The Idle No More-Defenders of the Land Joint crowdfunding campaign has surpassed its goal! - with 36 hours left in our campaign, your support can help the movement do even more!!

Thank you to all of you who have contributed, pushing our campaign over the top. We are all part of a movement, and your support will make it stronger.

Let’s continue to show our commitment to the Indigenous-led movements happening across North America by coming out into the streets and onto the land, and by contributing directly to local community struggles.

Also, there are only 36 more hours to contribute to the Idle No More-Defenders of the Land joint crowdfunding campaign!  Lend your support and get some of the brand new perks from the award-winning Indigenous-made film Empire of Dirt!

Check it out and spread the word: www.idlenomore.ca/support

By Faith Gemmill as guest blogger for platformlondon.org (photo credits: Faith Gemmill)

Idle No More and Defenders of the Land groups and supporters across the country are beginning to organize a wave of local Teach-ins starting today, January 28th and beyond, around the proposed First Nation Education Act (FNEA) and the broader Indigenous Termination Plan that it represents.  

Organize your own Teach-In and check out these videos and resources you could use!

We recognize that every Nation and community has their own unique stories, struggles, and practices and we hope that every teach-in is rooted in the on-the-ground realities that are at the heart of the Idle No More movement.

As part of this wave of Teach-Ins, Idle No More and  Defenders of the Land are encouraging people across the country to wear the “Got Land?  Thank an Indian” shirt to their schools, workplaces, or neighbourhoods to spark conversations about Canada's true record on Indigenous rights.  Take action and learn more about the Got Land? Campaign

Here is a list of Teach-Ins that will be taking place on January 28th to launch an ongoing wave on winter Teach-Ins.  If you don’t see your Teach-In add it to the website!

Idle No More organizers and supporters led round dances outside several of the Honour the Treaties concerts and helped to gather signatures and donations in support of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation’s (ACFN) legal challenge against the Federal Government and Shell Canada.

by âpihtawikosisân (Image credit, Strong Families)

It is so easy to get bogged down by all the problems indigenous peoples face. Poverty, suicide, addiction, disease, incarceration, homelessness, violence — where does one even begin to address these things?

We can cast our nets widely, and see the big picture in all its ugly colonial horror. This is absolutely necessary; but philosophically deconstructing colonialism can only get us so far when so many indigenous peoples are struggling just to have their basic needs met.

By EDELO - Creative Time Reports (Photo Credit: TJ Scenes / Cesar Bojorquez/Flickr)

December 30, 2013 |  Mexico was said to be one step away from entering the “First World.” It was December 1992, and Mexico’s then-president, Carlos Salinas, signed the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The global treaty came with major promises of economic development, driven by increased farm production and foreign investment, that would end emigration and eliminate poverty. But, as the environmentalist Gustavo Castro attests in our video, the results have been the complete opposite—increased emigration, hunger and poverty.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 12.25.13

Contact: Reyna Crow reynacrow@gmail.com 218.269.2661 (text) 

MALL OF AMERICA THREATENS `IDLE NO MORE’ ORGANIZERS WITH ARREST, PROMISES `ADDITIONAL ACTIONS’ TO `PROHIBIT… GATHERING’ IF NEW YEARS EVE ROUND DANCE PROCEEDS

Duluth, MN Various organizers identified by the `Mall of America’ management team as being connected with the `Idle No More’ movement have received letters from the mall indicating the mall “…will utilize additional actions… including trespassing the organizers of the protest” (emphasis added) should a flash mob Round Dance recur there on New Year’s Eve this year.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                   December 26, 2013

Media Advisory

Advisory: Anniversary of Aamjiwnaang First Nation Blockade, Toxic Tour March in Chemical Valley, Dec. 27

(Sarnia, ON) — On the one year anniversary of the CN Rail blockade, Aamjiwnaang First Nation community members and supporters will take to the streets to raise awareness about the ongoing risks of living next to Chemical Valley.  The several hour tour will follow Enbridge’s Line 9 pipeline and stop at the site planned for Shell’s LNG (liquefied natural gas) Plant as well Nova Chemicals which currently processes fracked gas.  The community is marching to say no to fracking on their territory and no to Enbridge’s Line 9 pipeline through Ontario.  The tour will begin at 12pm at the Aamjiwnaang Community Centre on Friday, December 27^th.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Turtle Island/December 23, 2013) - Idle No More and Defenders of the Land networks condemn the December 16, 2013, court judgment granting an injunction to Penn West Petroleum Ltd (Penn West) to remove Lubicon Lake Nation Land Protectors from protecting their land against fracking. The Lubicon Lake Nation were in a Calgary court December 16, 2013, on an injunction hearing that would determine the fate of their land protection camp initiated for operation Frack OFF. In their application, Penn West applied for a 7 day short term order under the Public Lands Act and was granted 6 month injunctive relief. The judge did not even take the time to hear evidence from the Lubicon Lake Nation on a matter that affects their future and livelihood. It’s a sad day for those who have braved cold winter conditions for weeks to protect their lands and waters from environmental devastation.