Idle No More and the Con Denial of History

When I woke up today and saw that it had snowed, for the first time this winter, I felt like I was back in Canada eh?

Because I can't imagine winter in the Great White North without snow. Just like I can't imagine this country without the Québécois or the First Nations.

So I can't understand why a Canadian Prime Minister would refuse to meet with a chief from one of those nations, even though his pride might kill her.

And it really bothers me to see how some in the media are trying to demean Chief Spence and the Idle No More movement. Like Christie Blatchford does here. 

Chief Spence has parked herself on an island in the Ottawa River, is on Day 17 of a hunger strike, and all around her, the inevitable cycle of hideous puffery and horse manure that usually accompanies native protests swirls.

While Chief Spence, and others, may long for “nation-to-nation” discussions, there is I think a genuine question as to whether there’s enough of aboriginal culture that has survived to even dream of that lofty status, or if the culture isn’t irreparably damaged already. Smudging, drumming and the like do not a nation make.

Or Colby Cosh does here.

Of course, if the demands aren’t in earnest and the whole thing is no more than a publicity ploy, there is no danger to the Chief and we can ignore the theatrics. In the meantime, give till it hurts, I guess?

Or the grotesque Con nerd Ezra Levant does here:

As if you can take on a new movement with old racist stereotypes. As if you can deny people their heritage. As if you can dismiss a rising up as powerful as this one.

As if you could wish the "native problem" would just go away. Or blame it on the chiefs. When it's so dire and so shameful.

As if we didn't live in Canada...

(click pic to enlarge)

Where the First Nations helped make us the unique country we are, a treaty is still a treaty, their struggle will only end when they get justice. And until there is justice there will be no peace. 

Which makes Stephen Harper's refusal to meet with Chief Spence, both callous and dangerous.

If simple human concern, a determination to right historic injustices, and a goal of making life better on reserves aren’t enough to move Harper, here’s a reason he’ll likely understand: meeting Spence would be politically expedient. More than that, it might just avert disaster. 

If she were to die, or suffer serious harm, the protests seen thus far would be merely a gentle rain compared to the hurricane of anger to follow. By meeting Spence, Harper would spare all Canadians, including native people, from a dangerous and frightening escalation of bitterness. He should do so as soon as possible.

For those who would deny a country's history, will lead it to disaster.

Which makes it even more important that non-native Canadians show their solidarity with the Idle No More movement. For it is also OUR struggle.

Taking on the un-Canadian Con regime to help save OUR land.

As Canadian as the snow.

As Canadian as this message...

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