, 2013, Victoria Island, traditional territory of the Algonquian Peoples: Chief Theresa Spence is standing firm on her request that both Prime Minster and Governor General of Canada need to be present and participate at the meeting with First Nation leaders. This statement comes on the
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: In Paris, street art in solidarity with Idle No More (PHOTO)
More than five thousand #IdleNoMore protesters gathered in Ottawa Friday as Prime Minister Stephen Harper and First Nations leaders held a closed-door meeting. Meanwhile, in Paris, street art in solidarity with Idle No More: RELATED: AFN call for “real change”, “remedies and actions” for First Nations In Ottawa, thousands of #IdleNoMore and allied protesters demand real
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Manitoba Chiefs urge Canadians to demand immediate repeal of Bills C-38 and C-45
by Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs | Jan 11, 2013: The Chiefs of the First Nations in Manitoba invite all Canadians and non-‐ governmental organizations (NGOs) to join First Nations in requesting the immediate repeal of Bills C-38 and of C-45 as well as the repeal of any existing or proposed legislation
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: AFN to Harper: “We need answers to take to our peoples”
by Assembly of First Nations | Jan 11, 2013: Here’s the Assembly of First Nations‘ initial reaction to today’s closed-door meeting with Prime Minister Stephen Harper and members of his cabinet: Today, Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo met with the Prime Minister of Canada, Cabinet members, Chiefs and
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: AFN calls for “real change”, “remedies and actions” for First Nations
by Assembly of First Nations | Jan 11, 2013: The Assembly of First Nations has released this statement calling for “real change”, “remedies and actions required for first nations immediately”. The AFN’s demands are as follows. Emerging from First Nations dialogue and strategy sessions on January 9-10, 2013 in Ottawa the following are the
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Chief Theresa Spence’s Heroism Already Eclipses Nelson Mandela’s
by Obert Madondo | Huffington Post Blog: http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/obert-madondo/chief-theresa-spences-her_b_2408049.html Hunger-striking Attawapiskat First Nation Chief Theresa Spence is the reincarnation of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. She is becoming the greatest moral and political leader of our time. In fact, Chief Theresa Spence’s courage and sacrifice already eclipses that of South Africa’s
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Harper government bills that enraged First Nations, Theresa Spence, and birthed #IdleNoMore
Yesterday, Idle No More, the grassroots movement for Aboriginal justice, flexed its muscle with peaceful blockages of bridges and border crossings across Canada. Dr. Pamela Palmater, an indigenous activist and chair in Indigenous Governance at Ryerson University, says #IdleNoMore is pushing back at the aggressive assimilation agenda of the right-wing Conservative government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
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