Editor:
I am writing a response to the story in last week’s newspaper, quoting myself at the Idle No More rally. I wanted to clarify my intention, as I thought what was reported misconstrued my message and was disrespectful to our local Chiefs and Councils. “You may look around and see someone representing [us as] elected band members, but we don’t need them.” That is not where I ended my sentence.
My message is and has always been that I highlight the fact that we call for unity from all six First Nations and the overall community. I have said it repeatedly, that it’s not our intention to call-out our leaders, but to call on them. A very distinct difference. Granted, if our leaders are unable to attend gatherings, it does not mean that it does not validate our cause or determine the success of an event. Idle No More has been dubbed a “leaderless’ movement, as it encourages all those involved to be leaders and to speak out. It is about empowering those who thought they didn’t have a say.
I am concerned that the message conveyed in the article is that I am rallying members against their leadership. I am rallying all our people, including the non-native community to stand up and speak against all the unilateral legislative changes that directly impact our rights and laws meant to protect us, which were made without full consultation. The environmental threat is imminent and our collective community of the Lakes District is beautiful, we want to maintain that for all of us. With certain developments the last line of defence is in the hands of First Nation’s people and our rights protecting the land that has been stripped away.
To those elected leaders, this is an opportunity to stand behind your members who are standing up and saying what policy can sometimes bind you from saying. Allow your youth and members to empower themselves, to speak out in a democratic way and listen to what is being said. This may also mean they will challenge you as a leader. Our message is, and will always be about a unified front in rescinding Bill C-45 and Bill C-38. There isn’t going to be a quick answer as this is a multi-faceted complex issue. Either way, changes need to be made and I have made it my personal goal to stand up for what impacts my future, my family and my community.
I am grateful to the Lake District News for wanting to share the Idle No More movement but I also want the right message to be shared. Messiy c’o.
Deanna Brown
