Spirituality crucial to Idle No More

On March 20, a ceremony was conducted in northwestern Ontario in harmonization with the Idle No More: Day of Ceremony and Resurgence. 
Requested guidance was sought and direction was given – and it was made clear that it was to be shared across our nations and communities.
Very interesting things happened in the lead up to this ceremony in the region prior. When the M20 planning was initiated, it was inspired by a conversation with a woman from the Treaty #3 region. When discussing the moves being made by the Harper Government to dismantle our treaties and sovereignty, she simply said, “put the Spirit first.” 
She brought up the circumstances of the 1969 White Paper and shared that although we hear about the political action and social action to help sink it, we rarely hear about the ceremonies/spirituality that played a massive part (notably, ceremonies done in Naicatchewenin and Wauzhushk Onigum at this time). From that conversation, Idle No More founders were approached with the idea of the “Day of Ceremony and Resurgence”, tobacco was given in northwestern Ontario to, and planning began. During the INM Teach-In that took place earlier in the day on March 20 (prior to the ceremony), two gentlemen walked in and sat down. After a bit of conversation, it was clear that they helped with assisting those that spearheaded ceremonies that played a major part (next to assertion of nationhood and leaders taking action) to take down the 1969 White Paper. Their arrival was unplanned and it was really eye-opening that we were on the right track as the nine bills that reflect the 1969 White Paper that face us today.
During this ceremony (and honouring the request from one of the founders of Idle No More), guidance was sought about what we must do to defeat these bills and laws that Ottawa is attempting to pass and what we must do protect ourselves, our sovereignty, and the lands were share.
It was made crystal clear that there is a very important element missing (or very limited) in many of our efforts. It is requested for our communities and our families to continue what we are doing – but it is necessary for a massive move of resurgence to happen where all sacred items (traditional drums, all sacred bundles, all pipes) that have been placed aside or set aside and not used frequently (if at all) and that ceremonies in all of our territories and communities  (shake tents, sweats, lodges, using our names, clans, connecting our people to their names and clans, and all ceremonies depending on territory and Nation) that have been left to the side, that are limited (or have gone dormant) must be brought back immediately and put to use. Not just on a single “day of prayer” or something assigned like that, but brought back into use in a big way and we should stay on top of it.
During the ceremony, it was said that those that came before and those that watch us are very aware of what is happening to us, to our lands, and with these laws, and they are upset, as well. It was said that these things above has more than the potential and the way to lift us together as once so we can effectively unify, pull together, and effectively fight these things. It is necessary and must happen.
When a ceremony took place earlier in the day, it was also made clear that we must lift our voices and take action immediately. There were significant concerns that the bills have wavered (and will get worse) even through Teach-Ins, round-dances, marches, and flash-mobs have been consistent. We must lift our voices and take action immediately.
Much focus placed on making youth aware of why these matters are important, about treaties and inherent rights, the lands we share, nationhood, and leadership.
Great focus and emphasis was placed upon actively supporting our women to take the lead.
It is interesting to recognize that as soon as WOMEN were taken out of the lead, as soon as CEREMONIES and items began to be lessened (or dormant) in many territories, as soon as we were left UNIFIED, and as soon NATIONHOOD began being less ASSERTED, we (and our treaties and sovereignty) weakened and (in turn) the protection of the LAND we share is now weakened.
We must turn it around by reversing these things – immediately.