The drums are beating today across the country. The Mayans
may have got the end of the world thing wrong but something is certainly
happening of epic proportions. Have you checked out the websites? The blogs? The videos? The Tweets?
The Facebook pages? Synchronized effort is going into this and it is drawing
the attention of the world who are bored looking for their next “Occupy Wall
Street” movement. Here it is only four days before Christmas and much of our
nation is fixated on a woman in a teepee on a hunger strike instead of Santa
Claus. That is pretty remarkable.
It is being said that nothing this big has happened with our
First Nations People since Oka 22 years ago, but I think this has an even
larger potential. Back then there was no social media to give any group a
voice. The internet did not have the power to give flight to an idea or carry a
cause. Today is a different day. One Tweet can change the world. One blog can
shout if enough people engage in it. The American elections and the NDP gaining
seats in Quebec are both proof that social media has a huge impact on popular
opinion. Who is most trained in viral communication? Youth. Young Adults. And
guess who else? Women. Especially moms. Mommy bloggers are gaining ground
perhaps larger than any other group. So here we have it.
A movement born out of a handful of women in Saskatchewan.
Suddenly there is a website coordinating events not just across the country but
from around the world. People protesting in multiple locations across the
country. Dances. Flash mobs. Youth have been engaged. Twitter is abuzz. It is
brilliant really. You have to admire the gusto. And you have to admire the
spirit behind it.
Unity of tribes. Nice. Just when you thought this would
never and could never happen. Something is happening. Women leading the way.
They are after all, still the biggest social media users. I am blown away. The First Canadians taking a stand on things they believe in. Wow.
So far it is peaceful and it may even be productive. We will
see. Hopefully it goes well. There are a lot of issues and it could take years
to see any difference. Sticking to the thoughts of water and land may allow
them to make an impact. The water could get muddied though if too much more
gets into the mix. There is sooooo much that could get into that mix…
But good on them for doing it. I have two Meti children of
my own. As a Pastor years ago I spent many hours on reserves at funerals when
things were not productive at all. I held more than one broken and crying old woman trying
to make a difference in the youth. Anything that unites people with a positive
cause is good in my books.
It will be interesting to see how Prime Minister Harper
responds. Unlike some of his critics I expect that he will give this real
thought. I don’t think he is an unreasonable leader at all. History has shown
him as someone who steps up to the plate. Did we ever have a national leader who has addressed more uncomfortable issues than he has? Consider that he has stood up for
Israel in a very hostile environment and he was the PM who made a public apology to the First Nations People in 2008. He also made apology with some restitution involved to Chinese Canadians in 2006. I think the coming days are going to be
very interesting indeed.
The drums are definitely beating. Hearts are being ignited.
Let’s see where this goes…
Loyal2U and definitely Loyal2Canada,
Kerry George
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