Idle No More organizes day of protest

Parliament has officially resumed from its winter break amid the shouts of Idle No More demonstrators on Monday.

According to the CBC, protesters marched on Parliament Hill in a show of solidarity for aboriginals’ land and rights. They wish the federal government to change their policy towards indigenous people.

In the House of Commons, NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair and NDP Member Roméo Saganash were vocal of their support with the movement.

Saganash tabled a bill that would require federal legislation to “be compatible with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of the Indigenous Peoples.”

Meanwhile, Mulcair challenged Prime Minister Stephen Harper “to consult, and to listen, on the environmental protection of First Nations lands and waters.”

But Harper instead defended his upcoming legislation, saying the federal government has made “unprecedented” investments for the infrastructure on reserves.

Also, Government House leader Peter Van Loan said the government will not change or scrap its controversial C-45 omnibus bill the leaders of Idle No More were denouncing.

Flickr Photo by: olegala

STORY WRITTEN BY: GREGORY WILSON