RALLY FACES ANOTHER LAWSUIT PAGE 2
RECEPTION FOR GUICHON PAGE 3
CENTENNIALS UPDATE PAGE 10
Nicola Valley’s News Voice Since 1905
merrittherald.com
bcclassified.com
MERRITT HERALD FREE
TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2013 • MERRITT NEWSPAPERS
Protesters banged drums and sang at Gasoline Alley Thursday to make their voices heard in opposition to the Canadian government’s Omnibus Bill C-45. The 400-plus-page bill is the federal Jobs and Growth Act. Emily Wessel/Herald
Protesters to omnibus bill speak out By Emily Wessel THE HERALD
reporter@merrittherald.com
The grassroots Idle No More campaign is gaining momentum in Merritt with the second protest against Omnibus Bill C-45 in as many weeks. Protesters turned out to Gasoline Alley on Thursday to speak against the federal Jobs and Growth Act, which is being scrutinized by the nationwide campaign for the failure of the government to consult the public on the changes before the bill was tabled. Now, Merritt protest-
ers are trying to expand their reach by including more non-First Nations people in the protests. Idle No More’s secondary focus is on building relationships between indigenous and nonindigenous Canadians. “There are several bills that affect us Native people directly,” Shackan Indian Band Chief Percy Joe said. “But it’s not just a Native issue that Bill C-45 is. It affects all Canadians, particularly in the environment and the species at risk.” The 400-plus-page Jobs and Growth Act contains changes to
‘We want people to know this affects all Canadians, and not just First Nations.’ numerous bills, including the Navigable Waters Protection Act, which would reduce the number of waterways under federal protection by over 90 per cent, and to the Indian Act, which would allow First Nations communities to lease reserve land based on a majority of favourable votes at a referendum rather than the majority of the general vote.
—PROTESTER LENNARD JOE Four Saskatchewan women started the campaign to demand public consultation before passing the legislation and to prevent undermining indigenous sovereignty. “We want people to know this affects all Canadians, and not just First Nations,” protester Lennard Joe told a crowd of about 60 people at press time. He likened First Nations
people to the canary in a mine, saying First Nations are the indicator that a change in political apathy is coming. Protesters held signs that said “Bill C-45 is about all of Canada” and “Stop Harper and Bill C-45” while singing and drumming near Voght Street. The first protest brought about 40 people to the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology on Dec. 10. Cities throughout Canada held demonstrations that day as part of the social media-driven protest’s day of action.
Shackan Election Percy Joe will serve another two-year term as chief of Shackan Indian Band after his re-election in the band’s latest regular general election on Dec. 22. The First Nations War Veterans of Canada president has held the chief seat since 1971, with a two-year break from 2008 to 2010 when he worked as a band councillor. He was elected as chief again in 2010. Joe defeated two other candidates in the race for the seat. “It feels good that I’ve got the confidence
! r a e Y w e Happy N
Wishing everyone a
The Management and Staff of your local Home Hardware Building Centre
1701 Voght St., Merritt, B.C.
www.merritthomehardware.ca
(250) 378-4215
of the people to be chief for another term,” Joe said. Band members also re-elected Joe’s niece, Sharon, as councillor, and newly elected Joan Seymour as councillor. Joe said he is looking forward to working with this council. “I definitely want to be mentoring them to be sure that they know all the issues that we have to deal with,” Joe said. “We had a ‘thinkin’ last June and we want to build on from there. We have a comprehensive community plan that we want to implement.”
SPECIAL
50% to 70% OFF ALL CHRISTMAS
DECORATIONS!