Why be Idle No More?
OK Friends, lets discuss Idle No More, and what it means to Canadians and all citizens of the Global community.
Since the announcement was made that the Harper government meant to proceed with the development of the "Northern Gateway Pipeline" running from the Alberta oilsands to Kitimat, BC; Native Chiefs from across Canada stood up in unison to declare that they would never let such a pipeline run through their lands. This stand was taken for many reasons, but important among them being the historically disastrous record of pipeline failures causing irreversible pollution in many areas of the continent to date, and the potential for serious contamination of critical waterways including the coastal areas of Canada's Pacific Coast.
In turn, Prime Minister Stephen Harper, with his majority rule in Canadian Parliament, has forced through a series of significantly game-changing bills (omnibus legislation) such as Bill C-45; which have basically stripped Natives of their right to stop development on Treaty-endowed lands and critical (formerly protected) waterways, and their rights to own and govern their own property, which will effectively dissolve the reservations they were granted by the Crown in the colonial era, which band their people and cultures together.
A number of other measures meant to undermine the leadership and autonomy of Native bands, including repealing the Indian Act, have been enforced; all of this without consultation of the Indigenous Leaders who represent those affected by such drastic changes. A similar act (the 1887 Dawes Act) in the United States led, in two generations, to 90,000 native people becoming homeless in their home territories.
In addition, many other pieces of legislation have been forced through Canadian Parliament recently: including the dissolution of environmental protections for most of Canada's formerly protected lakes and waterways, the abolishment of environmental monitoring agencies, and the persecution of non-profit agencies operating in Canada which have historically worked to protect these and other human rights.
Do we all see what is wrong with this picture?
Harpers' actions are in direct violation of Articles 18, 19, and 20 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. As well as being morally and ethically bankrupt.
The ongoing hunger strike of Chief Theresa Spence is a valid form of non-violent protest, demanding that Prime Minister Harper meet with her and the representative Indigenous Leaders of Canada, in consultation over the measures in question. Her brave statement is gaining media attention all over the world, and catalyzing people to stand up against the degradation of human rights, especially among the world's indigenous populations who have stood their ground and defended their rights to stay in their homelands and maintain their traditional ways of life in the face of colonial oppression for hundreds of years.
Idle No More is a grassroots movement organizing natives and non-natives across the country to stand as a united front against this corporatist agenda. As stewards and defenders of our Earth and our oppressed brother and sister everywhere, we are willing to take an indefinite stand against governments and corporations who would sell off all our known natural resources, and futures along with them - oppressing and marginalizing everyone who stands in their way. It is a Native Rights movement, but also a movement to protect the rights of the Earth itself, and all who dwell upon it.
The following are a list of keys I believe are important within this movement:
1. WE are the ones we've been waiting for. If we do not stand up for these issues in real time and with real actions, we, along with our children, will suffer the direct consequences within our lifetimes. Believe in yourself and each other as agents of change.
2. Non-violent actions (such as Theresa Spence's hunger strike, blockades, and large demonstrations) are going to continue to be the most effective forms of protest. Violent actions may lead to police-state conditions. Letter writing, phone calls to MPs, MLAs, the Prime Minister and Crown representatives and media outlets, petitions, and social media broadcasting are likely the best ways of drawing attention to the issues at hand; they demonstrate that there is a large swath of concerned citizens engaged in and concerned about these issues. Vote wisely when the opportunity arises.
3. Become informed. Know what is at stake and become aware of the extent of Stephen Harper's devastation of Canada's human and environmental rights and protections. Watch Rick Mercers' rants on Omnibus legislation. Realize that an informed and engaged population can and will change the course of events; even when it seems like it may be "too late". It is never too late to correct injustice.
4. Do not believe the lies and misinformation that mainstream media and corrupt politicians disseminate. They are working for money-seeking powers who believe only in taking as much from the planet as fast as they can for profit; before the people come to their senses and demand an end to that destructive ideology. Demand that the Canadian media cover stories relating to this movement in an unbiased light, or else change the channel.
5. As far as possible, have compassion towards the oppressors and ignorant in our world. Do not hate the police, but understand that they are the same as you and I. Blood, Flesh, Bone and Spirit bound together by love in a perceptible web of interconnectivity. When we all come to the table as equals with mutual respect and the common good in mind, great progress will be made.
6. Stand firmly against all forms of oppression. Think of it as bullying in the adult world. Zero tolerance policy. Take a stand and demand change. Consider the plight of oppressed persons everywhere from Native Canadians to African miners to South American farmers, to Asian sweatshop labourers to prejudged minorities everywhere. Vote with your dollars. Demand that human rights be honoured.
7. Demand that the Earth be honoured. At the most elementary levels we understand that ecosystems must be maintained in a delicate balance in order for any human populations to survive. Drastic and immediate changes are necessary to provide the necessary protections; the opposite way from where the current powers are driving us. As stewards of our environment, indigenous peoples are providing humanity a great service by standing in protection of the Earth, the source of everything we have in this life. Stand up with them.
8. Know that the solutions to ecosystem degradation exist and are ready to be implemented. The world is not going to end if the oil ceases to flow; but if it continues to flow unchecked, it likely will. There are just as many jobs to be had in an economy which derives energy from free and unending sources such as sun and wind and tidal forces. Organic agriculture is much better for soil health and human health, and provides a high quality of life for those involved in it's practice and consumption. Simple water sanitation technologies exist and are easy to implement everywhere. The technologies exist to radically change how this world operates, freeing human beings from the horrors they frequently face in the current system. All we require are the political, economic, and social will to make them happen on a global scale.
9. Have faith. We have just turned a corner in human history. By the accounts of many ancient calendars, we are leaving a "dark" time of human oppression over the land and each other, and entering an age when we bring "light" and healing to the injustices done on this planet for centuries.
10. Once you have awoken, do not go back to sleep until the work is done. Do not drift back into the status quo. We live at a very important and exciting moment in history. The power of the people is behind this movement, and people are rising up in unison all over the world. This is the moment when every voice, every thought, every intention, and every action counts. A major paradigm shift is necessary to fundamentally change the course humanity is currently set upon. Change you mind and change other people's minds about what is important. Stand Together. Do not stop until the change is complete. Be Idle No More.
Since the announcement was made that the Harper government meant to proceed with the development of the "Northern Gateway Pipeline" running from the Alberta oilsands to Kitimat, BC; Native Chiefs from across Canada stood up in unison to declare that they would never let such a pipeline run through their lands. This stand was taken for many reasons, but important among them being the historically disastrous record of pipeline failures causing irreversible pollution in many areas of the continent to date, and the potential for serious contamination of critical waterways including the coastal areas of Canada's Pacific Coast.
In turn, Prime Minister Stephen Harper, with his majority rule in Canadian Parliament, has forced through a series of significantly game-changing bills (omnibus legislation) such as Bill C-45; which have basically stripped Natives of their right to stop development on Treaty-endowed lands and critical (formerly protected) waterways, and their rights to own and govern their own property, which will effectively dissolve the reservations they were granted by the Crown in the colonial era, which band their people and cultures together.
A number of other measures meant to undermine the leadership and autonomy of Native bands, including repealing the Indian Act, have been enforced; all of this without consultation of the Indigenous Leaders who represent those affected by such drastic changes. A similar act (the 1887 Dawes Act) in the United States led, in two generations, to 90,000 native people becoming homeless in their home territories.
In addition, many other pieces of legislation have been forced through Canadian Parliament recently: including the dissolution of environmental protections for most of Canada's formerly protected lakes and waterways, the abolishment of environmental monitoring agencies, and the persecution of non-profit agencies operating in Canada which have historically worked to protect these and other human rights.
Do we all see what is wrong with this picture?
Harpers' actions are in direct violation of Articles 18, 19, and 20 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. As well as being morally and ethically bankrupt.
The ongoing hunger strike of Chief Theresa Spence is a valid form of non-violent protest, demanding that Prime Minister Harper meet with her and the representative Indigenous Leaders of Canada, in consultation over the measures in question. Her brave statement is gaining media attention all over the world, and catalyzing people to stand up against the degradation of human rights, especially among the world's indigenous populations who have stood their ground and defended their rights to stay in their homelands and maintain their traditional ways of life in the face of colonial oppression for hundreds of years.
Idle No More is a grassroots movement organizing natives and non-natives across the country to stand as a united front against this corporatist agenda. As stewards and defenders of our Earth and our oppressed brother and sister everywhere, we are willing to take an indefinite stand against governments and corporations who would sell off all our known natural resources, and futures along with them - oppressing and marginalizing everyone who stands in their way. It is a Native Rights movement, but also a movement to protect the rights of the Earth itself, and all who dwell upon it.
The following are a list of keys I believe are important within this movement:
1. WE are the ones we've been waiting for. If we do not stand up for these issues in real time and with real actions, we, along with our children, will suffer the direct consequences within our lifetimes. Believe in yourself and each other as agents of change.
2. Non-violent actions (such as Theresa Spence's hunger strike, blockades, and large demonstrations) are going to continue to be the most effective forms of protest. Violent actions may lead to police-state conditions. Letter writing, phone calls to MPs, MLAs, the Prime Minister and Crown representatives and media outlets, petitions, and social media broadcasting are likely the best ways of drawing attention to the issues at hand; they demonstrate that there is a large swath of concerned citizens engaged in and concerned about these issues. Vote wisely when the opportunity arises.
3. Become informed. Know what is at stake and become aware of the extent of Stephen Harper's devastation of Canada's human and environmental rights and protections. Watch Rick Mercers' rants on Omnibus legislation. Realize that an informed and engaged population can and will change the course of events; even when it seems like it may be "too late". It is never too late to correct injustice.
4. Do not believe the lies and misinformation that mainstream media and corrupt politicians disseminate. They are working for money-seeking powers who believe only in taking as much from the planet as fast as they can for profit; before the people come to their senses and demand an end to that destructive ideology. Demand that the Canadian media cover stories relating to this movement in an unbiased light, or else change the channel.
5. As far as possible, have compassion towards the oppressors and ignorant in our world. Do not hate the police, but understand that they are the same as you and I. Blood, Flesh, Bone and Spirit bound together by love in a perceptible web of interconnectivity. When we all come to the table as equals with mutual respect and the common good in mind, great progress will be made.
6. Stand firmly against all forms of oppression. Think of it as bullying in the adult world. Zero tolerance policy. Take a stand and demand change. Consider the plight of oppressed persons everywhere from Native Canadians to African miners to South American farmers, to Asian sweatshop labourers to prejudged minorities everywhere. Vote with your dollars. Demand that human rights be honoured.
7. Demand that the Earth be honoured. At the most elementary levels we understand that ecosystems must be maintained in a delicate balance in order for any human populations to survive. Drastic and immediate changes are necessary to provide the necessary protections; the opposite way from where the current powers are driving us. As stewards of our environment, indigenous peoples are providing humanity a great service by standing in protection of the Earth, the source of everything we have in this life. Stand up with them.
8. Know that the solutions to ecosystem degradation exist and are ready to be implemented. The world is not going to end if the oil ceases to flow; but if it continues to flow unchecked, it likely will. There are just as many jobs to be had in an economy which derives energy from free and unending sources such as sun and wind and tidal forces. Organic agriculture is much better for soil health and human health, and provides a high quality of life for those involved in it's practice and consumption. Simple water sanitation technologies exist and are easy to implement everywhere. The technologies exist to radically change how this world operates, freeing human beings from the horrors they frequently face in the current system. All we require are the political, economic, and social will to make them happen on a global scale.
9. Have faith. We have just turned a corner in human history. By the accounts of many ancient calendars, we are leaving a "dark" time of human oppression over the land and each other, and entering an age when we bring "light" and healing to the injustices done on this planet for centuries.
10. Once you have awoken, do not go back to sleep until the work is done. Do not drift back into the status quo. We live at a very important and exciting moment in history. The power of the people is behind this movement, and people are rising up in unison all over the world. This is the moment when every voice, every thought, every intention, and every action counts. A major paradigm shift is necessary to fundamentally change the course humanity is currently set upon. Change you mind and change other people's minds about what is important. Stand Together. Do not stop until the change is complete. Be Idle No More.
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