INTRO

Question 1

How did Idle no More start?

Answer 1

• In late October, four women in Saskatchewan began exchanging emails about Bill C-45, which had just been introduced in Ottawa. Jessica Gordon, Sheelah McLean, Sylvia McAdams and Nina Wilsonfeld were concerned the bill would erode indigenous rights.
• They decided to organize an event in Saskatoon, set for Nov. 10, and to help spread the word they turned to Facebook. They chose to call the page “Idle No More” as a motivational slogan.
• A week after that small meeting, there were events in Regina, Prince Albert and North Battleford, Sask., and Winnipeg
• A movement was born. Exactly one month after that first meeting Idle No More held a National Day of Action in locations across the country.

Question 2

How has INM evolved?

Answer 2

• led to a series of rallies and protests that took place on a National Day of Action (DEC 10)
• planned to occur around same time announcement was being made that Theresa Spece(attawapiskat chief) was launching hunger strike until she could sit down with the gov’t to discuss aboriginal rights
• flash mobs performed round dances at shopping malls during the holiday season
• country wide protests-now a global movement

Question 3

who/what helped INM gain momentum?

Answer 3

• social media has played a big factor
• celebrities
• politicians-past and present
  *

Question 4

what are some of INM’s key objections with Bill C-45(re: indian act)?

Answer 4

Changes legislation to the following:

INDIAN ACT:

• First Nations communities can now lease designated reserve lands if a majority attending a meeting called for that purpose vote to do so, regardless of how many people show up. Previously, approval required the support of a majority of eligible voters.
• The Aboriginal Affairs minister can call the meeting to consider surrendering band territory. The minister can choose to ignore a resolution from the band council that’s in opposition to a decision at the meeting.
• Idle No More says these changes allow “for easier opening of treaty lands and territory.”

Question 5

what are some of INM’s key objections to bill C45 and how it affects the Navigation Protection Act(formerly Navigable Waters protection act)

Answer 5

Under the act, major pipeline and power line project advocates aren’t required to prove their project won’t damage or destroy a navigable waterway it crosses, unless the waterway is on a list prepared by the transportation minister. Idle No More claims the amendments remove that protection for 99.9 per cent of lakes and rivers in Canada.

Question 6

what are the key objections INM has with Bill C45’s changes to the Environmental Assessment act?

Answer 6

The first omnibus budget bill had already overhauled the assessment process and the second one reduces further the number of projects that would require assessment under the old provisions. Idle No More objects to the faster approval process.

Question 7

What is the Assembly of First Nations and who leads this group?

Answer 7

• body of First Nations leaders in Canada.
• The aims of the organization are to protect the rights, treaty obligations, ceremonies, and claims of citizens of the First Nations in Canada
• Shaun Atleo is the National Chief

Question 8

What recent Supreme Court ruling affected the Métis?

Answer 8

• On Jan 8,2013 the Federal Court ruled that 200,000 Métis and 400,000 non-status Indians in Canada are indeed “Indians” under the Constitution Act, and fall under federal jurisdiction.
• The decision does not go so far as to declare that the federal government has a fiduciary responsibility to the two groups, but it says such duties would flow automatically now that their standing has been clarified.
• case dates back to ‘99

Question 9

What is the truth and reconciliation commission?

Answer 9

• The TRC is a component of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement.
• Its mandate is to inform all Canadians about what happened in Indian Residential Schools (IRS). The Commission will document the truth of survivors, families, communities and anyone personally affected by the IRS experience.
• This includes First Nations, Inuit and Métis former Indian Residential School students, their families, communities, the Churches, former school employees, Government and other Canadians.
• The Commission has a five-year mandate and is supported by a TRC Secretariat, which is a federal government department.