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  • Essay / The Idle No More movement - 1738

    In Indigenous ways of knowing, it is suggested that “the earth is the heart of creation, a realm where humans are part of a vast array of creatures” (Bélanger , 2014, p. Essentially, Indigenous people view the land as a source of resources that can be used but must be honored. This is further supported by Bélanger when he states that "human beings began to measure their existence by how well they ensured the health and safety of the earth, rather than how they acquired wealth and personal gains” (Bélanger, 2014, p. 8). Because of this deeply rooted relationship between Aboriginality and Creation, it is not surprising to learn that Canada's indigenous peoples have decided to revolt against what they see as an insult to both their ways of knowledge and Creation; the earth itself. Thus, on November 10, 2012, the Idle No movement began (“Timeline”, 2013). For the purposes of this article, this student will discuss how the Idle No More movement began, what the movement entailed, and whether or not the message of Idle No More was heard. What began as a correspondence regarding Bill C-45, between four women from Saskatchewan: Jessica Gordon, Sheelah McLean, Sylvia McAdam and Nina Wilson; became what is now known as the Idle No More movement (CBC News Canada, 2013). The goal of the Idle No More movement was to shed light on the issues surrounding the adoption of Bill C-45 and to help stop the erosion of current treaties between Indigenous peoples and the Canadian government as well as the erosion rights of indigenous peoples. Indigenous peoples and the rights of all Canadians in general (CBC News Canada, 2013). Although the Idle No More movement originated in Saskatchewan...... middle of article ......s CitéBelanger, YD (2014). Ways of Knowing An Introduction to Indigenous Studies in Canada (2nd ed.). Toronto, ON: Nelson Education. CBC News Canada. (2013). http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/9-questions-about-idle-no-more-1.1301843Chef Theresa Spence will end her hunger strike today. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/chief-theresa-spence-to-end-hunger-strike-today-1.1341571Idle No More. (nd). http://www.idlenomore.ca/In short: Idle No More. (nd). Retrieved from http://www.cbc.ca/news2/interactives/timeline-idle-no-more/Ottawa Indigenous Peoples Solidarity Movement. (2012). http://ipsmo.wordpress.com/2012/12/11/chief-spence-announces-hunger-strike-in-ottawa/Parliament of Canada. (2014). http://www.parl.gc.ca/Default.aspx?Language=ETimeline: Rise of Idle No More. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.cbc.ca/news2/interactives/timeline-idle-no-more/