CASTLEGAR NEWS Your Horoscope For the Week with Michael O’Connor inside the West Kootenay Advertiser
Vol.10 • Issue 5
Breaking news at castlegarnews.com
Thursday, January 31 • 2013
Rotary fundraiser a Rebels come to the end of their smashing success winning streak See Page A15 See Page A17
Rauni Naud
Advisor, Member of the Million Dollar Round Table Mutuall ffunds M d off ffered db by S Sun Lif Life Fi Financial i l Investment Services (Canada) Inc.
• RRSP’s, RRIF’s, GIC’s, TFSA’s • Life Insurance • Income for Life • Health Insurance • Annuities • Estate & Financial Planning
Aboriginal concerns expressed downtown
250.365.0484 rauni.naud@sunlife.com
Jo-Ann Bursey Mountainview Realty Ltd.
304.8681
jo-ann@century21castlegar.com
Approximately 50 people took part in Castlegar’s Idle No More rally which started at Spirit Square and went around downtown on January 28. Craig Lindsay
CRAIG LINDSAY Castlegar News Reporter
Special! $39.99
Tropical Bonsai Plant Special
Kootenay Floral
250•365•7736
About 50 people participated in Castlegar’s Idle No More rally which took place Monday starting at Spirit Square. The group heard a short speech from organizer Jessica MacLeod about the movement, and then after a prayer, marched around the downtown core. “We are gathering here today on the day
that Members of Parliament are returning to the (House of) Commons. We are here to greet them with a very strong message with the movement in solidarity of Idle No More,” said MacLeod who hails from the Badger family in Northern Alberta Sucker Creek Treaty 8 First Nations. She told those gathered that the movement was a peaceful one, speaking out against the govern-
ment’s treatment of treaty rights. “We are here to bring light to the disrespectful views of the government towards the environment, including our air, land, water,” MacLeod continued. “As well as the oppressive and assimilating views towards Aboriginal people, treaty rights and indigenous rights as well. We’re here to say, ‘No More! Enough is Enough!’” Organizers collect-
ed names for a petition which they will send to the federal government. The protest is about sending a message to the government and also to educate people about the rights of treaty people. “We’re hoping to further the education process,” McLeod explained. “I know there’s a lot of questions about the movement: What’s it about? What does it mean? What’s your
view? Honestly, within the solidarity of the movement, education is a huge factor. Learning about the history. If you learn about that, and understand that, you’ll know what Idle No More is about. As Treaty nations we are made to be accountable for every penny; for every person; for everything. It’s time now for the government to be accountable to those treaties and that’s what we
A family business serving Kootenay families since 1950
Receive up to
S AV I N G S E V E N T
JANUARY 31 - FEBRUARY 24, 2013
In instant rebates with minimum purchase of $1000 on qualifying Whirlpool® home appliances BUY
2, RECEIVE
hope to bring light to.” MacLeod’s father attended a residential school, and she says it’s time to act. “I’m one generation later,” she said. “I’m grown, I’m educated. I now can say, without any shame, that I am Indigenous; I am Cree woman. I think that movement is deep within many Indigenous people that are realizing it has been a long time brewing.”
BUY
3, OR MORE RECEIVE
Located Halfway Between Trail & Castlegar
HOME
GOODS
FURNITURE
www.homegoodsfurniture.com Tel: 693-2227 Genelle 1-877-693-2227 Monday to Saturday 9:30 am to 5:30 pm Sunday 11:00 am to 4:00 pm