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DEH GAH GOT'IE KOE/FORT PROVIDENCE
More than 100 people participated in a demonstration at the Deh Cho Bridge on Jan. 5 that was organized to raise awareness of the Idle No More movement and to show solidarity with Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence.

More than 100 people led by drummers took part in an Idle No More demonstration near Fort Providence on Jan. 5. - Myles Dolphin/NNSL photo

Carrying signs and banners and led by approximately 10 drummers, the protesters marched along the bend leading up to the north side of bridge before turning around and marching back to the beginning of the winter road where they did a short drum and tea dance. The protestors marched back to the bridge once more before going to the Fort Providence community centre for stew and bannock and to listen to speeches.

The demonstration, which closed the bridge to traffic, lasted from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. For safety reasons protestors didn't go onto the structure.

Nellie Norwegian of Fort Providence was one of the primary organizers of the event. It was the first time she's organized a demonstration.

Norwegian said she was inspired over the holidays after hearing about the hunger strike that Chief Spence had undertaken.

"It really touched me," she said.

The demonstration at the bridge was organized to support Spence and to inform community members about the Idle No More movement, Norwegian said.

"It not only affects aboriginal people, it affects all the people across Canada, too," she said.

Norwegian said she was pleased by the support shown by outlying communities. Residents of Jean Marie River, Kakisa, Hay River, Yellowknife, Fort Simpson and Behchoko, among others, joined the demonstration.

"It was something to see," said Chief Wayne Sabourin of Deh Gah Got'ie First Nation in Fort Providence.

The demonstration was largely about raising awareness, he said, adding not all Fort Providence residents are aware of the changes the Conservative government under Prime Minister Stephen Harper is making.

This is a treaty issue as well as an environmental issue, said Sabourin, who also helped organize the event.

"We just have to protect our sovereignty and our land and the resources," he said

The bills, including C-45 and C-38, that have made sweeping changes need to be revoked, he said. The way Fort Providence residents live off the land, drink water and eat fish will be affected by these changes, he added.

"We are doing this for our next generations," said Sabourin. "How are we going to drink our water 10 years from now, 20 years from now?"

In changing levels of environmental protection through the bills, Harper was only thinking of money and how to let Asian countries get access to minerals and resources in the North, he said. Sabourin added he's not against development, but that it must be done in a fair, clean and effective manner that doesn't hurt the way people live.

Both Sabourin and Norwegian agree the event was a success. Both would also like to see more demonstrations take place in Fort Providence.

Sabourin is already thinking big. In the spring, he would like to invite everyone in the country who supports Idle No More to come to Fort Providence and fill the Deh Cho Bridge from one end to the other with people.

"That's my goal," he said. "I want the world to see."

Please see related story on page 8.

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