Small "Idle No More" Protest at Court House

Prince Rupert, like many communities across Canada today played host to a gathering designed to create awareness of concerns over the Conservative government's omnibus budget legislation Bill C-45,   and in particular its inclusion of Aboriginal issues, the legislation was recently passed by the Senate and will most likely become law in the New Year.

The small gathering of local citizens took to the Provincial Courthouse lawn on Friday afternoon, braving a cold wind to listen to speeches, express their concerns over the Federal Governments legislation and wave signs proclaiming the need to defend Democracy.

By the usual standards of past protests in the city, the Friday gathering was on the small side, holding mainly close to the sidewalk on McBride through the mid afternoon period of 2 PM on until just after 3.

The Idle No More theme has been building over the last few weeks, mainly through websites and social media, with larger protests across the country planned for today, some of which were more effective than others.

Among the listing of protest activities were such things a blockades in Alberta of  a road leading to the Alberta oilsands and a march at Parliament Hill in Ottawa, as well as other gatherings in large cities across the country.

One of the events of today, a rolling protest at the Winnipeg airport probably detracted from their cause, owing to the inconvenience that they provided for travellers on one of the busiest travel days of the year.

In Saskatoon, protestors took a page from the Occupy movement, as they made their case at a city shopping centre, where over 2,000 protestors in flash mob form, held hands and danced to the beat of drums and First Nations singing, all amidst the throng of Christmas shoppers.

The theme for the day was awareness and whether in a larger gathering or a small one, the message of concern over the Conservatives legislation was heard from coast to coast to coast.

Among the concerns over that legislation is the impression that it clears the way for development of traditional land without consultation of Aboriginal residents and weakens environmental protection in Canada. First Nations groups say that they were not properly consulted regarding the legislation, adding the Bill to the growing file of concerns that they have with the Federal Government.

The Prince Rupert protest was one of a number in Northwest BC, CFTK had details of the Idle No More gatherings from Prince Rupert to Burns Lake.

Further reports and background on the cross Canada Idle No More protests of Friday, can be found below.

CBC-- Idle No More stages national day of protest
CBC-- Idle No More protest movement hits B. C.
CBC-- First Nations Chief says Idle No More fuelled by frustration
CBC-- A people's movement that is Idle No More
CBC-- Idle No More Protests hit Calgary and Southern Alberta
CBC-- Idle No More movement wants 'honest look' at treaties
CTV-- Idle No More rallies held across Canada as movement grows
APTN-- Idle No More rumbles from Cairo to Ottawa, Prince Albert to Los Angeles
APTN-- 'This is deadly serious,' says Atleo as Idle No More flexes muscles once again
APTN-- Five First Nations block tarsands highway in the name of Idle Now More...
Huffington Post--  Alberta Highway 63 Blockade Near Fort McMurray by First Nations Movement
Huffington Post-- Idle No More vs. Bill C-45
rabble.ca-- Wave of support for Idle No More grows across Canada and beyond
The Tyee-- 'This is our future we have to fight for'" Idle No More movement launches weekend of protests
Toronto Star-- Idle No More movement sets social media ablaze
National Post-- "We Believe Our future is at stake"
National Post-- "Idle No More: Hunger-striking Attawapiskat chief vows to 'die' for her people as aboriginal protests spread
Vancouver Sun-- Idle No More supporters vow resistance to federal government is just beginning
Vancouver Sun-- On eve of Idle No More protest, hunger striking First Nation Chief pushes Harper to lead change
Vancouver Sun-- Grassroots movement at heart of protests
Macleans-- Idle No More: More than protest is needed for progress
Macleans-- Where #IdleNoMore began
Guardian UK-- Canada's First Nations protest heralds a new alliance

Cross posted from the North Coast Review