Indigenous Peoples

National Aboriginal Day CelebrationsPrince Albert, SK

June 21 is National Aboriginal Day, an annual day to celebrate the rich, diverse cultures of First Nations, Métis and Inuit people. It’s also an opportunity to learn more about Aboriginal people and their contributions to Canada.

National Aboriginal Day - Jun 21, 2013Location: Kinsmen Park, Prince AlbertTime: 8:00am to 8:00pm

Report of the Aboriginal Peoples Rep to the Prairie Region Council submitted for the April 2013 meeting. This report covers the period from the last PRC meeting.

Today marks the Idle No More World Day of Action, a momentous day for the historic movement that has swept the country and attracted global attention and support. As MPs return to Parliament Hill today, we will stand together to peacefully protest attacks on democracy, Indigenous freedoms, human rights and environment protections.

Idle No More was founded by four women in Saskatchewan who felt it was urgent to act on current and upcoming legislation that not only affects First Nations people, but all Canadians. The movement has been quickly building for nearly two months, with round dances, rallies and teach-ins taking place across the country.  PSAC members have embraced the movement, attending events in Regina, Winnipeg and throughout the Prairies in support and solidarity.

How can an average non-indigenous, non-activist, yet conscientious citizen of Canada, support the Idle No More movement? The Tyee presents a few ideas. Not all of these actions are concrete or measurable, but all of them truly do matter.

I'm white - don't know what kind of white, some kind of Anglo Saxon, but certainly not native (although I tan really well), and  in University I learned a lot about the Indian Act and the history of First Nations people in Canada, and I naturally felt sorry for their plight. The theft of their children, the erradication of their languages, and the systematic assimilation of their way of life is a disgrace to the Canadian self image which continues to this day, and is arguably accelerating.

A discussion by Priscilla Settee and Sheelah McLean about where Idle No More came from, what its goals are as a movement and where it is going.

Imagine a country where the national government introduces and passes legislation that detrimentally affects all of its First Nations communities but it doesn't bother to consult with them. Does this have implications for all Canadians? You bet it does. This will not be the last time that individuals or groups will take such extreme measures in response to the federal government's public policy process or lack thereof.