Idle No More to Hit Anchorage Big Time Friday - Town Square

The organizers of this event have managed to pack it full of significant speakers and cultural artists - some of Alaska's best! - in a very short time.

I'll be there, taking it in, participating and interviewing.

Here's the Press Release:

Idle No More Movement Catches Fire in Alaska

Alaskan Native Peoples and allies join the Idle No More Movement day of Global Action

Anchorage, AK - Indigenous people and allies from across Alaska will gather in Town Square on Friday in solidarity with the Idle No More Movement for indigenous sovereignty sweeping across Canada and the Globe. Alaska’s Idle No More Event will emphasize the issues that Alaska’s Indigenous Peoples face concerning sovereignty, subsistence rights, environment, health and well-being, culture, and spirituality. This will be a peaceful Rally.  We are drumming, singing, dancing, praying and giving voice to the Spirit of our lands and waters, which need our defense now.

The Idle No More Movement began as a response to a renewed assault on indigenous rights in Canada by the Conservative Government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper. The movement has forced Harper to meet with a coalition of First Nations leaders, including Atiwapiskat Chief Teresa Spence who has been on hunger strike for nearly a month. Friday’s Rally in Anchorage is part of solidarity actions planned across the globe. (Follow on Twitter #J11)

Supported by REDOIL, Chickaloon Village Traditional Council, Alaska Community Action on Toxics, and Alaska Rising Tide.

 Tentative Schedule: ALASKA IDLE NO MORE RALLY – Noon, Town Square Park, Anchorage, Friday, January 11^th

Noon – Opening Traditional Prayer

Chief Lee Stephan- Athabascan, Eklutna (Welcome)

Chief Gary Harrison- Athabascan, Chickaloon (Sovereignty)

Faith Gemmill- Gwich’in- Arctic Village (Vision)

Mae Hank-Inupiat, Point Hope (Chukchi Sea/ Shell)

Rosemary Ahtuangruak-Inupiat, Barrow (Health and Oil)

Allison Akootchook Warden-Inupiat, Kaktovik (Beaufort Sea/ Shell and Arctic Refuge)

Vi Waghiyi-Siberian Yupik, St. Lawrence Island (POPS/ Contaminants/ Toxics/ Military)

INUPIAT DANCE GROUP 

Gwich’in Elder or Youth (Arctic Refuge)

Rochelle Adams- Gwich’in, Ft. Yukon (Yukon Flats/language, culture, identity)

Lisa Wade-Athabascan, Chickaloon (Wishbone Hill Coal)

ATHABASCAN DANCE GROUP 

Alannah Hurley-Yupik, Clarks Point (Pebble Mine/BBAY Shell offshore)

Fishermen- Yupik, YK Delta (Subsistence Rights and Salmon issues/Donlin Mine)

YUPIK DANCE GROUP 

Dune Lankard-Eyak, Cordova (Coal/EVOS)

TSIMSHIAN DANCE GROUP

ALL DRUM GROUPS DRUM SIMULTANEAOUSLY TO BRING POWER OF DRUM/SPIRIT to close out speaking portion

PAMYUA  

Medicine Dream

Sleeping Lady Drummers

Closing – Participants will dance a round dance to close Rally