On Saturday, December 22, 2012 indigenous people gathered at Portage Place Mall in Winnipeg, MB at 3PM and at Polo Park Mall at 7PM to take part in a flash mob Round Dance in protest to Bill C-45.
I'm sure many of you have heard of the Idle No More movement... this is it people... this is what we've been waiting for...
For those of you that have no idea what I am talking about please Google "Idle No More" to research more behind the movement. In summary, Idle No More started as a grassroots education forum designed to educate indigenous people about the new legislative changes in Canada by the Conservation government, known notoriously as the Omnibus Bill or Bill C-45 and how it would impact indigenous treaty rights in Canada. The knowledge spread across the country - as the awareness grew, so awakened something thought to be dead in the hearts of indigenous people - our connection to this land. We educated ourselves and then each other regarding the new legislative changes that would decrease the environmental protection laws and impact indigenous treaty rights - and it sparked something that many of us can't quite explain - we are fiercely protective of our land - our right to live on it - and our right to decide what happens to it.
As soon as I walked through the doors of the mall, I noticed several other indigenous people making their way towards centre court... okay not just several but A LOT!! An excitement grew as I walked down the hall and I heard the drums start... unsteady at first but they quickly found the steady rhythm - loud and powerful. I barely got there before a familiar face grabbed pulled me into the growing Round dance...before long, we filled the mall. Amazing to see so many beautiful, proud indigenous people!
I had the opportunity to play my small role in the Idle No More Flash Mob at Polo Park and Portage Place in Winnipeg, MB on December 22, 2012. It was truly an amazing experience to share with all that were in attendance - for both indigenous and non-indigenous. If you have the opportunity to attend such events in the future - I strongly urge you to do so!!
Indigenous people from across Canada have been gathering at various locations to hold flash mob style Round Dances in protest of Bill C-45 and also to just remind ourselves and others that we are here and our land needs us to wake up - work together and defend it.
For many, this experience was life changing - it was for me!! I saw it on the faces of the people we passed as we danced - they were surprised to feel connection with us - something they could not explain. I saw them in their panicked, last-minute-Xmas-shopping frenzy - slow down and for at least a moment they felt their heart sync up with the drums - they felt their feet wanting to dance - they felt their soul wanting to sing.
It was amazing to see the young people - I was so proud of all of us (am I still young at 29???).
Rumor has it, that the next flash mob Round Dance could be on Monday, December 31st at Portage and Main in Winnipeg - Hope to see you all there!
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