The Edmonton Journal reports on a community forum last night in Edmonton in support of Idle No More.
“More than 100 people gathered in the hall to hear Tanya Kappo, a member of the Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation who launched the Alberta version of Idle No More, speak about the movement. …Morningstar Mercredi, who has been active with Idle No More, was the main organizer of the event.”
“‘The goal here is to educate,’ said Richard Merry, chair of the Council of Canadians’ Edmonton chapter. …’We hope to stimulate people to support the grievances of First Nations people much more directly, not just to watch it,’ Merry said.”
“Amanda Freistadt, a representative with the Canadian Labour Congress, attended the teach-in Sunday. Gil McGowan, president of the Alberta Federation of Labour, was also in attendance.”
“The Edmonton event came as an assembly of 47 groups across Canada, including the Council of Canadians, prepared to launch a national effort Monday in support of Idle No More, timed to coincide with Parliament resuming in Ottawa. United under the banner of Common Causes, the assembly’s mandate includes defending democracy, social justice, the environment and human rights.”
“Public Interest Alberta is one of the organizations joining Common Causes. Executive director Bill Moore-Kilgannon helped put together an event at Churchill Square Monday that will feature speakers and a tea dance with the Dene Tha’ Drummers.”
“‘We are all deeply concerned about how we, as citizens, can make sure those voices that are concerned about the environment, health care, foreign policy, and human rights are being heard. Common Causes joining up and supporting Idle No More is really what (Monday) is all about,’ Moore-Kilgannon said. …’It’s not just about First Nations, it’s about all of us and all of our relations to each other and to our environment,’ Moore-Kilgannon said.”
The full article is at http://www.edmontonjournal.com/touch/story.html?id=7879698.
