Local aboriginal groups block highways, plan a week of protests – Global Edmonton

December 17, 2012

EDMONTON – Local First Nations say a series of weekend highway blockades mark only the beginning of a protest movement intended to give indigenous people a voice in national affairs.

The Idle No More movement kicked off with rallies across the county and in downtown Edmonton Dec. 10. The Samson Cree temporarily blocked Highway 2A on Dec. 13, handing out literature to protest wide-ranging changes included in the federal Bill C-45 and 13 other pieces of legislation. Driftpile First Nation blocked Highway 2 near Slave Lake on Saturday and Stoney Nakoda First Nation blocked Highway 1 near Morley on Sunday.

Other temporary blockades have been mounted across Canada, and more blockades and round dances are being planned across Alberta this week, including Monday’s dance at the Enoch First Nation reserve southwest of Edmonton.

Read it on Global News: Global Edmonton | Local aboriginal groups block highways, plan a week of protests