Shuswap Nation Tribal Council Youth Council representative, Mike McKenzie, hopes to engage youth through Idle No More movement.
Image Credit: InfoTel Multimedia
(JESSICA WALLACE / iNFOnews.ca)
January 25, 2013 - 4:22 PM
The Idle No More movement continued in Kamloops today, this time at Thompson Rivers University (TRU).
One of the event organizers, Lenora Starr, encouraged the public to continue the highly publicized public protest and individually get involved.
Idle No More rallies, led by First Nations groups and environmentalists in opposition of Bill C-45, have popped up all over the country. In Kamloops, several events have been held, including a peaceful march downtown on Jan. 11, a rally and Aberdeen Mall flashmob and most recently, today, a friendship dance and rally at the university including dancing, drumming and speeches.
"This is a public thing," Starr said. "Keep it peaceful. Keep it educational. Keep the momentum going."
People gathered in front of the Campus Activity Centre, where a friendship dance took place, in the form of a circle dance with singing and drumming.
"This is a dance to bring people together," Starr said.
Mike McKenzie, representative of the Shuswap Nation Tribal Council Youth Council, addressed the crowd, with hopes of engaging youth.
He said a meeting is being held Jan. 27 at 10 a.m. at the Chief Louis Centre for youth and others who are interested in becoming involved.
McKenzie said a letter will be written to the provincial and federal governments.
"There's kind of a disconnect with our area," he said. "In B.C., we're so much different from the rest of the country."
McKenzie said he expects to see a good turnout at the meeting on Sunday.
"Youth engagement is so important, and I think at a university, especially, it's really important. It's about finding out what you don't know."
TRU Students' Union director at large, Leif Douglass, said he was happy with the turnout by students at the event today.
"I'm very pleased," he said. "I think it's really great. Education goes beyond just your classroom."
— Jessica Wallace
jwallace@infotelnews.ca
(250)319-7494
Idle No More participants gathered together for a friendship dance that involved a circle dance, signing and drumming.
Image Credit: InfoTel Multimedia
(JESSICA WALLACE / iNFOnews.ca)
Image Credit: InfoTel Multimedia
(JESSICA WALLACE / iNFOnews.ca)
Image Credit: InfoTel Multimedia
(JESSICA WALLACE / iNFOnews.ca)
News from © iNFOnews, 2013