Federal officials discussed raising alert level to highest level during Idle No More, book says

Colonial terrorism: RCMP Tactical Armoured Vehicle lurks in the background behind “Tactical Troop” riot cops near Elsipogtog, New Brunswick, Oct 17, 2013.

Indigenous Affairs played central information sharing role with security services, according to new report

By Jorge Barrera, CBC News, March 1, 2018

Senior federal officials discussed raising the country’s alert level to the highest tier at the height of the Idle No More movement, which also shaped how Canada’s security agencies handle Indigenous-led protests, according to a new book.

Chippewa artist inspired by Idle No More opens storefront in Toronto

Jay Soule, also known as Chippewar, has opened a studio storefront in Toronto where he sells his line of clothing and politically-charged pop art made Indigenous. (Rhiannon Johnson/CBC)

Jay Soule creates silkscreen-printed clothing with politically-charged pop art

By Rhiannon Johnson, CBC News, Dec 16, 2017

Multimedia artist Jay Soule, who uses the pseudonym Chippewar, has just opened a store front, studio and tattoo parlour all in one in Toronto.

The shop, Chippewar Nation on Queen Street West, is lined with Soule’s paintings as well as silkscreen-printed clothing that re-purposes the images from his paintings.

5 Years after Idle No More, founders still speaking out

Idle No More rally in Ottawa, Dec 21, 2012.

CBC talks with Nina Wilson, Jessica Gordon, Sheelah McLean, Sylvia McAdam about movement that changed Canada

By Lenard Monkman, Brandi Morin, CBC News, Dec 10, 2017

It’s been five years since Idle No More was elevated into the Canadian conscious.

Through the work of social media and in particular the hashtag #IdleNoMore, Indigenous peoples we’re able to connect with each other and mobilize in cities and towns across the country.

First nations protesters block stretch of Highway 1 east of Winnipeg

By Zahra Premji, Global News, June 30, 2017

First Nations activists are blocking a portion of Highway 1 east of Winnipeg.

The protest is happening on the Trans-Canada Highway at Deacon’s Corner.

RCMP is now diverting traffic onto a service road that runs parallel to the Trans-Canada to move cars and trucks through the area. Reports say traffic was backed up for at least one kilometre.

UNsettling 150: A Call to Action

IDLE NO MORE & DEFENDERS OF THE LAND: CALL TO ACTION

UNsettling Canada 150

In honour of Arthur Manuel, we call for a National Day of Action in support of Indigenous self-determination over land, territories, and resources

Idle No More, Black Lives Matter protesters occupy Toronto Indigenous and Northern Affairs office

A protester stands on a desk in the Indian and Northern Affairs Canada office Wednesday. Protesters occupied the office to urge Ottawa to address the Attawapiskat, Ont., suicide crisis. (Facebook / Idle No More Toronto)

Protest to urge government action during Attawapiskat suicide crisis has been non-violent, say police

By Chantal Da Silva, CBC News, April 13, 2016

Protesters have been occupying the Toronto office of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) since mid-morning, demanding that the federal government take action following a recent spate of suicide attempts in Attawapiskat First Nation in northern Ontario. 

Idle No More movement was like ‘bacteria,’ says internal RCMP document

Flash mob in Edmonton mall, December 2012.

by Jorge Barrera, APTN National News, May 7, 2015
The Idle No More movement was like “bacteria” that spread across the country carrying with it the potential for an outbreak of violence, according to an internal RCMP document shared by senior officers.

The internal document was a site report from Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence’s camp which was set up during her liquids-only fast on Victoria Island in the Ottawa River within sight of Parliament Hill and the Supreme Court of Canada. The camp became a hub of activity during the height of the Idle No More movement between December 2012 and January 2013.

Aboriginal Affairs shared wide range of information with spy agency to bolster Idle No More surveillance: documents

Idle No More rally in Ottawa, Dec 21, 2012.

by Jorge Barrera, APTN National News, March 18, 2015

The federal Aboriginal Affairs department shared information with Canada’s spies and other federal law enforcement agencies to bolster surveillance of the Idle No More movement, internal government documents show.

The documents, obtained under the Access to Information Act, also reveal how easily Canadian authorities assume the possibility of violence when it comes to monitoring First Nation demonstrations.

The Harper government’s proposed anti-terror bill, Bill C-51, would make it easier for federal departments and agencies to share information on widely-defined national security grounds.

Feds put protest activity under microscope in compiling national ‘risk forecast’

Drum group at Sarnia CN rail blockade, Dec 23, 2012.

‘In a true democracy, protest and dissent should be celebrated, not investigated’: Paul Champ

The Canadian Press/CBC News, March 18, 2015

Use of social media, the spread of “citizen journalism,” and the involvement of young people are among the key trends highlighted by a federal analysis of protest activity in Canada over the last half-decade.

A growing geographic reach and an apparent increase in protests that target infrastructure such as rail lines are also boosting the impact of demonstrations, says the Government Operations Centre analysis, obtained under the Access to Information Act.

Former Idle No More organizer unfazed RCMP have him under surveillance

Clayton Thomas Muller, former member of IEN and Idle No More.

By Jorge Barrera, APTN National News, Oct 21, 2014
An Indigenous activist says documents showing the RCMP have him under surveillance reveal Canadian authorities have criminalized Indigenous dissent.

Clayton Thomas-Muller, 37, said he wasn’t surprised to learn the RCMP is keeping tabs on him and compiled a file on his movements dating back to at least 2010.

“I try not to pay any attention to the federal surveillance issue,” said Thomas-Muller, who is currently living in Ottawa and is a former Idle No More organizer. “I feel very strongly that the work I do is just and is on the right side of history, so I really don’t pay any attention to the Harper government’s tactics to try to criminalize the work I am involved in which uplifts democracy, transparency, equity and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People. Specifically, the right of indigenous people to say no to harmful developments that threaten their way of life.”