Mansell calls for Aboriginal protests

January 25, 2013
Issue 
Michael Mansell.

Prominent Tasmanian Aboriginal lawyer Michael Mansell has renewed calls for Aboriginal Australians to take to the streets in light of Canada's growing Idle No More movement.

The campaign has had thousands of First Nations people march through major cities of Canada following their government's introduction of contentious legislation impacting Native Treaty rights.

Mansell says it's time for people in Australia to take "more direct action" on Indigenous issues.

"What's lacking in the last 20 years is the marches that Aboriginal people used to have all around the country to express our dissent and disagreement with the way white Australia was treating Aborigines.

"Fight, fight, fight. Be proud of what you are and don't succumb to all of the propaganda that Australia puts out."

Manitoba Grand Chief Derek Nepinak of Canada said recently the Idle No More movement has the potential to bring the Canadian economy to its knees.

"When we listen to the voices of our young people, they're saying that enough is enough.

"They're accessing the social media networks, they're putting their words out on through social media, saying, 'what are the Chiefs going to do?  We need to stand up now.'

"And we are going to act."

First published by the National Indigenous Radio Service.

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