Description
Idle No More bewildered many Canadians. Launched by four women in Saskatchewan (Jessica Gordon, Sylvia McAdam, Sheelah McLean, and Nina Wilson) in reaction to a federal omnibus budget bill, the protest became the most powerful demonstration of Aboriginal identity in Canadian history. Thousands of Aboriginal people and their supporters took to the streets, shopping malls, and other venues, drumming, dancing, and singing in a collective voice. It was a protest against generations of injustice, a rallying cry for cultural survival, and a reassertion of First Nation identity. Idle No More was the most profound declaration of Indigenous identity and confidence in Canadian history, sparked by Aboriginal women and their supporters, sustained by young Indigenous peoples, filled with pride and determination. When the drums slowed, a new and different Canada was left in its wake. Partially stunned by the peaceful celebrations, but perplexed by a movement that seemed to have no centre and no leaders, most Canadians missed the point. Through Idle No More, Aboriginal peoples have declared that they are a vital and necessary part of Canada's future. Ken Coates is the author of #IdleNoMore and the Remaking of Canada.