Ta’ Kaiya Blaney is from the Sliammon First Nation. She is a singer, songwriter, actress and an “advocate for providing better qualities of living in Indigenous First Nations territories, and ending the oppression, racism, and corruption we face from our government and within our community.”  Ta’Kaiya has spoken at UN meetings across the globe, including The TUNZA UN children and youth conference on the environment in Bandung Indonesia, and the Rio+20 UN conference on the environment In Rio de Janiero.

Idle No More and Defenders of the Land are calling for non-indigenous peoples to join indigenous communities in coordinated non-violent direct actions.  The declaration, jointly released with Defenders of the Land, calls for a “Solidarity Spring” to precede a “Sovereignty Summer.” They have joined together to issue this common call for escalating action. “Our demands are clear and in accordance with the principles of coexistence and mutual respect between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples.”

The demands include repealing sections of Bill C-45 that impact the environment along with Aboriginal and treaty rights; changing the electoral system to proportional representation; ensuring consultation happens before any legislation is introduced that impacts collective rights and the environment; the full implementation of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples; an end to the government’s policies of “extinguishment” of Aboriginal title; the full implementation of treaties; and active resistance to violence against women and a national inquiry into murdered and missing Indigenous women.

Also, a presentation on the NEWEST MAPS and STATUS of the Old-Growth Forests of Vancouver Island and the Southwest Mainland of BC, as well as the Ecology and Politics of these forests, by Ken Wu and TJ Watt of the Ancient Forest Alliance (an awesome organization I recommend you support) - with important information for those participating in the BC Provincial election.