About 400 peaceful but determined and unified aboriginal protestors and their allies took part in a First Nations Idle No More rally in Sault Ste. Marie’s downtown core Friday afternoon at the corner of Queen and Elgin Streets.
The gathering was one of the largest in the country, as First Nations officials protested the federal government’s Bill C-45, which is considered by Canadian aboriginals as an attack on First Nations’ territories and rights.
The rally took place as the eyes of the country were awaiting a much-anticipated meeting between Prime Minister Stephen Harper and First Nations leaders.
Attawapiskatt First Nation Chief Theresa Spence, currently on a hunger strike, has fasted since December in an encampment near Parliament Hill in an attempt to raise awareness of First Nations concerns with Bill C-45, and in an attempt to arrange a meeting with Harper and Governor-General David Johnston over those concerns.
Spence, and many First Nations leaders gathered in Ottawa, strongly objected to the fact that the Governor General did not agree to join a Harper-First Nations meeting, instead inviting First Nations leaders to a separate meeting at his official residence at Rideau Hall.
To the surprise of many, Spence gathered with about 100 First Nations leaders at Rideau Hall today to meet with the Governor General.
The Harper-First Nations meeting Friday promised more “high-level dialogue” on First Nations’ concerns.
Locally, Missanabie Cree First Nation Chief Kim Rainville told SooToday.com at Friday’s downtown rally that today’s event “is a first step.”
Regardless of the desperate nature of Spence’s hunger strike, Rainville told us “the changes that need to happen are changes that are going to take time, and it’ll likely take generations. We need to do this peacefully, but there needs to be an acknowledgement that we are a sovereign and autonomous people. This is becoming more apparent.”
Rainville acknowledged there have been “positive changes for First Nations people over the past 20 to 30 years,” but that Friday’s meeting with Prime Minister Harper “is only a first step…there has to be a willingness from the federal government to acknowledge that we are an autonomous people, with a right to our own determination.”
Rainville told us “I visited with Chief Spence early in her hunger strike, prior to Christmas. She’s a courageous leader for our people and her community.”
There was no shortage of unity at today’s local rally, however, there has been division between First Nations leaders at the national level regarding the Idle No More movement and its’ objectives.
Regardless, Rainville said “let’s remember this is a grassroots movement, that there is unity among the people. There are politics in play, and that includes First Nations leaders. We too are going to have to come to a place where we are willing to put our politics aside and recognize there is power in our grassroots movement.”
Dan Beaupre, a native of Michipicoten First Nation and one of Friday’s rally organizers, told SooToday.com “we’re waiting to see what will happen today between Stephen Harper and our leaders, then we’ll get together and discuss our next protest.”
Sensing that Friday’s meeting between the Prime Minister and First Nations leaders is only a formal first step in intensified talks between the federal government and First Nations leaders, Beaupre told us there will be more rallies planned for January 16.
“The protests are getting bigger. We’re not here to offend any Canadians, we’re here to raise awareness and save our lands and waters.”
“Stephen Harper is trying to set the agenda and that’s not what this is about. We want him to meet with us on our terms, not on his terms, we’ve had enough of his terms. This is not going to stop. This will continue for years to come,” Beaupre said.
More local news
Browse local flyers
Weather forecast
Find local deals
View local webcams
Verified Commenter, please