LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
The Idle No More movement has gained momentum in Fort Simpson with two more events being held.
Tim Gargan-LaCasse, left, Michael Gast, Reannda Cli and Lonnie Wright hold some of the signs that students at Thomas Simpson School used when they staged an Idle No More march in Fort Simpson on Jan. 14. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo
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The majority of the student population of Thomas Simpson School took to the village's main street on Jan. 14 in an event organized by four students. Reannda Cli, Lonnie Wright, Devan Cli and Michael Gast said they were inspired by the Idle No More information session that was held on Jan. 11.
"We thought we would march and get people's attention," said Reannda, a Grade 11 student.
She said at Dehcho First Nations assemblies, elders always talk about how they are doing everything for the youth and the younger generations. They say they are leaving the land to the young and the young needed to do something to acknowledge that, Reannda added.
The organizers said the school staff wasn't alerted to the event in advance, so it came as a surprise when most of the students filed out of the school at approximately 2 p.m. to parade down the village's main street, as far as the Dehcho First Nations' office, carrying signs and shouting slogans including, "Idle No More" and "power and freedom."
After turning around, the students marched through the Northern store before ending at the recreation centre where they held a drum dance led by student drummers. The event went better than they expected, said Reannda, 16.
"We actually got a lot of attention and supporters," she said.
Both Reannda and Lonnie, 17, said they believe they are a lot more involved in the nationwide Idle No More movement after having held the event.
"It was great," said Lonnie, a Grade 12 student.
The students are already planning to hold another event, but expect to involve their school and community leaders. There are still a lot of youth who don't know about Idle No More, Lonnie said.
Rosa Wright organized the information session on Jan. 11 that inspired the students. The event, which was held in the community hall at the recreation centre, was planned to coincide with a meeting between Prime Minister Stephen Harper and aboriginal leaders in Ottawa.
About 50 people attended the information session, which included a stew and bannock lunch and speeches by Rosa, Jim Antoine, Nahendeh MLA Kevin Menicoche and Senator Nick Sibbeston.
Rosa said she's been interested in the movement since it started. The event she organized was the fourth Idle No More rally she's been to, including three previous events in Fort Simpson.
Rosa said she is both supporting and pushing forward the agenda of young adults who have been involved in the movement in Fort Simpson, but also rising up herself as a grandmother.
"I stand up today for all our children," she told the gathered crowd during the lunch time event.
The elders have always said the First Nations can't give up protecting their land and waters, she said. They need to speak for the land because it doesn't have a voice, she added.
Rosa, who was also present at the student march, said she will be continuing to spread as much information as possible about Idle No More. She hopes the youth can keep their focus and give direction to the local First Nation leadership on what they want to see done.
Senator Nick Sibbeston's voice choked up on two occasions while addressing the crowd. Sibbeston said he is both emotional and optimistic that Canada and aboriginal people have a real chance to forge a new future together.
Sibbeston said he believes Harper is sensitive and consciously wants to do something for aboriginal people. Major changes will need to happen, including ensuring a certain share of revenues from resource developments goes to affected First Nations, and coming up with a new act to replace the Indian Act, he said.
"I really think that positive things will happen from this movement," said Sibbeston.
"We're onto something good for our whole country."
