DYAN RUIZ: The aboriginal people at an Idle No More protest in Toronto made it clear that
they're taking back the power stolen from them in what they describe as false treaties
and hundreds of years of oppression in Canada.
JAMAIAS DACOSTA: We're drawing attention to the fact that we are here, we are demanding,
we're not asking, we're demanding, and we're taking our treaty rights into our own hands.
RUIZ: The protest began with a smoke ceremony, speeches, and drumming in the west end of
the city at Trinity Bellwoods Park.
This was followed by a nearly three kilometer parade on a major street, Dundas, that went
through the heart of the city, through areas including the Financial District and Chinatown.
The day of action coincides with the 250th anniversary of a British legal document called
the Royal Proclamation, which transferred ownership of North America to King George
III.
At the same time, it acknowledged the rights of aboriginal people to the land the British
occupied, allowing the Crown to take land only if done so by treaty.
The Idle No More movement reflects a newly visible sense of frustration among Aboriginal
people that erupted through protests throughout Canada in December 2012.
They drew international attention to the concerns of Aboriginal people and similar protests
internationally.
The Toronto protest on the evening of October 7 was part of an international day of action,
with protests taking place throughout Canada and countries such as the U.S. and the United
Kingdom.
GIIBWANISI: I think that people are starting to realize--and they're starting to think
that we can't just rely on other people to create our voice and to ask permission to
do things, because, like, obviously they are not listening.
They're not following the agreements that they made with us in the first place.
RUIZ: Prime Minister Harper sees the relationship between the First Nations and the government
as less fraught.
In a statement issued when he met with First Nations leaders in January 2012, he stated,
"The Government of Canada and First Nations have an enduring historic relationship based
on mutual respect, friendship and support.
The Government of Canada is committed to strengthening this relationship."
One demand highlighted during the action was that First Nations should undergo talks and
negotiations with the Canadian government nation-to-nation.
AARON DETLOR: Right now essentially the federal government tables outcomes and they basically
take a take-it-or-leave-it approach.
We're more than happy to leave it.
And part of the negotiation is what we're going to do when we walk away from the negotiation
tables that aren't respectful.
And that includes direct action, and that includes exerting our own jurisdiction over
our own lands.
RUIZ: Some of the ways that the Haudenosaunee are exerting their jurisdiction is creating
their own land titles, managing their land exempt from government taxation, and controlling
resource extraction if it's permitted.
Resource extraction, particularly how waterways may now be more easily prey to corporate interests
in Canada were also a concern of the protestors.
In December of last year, the majority Conservative government, led by Prime Minister Stephen
Harper, passed a bill that removed extensive environmental protections through an omnibus
bill called Bill C-45.
Earlier, other environmental protections were removed through Bill C-38.
DACOSTA: It's a really, really dangerous situation when you have a prime minister who is changing
the laws to suit corporations.
So that's the first thing we need to address.
You have Bill C-45, Bill C-38, which have been attacking environmental protection laws.
RUIZ: The protection of the environment is fundamental to the movement as it is fundamental
to the beliefs of Aboriginal people.
ANDREA CHRISJOHN: Land is a real estate to society, but to us it's our mother.
You know, it's a resource.
It's a resource that we have to be good to.
Otherwise it's gone.
RUIZ: The protest strived to bring awareness to Canadians of the past and ongoing injustices
among aboriginal people that include genocide, violent cultural assimilation, lack of protection
for women, and poor living conditions on reservations.
GIIBWANISI: What I would hope is that the people that are on the street that are still
oblivious to this, they come and they see, and when they experience the truth of it themselves,
they want to join us.
RUIZ: The United Nations special rapporteur on the rights of indigenous people is now
in Canada.
The nine-day tour of James Anaya will include meetings with Aboriginal people, the Canadian
government, and even representatives of natural resource extraction.
Anaya will be seeing how much progress has been made since the last UN report ten years
ago.
Meanwhile, people at the protest this evening in Toronto and across Canada are making it
known that the Canadian government can no longer interfere with the lands and lives
of Aboriginal nations.
This is Dyan Ruiz for The Real News Network.