The Harper government finds itself under attack today over its alleged failure to recognize Indigenous human rights.
Today is World Human Rights Day and it is being marked by more than a dozen protest rallies across Canada, including ones in Saskatoon and North Battleford.
The movement is called “Idle No More” and it originated in Saskatchewan. It began about a month ago as an effort to educate First Nations people about how they will be affected when the Conservative government’s massive budget bill becomes law.
One of the organizers is Jessica Gordon. She says the legislation is an attack on Native rights, and it will affect treaty lands and waters across the country.
The campaign hit Facebook and Twitter and took off. Gordon hopes the Harper government is listening:
“I know it will put a lot of pressure on the government. That’s what we’re hoping for — letting them know that we are here, we are ready to be heard, or we’re willing to be heard.”
This campaign is a grassroots movement, but the concern is being shared by First Nations leaders. FSIN Chief Perry Bellegarde is calling on the Harper government to stop passage of the budget bill until Canada’s First Nations people have a chance to provide input.
Bellegarde says the legislations violates the principles of democracy and undermines the integrity of Parliament.