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Chief Shining Turtle

Chief, Whitefish River First Nation

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Idle No More: An Open Letter to My Non-Aboriginal Neighbours

Posted: 01/25/2013 12:24 pm

Join Me in the Circle of Respect to Idle No More
An Open Letter to My Non-Aboriginal Neighbours



Aanii, hello, to all my non Aboriginal relations. Greetings from your neighbours at Whitefish River First Nation.

I am Chief Shining Turtle of the Sturgeon clan, of Whitefish River First Nation of the Anishinabe. My heart is filled with excitement, pride and heaviness these days. I am proud of our people, and the peaceful way that round dance drums are beating across this country to bring a message of cultural pride and the determination to stand up for Aboriginal rights. I am excited to see youth in my own community raise their voices and move their feet to lead this call for change. And I am happy to see some non-Aboriginal neighbours dancing beside us.

But my heart is also heavy, hearing misunderstandings about my people and what we seek. I taste the bitterness of angry and poisonous words, raised to discount what is happening with the Idle No More movement and the current protests. So I speak to you to try to bring understanding to heal this wound between us.

These Idle No More drums are not just for us: they beat for you because the legislation we are protesting does not just harm us -- it hurts you and your children and your grandchildren. This is not about your Aboriginal neighbours -- it is about 'justice' for you, too. The "Omnibus" budget bills change the law in ways that will forever harm the water and earth that we all rely on for life.

I cannot tell you what path to follow. I cannot tell you to join our protest. But I can tell you the story of what we know of these legislative changes and how they will forever change our relationship with the land and water. So I ask you to take this story to heart; then it is up to you to decide what to do.

• The federal government passed Bill C-45, changing 44 laws that removed many fish habitat protections and fails to recognize Aboriginal commercial fisheries.
• The new Navigation Protection Act removed the environmental assessment requirement for all but one per cent of Canada's waterways including key rivers in British Columbia along the path of the proposed Northern Gateway pipeline.
• Bill C-38 affected more than 70 federal laws without proper Parliamentary debate and changed Canada's federal environmental legislation and protections for water, fish, and the environment.
• Bill C-27 requires First Nation-owned businesses (unlike non-Aboriginal businesses) to publicly report income and expenses, thus undermining competitiveness.

I can tell you, though, what most concerns me the most about all the changes: put together, they dramatically change how we in Canada will be able to protect and respect the water, the fish, and our fellow creatures. These bills take power away from the public -- both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal -- to review and understand and speak out about projects which could harm the environment. Your children and grandchildren, and my grandchildren, will live in an unhealthier -- and, as a result, a poorer -- world because of it. These bills already took away the power of the normal Parliamentary process for proper review, rolling massive changes to over 100 laws into one bill without proper hearings and consultation.

We, your Aboriginal neighbours, have been working to channel that energy and anger into positive resistance. The round dances you see in your malls or blocking your roads are both a call for change and a celebration of our culture. They are organized by our youth, and I am proud to watch them find new and visionary ways to combine new technologies with aboriginal culture and a commitment to self-determination. These are also dances for life: they are call-outs to remind us all to respect the earth and our relationship with each other.

So I invite you to make our campaign yours:
• Email Prime Minister Stephen Harper (stephen.harper@parl.gc.ca) to let him know that enough is enough!
• Learn more about how we can work together by following the news on Twitter (#IdleNoMore).

The circle of those dances is not complete until you join us. I know that it is up to you to know your own journey. I know, however, that many of you have hearts open to hear this call, and so I speak these words into the circle between us:

Let us work together, to ensure respect for earth, the water and our fellow creatures.
Let us work together to honour the sacred treaty relationship we have with one another.
Let us work together to creatively, peacefully and firmly push our government to repeal or amend the recently-passed laws which will harm the earth and us all.
Let us join together in the circle dance of respect for each other and the earth.

Miigwetch,
Chief Shining Turtle
(Franklin Paibomsai)

Loading Slideshow...

  • A native dancer looks on during an 'Idle No More' gathering on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Monday, Jan. 28, 2013. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

  • Native dancers rally during an 'Idle No More' gathering on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Monday, Jan. 28, 2013. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

  • Idle No More Mall Protest

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/LJ_Henshell"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://graph.facebook.com/630755180/picture?type=square" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/LJ_Henshell">LJ Henshell</a>:<br />A First Nations Drummer plays during a protest at Intercity Shopping Center in Thunder Bay, Ontario

  • It's about the future

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/LJ_Henshell"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://graph.facebook.com/630755180/picture?type=square" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/LJ_Henshell">LJ Henshell</a>:<br />A child protests in Thunder Bay, Ontario

  • United we stand

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Doug_Cleverley"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://graph.facebook.com/805699678/picture?type=square" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Doug_Cleverley">Doug Cleverley</a>:<br />At the #IdleNoMore rally in Owen Sound (Saugeen Ojibway Nation territory), during a spontaneous round dance at the main downtown intersection.

  • Killer Whale Dance

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Courtney_Harrop"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://images.huffingtonpost.com/twitter_profile_img/4441016.png" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Courtney_Harrop">Courtney Harrop</a>:<br />Idle No More actions, Coast Salish Territories, Powell River, BC

  • Idle No More #J11

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Courtney_Harrop"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://images.huffingtonpost.com/twitter_profile_img/4441016.png" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Courtney_Harrop">Courtney Harrop</a>:<br />Coast Salish Territories, Powell River, BC

  • Idle No More #J11 March

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Courtney_Harrop"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://images.huffingtonpost.com/twitter_profile_img/4441016.png" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Courtney_Harrop">Courtney Harrop</a>:<br />Coast Salish Territories, Powell River, BC

  • Tla'Amin Prayer Song #J11 Idle No More

    Tla'Amin Prayer song on #J11 2013 Idle No More, Coast Salish Territories, Powell River BC

  • Tla'Amin Killer Whale Dance, #J11 #IdleNoMore

    Tla'Amin Killer Whale Dance, #J11 #IdleNoMore, Coast Salish Territories, Powell River, BC

  • C45 affects all Canadians! Join the fight.

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Eleanor_Kure"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://graph.facebook.com/840875359/picture?type=square" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Eleanor_Kure">Eleanor Kure</a>:<br />At the Idle No More protest in Halifax Nova Scotia. with an eco-justice article in pocket, spreading the word that Bill C45 affects every Canadian, not only First Nations. Thank you FN, for beginning this movement.

  • Piyesiw Awasis

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/mizzren"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://images.huffingtonpost.com/twitter_profile_img/3183681.png" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/mizzren">mizzren</a>:<br />Thunderchild First Nation @ Lloydminster Flash Mob. January 16, 2013

  • <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/01/16/idle-no-more-queen-elizabeth-2-highway-blockade-alberta_n_2490009.html">Idle No More supporters jump onto a truck</a> as they are pushed by a driver trying to pass, as the protesters block Highway 2 as part of a planned national day of action, in Edmonton, Alberta on Wedneday January 16, 2013.

  • Aboriginal protesters march down Huron Church Road towards the Ambassador bridge in Windsor Ontario, Wednesday, January 16, 2013. About 1000 demonstrators disrupted traffic to the country's busiest border crossing for several hours.

  • Aboriginal protestors pray at the end of their blockade of a CN railroad track just west of Portage La Prairie, Man., on Wednesday, January 16, 2016. They ended their protest without incident.

  • Aboriginal protesters demonstrate at the base of the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor Ontario, Wednesday, January 16, 2013. About 1000 demonstrators disrupted traffic to the country's busiest border crossing for several hours.

  • Idle No More demonstrators block a CN east-west track just west of Portage La Prairie, Manitoba Wednesday, January 16, 2016.

  • Mississaugas of the New Credit support INM

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Vicki_King_Jamieson"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://graph.facebook.com/750500023/picture?type=square" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Vicki_King_Jamieson">Vicki King Jamieson</a>:<br />New Credit Youth supporting INM

  • Montreal Idle No More

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Caillum"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://s.huffpost.com/images/profile/user_placeholder.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Caillum">Caillum</a>:<br />Thousands of people, both Native and Canadian, show their support at an Idle No More protest in Montreal on January 11th, 2013.

  • #Denendeh #J11 #IdleNoMore #YZF #NWT Yellowknife "Northwest Territories"

    Video of the Global Day of Action rally in downtown Somba K’e (Yellowknife)on the Akaitcho territory of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation in Denendeh (Northwest Territories).

  • #IdleNoMore March and Round Dance in Yellowknife Denendeh NWT

    "Today (Friday, December 21, 2012) in Denendeh and across the globe, we made an impact, a statement for true justice to be brought forward and acknowledged. But it will not stop, for the 8th fire has been lit and will only grow. Mahsi for all who showed up and united, we felt the support....we felt the fire!! And there's more to come in the new year." On Facebook By Lawrence Nayally, Melaw Nakehk'o and Eugene Boulanger https://www.facebook.com/events/112403725595655/

  • Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence, wearing a headdress, takes part in a drum ceremony before departing a Ottawa hotel to attend a ceremonial meeting at Rideau Hall with Gov. Gen. David Johnston in Ottawa, Friday January 11, 2013.

  • Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence, centre, departs a Ottawa hotel to attend a ceremonial meeting at Rideau Hall with Gov. Gen. David Johnston in Ottawa, Friday January 11, 2013.

  • Prime Minister Stephen Harper meets with First Nations leaders in Ottawa on January 11, 2013.

  • Prime Minister Stephen Harper meets with First Nations leaders in Ottawa on January 11, 2013.

  • Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence makes a brief statement on Victoria Island near Parliament Hill Friday January 11, 2013 in Ottawa. Spence is speaking out for the first time about how her reserve spends government money, saying most of what flows to her isolated James Bay reserve actually gets spent outside the community.

  • Aboriginal Chiefs stand at the main gate to Parliament Hill during a protest Friday January 11, 2013 in Ottawa.

  • Idle No More protesters listen to speakers during a rally on Parliament Hill Friday January 11, 2013 in Ottawa.

  • Gordie Odjig of Wikwemikong stands at the west gate to the Langevin Block during the aboriginal meeting in Ottawa on Friday, January 11, 2013.

  • Idle No More at UBC Vancouver

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Randall_Gray"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://graph.facebook.com/100001602753648/picture?type=square" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Randall_Gray">Randall Gray</a>:<br />

  • Idle No More at UBC Vancouver

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Randall_Gray"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://graph.facebook.com/100001602753648/picture?type=square" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Randall_Gray">Randall Gray</a>:<br />

  • Los Angeles Rally In Solidarity with First nations

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/hp_blogger_Melinda Gopher"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/contributors/melinda-gopher/headshot.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/hp_blogger_Melinda Gopher">HuffPost Blogger Melinda Gopher</a>:<br />Brock Conway, Blackfeet activist, with Saulteaux Actor Adam Beach and companion. Photo: Morning Star Gopher

  • Native protesters march up Wellington Street in Ottawa on Friday, January 11, 2013.

  • Four-year-old Phoenix Sky Cottrelle,from Aamjiwnaang First Nation, holds a sign as aboriginal protestors gather on Victoria Island before they march to Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Friday, January 11, 2013.

  • Aboriginal protestors hold signs as they march from Victoria Island to Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Friday, January 11, 2013.

  • Gordie Odjig, an aboriginal protestor from Wikwemikong, shouts as he marches from Victoria Island to Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Friday, January 11, 2013.

  • Woman's Voices

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Courtney_Harrop"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://images.huffingtonpost.com/twitter_profile_img/4441016.png" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Courtney_Harrop">Courtney Harrop</a>:<br />Idle No More event Dec 30th,2012. Tla'Amin Nation Coast Salish Territories Powell River, British Columbia.

  • Idle No More Edmonton

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/AUPELOCAL6CHAIR"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://images.huffingtonpost.com/twitter_profile_img/4411530.png" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/AUPELOCAL6CHAIR">AUPELOCAL6CHAIR</a>:<br />Planned overnight and what a turn out!

  • IdleNoMore March, Dauphin, Mb

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Phyllis_Racette"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://graph.facebook.com/1354341984/picture?type=square" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Phyllis_Racette">Phyllis Racette</a>:<br />#IdleNoMOre Dauphin, Mb

  • Chicago Idle No More @ the Canadian Consulate

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Jolene_Aleck"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://graph.facebook.com/644015258/picture?type=square" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Jolene_Aleck">Jolene Aleck</a>:<br />Chicago's Idle No More 1.5.2012 rally @ the Canadian Consulate

  • VancouverC Jan 2 2013

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/gerrybates"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://s.huffpost.com/images/profile/user_placeholder.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/gerrybates">gerrybates</a>:<br />Idle No More at Waterfront Station, Vancouver, BC

  • A man waves a flags as aboriginal protesters and supporters in the Idle No More movement block the Blue Water Bridge border crossing to the United States in Sarnia, Ont. on Saturday, January 5, 2013.

  • VancouverA Jan 2 2013

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/gerrybates"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://s.huffpost.com/images/profile/user_placeholder.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/gerrybates">gerrybates</a>:<br />Idle No More at Waterfront Station, Vancouver, BC

  • VancouverB Jan 2 2013

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/gerrybates"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://s.huffpost.com/images/profile/user_placeholder.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/gerrybates">gerrybates</a>:<br />Idle No More at Waterfront Station, Vancouver, BC

  • VancouverD Jan 2 2013

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/gerrybates"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://s.huffpost.com/images/profile/user_placeholder.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/gerrybates">gerrybates</a>:<br />Idle No More at Waterfront Station, Vancouver, BC

  • VancouverH Jan 2 2013

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/gerrybates"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://s.huffpost.com/images/profile/user_placeholder.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/gerrybates">gerrybates</a>:<br />Idle No More at Waterfront Station, Vancouver, BC, January 2, 2013.

  • VancouverF Jan 2 2013

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/gerrybates"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://s.huffpost.com/images/profile/user_placeholder.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/gerrybates">gerrybates</a>:<br />Idle No More at Waterfront Station, Vancouver, BC

  • VancouverE Jan 2 2013

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/gerrybates"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://s.huffpost.com/images/profile/user_placeholder.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/gerrybates">gerrybates</a>:<br />Idle No More at Waterfront Station, Vancouver, BC

  • VancouverG Jan 2 2013

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/gerrybates"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://s.huffpost.com/images/profile/user_placeholder.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/gerrybates">gerrybates</a>:<br />Idle No More at Waterfront Station, Vancouver, BC

  • Flag Planting

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/seawaytoday"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://s.huffpost.com/images/profile/user_placeholder.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/seawaytoday">seawaytoday</a>:<br />Akwesasne Idle No More att Cornwall, ON

  • Dec 21st 2012 Idle No More Ottawa: Berdine

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Gail_Chicky_Gallagher"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://graph.facebook.com/535670179/picture?type=square" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Gail_Chicky_Gallagher">Gail Chicky Gallagher</a>:<br />



 

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Join Me in the Circle of Respect to Idle No More An Open Letter to My Non-Aboriginal Neighbours Aanii, hello, to all my non Aboriginal relations. Greetings from your neighbours at Whitefish River Fir...
Join Me in the Circle of Respect to Idle No More An Open Letter to My Non-Aboriginal Neighbours Aanii, hello, to all my non Aboriginal relations. Greetings from your neighbours at Whitefish River Fir...
 
 
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salsa 1
2 Fans
11:56 AM on 02/07/2013
Across all imagined borders, here on beautiful Earth, we are with you.
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Barry Tiedeman
0 Fans
08:49 PM on 02/03/2013
Let us work together, to ensure respect for earth, the water and our fellow creatures.
Let us work together to honour the sacred treaty relationship we have with one another.
Let us work together to creatively, peacefully and firmly push our government to repeal or amend the recently-passed laws which will harm the earth and us all.
Let us join together in the circle dance of respect for each other and the earth. THE KEY WORD HERE IS WORK...ONCE YOU GET HARPER TO THE TABLE IT WILL CHANGE FROM ENVIROMENT TO MONEY FASTER THANNYOU CAN SAY WHITEMAN
Permalink  |
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Eileen Warren
43 Fans
 
04:54 AM on 02/02/2013
http://www.pm.gc.ca/eng/contact.asp
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PAKALOLO
Hendrix deus est
231 Fans
03:54 PM on 01/30/2013
As a life long British Columbian, I thank you for your service in the cause of future healthcare. You may be saving my families future generations, from the heartache of a cancer stricken loved one. Water is life. Dirty water breeds death.
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gfn-BC-Ont
0 Fans
09:38 PM on 01/29/2013
Thank-you Sir! You have embraced all in Canada.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
DebbyM
191 Fans
08:05 AM on 01/29/2013
'In Canadian constitutional law, the doctrine of paramountcy establishes that where there is a conflict between valid provincial and federal laws, the federal law will prevail and the provincial law will be inoperative to the extent that it conflicts with the federal law. " http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paramountcy_%28Canada%29

This is a response to several people here who've said that FN people shouldn't worry about their rivers and such (as affected by Bill C45) because the provinces have regulations that will step into the breach so there are still stringent protections in place. Considering that Federal trumps Provincial, I guess that's not the case.
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TootlessWonderS
57 Fans
 
04:26 AM on 01/29/2013
Lets Build OUR Nation Together & Then show the World how its Done, Because the US is NO WHERE NEAR setting an example of Democracy to all the NEW born Democratic societies formed&forming WE ARE the best damned Country on the Planet, Lets Create it & Keep it that way TOGETHER ;-}
Permalink  |
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
TwoZeroOZ
171 Fans
10:32 AM on 01/28/2013
I wonder if Quebec separatists should take up this strategy? I bet they just said "We are for saving puppies!" once and a while, they would garner more support among the naive.
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TootlessWonderS
57 Fans
 
04:19 AM on 01/29/2013
The Q has already done enough to get US to this point of OPPRESSION, I can STILL think in english without having to Pay taxes BUT water&Air concerns me... Could really care less about puppies PEOPLE FIRST ;-}
Permalink  |
yonimiller
186 Fans
03:39 AM on 02/02/2013
Isn't Quebec separatists in itself, inherently colonialist? It's about "emacnipatory" as the American constitutional fathers were?
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chairman-meow
15 Fans
03:22 PM on 02/02/2013
Quebec separation is purely a colonial project.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
arachne646
No more hurting people--Peace
476 Fans
01:46 AM on 01/28/2013
Not all the non-aboriginal Canadians get all their information about First Nations from Sun News. Many of us support Idle No More, not just because we have the protection of our environment in common--especially with the looming TransPacific Partnership Agreement jeopardising any environmental legislation that causes loss of corporate profits--but because INM is such a revitalising force for First Nations young people who are leading the movement.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
TwoZeroOZ
171 Fans
10:41 AM on 01/28/2013
In my experience, most people who support Idle No More are just poorly educated on the issues, or have some grandiose sense of generously "correcting past wrongs" that override their rationality.

Environmental protection is important, but make no mistake: the INM movement does not focus on that, they focus on aboriginal issues. That is why Spence's demands have all focused almost entirely on items that specifically impact aboriginals.

If you want to support the environment, donate to charities like EDF. They do wonderful work in influencing policy and make substantial real-world changes.

If you want to support aboriginals because you think you're personally responsible for the atrocities committed to them 50+ years ago, then by all means donate some arbitrary amount to a few Reserves.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
arachne646
No more hurting people--Peace
476 Fans
01:30 AM on 01/29/2013
I don't believe in charity--I promote education and real world change. If you think one First Nations leader IS Idle No More, you've bought into the distraction-by-controversy strategy.
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Joel Racicot - Hotmail
4 Fans
03:16 PM on 01/29/2013
Maybe you don't understand the concept or context of the treaties signed between the First Nations and the Queen. Many of these treaties date back to a time when the Queen was not a figurehead on our currency, but the actual power in this country of ours. Their grievances are legitimate and so are their land claims. We chose first to ignore the issues, then to try and eradicate the issues by assimilating the FNs into our European vision of the world. The time has come to honour the treaties and the rights conferred to the FNs in those treaties.

This isn't about charity. Idle No More is bigger than dollars. We can't buy our way out of this.

And, of course, the Idle No More demands, as well as those of Chief Spence (who is no more the leader of INM than any other chief) are focused on aboriginal issues. But then again, aren't they our issues too? Clean air, clean water, safe environment, protection of natural resources and the industries they support, these are Canadian issues, not aboriginal issues.
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MCSEA
0 Fans
08:24 PM on 01/26/2013
The Green Energy Act by the Provincial Liberals is causing serious harm to the environment.

The United Chiefs and Councils of Mnidoo Mnising (Manitoulin Island) have all been informed before they entered into the agreement with Northland Power but big business, and money corrupts to promote a government agenda at the expense of first nation and non first nation communities.

High electricity rates, loss of rights of land, health impacts near and within wind farm projects, inadequate noise guidelines, lack of habitat and species at risk protection and other serious impacts have all been raised.

Low Frequency Noise (LFN) from industrial turbines travels great distances and is measurable. The AOK First Nation community is certainly at risk.

There are five 638 foot turbines placed in and near nesting areas.

The Northland Power, MMP McLean’s Mountain Wind farm will certainly be visible from Dreamers Rock.

Chief Franklin's mention in his letter of losing rights of power to have a say in Government projects is exactly what he and the UCCMM have done to their own communities as they were not consulted .

The Provincial Liberals Green Energy Act even removed the right of consultation,accomodation and treaty rights with First Nations in the appeal of the approval.

Serious harm was done on this process of consultation and accommodation by their actions to partner with Northland Power in their loan to the chiefs.

I believe the Idle No More movement is about full transparency on government AND Councils.

Raymond Beaudry
mcsea.ca
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MCSEA
0 Fans
08:06 PM on 01/26/2013
It is not only the Omnibus Bill but the Green Energy Act by the Provincial Liberals that is causing serious harm to the environment.

High electricity rates, loss of rights of present and future use of land, health impacts near and within wind farm projects, inadequate noise guidelines, lack of habitat and species at risk protection and other serious impacts have all been raised with the chiefs of UCCMM .

Low Frequency Noise (LFN) from industrial turbines travels great distances and is measurable but the province refuses to ensure industrial wind projects are required to measure and have safe distances from homes and properties for future use. The AOK First Nation community is certainly at risk as in Australia the LFN is measured up to 10 km's.

The Northland Power, MMP McLean’s Mountain Wind farm is not in the Whitefish River First Nation Community but it is certainly in ours, though it will certainly be visible from Dreamers Rock.

Chief Franklin's mention in his letter of losing rights of power to have a say in Government projects is exactly what he and the UCCMM have done to their own communities as they were not consulted by their chiefs in this partnership agreement. Are the communities fully informed ?

Why then was Northland Power and the province negotiating with the Chiefs
when it is a Federal requirement?

I believe the Idle No More movement is about full transparency on government AND Councils.

Raymond Beaudry
mcsea.ca
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Monika Awizen
1 Fans
10:07 AM on 01/26/2013
There has to be some type of protection of the environment - or at least more respect of the ways of others - http://what-when-how.com/love-in-world-religions/mother-earth-native-american-religions/
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Seamus OMalley
My micro-bio is no longer empty.
86 Fans
06:29 PM on 01/25/2013
You're a politician. I don't believe you. I don't trust you.
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DuffsCorner
129 Fans
01:39 AM on 01/26/2013
If you don't trust any politician, then try asking yourself "is Canada worth saving from the greedy corporate leaders who will turn it into an uninhabitable toxic dump".

BTW You can check the Chief's facts regarding the legislation yourself.
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TwoZeroOZ
171 Fans
10:35 AM on 01/28/2013
I suggest you do the same.

I've read it - the changes to environmental regulation are insignificant.
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holbrooker
10 Fans
03:44 PM on 01/25/2013
Bill C-27 also forces the bands to open there budgets to public scrutiny. A thing that could have saved Appiwatiskat and it's inhabitants a few winters of discontent and millions of their dollars. This is a completely necessary requirement as has been made quite obvious. Forcing private business to open their books is not likely true. It's the band finances the chiefs want private. No way. Hidden no more.

Also, aren't these types of arguments better off in the courts or parliament? Here's how it works. If a treaty is breached go to court. If a new law is to be apposed go to the legislature. Or petition the Senate.

Pretty much the general public are not into this battle according to polls.
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David Bob
18 Fans
11:55 PM on 01/26/2013
If C27 could have saved the band then why have they been under third party control ordered by the Federal government for a few years now? Band financing is always reported several times every year to INAC and DIA which in turn advises the federal governments. I highly doubt this would have changed anything. Maybe if the the issue of the sewage system had been addressed before the mining company pumped their sewage and caused major sewage backups into the houses they may not have housing issues.
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DebbyM
191 Fans
07:52 AM on 01/29/2013
I don't think Attawapiskat is under third party control. I think they went to court and the court agreed with them that it was unreasonable for the government to appoint third party control given what the issues were at the time so Jacques Marion was removed. That decision was arrived at last year.

Not sure of exact time lines on this but you could look it up.
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2jenn
6 Fans
08:10 AM on 02/02/2013
Attawapiskat's audited financial statements are online and go back to 2005. Scrutinize away. And then get back to us about where the large dollars to mount a lawsuit comes from. Because you would need many, many, many expensive lawsuits throughout the country. The legislature was powerless to even discuss most of the provisions in these bills never mind stop them from passing. And do you honestly see any possible point in petitioning Senators--such as Brazeau? Come on, relying on the very people who threw you under the bus in the first place to hit the brakes before it rolls over you, is a little naive.
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holbrooker
10 Fans
06:06 PM on 02/02/2013
Audited or not the situation is that the average native guy and his family is not getting what they should. The payment side of the treaty is handled by the general public of Canada and they have every right to scrutinize the whereabouts of the payments. Not in setting the budget but in challenging waste. These funds are a precious finite resource and the people that supply them only get them by working. That is clearly not respected.

I have more than a bit of pity for the screwing the average native living on the reserve has gotten and I wouldn't do it if any other alternative was available regardless of the money falling from heaven for eternity promise (lie). Neither would any other modern person. I still can't wholly respect the lack of advance in the native civilization over 10 thousand years. Just look at North America over the last hundred years. Astounding. The natives, same as year 9 999. They look to the wind & fire for spiritual guidance and yet still today can't admit that they got it all wrong. Their life sucked.
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