Idle No More keeps growing

When the Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn Atleo made a national call for action, Saskatchewan answered.

The Idle No More movement began in the province with four aboriginal women and through the use of social media tools like Twitter and Facebook, the grassroots campaign has gone global.

Events in support of the movement have been happening across Canada, including walks and fasts and flash-mob round dances.

On Friday, a march is planned in Ottawa, where supporters from across the country plan to gather at the site where Chief Theresa Spence from the Attawapiskat First Nation is currently engaged in a hunger strike.

She plans to continue her hunger strike until Prime Minister Stephen Harper meets with chiefs to discuss Bill-C 45.

After meeting with Spence, the supporters plan to march to Parliament Hill.

A busload of supporters from Regina is on its way to Ottawa to join others.

Michelle-Rae McKay organized the bus trip, which left for Ottawa on Wednesday night, because she believes in the movement.

"If you get a bus, they will come," said McKay.

Each seat cost $288 and everyone going is responsible for their meals and accommodations.

She's not surprised by the response she has received. McKay was able to book the bus and fill all the seats within four days.

"I knew that once people had a passion for this that it wouldn't be difficult," she said.

The group is going to Ottawa to raise awareness about the federal government's omnibus bill, which they say will negatively impact Canada's waterways. They want the rest of Canada to know that Bill C-45 will affect all Canadians.

McKay says the whole movement is growing and gaining momentum.

Not only are there Idle No More groups in Canada but there is also an Idle No More, London UK Solidarity Action group and one in California.

"We have people who donated from California," said McKay. "A lot of us are powwow people and we go all over Canada and the United States and we are asking our brothers and sisters that are powwow people all over to start supporting us."

She said people are waking up and believes the movement will continue to grow.

In Regina, an Idle No More walk is planned for Friday.

The group plans to meet on the corner of Angus Street and 5th Avenue at 11: 30 a.m. for a prayer. At noon the group plans to walk up Albert Street to the Legislative Building.

Also happening in support of the movement is the Idle No More - One Heartbeat Across Turtle Island. The movement is calling on all nations to sing and drum across North America at noon on Friday.

McKay said there are 22 marches planned in Canada and one in England and another in California on Friday.

"The thing is that while we are marching at the same time there is going to be drums going at all these places," she said. "I'm not surprised because indigenous people, First Nations people have been sitting back waiting for leadership to address some of these issues."

On Dec. 27, a four-day fast is planned in Regina to support Spence as she continues her hunger strike, which is now on Day 10.