Idle No More, a "grassroots volunteer movement opposed to unilateral federal government changes to legislation affecting the First Nations people of Canada," organized a protest Dec. 10 against Bills C-27 and C-45.
"Many of these bills impact our aboriginal rights directly. First Nations are concerned because there hasn't been adequate consultation from the federal government, and we're overall concerned with (Prime Minister) Harper's policy towards Indian people," explained one of the event's organizers, Eleanore Sunchild.
The well-attended protest, which was a march from the King Street Station parking lot to local MP Gerry Ritz's office, involved members of First Nations from Northwest Saskatchewan, chiefs, councillors and elders. The march itself was led by a group of drummers stationed on a trailer, despite the blustery, cold weather, and was conducted in co-ordination with around two dozen other protests across Canada.
Sunchild went on to explain that, while the protests are concerned with the policies themselves, they are more focused on the Harper government's lack of consultation.
"It's just to raise awareness of our position, that we don't like what Harper is doing or not doing with the Indian people, and that we deserve more consultation and he should definitely bring the leaders to the table when he's discussing anything that affects aboriginal or treaty rights."
Nevertheless, there protests did make specific mention of bills, or amendments to bills, that were opposed. Mentioned in their press release were amendments to the Indian Act, the Navigable Waters Protection Act, Bill S-2 Family Homes on Reserve and Matrimonial Interests or Rights Act, Bill S-6 First Nations Elections Act, Bill S-8 Safe Drinking Water for First Nations, as well as Senate Public Bills Bill S-207 An Act to Amend the Interpretation Act non Derogation of Aboriginal and Treaty Rights and Bill S-212 First Nations Self Government Recognition Bill and the "First Nations" Private Ownership Act.
