Dear Editor
I would like to inform the citizens of Canada that the Idle No More Movement was founded by grassroots people and that is who they are representing. They are not representing the corrupt band council members who are trying to prevent the Harper government from imposing transparency laws on them.
Band councils are merely trying to include themselves in the movement because it is making peaceful, positive change. Corrupt band councils are trying to use the movement to speak for them, but you do not see them speaking for the grassroots people. Few band councils are speaking out to lead the grassroots people. They, as leaders, are not showing the grassroots people any direction. As a matter of fact, Sweetgrass band council members did not attend the Idle No More meeting that was held at the Sweetgrass Gymnasium Jan. 20. Only one council member had a legitimate reason not to attend. The rest just didn't show up and that was disappointing.
It was good that the people who showed up had so much to offer to the meeting. I wish the band council had been there to share their knowledge. One band member spoke about treaties and our relationship to them. One spoke of the respect that people had for one another and how they conducted themselves and their businesses. Another spoke about nuclear energy and its effects and about Sweetgrass reserve's fresh water supply.
I spoke about lateral violence and how it affects our people. There is so much hatred, gossip, violence and bullying on the Sweetgrass reservation and I would like to see the band council start holding workshops on lateral violence so people can be aware of it and its devastating effects.
But make no mistake, band councils, this Idle No More Movement is making grassroots people stronger and more band members are going to speak out about corruption within our own bands. Make no mistake, Sweetgrass chief and council, I will fight to my death for my children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Hoka hey!
Rona C. Fineday
Sweetgrass First Nation
