Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA)

One year ago, four women in Saskatchewan began exchanging emails about the Harper Governments omnibus budget Bill C-45, better known as the Jobs and Growth Act, which had just been introduced in Ottawa. Jessica Gordon, Sheelah McLean, Sylvia McAdams and Nina Wilson were concerned the bill would erode indigenous rights. They decided to organize an event in Saskatoon, set for Nov. 10, and to help spread the word they turned to Facebook. They chose to call the page "Idle No More" as a motivational slogan. Bill C-45 changes legislation contained in 64 acts or regulations. The acts that most concern the Idle No More movement and many other groups are changes to the Indian Act, Navigation Protection Act (former Navigable Waters Protection Act) and Environmental Assessment Act. In addition to the changes, those involved in the movement were angered by what they call a lack of consultation with indigenous peoples. The movement has also expresses concern about other acts and bills from the Harper government, all of