ViDEO – Tla’amin (Sliammon) First Nation band members joined other first nations across Canada in the Idle No More movement Friday, December 21. About a dozen Tla’amin members demonstrated in front of Powell River-Sunshine Coast MLA Nicholas Simons’ office on Marine Avenue. They sang traditional songs and drummed, calling for protection of first nations rights.
Demonstrations took place across the country on Friday. First nations people say the federal government’s policies toward first nations are oppressive. They are also concerned that federal government is preparing to take power away from band councils.
Protestors say the recently passed Bill C-45, the omnibus budget bill, includes a process for first nations people to surrender their reserve lands. Organizers also oppose the new law because they say it includes clauses that will cut the number of federally protected waterways and jeopardize lands they rely on.
Kespaul, who spoke for the demonstrators in Powell River, said the group was supporting a hunger strike by Theresa Spence, the chief of the Attawapiskat First Nation in Northern Ontario.
Spence has asked for a meeting to discuss the plight of first nations people and she vows to die unless she can meet with Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the governor general.
“Today we take a stand so that Stephen Harper can at least sit with the chiefs of our people to acknowledge treaty rights, to acknowledge the rights of first nations people across Canada,” Kespaul said.
Simons said he supported the demonstrators and would pass their concerns along to MP John Weston, who represents West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country riding.
