Indigenous Solidarity

Since the emergence of the Idle No More movement, Solidarity Halifax has engaged in a sustained effort to provide support to the communities and organizers involved. In addition to answering calls for attendance and lending logistical support, Solidarity Halifax sees education within non-Indigenous/settler society as a primary objective in solidarity work. Taking responsibility for Canada’s colonial legacy, educating ourselves about the political and economic history that continues to shape relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, and fighting ignorance and racism within our own communities are necessary preconditions for a healthy and genuine reconciliation between all peoples.

• Analysis
• Video
• Audio
• Photo
• Resources

---

Analysis

• Guideposts for Anti-Racist Organizing Against Capitalism – October 5, 2014
• Why Are We #IdleNoMore? –  January 10, 2013

---

Video

Idle No More teach-in hosted by SUNSCAD on April 5, 2013. Featuring panellists Gabe Hooger (Canadian Federation of Students), Rachelle McKay (Idle No More), Sébastien Labelle (Solidarity Halifax), Prof. Carla Taunton (NSCAD Faculty), Patricia Doyle-Bedwell (Dalhousie Transition Year Program) and Billy Lewis (Elder). The final Q&A segment includes a discussion about the “Made In Nova Scotia” treaty modernization process.

 

Why Are We #IdleNoMore? teach-in presented by Solidarity Halifax on January 10, 2013. A crowd of over 450 people assembled to attend the event.

• Part 1 – Rachelle McKay, Student – Idle No More
• Part 2 – Rebecca Moore, Student – Idle No More
• Part 3 – Megan Leslie, MP Halifax, NDP Environment Critic – Omnibus Bills
• Part 4 – Tayla Paul, Artist – Colonialism
• Part 5 – Dr Erin Wunker, Canadian Studies, Dalhousie – Colonial Narratives & Unlearning
• Part 6 – Billy Lewis, Elder – Resistance
• Part 7 – Sébastien Labelle, Solidarity Halifax – Unity, Privilege & Anti-Capitalism
• Part 8 – Patricia Doyle-Bedwell, Transition Year Program, Dalhousie – Rights & Education
• Part 9 – Billy Lewis, Elder – Last Words

 

Elder Billy Lewis addresses the crowd during a rally in solidarity with Chief Theresa Spence’s hunger strike and Idle No More. Victoria Park, December 30, 2012.

---

Audio

Why Are We #IdleNoMore? teach-in presented by Solidarity Halifax. Edited recording by CKDU 88.1 FM

---

Photo

---

Resources

Handouts

• Guideposts to Anti-Racism Organizing Against Capitalism
• A very brief list of landmark moments in the colonization of Mi’kma’ki (PDF)
• This is the 2012 White Paper (PDF)
• Bill C-45 – A Canadian Issue (PDF)

Event postings

• Sacred Fire in New Brunswick (Anti-Fracking Protests)
• Mi’kma’ki & Wabanaki Grassroots (Facebook)
• Halifax Aboriginal Peoples Network (Facebook)

Information

• Why Are We #IdleNoMore? Teach-in Resources
  
• Bill C-45 – Facts And Overview (PDF)
• Canadian Legislation Fact Sheet (PDF)
• Mi’kmaq Rights Initiative
• The Media Coop: coverage of #IdleNoMore from coast to coast to coast
• Breaking Down the Indian Act with Russell Diabo
• Placing #IdleNoMore in Historical Context
• Education Toolkit: Women, Contemporary Aboriginal Issues, and Resistance
• On teaching Aboriginal history to non-Aboriginal students
• Returning to Netukulimk: Mi’kmaq cultural and spiritual connections with resource stewardship and self-governance
• DanielNPaul.com – We Were Not the Savages
• National Film Board – Alanis Obomsawin
• National Film Board – Aboriginal Peoples in Canada
• Defenders of the Land
• Mi’kmaq Native Friendship Centre

Documents

• United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (PDF) (français (PDF))
• Royal Commission Report on Aboriginal Peoples (PDF) (français (PDF))
• Bill C-38 (français)
• Bill C-45 (français)
• “They Came for the Children” – Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Report (PDF)

Additional resources on Anti-Racism and White Privilege are available on our African Nova Scotia Solidarity page.