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Idle No More demonstration P. 1&3 near Ladysmith
Serving Ladysmith, Chemainus and area
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Poetry contest winners receive prizes
P. 11
LINDSAY CHUNG/CHRONICLE
Firefighters from Chemainus, Crofton and Ladysmith were called to a fire at ProFab Manufacturing Ltd. at the end of Hope Place near Chemainus Sunday morning. The fire departments were called out around 8 a.m. Jan. 6, and the cause of the fire was not known at press time.
About 300 participate in Idle No More Lindsay Chung
help from his sister, Stephanie Harris, and his cousin, Gina-Mae Harris. Drums and voices rang out About 300 people took part in loud and clear on a cool Monday the demonstration, many drumafternoon, as hundreds of people ming and waving signs. They gathered just outside Ladysmith stopped traffic on the Transto lend their support to the Idle Canada Highway for a short No More movement. period of time but mostly kept Idle No More means many off the highway. t h i n g s t o Ti m H a r r i s , a “I would have to say when I Stz’uminus First Nation council- think of Idle No More, it kind lor and school principal. of brought it all together,” said Harris organized a mid-Island Harris. “It spoke a thousand Idle No More demonstration words to me.” Dec. 31 at the Husky Gas Station Harris says, first of all, the just north of Ladysmith with d e m o n s t r a t i o n s u p p o r t e d
THE CHRONICLE
Attawapiskat Chief Theresa with Bill C-45 is the legislation Spence, who has been on a regarding waterways and the hunger strike on Victoria Island environment. in the Ottawa River since Dec. “It basically puts it on a sil11. Spence vowed not to eat ver platter for pipelines to go solid food until Prime Minister through First Nations territoStephen Harper would meet ries,” he said. “The other big with her. Harper has set a meet- thing is the lack of consultation ing with First Nations leaders for within this.” Jan. 11, and Spence is expected For Harris, one of the key to take part in the meeting. aspects of the movement is Another aspect of Idle No More standing together — and not is killing Bill C-45, an omnibus just as First Nations, but as budget bill that Harris says is Canadians. “really tough” on the environ- “It’s also in regards to solidarment. ity and coming together and Harris says the main concern also stepping up,” he said. “For
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me, solidarity is not just First Nations coming together — it’s everyone. It’s all of us who use the land and care about the land.” Education and awareness are important pieces of the puzzle for Harris. “It’s saying ‘no, we’re not going to stand still and take this anymore,’” he said. “People need to understand we’re not just there for free handouts. We’re not just on reservations collecting free money. Idle No More is also about educating the public about what First Nations have See Demonstration Page 3
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