Calling for Indigenous Sovereignty - support the 'Idle No More' movement

Press Release: 28 December 2012

Te Wharepora Hou Māori women’s group is encouraging more support from Aotearoa to a global call for indigenous sovereignty. The “Idle No More” movement is an indigenous uprising which started in Saskatchewan in November. It was a First Nation’s people’s response to the Canadian government pushing through resource legislation without the ‘free, prior and informed consent’ of its indigenous people.

A focal point of the movement is the hunger strike being taken by Chief Theresa Spence of the Attiwapiskat Nation. She is on day 16 of her fasting in a bid to have Prime Minister Harper acknowledge indigenous leadership and negotiate directly with her for better living conditions for the country’s First Peoples.

Marama Davidson of Te Wharepora Hou says “The call for indigenous sovereignty also acknowledges the unique relationship that indigenous people have with their lands, waters and resources. Iwi and hapū here have always upheld our caregiving responsibility over resources. But like many indigenous peoples around the world, we are facing aggressive legislation from our government that will exploit resources in a way that is not sustainable.”

The Idle No More movement seeks to umbrella the indigenous efforts that have been happening around the world for hundreds of years against the devastating impacts of ongoing colonisation. Te Wharepora Hou is encouraging all people to join the peaceful revolution to honour and fulfil indigenous sovereignty to protect the environment. People can join the facebook page “Aotearoa in Support of Idle No More” for further information.
Tonight there will be an outdoor public projection on Waiheke Island which will feature images to tell the story of Idle No More.The images projection will take place in Oneroa Village at 10.30pm directly following a performance by ‘Mihirangi’ at Artworks. Further public projections will take place in Auckland city over the next couple of weeks.

Contact:
Marama Davidson 021 025 88302
Mera Penehira 021 478 194

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