IDLE NO MORE - Burleigh Falls, ON

Today I attended the IDLE NO MORE Gathering in the middle of Burleigh Falls bridge, to listen to the history of that particular part of the Mississauga Territory, and to witness the symbolic burning of Bill C-45 in the sacred fire.  It was a bright, cold, New Year's Day 2013, led by the Whetung Family of Curve Lake, whose ancestors burned the White Paper of the Trudeau Government of 1969, and so the flame of sovereignty is handed down from parents to children and the Anishinabek People remain alive, strong and vibrant.

There were close to 100 people, both First Peoples and Settler Allies, most capably led by Kim Whetung, Lorenzo Whetung, and other Curve Lake First Nation members.  There soon appeared a line-up of cars from both sides of the Sacred Fire, some of whom were somewhat irate at being held up for an hour; so much so that one young man called the police.  The OPP responded, and made sure that everyone was safe, but did not interfere with the Gathering,  interacting with everyone in a peaceful and respectful manner. 

We can be proud of our police in these cases (I have not yet observed one act of police confrontation).  We are especially proud of the leadership of the First Peoples who remain peaceful but determined; willing to educate The Rest of Us and encouraging us to join in with the singing, drumming and dancing.

In everyone's mind is the courageous stand of Chief Theresa Spence, now being joined in Ottawa by Elder Raymond Robinson of Cross Lake First Nation, Manitoba, who has also been fasting for three weeks.  We meet, sing, drum, dance and pray for the well-being of both these First Peoples leaders who are waiting for a sign from Prime Minister Stephen Harper that he is willing to enter into a new relationship with the First Peoples.

And so we wait.

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