Rolling Stone covers Idle No More

Rolling Stone Takes Note of Idle No MoreRolling Stone has gotten wind of Idle No More, and a story posted on February 4 explains in concise terms what the movement and the controversy that started it are about.

Most notable is the article’s succinct explanation of what measures in the omnibus budget Bill C-45 and its companion, C-38, appear to undermine treaty rights and sovereignty, and why.

C-45 “changes the way that First Nations approve the surrendering or leasing of territory, making it easier to open indigenous treaty lands to development,” Rolling Stone explains.

“The law also reduces the number of development projects that require environmental assessment and dramatically changes the nation's Navigable Waters Protection Act—which, since 1882, has made it illegal to ‘block, alter or destroy any water deep enough to float a canoe without federal approval.’ Now, only specifically enumerated bodies of water have that protection.”

Equally informative is the overview of how Idle No More has been perceived outside the movement: “Idle No More has been subject to many of the same criticisms as other social movements: that its purpose isn't sufficiently clear, that tactics will turn off potential allies, that infighting and tribal mismanagement mar the message.”

However, Idle No More has potential, and one source in the story calls it a turning point for First Nations.Comment:  For more on Idle No More, see Racists Infest Newspaper's Facebook Page and Spence Ends Hunger Strike.