Idle No More at Osoyoos border

Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer

Drummers at recent Idle No More rally in Penticton

Idle No More Okanagan will stage a peaceful event to show solidarity with other Idle No More events across Canada and internationally on Saturday, Jan. 5.

The event titled Gathering of Drums will be held at 12:30 p.m. at the Osoyoos border crossing. A gathering will also be held at the Peace Arch around the same time.

The focus will be on drumming and singing and will include a closing song and prayer. Organizers stress that this is not a political demonstration and ask there be no stopping of traffic, disturbing of the public, speeches or drugs and alcohol.

Idle No More is an ongoing movement primarily created in reaction to alleged abuses of indigenous treaty rights by the Harper government. It mostly takes issue with the recent omnibus bill, Bill C-45.

"It is about raising the awareness of the injustices that remain between the Canadian state and our indigenous governments and I further cannot forget the hunger strike of Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence," said Pauline Terbasket, executive director of the Okanagan Nation Alliance. "So we are supporting the local organizers of these events."

Spence has been on a hunger strike for more than three weeks to shine a spotlight on dire conditions in First Nations communities.

Most recently there was a well-attended Idle No More rally held in Penticton, in conjunction with other rallies.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has announced he will meet with First Nations Leaders next Friday. Spence says she will attend but continue hunger strike..