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Two Idle No More rallies bring indigenous rights concerns to Whistler Village
Protests part of national campaign against changes in federal laws to waterways protection, Indian Act
by Cathryn Atkinson
- Photo by Cathryn Atkinson
- National protest The Idle No More movement in support of indigenous rights came to Whistler Village twice this past week, with hundreds of curious visitors looking on. Around 100 singers, dancers and drummers held a rally on Friday, Dec. 28.
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Other First Nations communities also took part in the Whistler protest.
Court Blackbird Larabee, from the Lacs Des Mille Lac First Nation near Thunder Bay, Ontario, said "it's about time."
"I'm really happy that all the grassroots are getting together... We went to bed on Dec. 13 and woke up the next day with only nine protected rivers. That should concern every single one of us as Canadians," he said.
Both Chief Lucinda Phillips of the Lil'wat Nation and Chief Ian Campbell of the Squamish Nation addressed the Dec. 28 rally.
"It's exciting. Coming together like this in a peaceful demonstration to celebrate our tenacity that we're still here on the land and we're still upholding the integrity that our ancestors bestowed on us," said Campbell, afterwards.
"What's really important for Whistler's visitors is that they find a way to relate. We're all in the same canoe; certainly it's a global issue. The impact of (Bill C-45) on the water table and quality of air and our quality of life affects all of us.
"It's important to say that (the Squamish and Lil'wat) are more or less invisible in our own lands; the average person here doesn't know the breadth of our history and the connections to the land."
Because the drum circle rally took place in one of the busiest spots in Whistler, hundreds of skiers and snowboarders watched as around 50 drummers played and sang. Many of the foreign visitors, in particular, were not aware of Idle No More movement.
"You couldn't come to a better place to raise awareness of something like this," said Amanda Cohen from New York City. "I haven't heard of this issue and in a lot of ways it's up to Canadians to fix it themselves, but it's nice to see them carrying out their right to protest if they think they are being treated in a terrible way."
Said Inga Silberger of West Vancouver: "I feel very passionate about this in every way. I just hope that because it is across Canada, that it will have some sort of positive solution."
Representatives of Whistler Blackcomb observed Friday's rally and later released the following statement:
"Whistler Blackcomb was notified by local First Nations that a peaceful protest would be staged on our property at 2 p.m. This protest is not against Whistler Blackcomb; it is part of the 'Idle No More' movement and is against the Federal Government's Bill C-45.
"Whistler Blackcomb maintains a positive relationship with our local First Nations communities and we respect their right to protest."
Whistler RCMP were also in attendance, but kept a low profile. They were informed of the march through Whistler Village and the fire, and shared the information with Whistler Fire Rescue, organizers said.
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