see TRaINING paGe 3 see INJURIes paGe 5 see sTaR WaRs paGe 8 VOlUme VIII I ssUe IX WWW .T he medIa pleX .cOm JaNUaRy 29, 2013 e h T CONVERGED CITIZEN Canadians learning more about Idle No More James Zimmerman all people to join in a revolu - Managing Editor tion which honours and fulfills Indigenous sovereignty which A new poll suggests protects the land and water.” Canadians remain unsure Using social media, the about ongoing aboriginal movement has since expanded efforts to improve the relation - into a call for ongoing mobi - ship between First Nations lization of First Nations to and the rest of Canada. educate themselves and others The latest Harris-Decima about the need for self-gover - telephone survey found that nance and environmental sus - 40 per cent of participants said tainability. Photo by Tom Morrison they are both familiar with and However, the popularly of The trustees of Awesome Windsor Essex pose for a photo after a press conference at the Squirrel sympathetic towards the goals the social media campaign is Cage Jan. 21. of the Idle No More move - takinga downward turn. At its ment that originated about two highest point, tweets sur - months ago. rounding the movement came Organization to fund In October four women in from approximately 17,000 Saskatchewan began exchang - different sources. Recently ing emails about Bill C-45, those numbers have dropped also known as the Jobs and to around 5,600. It is unclear if ‘awesome’ ideas Growth Act, 2012, which had social media has failed to edu - Tom Morrison Dean of Awesome Nicole has chapters in Brazil, been newly introduced in cate people about the cause at Chief Copy Editor Adan started putting the group Germany, Israel and Australia. Ottawa. Jessica Gordon, hand, said digital public together in October and said Each chapter is self-funded by Sheelah McLean, Sylvia affairs strategist Mark Blevis, Members of the newly- the trustees don’t have any its trustees. The Windsor McAdams and Nina who compiled the data. formed Windsor and Essex specific ideas in mind. chapter is funded by Adan and Wilsonfeld were concerned “I think it was largely a tool County chapter of a world - “Generally speaking, we’re 13 trustees. the bill would erode indige - for organizing and getting wide organization will be just looking for stuff that’s Some of the projects funded nous rights. information out in terms of donating a series of $1,000 going to make the community in other cities include speed- They decided to organize an when events were happening, grants throughout the year to a better place,” said Adan. gaming in Ottawa, which is event in Saskatoon for Nov. sharing status updates about people with awesome ideas. “That can be different depend - similar to speed-dating, and 10. To help spread the word events. I think that a move - Windsor is the fourteenth ing on who’s presenting the restoring a 101-year-old elec - they turned to Facebook and ment like Idle No More has to Canadian city to join the idea and it can be different tric car in Rhineback, N.Y. other social media. They work harder to figure out how Awesome Foundation, which based on each of the trustees Hassan Adan, husband of chose to call the page "Idle No to communicate their concerns originated in Boston in 2009. and what they think will be Nicole Adan and one of the More" as a motivational slo - to the public," said Blevis. The Windsor group debuted awesome.” trustees, said his advice to gan. Almost two-thirds of partic - its plans at a press conference Another way Adan said applicants is not to put your - A series of protests, teach- ipants who said they were held Jan. 21 at the Squirrel Awesome Windsor Essex is self in a creative box. ins, blockades and flash mobs aware of the movement’s Cage restaurant. encouraging “awesomeness” “I think what we’re looking began in the aftermath of the goals expressed sympathy for Starting in March and con - is by hiding 13 pink bags con - for is people who believe in federal government’s decision it, with Atlantic Canadians and tinuing every second month, taining $13 throughout the their idea and want to broad - to change oversight of water - British Columbians most like - five applicants in 2013 with an city. The foundation will be cast it,” Hassan said. “The rea - ways through Bill C-45. ly to be supportive. idea deemed “awesome” by using its @windsorawesome son we’re so different is that Idle No More said these “This suggests to me that if the chapter’s group of trustees Twitter account to give its fol - we’re looking for something changes allow "for easier Idle No More can continue to will receive $1,000 in cash to lowers hints on the locations that’s awesome, that we can’t opening of treaty lands and raise their profile and under - fund that idea. The deadline to of these packages. even think about it. You have territory." standing of what they stand apply for the first grant is Feb. Other than Canada and the the idea already and there’s Their mission statement reads, "Idle No More calls on 13. U.S., Awesome Foundation just no limitation to it.” see FIGURING OUT paGe 2 CONVERGED CITIZEN JaNUaRy 29, 2013 NEWS paGe 2 .. Idle No More moves to Outdoor patios stay the beat of the drum open year-round Murad Erzinclioglu Citizen Staff Reporter Richard Riosa advantage of year-round out - Boom. Boom. Boom. The Citizen Staff Reporter door patios. sound of native drums is echo - “There’s a lot of (winter) ing in communities coast to Windsor businesses will now days that are nice outside that coast. be allowed to keep outdoor can really use people coming The sound of the Indigenous patios open year-round. downtown and sitting in the drumming has become syn - Current by-laws state per - outdoor cafes with heaters and onymous with the Idle No mits for outdoor patios are a nice environment,” said More movement. According to valid from March 1 until Nov. Horwitz. the movement’s website, “Idle 30. Under these rules busi - City Engineer Mario Sonego No More urges the govern - nesses are responsible for said this would be the first ment of Canada to repeal all removing all fences and furni - time council has allowed for legislation which violates ture by Nov. 30. They are also the use of outdoor heaters Treaties, Indigenous sover - responsible for the cost of after denying their use a few eignty and subsequently envi - storing these items off-site as years ago. Sonego also said Photo by Murad Erzinclioglu ronmental protections of land well as returning the sidewalk this proposal is for a pilot proj - Francis Sarazin, left, and Garret Deperry lead a drum circle at and water.” Bill C-45, an to a level state. ect and the effects of outdoor the Idle No More rally held at the University of Windsor’s CAW omnibus bill that affects the The Downtown Windsor patios will be analyzed. Indian Act, the Navigation Student Centre Jan. 11. The sound of Indigenous drumming can Business Improvement “We’re going to go to the Protection Act and the be heard at such events from coast to coast. Association proposed city end of Feb. 28, 2014 and we’ll Environmental Assessment available or what a specific draw a crowd together but in a council extend existing out - see how the program goes and Act, is a notable concern to the tradition might prescribe. way to honour the environ - door patio permits until Feb. who co-operated and how it movement. went,” said Sonego. Garret Deperry, 30, is study - ment. 28, with 2013/2014 permits Demonstrations and rallies Sonego said the success of ing to become a child and “One of our wonderful tradi - valid from March 1, 2013 until have been going on for weeks the pilot project will help youth worker. He is part of the tions is called an honour song. Feb. 28, 2014. This would act throughout the country, some council determine whether or Woodland Ojibway Nation It is always so heartfelt it just as a trial period for the city to of which have taken place in not to continue on with the and led the drum circle at the reverberates (with us). When assess the effects outdoor Windsor. Almost all Idle No year-round patio program. Idle No More rally that took we hear the drum, this is a patios will have on snow More events begin and end “A lot of cities across the place at the University of sacred drum, it resonates with removal. with traditional First Nation Windsor Jan. 11. world open their patios in the the heartbeat of mother earth. Ward 6 Coun, Jo-Anne drum circles and the recent “The drum is used as the winter months,” said Horwitz. This is why, when we hear it, Gignac said she expects busi - rallies at the University of heartbeat of our nation, that’s “I think it’s good that we’re we come because it resonates ness owners to cover the cost Windsor and Ambassador what it was given to us for. moving in that direction and right through us. It’s like being of snow removal and upkeep Bridge were no exception. It’s a way for us to join togeth - I’d like to thank council if they called,” said Fess. within the boundaries of their The drums are individually er, express ourselves, the drum pass this and administration With the Idle No More outdoor patios.