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Bill C-45 was a budget legislation bill that included changes to many different laws that directly affected Indigenous peoples such as the Indian Act, the Fisheries Act, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, and the Navigable Waters Act. This bill was brought to the House of Commons under the conservative government with Prime Minister Stephen Harper, and is a key point to the roots of Idle No More as the bill and its effects sparked protest and resistance from Indigenous communities. -
In Saskatoon, Sylvia McAdams, Nina Wilsonfeld, Jessica Gordon, and Sheelah McLean started the movement with their conference discussing their protest of Bill C-45. They resisted the bill as it eliminated Indigenous treaty rights and would greatly affect their way of life. The protest of these four women against Bill C-45 marked the beginning of the Idle No More movement, focused on Indigenous sovereignty and rights. This event highlights the problems of Bill C-45. -
Idle No More’s first National Day of Action was a key event as it brought the movement attention in the eyes of the media and the federal government. The day of action was a major success in gaining attention as thousands of supporters came to protest in various cities across the country including Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver, Toronto, and many others. On this day, Idle No More became a prominent movement and opposition against Stephen Harper’s conservative government and their legislation. -
Chief Theresa Spence’s hunger strike brought significant public attention to Idle No More. During her strike she stayed in a teepee on Victoria Island, close to Parliament Hill, and demanded that the Prime Minister meet with her to discuss her concerns. Although she was not a direct spokesperson for Idle No More, she was a key person in the roots of the movement as she sparked more government attention and her strike later became a success as the Prime Minister agreed to meet with her. -
Despite their resistance, Bill C-45 still passed through the Senate and became a law, receiving royal assent. This was a key turning point in the movement as it sparked further resistance against the government and Prime Minister Stephen Harper. After this key event, the movement did not recede, rather it grew even more and garnered more attention across the country and even in the U.S. as well. The legislation for Bill C-45 officially passing only furthered the action against it. -
In Ottawa, thousands of Indigenous peoples and supporters stood with Idle No More against the passing of Bill C-45. This day was a significant part of the movement as it was the first protest after the bill had already officially passed. It showed the government that Idle No More did not back down, rather gained even more supporters. The march and rally held near Parliament that day led to protests breaking out in Calgary, Victoria, and Toronto a week later which gained more attention. -
With the resistance shown by Idle No More and Chief Theresa Spence’s hunger strike, the Prime Minister finally addressed the movement and agreed to meet with the Assembly of First Nations on January 11. This was a significant event as it marked the beginning of real government attention in regards to their demands. Although there was no information on what would occur, this event motivated protestors and supporters to further continue with the movement until their ultimate goal was reached. -
The movement continued as flash mob round dances were held at Carleton University and the University of Ottawa. As well, the Indigenous and Canadian Studies Students’ Association at the University of Ottawa created a list of demands regarding incorporating Indigenous studies on campus. This was a key event as it also marked the beginning of Idle No More’s influence outside of the Bill C-45 resistance, and in support of all Indigenous issues in general. -
The meeting proceeded as various issues were discussed, but none addressed Idle No More and the resistance against Bill C-45. On Parliament Hill during the meeting, approximately 3000 demonstrators in support of the Idle No More movement gathered, with thousands of others across major cities all over the country and in the U.S. This was a key event as it showed the long-term resistance against Bill C-45 that continued and the amount of supporters the movement has amassed since the beginning. -
Idle No More continued to fight for Indigenous rights and issues, expanding outside of the resistance against Bill C-45. Their alliance with Defenders of the Land involved an agreement to support nonviolent direct actions and a joint declaration calling on the government to repeal Bill C-45, alongside many other calls to action. This alliance continues in present day and shows the ongoing work of Idle No More and their resistance against the government’s colonial policies and legislation.