Fasting and Idle No More: A Spark Lit the Fire
As Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence embarked on her 44 day fast, which was really a spiritual journey, she demonstrated her courage to do this for her people and it awakened the spirit of nations. Many immediately began their own actions in support. An online event began on December 12 in support of Chief Theresa Spence. The goal was simple and it spiritual.
Chief Theresa Spence during her 44 day hunger strike.
From the outset, Chief Spence's person spiritual journey had a mission: She wanted the government and crown to respect its duty to consult with First Nations.
We asked people to join the sacrifice by signing up for a day of fasting in solidarity with Chief Spence. We wanted to send out a strong message of support and let the Harper Government know we want our First Nations' rights respected. We also made it clear that fasting was not an obligation to join, but an option.
Before long there were thousands who made the sacrifice and fasted along with her. Elders, youth, men and women all were inspired. The reaction was overwhelming, and over 6,000 people signed up. Many committed to fast for a day; others longer.
The Idle No More peace movement was already a movement, but the actions of Chief Spence brought out the pain and suffering, adding to the insult that the federal government had denied First Nation people once again the "right to free, prior and informed consent."
The peaceful protests began to escalate and unity amongst the people gained strength. On a daily basis people joined each other at a public place, like a shopping mall or on the public streets. The gatherings were ceremonial and it was pure love that drove these protests. Something as simple as a round dance brought the people together, in prayer and hope. After centuries of genocide First Nation people of Canada spoke in one single voice and the slogan "Idle No More" became the main focus.
Each time they gathered, it was uplifting and spiritual. As a Native person I could feel the vibrations resonating across the entire country. More and more people took to the streets and mainstream media finally began reporting. Open discussions on why this sudden surge of protests filled the mainstream media venues.
Treaty rights were being ignored, yes, but the support that began to develop within the First Nations communities brought back a spirituality that has always existed within the hearts of people.
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A spark lit the fire and it suddenly everything makes sense, everything is clearer now.
We have lost so much since the signing of the first treaty agreement with the white nation, and we have suffered because the nation to nation dialogues never really happened as promised.
Our belief system has always been different and the harm that came our way, the removal of children, the residential schools and the herding of our ancestors into tiny pieces of land has reached a boiling point…by repeating the words "enough is enough" over the past few weeks brought the passion and unity to the surface. It made us feel strong enough to stand up, speak out and in the words of the founders of the movement became "Idle No More."
If left unchecked, the changes being implemented by the Harper Government will destroy our culture, land, communities and language bringing about full assimilation into a system that is not our own. With these new laws the environment or Mother Earth will lose her protection.
The Idle No More peace movement was already a movement, but the actions of Chief Spence brought out the pain and suffering, adding to the insult that the federal government had denied First Nation people once again the "right to free, prior and informed consent."
Social networking sites played a vital role within the grass roots and the development of wider network of protests. This is where they educated themselves on the important changes being made. This is where much of the organizing took place to stop the actions of the government, Idle No More began spreading around the world. It has taken on a life of its own.
Non-natives have joined in the fight because much of the changes already in place and the many more to come will impact the entire Turtle Island and that is a cause for great concern. Our waterways are at a high risk for pollution now and with very little protection many communities will sink deeper into poverty. The ecosystem cannot survive if it not protected, life on our Mother Earth will become extinct.
So I applaud everyone who has decided to stand up and speak out. We cannot allow things to continue the way they have been, our future generations need us to remind our governments how important it is to protect environment, lives and the rights of the First Nations.
The fire has been lit and it is up to us to keep it burning for the sake of all my relations.
Claudia Julien served as one of the organizers of this online calendar to support Chief Theresa Spence. She is a member of the Metis - Wabanaki Confederacy and resides in Edmundston, New Brunswick.
