Little River Band Ottawa Passes Resolution in Support of Idle No More

For Immediate Release

LRBOI Supports First Nations Treaty Rights and ‘Idle No More’ (resolution: LRB — Idle No More)
(1.10.13Manistee, MI) The Tribal Council of the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians has adopted a resolution of international consequence supporting the ‘Idle No More’ movement, as they join with other Tribal Nations and (Canadian) First Nations in calling upon Prime Minister Harper to meet with Chief Spence immediately.
Council Speaker Steve Parsons said that, “We are joining our sister tribes in requesting consultation regarding the Canadian governments recent action passing a law that effectively ends First Nations Treaties and ends protections over 2 million waterways and lakes in Canada.”
On 11 December 2012, Chief Theresa Spence declared a hunger strike intended to focus public attention on First Nations issues, to support the Idle No More indigenous rights movement, and to highlight concerns about the government’s omnibus bill C-45.
The LRBOI Tribal Council also found that enactment of Bill C-45 by the Canadian government diminishes the sovereign authority of First Nations by diminishing protection for sacred lands and waterways in and around First Nations’ lands; lands and waterways that are shared with their tribal Clan Relatives around the Great Lakes.
The Little River Band of Ottawa Indians are signatories to a Great Lakes Water Accord with Great Lakes Basin Native Nations in the US; states bordering the Great Lakes as well as the First Nations of Canada. The accord was signed in December of 2004, when the Tribe agreed to support First Nations on the issues presented with the Idle No More Movement.