Idle No More event organizer, Lenora Starr, chants 'C-45 has go to go' downtown Kamloops on Jan. 11.
Image Credit: InfoTel Multimedia
(JESSICA WALLACE / iNFOnews.ca)
January 11, 2013 - 3:47 PM
The Idle No More rally held in downtown Kamloops this morning pleased organizers by attracting a crowd of participants.
"The turnout was good," says event organizer Lenora Starr. "You're always hoping for more."
And by more, she means generating interest past the aboriginal community. There were few non-aboriginal people in attendance.
Idle No More rallies, led by First Nations groups and environmentalists in opposition of Prime Minister Stephen Harper's Bill C-45, have popped up all over the country. In Kamloops, there have been several events including a rally that was held on Dec. 21. A flashmob was also held in Aberdeen Mall that same day that included dancing, drumming and speeches.
Joni Miller, who came to participate in today's event from Chu Chua, B.C., said the movement is not just a First Nations issue.
"We look at is as holistic," she said.
"We need to work together."
Over 100 people took to the streets under the sunshine, marching from Cooper's Foods downtown, toward City Hall, to Hotel 540 and back to Cooper's, chanting, beating drums and flashing flags and homemade signs.
"Hey, hey. Ho, ho. C-45 has got to go," they chanted.
While Miller was unable to take part in the first rally due to scheduling conflicts, she said she plans to continue participating in the future.
"It raises awareness. It makes an impact," she said.
Starr said there is an event anticipated to take place next week at Thompson Rivers University and encourages those interested to stay updated via the groups Facebook page.
"It's not over," she said.
"I don't think you can put a deadline on this."
— Jessica Wallace
jwallace@infotelnews.ca
(250)319-7494
Image Credit: InfoTel Multimedia
(JESSICA WALLACE / iNFOnews.ca)
(JESSICA WALLACE / iNFOnews.ca)
(JESSICA WALLACE / iNFOnews.ca)
News from © iNFOnews, 2013