Indigenous action in Canads

Amy McCoy Sayers -

A Message from my husband, Chief Dean Sayers, Please share

January 10, 2013

Indigenous Chief's Meeting With Prime Minister of Canada and Governor General scheduled for tomorrow - January 11, 2013

Thank you to the hunger strikers Chief Spence, Raymond Robinson, Emil sock, the leadership, the Idle No More movement and everyone's work which all contributes to a new page in our Peo...ple's journey towards justice.

The Indigenous Chiefs have been meeting here in Ottawa since Tuesday working on a unified approach to bring to the table when we meet the Prime Minister and the Governor General on Friday. We as the leadership, have varying expectations and our deliberations were a difficult task. Our challenge was to summarize and focus in on key areas we wanted to take to Friday's meeting along with measureable outcomes/expectations.

To complicate matters even more, the Prime Minister's office was taking complete control of the meeting including venue, who can attend, how long he stays, the agenda, etc. We tried to accommodate his expectations but by 3 pm today we rejected his assertion of control over the meeting by concensus by all the Indigenous Chiefs across Canada who are in attendance.

We remembered that it was Chief Spence's invitation to the Prime Minister and the Governor General to meet with the Indigenous leadership (Chiefs) that prompted this. The Prime Minister accepted that invitation. We decreed that it needs to be and will be our agenda and all logistics will be under our control. He's accepted an invitation to come to our home. Chief's Spence's wishes need to be honoured as do ours.

By concensus, We the Indegenous Chief's from across Canada asked a delegation of women to make their way on our behalf to the Prime Minister's office to inform him that we will be waiting for him and the Governor General here at the Delta Hotel in Ottawa Canada for a 9 am start to do business as per his acceptance of our invitation to meet. We will be putting forward our agenda items including, Treaty implementation, resource revenue sharing, committment to resolve our matters at most senior level (Prime Minister) not the Indian Affairs Minister, transformed fiscal relationship, National Public Commission of Inquiry on Violence Against Indigenous Women and Girls, including special focus on murdered and missing women (estimate 2000 now), First Nation School in every First Nation, no more imposed legislation repeal bills C 38 and 45 and reform comprehensive claims process.

All Chiefs, representatives of the Elders, Women, Youth and Idle No more will be here with us.

As unextinguished North American Indigenous Nations, we are not taking a back seat. We are taking control of our destiny. Prime Minister Harper will feel the effects if he or the Governor general decide to not show up for this meeting tomorrow.

The Chief's, Elders, Spiritual leaders here ask that rallies take place around the world in support of what is happening here in Ottawa. We also ask for prayers in what ever form of prayer you practise.

Please spread this message.

Formal press releases will be issued by the Assembly of First Nations, the Chief's of Ontario as well as Batchewana First Nations.

Map of January 11th Idle No More Events

On January 11th over 130 events will be taking place across the world as part of the Idle No More movement. The protests, flash mobs and teach-ins are being held as the Prime Minister Stephen Harper meets with First Nations chiefs, including the chief of Attawapiskat, Chief Theresa Spence, who will be entering the 32nd day of her hunger strike.

The Prime Minister agreed to the meeting after a large and escalating series of solidarity actions, protests, blockades, and Spence's high profile hunger strike. Spence is waiting to see the outcome of the meeting before deciding if she will lift the hunger strike.

An "IdleNoMore Global Day of Action, Solidarity & Resurgence" has been called for January 11th.  

"As only a few AFN-determined representatives will be chosen to participate in the meeting with Harper, it will be important to show that the rest of the movement stands united with one voice, that it is not going anywhere, and that we here to demonstrate the strength and resurgence of our nations," reads the call to action that was posted on facebook.

Over 6000 people have already said they will attend on Facebook, and an online form of actions lists over 130 events that will be taking place around the world, although the actual number may be much larger. 

More information is available at j11action.com


http://www.mediacoop.ca/story/map-january-11th-idle-no-more-events/15540



Idle No More, FLASH MOB GRAND ENTRY at West Edmonton Mall

Idle No More January 11, 2013 Canada

Maude Barlow returns Diamond Jubilee Medal in solidarity with Chief Spence and Idle No More

OTTAWA — In a show of solidarity with Chief Spence and the Idle No More movement, Maude Barlow, National Chairperson of the Council of Canadians, announced that she would be returning her Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.

“I encourage other medal recipients to also return their medals,” said Barlow. “We can’t accept this honour from the Governor General if he won’t honour the Crown’s commitment to First Nations by meeting with Chief Spence.”

Naomi Klein announced on Twitter earlier in the day that she would be returning her medal.

http://canadians.org/media/other/2013/11-Jan-13.html