Gather in solidarity for Idle No More
Educational forum to be held at local UFV campus
Women drum and sing at an Idle No More prayer gathering at the Coqualeetza site at Sto:lo Nation on Friday.
Photograph by: Paul J. Henderson , TIMES
The Idle No More movement continued over the weekend with events held across Canada and here in Chilliwack.
On Sunday, a few hundred protesters gathered at the Shell gas station at Eagle Landing before blocking northbound traffic and marching to the Home Depot.
On Friday, about 60 First Nations people and supporters gathered at the Coqualeetza site on the Sto: lo Nation property for a prayer gathering.
That event, organized by Joanne Hugh and Wenona Victor, was held in conjunction with a national day of action that included protests and rallies across the country on Jan. 11.
Victor said they gathered "in solidarity with all of our indigenous brothers and sisters across Turtle Island."
Since starting at the end of 2012, the Idle No More movement has continued with protests, blockades, flash mobs and prayer circles.
The intent, according to the grassroots organizers, is to protest federal government legislation they say violates aboriginal rights.
Ernie Victor of the Cheam band spoke Friday, encouraging the assembled group to continue with the movement.
"This is not the time for us to feel this is a long journey," Victor said. "This is only the beginning."
Hugh said the Coqualeetza site was chosen for the unity gathering because it was a place that helped bring "our people together in the '70s through the red power movement."
The University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) will host an Idle No More educational forum on Jan. 17 from 1 to 3: 30 p.m. at the Aboriginal Gathering Place at the Canada Education Park campus in Chilliwack.
Speakers will include: Joanne Gutierrez (Xwiyolemot, Sto: lo/ Cree woman) who will talk about indigenous government and Idle No More capacity building; Sakej Warden (Master of Indigenous Government degree from University of Victoria; Member of Warrior Societies Alliance) who will talk about indigenous nationhood; Hamish Telford (UFV political science instructor) who will talk about omnibus bills and Bill C-45; and Robert Harding (UFV social work instructor) who will talk about media representation of the Idle No More movement and the context of the representation of aboriginal peoples and issues in the media.
