'Idle No More' Prepares for Global Day of Action

First Nations' fight for indigenous rights to hit worldwide

With worldwide support growing for Canada's First Nations' Idle No More protest movement, protest organizers around the world are preparing this week for a Global Day of Action scheduled for Friday, January 11th.

The day will coincide with a scheduled meeting between Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and First Nations leaders--including Chief Theresa Spence whose hunger strike, which began roughly one month ago, sparked the mass movement for indigenous rights.

The group has called upon communities around the world to organize under the motto: "Anything. Everything. Anywhere. Everywhere." The demonstrations will be designed to show "support for the rising global Indigenous Peoples Movement by taking action in your community."

Using the twitter hashtag #J11, the group is asking organizers to spread the word and widely promote their actions in order to raise international awareness about indigenous rights around the world.

A statement from the group reads:

The goal is to raise the profile of the movement, demonstrate our global presence, and give visibility to the growing momentum as a peoples' movement first.

As only a few AFN-determined representatives will be chosen to participate in the meeting with Harper, it will be important to show that the rest of the movement stands united with one voice, that it is not going anywhere, and that we here to demonstrate the strength and resurgence of our nations.

January 11 will also be in honour of Chief Theresa Spence to mark the 1-month anniversary of her hunger strike. As well as to honour the other chiefs and elders who have been on hunger strike with her.

All nations and all people from around the world are invited to join in celebrating and affirming their support for what is happening and the need to keep things moving forward together.

After mounting pressure, including the singular demand of Spence's hunger strike, Prime Minister Stephen Harper finally agreed to meet with Indigenous leaders on Jan. 11. Sure to be discussed will be Canada's recent Bill C-45, which the group says undermines previously agreed to treaties between Canada and First Nations leaders and subsequently does great damage to Canada's pristine environment.

_______________________

_______________________

Idle No More solidarity protest in Seattle Washington on December 29, 2012:

Join Us: News for people demanding a better world


Common Dreams is powered by optimists who believe in the power of informed and engaged citizens to ignite and enact change to make the world a better place.

We're hundreds of thousands strong, but every single supporter makes the difference.

Your contribution supports this bold media model—free, independent, and dedicated to reporting the facts every day. Stand with us in the fight for economic equality, social justice, human rights, and a more sustainable future. As a people-powered nonprofit news outlet, we cover the issues the corporate media never will. Join with us today!

Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.