IDLE NO MORE, Public Conversation and Round Dancing

On March 18, a group of about 50 attended a “Public Conversation” about Idle No More, presented by Fort Garry United Church and St. Paul’s Anglican.  Corie, Karla, Kathleen and Gareth were among those attending the evening.  Adrian Jacobs (Sandy Saulteaux Spiritual Centre) and Nigaanwewi  James Sinclair (Aboriginal Student Centre, U of M) each spoke for about 30 minutes, followed by a question period. This is a very brief summary of the main points of the evening.

Adrian Jacobs spoke first, detailing the various colonial legacies that have made it very difficult for First Nations to experience justice today.  Historically, indigenous peoples have suffered from

·      Colonialism, with its external locus of control

·      The Indian Act (see first point)

·      The breaking of treaties

·      Residential schools

·      Systemic racism

·      Poverty

·      Metis invisibility

Kathleen, Karla, Corie hearing about Idle No More

He explained that most of these issues have been urgent for 150 years, and that attention to them didn’t begin with Idle No More.  Today, the following continue to contribute to ongoing social inequality

·      Globalization

·      Migration /  transience

·      Loss of language and culture

·      Disconnection to the land

·      Disease related to poverty (e.g. Type 2 Diabetes, worsened by “colonial” diet of white flour / sugar / fat)

Nigaan Sinclair spoke extensively about the issue of treaties, beginning by describing how these treaties were understood to be between two equitable partners, and therefore reciprocal.  He likened these treaties to “making us family”.

Currently, there are three main areas of urgency, Neegan explained:

Nigaan S. with Treaty projected behind

1.     C45 – Omnibus legislation:  this removes First Nation territory through new leasing rules.  It also removes protection of the waters, opening the door to pipelines over rivers, and a speeded up approval process.

2.     Emergency situations, that require immediate action.  Examples: housing is terrible in places like Attwapiskat; access to water lacking in areas like Island Lake and Garden Hill First Nations.

3.     What is our relationship?  Is it one of mutual respect?  How do we begin to restore the relationship to be one of equality?

In speaking about the need for action in these three areas, Neegan elaborated on two main areas of violation, returning to some of the points made by Adrian.

1.     Violation of nationhood, which must be repaired through a restoration of treaty relationship and dignity

2.     Betrayal of the land.  Initially, First Nations had agreed to share the land, not lose the land. First Nations never  gave up title to the land, so they may be understood to still be “investors” in the land … what “dividends” will they be able to claim?

Neegan spoke of Idle No More being “over” … that it’s more important to ensure that the momentum generated by the energy of the movement not be lost, even if it isn’t called Idle No More.  He pointed to Round Dancing in malls as a peaceful and powerful action in the heart of a consumerist society, and encouraged us to be allies in non-violent, celebrative actions.   

So, this past Friday, some of us from “Just Living” attended a Round Dance in centre-court of Polo Park.  Wonderful energy, as shoppers and dancers mingled, transforming the spirit of the place.

- Submitted by Gareth N.