Walking and singing for change
Most mornings, one of the first things I do is to browse my regular variety of online media. A lot of it is mainstream and some of it would be considered alternative. I noticed a story the other day in [Wawatay News][ITALICS], an Aboriginal newspaper serving northern Ontario, which featured coverage of a group of walkers from Attawapiskat. They are on a march to Parliament in Ottawa to lobby the federal and provincial governments to meet with First Nations and address the issues concerning housing, suicide, education and health care.
The main organizer and spokesperson for the group is Danny Metatawabin of Fort Albany, a well-known First Nations leader from the James Bay coast. The four original walkers include Danny Metatawabin of Fort Albany and Attawapiskat trekkers Paul Mattinas, Brian Okimaw and Remi Nakogee.
It won’t be easy to walk from Attawapiskat along the winter roads to the south all the way to Ottawa. As I write, the walkers have made it to Moosonee and are trying to establish the best route to continue their journey to Ottawa.
The group is receiving assistance and support from the First Nations communities along the James Bay coast. Chief Theresa Spence of Attawapiskat contacted the Mushkegowuk Council chiefs in support of the walkers and she is calling for a national meeting of chiefs to deal with the issues raised by the walkers.
Michael Knapaysweet, Brent Edward and Chief Rex Knapaysweet joined the walk in Fort Albany. Albert Iahtail, of Attawapiskat, also joined the group in Fort Albany.
Last year’s Journey of Nishiyuu, which started with six Cree youth from Whapmagoostui, are the inspiration for this year’s walk. The Nishiyuu walkers were joined by hundreds of people as they completed their 1,600 km journey to Ottawa last March. The walkers at the end of their Idle No More trek met with Aboriginal Affairs Minister Bernard Valcourt.
It makes me proud to see my people pursue non-violent protest action to bring important issues before the public and as a means to lobby politicians to do something constructive for First Nations people. I know there are probably a lot of people who react by making racist and bigoted comments, but maybe they should realize that what governments do affect all of us.
Life in this great country is not just about making money and making really rich people even richer. It also has to be about taking care of our land, our rivers and our people.
The Attawapiskat walkers began their journey as the legendary Canadian musician Neil Young is raising his famous voice for the land and its people with his “Honour The Treaties” concert tour. Young is donating proceeds from four Canadian concerts to benefit the Athabasca Chipewyan legal fund in challenging expanded tar-sands development in Alberta.
Young has always been admired as a Canadian hero for his activism in defense of people against powerful and destructive forces. He has always been a supporter of First Nations in this country and he has a history of supporting environmental and conservation issues.
Everyone is entitled to make a living and the use of our natural resources has a lot to do with making that a reality. However, we also have to care about our environment and we have to be ready to stand up and be counted when it comes to making sure that we live in a just and caring society.
I believe in good people getting together for a good cause to fight against the greedy few who have enough wealth and power to think that they can do anything they want. Eh-Koo-Teh-Neh Pee-Moh-Teh Nee-Kah-Moo (That is the way, walk and sing).