Commentary: The “Idle No More” movement and global indifference to Indigenous nationalism

Abstract

Not since the summer of 1990 have Canadians seen such a widespread resurgence of Indigenous nationalism. The recent “Idle No More” movement, which began in late 2012 as a campaign against specific federal legislation affecting lands and waters, has led to renewed calls for Canadians to honour the treaty relationship with Indigenous peoples. This piece considers the movement from a more global perspective. It studies the benefits and risks associated with the seemingly natural linkages between the environmental movement and the more fundamental demands of Idle No More for the restoration of the nation-to-nation relationship. Ties to the environmental movement might help, particularly given apathy on the part of dominant global players, namely state leaders. Indigenous nationalists nevertheless need to proceed cautiously to prevent trading one form of domination for another.