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LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
Carrying banners and flags, banging pot lids, and shouting slogans, a group of approximately 30 people took to the streets in Fort Simpson on Dec. 10.

Rebecca Tsetso, left, Rosalie Norwegian and Chantal Tonka were among approximately 30 people who participated in an Idle No More march in Fort Simpson on Dec. 10. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

The Idle No More movement began in Saskatchewan as a way to bring attention to and protest against legislation that the federal Conservative government has put forward in Bill C-45 and other bills. The movement's organizers say Bill C-45 is an attack on First Nations' rights and land and water across the country.

Precious resources

Mandy Bayha, Liidlii Kue First Nation's communications manager, heard about Idle No More on Facebook and suggested holding a march in Fort Simpson. The movement is about informing people about the legislation that is being passed, said Bayha.

"These are major effects for the future," she said.

In the North, there are so many precious resources including clean water. This is our ancestral land and the responsibility of protecting the land and the water is ours now, said Bayha.

"We really need to be more involved in what's going on in it," she said.

With assistance from Jermaine Gargan, Bayha organized the march in the village in the course of a few hours, placing calls to the high school and local leadership. At 3 p.m., participants walked down the village's main street from the band office to the Nahendeh building and back again.

Chief Keyna Norwegian, who carried a sign during the march, said she was supportive of Bayha's idea of holding an event. Similar marches and rallies were held in a variety of cities across Canada on Monday including Yellowknife.

"We thought why not do it here, too," she said.

Norwegian said she is very concerned about the omnibus bills such as C-45. As part of the bill amendments to the Navigable Waters Protection Act thousands of lakes and streams have been removed from federal oversight.

It's scary what Prime Minister Stephen Harper is doing, said Norwegian. It will affect the Deh Cho where First Nation groups have been working to protect waterways.

"Our ancestors have worked hard to keep our rivers clean for future uses," she said. "Water is our lifehood."

Norwegian was excited by the number of people, particularly youths, who came out to support the march. Liidlii Kue First Nation will also be sending out news releases and notices to show that it doesn't support what the government is doing, she said.

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