In the past few weeks, thousands of people across Turtle Island have been organizing major campaigns to protect Indigenous sovereignty, land, water, and, territories.
NO to Northern Gateway
First Nations and non-First Nations gave a resounding NO when the Harper Government approved Enbridge Northern Gateway Project this week. People have joined in a wide variety of actions such as legal cases, mass rallies, and peaceful sit-ins in local MP’s offices. This is just the beginning!! There will be a wall of resistance as First Nations groups and other concerned citizens have vowed to fight the Canadian government’s approval of the Northern Gateway pipeline. The ongoing failure to consult First Nations violates Indigenous inherent rights. Enbridge’s Northern Gateway, a $7 billion pipeline, would carry tar sands oil from the province of Alberta to the coastal town of Kitimat, British Columbia, where the oil will be loaded onto tankers and transported along the coastlines.
As BC Grand Chief Stewart Phillip stated “It will not be the voice of lawyers that will defend the future legacy of our children and grandchildren – rather it will be what we as indigenous people, as British Columbians, collectively standing up in solidarity, side-by-side to fight and protect what we all treasure in this province – the lands and the waters.”
http://www.haidanation.ca/Pages/splash/public_notices/CHN_ENB_Press%20Release.1.pdf
http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/6/18/northern-gatewayindigenous.html
Onion Lake Walkers
Women Rising Up! Iskwewak Pasikowak! from the Onion Lake Cree Nation, Treaty 6 territory, conducted a day long ceremony reasserting inherent jurisdiction over land and water. Indigenous people have been impacted by federal government policies such as the Indian Residential Schools, the Indian Act, The Child Welfare system, and the inaction on Missing and Murdered Women, which individually and together meet the criteria provided at the UN of genocide.
In a symbolic “walking away” from Parliament, the Onion Lake and Kitigan Zibi women took back the power that Parliament affects over the honouring of all Treaties made with Indigenous peoples with the British Crown and Canada being the successor State.
Idle No More Organizer Lynda Kitchikeesic called the day of ceremony a symbolic “pushing back” against the Conservative government and believes it conveys the message of a turning point for First Nations. (Photo Credit: Clayton Thomas-Muller)
Athabasca Regions Healing Walk
Idle No More in solidarity with Athabasca Region Healing Walk
Next weekend indigenous peoples and allies from across Turtle Island will gather in Fort McMurray, Alberta in the heart of the Canadian tar sands not to protest, but to pray for healing. We invite you to join us for the 5th and Final Tar Sands Healing Walk (June 27th-29th), to walk with us and pray for the land together. The Final Healing Walk is a part of a new beginning, to spread the healing to other communities who are impacted by resource extraction. No matter where you are there is something you can do to contribute to this year’s Healing Walk.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTdjfsCMo3s
http://www.keepersofthewater.ca/athabasca
https://www.facebook.com/events/1469589206591688/?fref=ts
Encuentro2014 – Montreal
This year, the northern part of Turtle Island (Canada) was chosen as the sight for Encuentro because Idle No More has had such a powerful impact on the world!! The Hemispheric Institute of Performance and Politics and Concordia University invite scholars, activists, and artists of all disciplines to examine the practical, ethical, aesthetic, theatrical, and performative dimensions of manifests and manifestations throughout the Americas at the ninth Encuentro, to be held in Montréal, Québec, June 21-28, 2014.
For More information on the Encuentro:
http://hemisphericinstitute.org/hemi/en/enc14
Encuentro: Getting ready to manifest!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/gina-athena-ulysse/getting-ready-to-manifest_b_5393341.html
Idle No More Flash Mob Round Dance Event June 27th
http://www.idlenomore.ca/idle_no_more_danse_traditionelle
https://www.facebook.com/events/1426167334325768/?fref=ts
Idle No More Manitoba
Lake Winnipeg Water Walk
In 2013, Lake Winnipeg – the 10th largest fresh water lake in the world, was nominated “Most Threatened Lake” by Global Nature Fund. It was suggested that in 10 years this lake could die if action is not taken to help her heal. From July 12 – August 8, 2014, community members from all walks of life will come together to take part in the “Lake Winnipeg Water Walk” to help her begin that healing process. We have a fundraising goal of $20,000.00 to support the walk. Cash and cheques can be made out to Lake Winnipeg Water Walk, or online donations can be made through www.lakewinnipegwaterwalk.ca. Through community leadership and commitment, we can work collectively to ensure that our life giving water continues to flow and sustain future generations. We are all responsible for the health of our waters – the time is now. “Ingah Izitchigay Nibi Onjay”- (I will do it for the Water) (Photo Credit Micheal Kannon)
Water Wednesdays Return!
> Wednesdays, 5:30pm @ Memorial Park in front of the Legislative Building <
Idle No More Winnipeg & Got Bannock are inviting the public to learn about water issues and participate in solutions to protect water for all people in Winnipeg and the world. We will share resources, have speakers, create art projects and have a different action every week to talk about this issue. In a new twist this year, we will also be collecting donations every week for GOT BANNOCK?, supporting Althea Guiboche “The Bannock Lady” as she continues to feed the hungry in honour of the village we once had. “Water and Love make Bannock” – Bring a donation for The Bannock Lady