One of #IdleNoMore founders reflects on movement’s legacy
- EFN Staff | December 15, 2017
This month marks five years since the start of the Idle No More grassroots movement which was founded by four women in Saskatchewan: Sylvia McAdam Saysewahum, Jessica Gordon, Nina Wilson and Sheelah McLean. The movement woke up Canada.
The initiative captivated attention across the country that sparked national rallies, teach-ins, round dances, and protests when omnibus Bill C-45 was introduced by the Harper government on October 12, 2012. It would have impacted Indigenous rights with proposed changes in the Indian Act, which include the Fisheries Act, Environmental Assessment Act, and the Navigable Water Protection Act.
Saysewahum from Big River First Nation said the Idle No More movement has evolved today since it first began five years ago.
“People are more aware and more conscious of the fact that there are changes happening in the political and social landscape,” she said. “How I’m seeing that is Canada is trying to posture that they are implementing UNDRIP and the TRC but the way they are going about it is problematic. I think there will be resistance to it.”
The grassroots movement has left Saysewahum feeling like it was a beautiful prayer as she got to hear elders’ teachings and knowledge. It was a chance for her to bond with her mother on a different level as she witnessed her defending the land and the water even to her last breath.
Saysewahum said Idle No More was also an opportunity for her to create friendships alike to a ceremonial family. On a global level, the initiative has connected people from all over the planet.
“Before people would have taken the colonial government at their word, they’re questioning, critiquing and analyzing the information,” she said. “That’s the same spirit when [Pierre] Trudeau was trying to pass the White Paper and I think it’s the same spirit of Oka.”
Now, she is seeing a generation of young powerful people that are questioning the systems and engaging in important dialogues at a grassroots level.
“You see young people like Sadie [Phoenix Lavoie], Colby Tootoosis, Myron Tootoosis, Kevin Settee and amazing young people that are coming up,” Saysewahum said. “If there’s anything that I could take from Idle No More, it would be that young people are taking up this protecting and defending and they are carrying it on in their own way.”
Five years later, Saysewahum continues to send a powerful message to the upcoming generation to continue utilizing their voices when it comes to defending Indigenous rights and protecting the lands and water. She also hopes the youth will understand the importance of listening to the elders’ teachings and stories.
“I want young people to know that we never ceded and surrendered our lands. That’s important for them to know because the colonizer will flood them with misinformation and lies that we ceded and surrendered. We never did,” Saysewahum said. “Our elders tell us that we never did. Believe in the elders, believe in our people and believe that we would never cede and surrender their future.”