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It was only a little more than a month ago when NWT residents came to celebrate the opening of the Deh Cho Bridge, pictured here. A planned gathering at the Deh Cho Bridge near Fort Providence aims to block the Mackenzie River span for roughly an hour beginning at 2 p.m. Saturday. - NNSL file photo

SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Two blockades of Highway 3 are planned for Saturday as part of the Idle No More movement, protesting the Conservative government's handling of aboriginal issues.

A planned gathering at the Deh Cho Bridge near Fort Providence aims to block the Mackenzie River span for roughly an hour beginning at 2 p.m. Saturday, organizer Nellie Norwegian told Yellowknifer yesterday.

Within 24 hours, a Facebook group for the event stated that 72 people were planning to attend the rally at the bridge, and Norwegian said she expects that number to swell.

"I just geared it for our local people and now everybody wants to attend," said Norwegian, who is organizing the event with the help of Fort Providence Chief Wayne Sabourin.

The Deh Cho Bridge rally is scheduled to begin with an opening prayer, followed by an hour-long drum dance on the bridge, said Norwegian. Afterward, participants are welcome to warm up at the community hall, where volunteers will provide stew, bannock and hot beverages. Sabourin, Deh Cho MLA Michael Nadli, and Idle No More organizers Melaw Nakehk'o and Lawrence Nayally are expected to make speeches at the community hall, said Norwegian.

Also beginning at 2 p.m., a highway blockade is being scheduled at the Behchoko junction, where participants are planning to stop traffic by holding a drum dance on the road, according to the Idle No More - Denendeh Facebook page.

"We are in support of (Attawapiskat, Ont.) Chief Theresa Spence who will be on her 25th day of fasting," said Nakehk'o, about the purpose of the rallies. "I think it's quite incredible that our prime minister has not met with her."

Nakehk'o said she plans to attend the Deh Cho Bridge protest. Along with Fort Providence community members, people are expected to attend the rally from Yellowknife, Hay River, Fort Simpson and Kakisa.

"Having other communities participate is important," she said. "It's also very important to keep educating people about the movement."

The Fort Providence protest is also about networking among different communities and coming up with a clear vision for the North and what the people of the North want from their federal government, she said.

The RCMP were unavailable to comment by press time and Department of Transportation officials declined to speak to these events.

Range Lake MLA Daryl Dolynny said officials with the territorial government are aware of the protests and, while he is wary of commenting on the movement itself, he supports Northerners' right to protest.

"Peaceful protesting is a democratic right and I can understand where these people are coming from," he said. "With respect to the blocking of a road, again, if it's done in a peaceful fashion and done with respect, I'm sure it will be fine."

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