Harperland and the Horror of 2012
Golly. It's hard to believe that the horrible year of 2012 in Harperland is finally almost over.And that I'm still standing. For if on this day in 2010 I wrote…
Idle No More
Is Chief Theresa Spence your 2012 newsmaker of the year? POLL
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
#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…
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:…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…