#idlenomore

There is a tremendous amount of talk and action going on now in Canada around the Idle No More movement. Idlers claim even out of country support! But like anything there is a ton of controversy, tension and anger, from both sides. My intention here is to outline the issues on both sides and offer a bit of comment. I apologize in advance but I’m a Twitter addict so I am going to use hashtags and usernames. Join the conversation!

Chief Theresa Spence @ChiefTheresa

              She has been on a hunger strike for almost a month, demanding to meet PM Harper @pmHarper. Ezra Levant @ezralevant, like many others have pointed out a few things of importance. First, her hunger strike is actually daily fish soup. Apparently, this is fairly nutritious and she doesn’t appear to be in danger of death. Second, holding the government hostage doesn’t seem to be the best of ideas. Third, she is Chief of Attawapiskat, an Ontarian First Nation reserve of about 2,000 people. You all remember the huge financial scandal last year? Millions of dollars unaccounted for? Her people living in grave poverty while she drives a Cadillac? She doesn’t seem to be the best spokeswoman for #idlenomore. Personally, I’m not sure how people can call her inspiring.

Check out http://en.video.canoe.tv/archive/the-scandals-of-chief-theresa-spence-and-attawapiskat/2070970265001

            With that said, attacking Chief Spence as if she embodies the movement is called an ad hominem logical fallacy. In other words, saying that a person is dumb and therefore their argument is dumb, is not good argumentation. Further, the #idlenomore movement actually began with Saskatchewan women, not Chief Spence. It is a grassroots movement, not an Assembly of First Nations (AFN) movement. It is tremendously unfortunate if people mistake her for the movement’s leader, as she is quite a controversial figurehead.

There are some people in particular whom I need to direct quote to add to this conversation.

 Michael Hettrick @Mickhettrick “I am not saying that these issues are unimportant or unworthy of Harper's attention. What I am saying, however, is that any leader that protests a piece of legislation designed to increase transparency of financial transactions is not worthy to lead.
My primary concern is for the average Native who suffers discrimination and poverty while their leaders join the millionaire's club.”

Waltera Van Gennip Michael, this issue is complex and does not need to be clouded by myths (e.g. the Zomboni myth). Chief Spence is not protesting financial transparency and accountability. She was already vindicated in court in that regard. Nor are there multiple chiefs on the payroll in any First Nation band. The issues at stake are environmental protection , treaty rights, and the duty to consult. All of these have a strong legal basis in Canada and are being disregarded/eroded by our government.

Michael Hettrick Waltera, with respect, if we are talking about myths (of which the Zamboni is not one, simply look at the financial statements for that), perhaps we should review the three issues you brought up, as they seem to have been greatly misconstrued by the media.

Environmental protection: primarily, the protests focus on concerns about changes to the Navigable Waters Protection Act. This act is in no way an environmental protection act. If anything, it is closer to a zoning act. It prevents any bridges, ferries, boathouses, or docks being built along "protected" waters without a federal permit. The amendments to this act places all currently "protected" waters into two categories. Category A is for all commonly used waterways, like the Saskatchewan River, and interconnected waterways, like Candle Lake. Category B is for non-connected and rarely traversed waterways, like Shannon Lake (a beautiful little lake on the side of the highway to La Ronge). Category A waterways still require a federal permit to build on, as well as any local or provincial permits required. Category B waterways no longer require federal permits, but are still subject to any local or provincial ones.

I still haven't actually been told, nor seen, what treaty rights are being abused. If it has to do with reserve land, as I've read a bit online, then it's very strange, as these changes were actually requested by a group of First Nations from British Columbia who wanted to change leasing laws to make it easier to provide on-reserve services. These changes are very simple. Instead of having a majority of the voting population (that means everyone on reserve eligible to vote, not everyone who votes), the referendums are now a simple majority of votes cast. In other words, say a reserve had 1000 eligible voters on it, and they held a referendum. Now only 600 actually voted, and 499 of the votes were "yes". Although this is a large majority, it does not hit the required 501 votes for a majority of eligible voters. C-45 changed the law to streamline aboriginal business ventures, and should have been celebrated for doing so.

Regarding the duty to consult. This, I do not disagree with, provided that the consultation is with the PEOPLE of the reserves, not the Chiefs.

And finally, sadly, Bill C-27, the First Nations Financial Transparency Act, is indeed being protested, as the website for Idle No More specifically states. This act brings First Nations financial transparency to the same levels as we enjoy on a city level. Seems more than fair to me- it shocks me that such an act was not passed 20 years ago.

I do not disagree with you, however, in that this is a complex issue worthy of a debate based on facts, and the facts are horrifying. I truly hope that Idle No More at least achieves a national conversation on changes which will benefit every Native throughout this great country.

Bill C-45

                There is much misunderstanding regarding what this is about. Some say it is a much needed update, others that it is an affront to consultation, treaty and land rights; see above.

Culture

                I recently attended a workshop on communication. Without the boring details the basic gist was you cannot assume that because you know what you are saying, the person listening understands. Also important, that all people listen and hear in varied and unique ways. As I write this it is Epiphany Sunday: The celebration of the wise men from the East pilgrimaging to adore the Christ child. This is most profoundly the revelation of Christ, not only to the Jewish people, but to the Gentiles, to All Nations!

                In other words, people worship differently, act differently, love differently, live differently, and this is not wrong. In fact, experiencing the way other cultures live and pray can enrich our understanding and love of God! This is a crucial point in the #idlenomore movement. This is a crucial point for Canada! It is not until we realize that people are different, that we will begin to respect people. We can no longer say or expect that people should assimilate to our ways before they can be taken seriously. When is the last time the European Canadian tried to learn the traditions of other cultures and way of thinking?

Environment

                Here is where I am concerned. Regardless of whether Bill C-45 is about Environmental rights, this is an issue. Pope Benedict XVI, in Caritas in Veritate, was very adamant about our care for the earth. “Nature expresses a design of love and truth. It is prior to us, and it has been given to us by God as the setting for our life” (p. 68). This is not merely an issue of recycling but of truly protecting the environment. “Questions linked to the care and preservation of the environment today need to give due consideration to the energy problem” (p. 69). In other words, building a pipeline through BC is not the answer.