The Impact of Bill C-45, The basis of the Idle No More Movement

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Idle No More Colonization, the Indian Act, Enfranchisement, and Residential Schools, are all examples of the oppressions Aboriginal individuals have and continue to face. As a result of these injustices, moreover the introduction of Bill C-45, Aboriginal individuals began an attempt to educate their people on the impeding changes. Essentially, these revisions sought to once again violate Aboriginal Treaty rights, in addition, threatened the safety and conservancy of their Creation – Mother Earth. One might wonder how much more abuse and exploitation Aboriginals could possibly endure. It could be argued that the introduction of Bill C-45 was the final indignity. It seemed apparent that in order to make a difference, what was required was a solid plan, in which Aboriginals could once again have a voice, more importantly, have their voices heard (Caven, 2013). With this in mind, on November 10th, 2012, four ingenious women began a movement that, once ignited, began to spread like wildfire. Appropriately, they dubbed this movement Idle no More. As such, this writer intends to explore the potential impacts of Bill C-45, the basis of the Idle No More movement and the outcome. Impacts of Bill C-45. It is apparent that over several centuries, Aboriginals have developed a close spiritual connection with the land. Unfortunately, Bill C-45 “…attacks the land base reserved for Indigenous people, removes protection for hundreds of waterways and weaken[s] Canada’s environmental laws” (Caven, 2014). In essence, this legislation sees the vulnerable waterways that Aboriginal individuals rely on furthermore, feel united with, and are left exposed to potential contamination. As such, they have become deeply in tune with the environment, thus truly... ... middle of paper ... ...ved from http://www.culturalsurvival.org/publications/cultural-survival-quarterly/being-idle-no-more-women-behind-movement Foote, J. (2012, December 4). MP Judy Foote debates bill c-45 [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Jr6uZt3eHk Idle No More. (n.d.). The vision. Retrieved from http://www.idlenomore.ca/vision In brief: Idle no more. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://ojen.ca/sites/ojen.ca/files/resources/IB_INM.pdf The National. (2013, January 7). Countdown to friday: Explaining idle no more [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/TV+Shows/The+National/ID/2323881230/ Wherry, A. (2013). Omnibus no more. Maclean’s Magazine. Retrieved from http://www.macleans.ca/politics/ottawa/omnibus-no-more/ Woodward, S. (2013, January 10). Idle no more short documentary [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzXI7aznBtc

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