THUNDER BAY – Joyce Hunter states, “By holding more spontaneous gatherings like this one, held at Intercity Mall in Thunder Bay, ON Canada on December 24, 2012, FN people are working to reach out through their song and dance, in a peaceful way, to their non-native counterparts to show that the people need to listen to the the heart beat of Mother Earth … for the sake of all our children and their combined futures”.
There have been several Idle No More events in Thunder Bay and at Fort William First Nation.
Idle No More
The movement is gaining support not only in Thunder Bay, across Ontario and Canada but internationally too. There have been flash mobs, like the one in Thunder Bay across North America.
The organizers are sharing that their protest is far more than just an “Aboriginal Issue” but has a much wider footprint that impacts all Canadians. Sylvia McAdam Saysewahum, one of the women who co-founded Idle No More shares, “Always be at peace with one another; peace is such a difficult thing to do as we go about each day, at times we can’t find peace even in our own families. My prayers to everyone for a peaceful movement towards solidarity and unity in our resurgence towards Nationhood”.
There are reports of more actions coming, including potential blockades of roadways in Northwestern Ontario of the Trans-Canada Highway.
The Idle No More movement has many tens of thousands of people, most who have never before been politically active joining in and getting involved.
One of the goals remains having Prime Minister Harper meet with Chief Theresa Spence who is holding strong on a hunger strike from her tee pee on Victoria Island near the House of Commons.
