Idle No More rallies took place in Prince Albert and Regina yesterday as part of a global day of action.
Around 50 people attended a round dance at the Gateway Mall in Prince Albert.
They started off at MP Randy Hoback’s office, marched through the downtown and then to the mall.
Co-organizer Beverly Boe says she’s encouraged by the progress that’s been made through the movement so far.
But she warns new interest is needed to keep things going.
“I think it’s important that we keep making sure that we keep letting people know that we’re here,” she says. “And there’s more people joining everyday, more organizations joining, more unions…”
Joan Waditika was one of the flag-bearers for the event.
The Wahpeton Dakota woman says Idle No More continues to show the Canadian government Aboriginal people are not going to back down over contentious legislation.
Some of the demonstrators taking part in yesterday’s rally say they think the protests are starting to anger some members of the public but they’re not going to give up.
A receptive and diverse audience gathered for a celebration in Regina in the evening.
About 400 people packed the Shumiatcher Theatre at the Conexus Art Centre to learn more about the Idle No More movement and the people behind it.
Dodie Ferguson, a Regina letter carrier for Canada Post, helped organize the event.
She is from the Cowesses First Nation.
Ferguson says she has an obligation to speak out for the rights of her children and for all Canadians.
She was one of seven speakers at the event, all with a different story but a common message.
Speakers ranged from environmentalists to lawyers.
The most emotional address came from Jaqueline Anaquod.
She praised the movement for creating a strong voice against the Harper government.
Anaquod says that same commitment should be used to fight addictions.
She says her life turned around when she got in touch with her roots and Anaquod hopes Idle No More will help more First Nations people become proud of their heritage.
Human Rights lawyer and political activist Larry Kowalchuk suggested how to make the movement even stronger.
“If, for example, the labour movement was to join the Idle No More movement and say, ‘Tools down, work is idle now, it’s time for the corporations to pay attention,’” he said.
In addition to speakers, there were First Nations entertainers, a few jokes and a lot of emotions expressed.