Building bridges between all communities
Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/100814
Greenpeace expresses its support to the Idle No More movement 21 December 2012 (Toronto) - Today, as demonstrations take place across the country, Greenpeace Canada is expressing its support for the growing Idle No More movement that calls on all people, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, to take action and engage in our democracy and government policy. ���With a new year on the horizon, it is time for Canadians and our government to embrace a new approach to our collective relationship with First Nations, Inuit and M��tis peoples and their communities,��� declared Bruce Cox, Executive Director of Greenpeace Canada. ���The Idle No More movement is a peaceful non-violent resistance that is rejecting a business as usual approach to our economy and promoting a truly just society grounded in environmental sustainability. Theirs is a message of unity, not division.��� Greenpeace Canada praises Chief Theresa Spence for her courage and conviction in taking on her hunger strike until the Prime Minister agrees to meet with her to discuss the conditions of the Attawapiskat reserve and the lack of governmental measures in place to ensure the protection of the communities, the land and the water. Greenpeace Canada calls upon Prime Minister Stephen Harper to show similar courage. ���Stephen Harper needs to meet with Chief Spence. This is not a mission for his ministers or staff. It is something only he can do. The health and wellbeing of Chief Spence is in his hands alone,��� concluded Bruce Cox. Greenpeace recognizes First Nations, Inuit and M��tis as decision makers in their traditional territories and believe they must be lead participants in conservation and planning. They have the right to free, prior and informed consent for all developments affecting their traditional territories, as per the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. For more information: Diego Creimer, Media and Public Relations Officer, (514) 999-6743