#IdleNoMore: Liveblog of Peaceful Protests Today Across Canada |
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| By: mzchief Friday December 21, 2012 11:09 am | |
This is the 10th day of Chief Theresa Spence fast for the Canadian govenment to uphold the First Nations’ treaties.
CUTV Montreal has a live stream up in Ottawa at Parliament Hill (French and English):
http://cutvmontreal.ca/broadcasts/2012/12/21/2434
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Chief Spence is reported to be in a weakened condition and First Nations folks are very concerned about her health plus the fasting.
First Nations drummers onsite now at Parliament Hill singing traditional songs.
CUTV Montreal reports the burning of sage (one of the traditional “incenses”).
CUTV Montreal reports seeing a sign at Parliament Hill: “Honor treaties that won’t cause the end of the world”
CUTV Montreal reports seeing corporate media showing up at Parliament Hill.
CUTV Montreal reporting First Nations speakers assembling on steps and assembly positioning so that everyone can see and hear them.
CUTV Montreal interviewing people in the assembly. Individuals raised money for groups to bus to Ottawa demonstration from as far away as Regina, Saskatchewan and Victoria Island. Crowd estimate in the thousands.
CUTV Montreal live stream showing Silvia McAdams speaking for #IdleNoMore mentions nation-wide participation including peaceful gatherings in demonstrations in Edmonton, PA, Winnipeg, Yukon and Saskatoon.
Gentleman spoke a welcome/honoring of all and those assembled on P Hill (not in English). Now moving into English introducing himself as a speaker on behalf of Chief Theresa Spence. Reiterating call for action today– an emergency meeting with First Nations chiefs, Governor General and Harper.
Next speaker quickly runs over history:
1) It wasn’t until 30 years ago that First Nations were included inthe Canadian Constitution
2) 4 promise made by treaty to First nations but have not been upheld
3) 1 year ago a signicant event re an apparent land/resource surrender by First Nations in an breach of treaty (looking for more details here!).
Next speaker mentions no consultation with First Nations re Bill C45.
Speaker reiterates that Parliment Hill on Algonquian land (Algonquian representative, Chief White Duck).
Next speak calls for ignorance and prejudice against First Nations people to be eliminated.
I apologize. Lots flying by in multiple languages. Any folks onsite at P Hill feel free to chime in!
Speaker up reiterates land upon which P Hill is situated is unseceded Algonquian terrority. Talking about the Keystone XL Tarsands.
CUTV Montreal live stream: Legal challenge to C45. Maya in solidarity with First nations and are fighting Canadian mining companies.
CUTV Montreal live stream feed at P Hill appears off air. I’m still covering on Twitter here.
Alright CUTV Montreal live stream’s baaaack!
Occupy Toronto live stream also up: http://www.livestream.com/occupytoronto.
Speakers honoring Algonquian leader William Commanda who passed away last year. Current speak saying same issues were dicussed 40 years ago and are still unresolved.
“Whazzup #IdleNoMore!” in at least two languages! ;-)
CUTV Montreal live stream: Speaker says the aunties and the grandmothers are leading this movement so men #IdleNoMore; the time for action is now. Speakers states that Canadian Fed goverment attorneys said that “Canada stands on a foundation that the Cree, Objiwa [missed full enumeration of this First Nations mentioned and my apologies] do not exist.”
Claudette Commanda (Algonquian; granddaughter of William Commanda) now speaking … “The circle has not stopped [...] and will continue and continue.” “The women are the backbone of the communities.” “Please remember Theresa Spence giving her life for us.”
Have to go to using TOR to continue posting Tweets on Twitter.
This has been very interesting mzchief, thank you.
Thank you for following! This is a historic international event for several reasons. Kudos to CUTV Montreal, live stream mirrors and the Tweeters!
Live blog out!
Have you heard this song, mzchief? ;o)
here’s a writeup in the Guardian
Given the history of Canada, the central govenment’s relationship to the Queen and since the Guardian has never covered “starlight tours” to my knowledge and key word searches, I’d prefer folks to see and hear it from the horse’s mouth as per here in the second quotes rather from a media outlet run out of the UK. The very simplified message of the things said in the raw video footage is “decolonize” and we all rise together.
Oooh thanks for that!