About 100 members of Asubpeeschoseewagong First Nation (Grassy Narrows) demonstrated near Husky the Muskie on Thursday. JON THOMPSON/Daily Miner and News

On the eve of meetings between First Nations and the federal government in Ottawa, almost 100 members of Asubpeeschoseewagong (Grassy Narrows) First Nation demonstrated at Husky the Muskie in Kenora on Thursday afternoon.

The protest capped off a month of protests across Canada bound to the Idle No More movement, seeking a renewed relationship between First Nations and the federal government, as well as calling for a slew of legislation to be repealed, which First Nations say violates treaty rights.

“All we want is for (Prime Minister) Stephen Harper to consult First Nations before making huge decisions that may affect us, such as Bill C-45,” reads a hand-written note organizer Amy McKenzie composed on the bus on the way into Kenora. She said her community is in a unique position to speak, with its attachments to both direct and legal action over the past decade.

“The concern is, they did all of it without First Nations consultation,” she said. “Especially these days, we’re becoming more aware. First Nations are becoming more educated and we’re not going to be trampled on any longer.”

Chrissy Swain, who has been one of the central faces of the Slant Lake blockade near Grassy Narrows, wasn’t overly optimistic about Friday’s meetings between the government and a delegation from the Assembly of First Nations but encouraged action to continue in the grassroots until the movements ends are met.

“I just hope that the people get what we’ve been asking for all along: That government-to-government relationship, for our people to have a say in what happens to the resources and to our people, especially our children. That’s what I hope happens,” she said. “I feel like this is just the beginning. I hope people don’t become idle anymore. I want them to keep going, to keep doing these actions, to keep protecting the land and keep protecting the future of our children.”

When Edmond Jack walked to Toronto last summer, he lamented the lack of awareness and political action in his young generation. He feels through Idle No More, First Nations youth have seen the opportunity to define their generation and are seizing it.

“In these times of struggle for our people, once you show them that horizon — the light — it inspires them to stand up and walk forward and go towards that. It brings out our fighting spirit and just do what they believe in,” he explained. “I feel more at ease knowing there are more young people standing up now and I feel like it’s okay for the elderly that are going to be passing on soon. There are a lot of elders that have been fighting for so many years. It’s relieving.”

The local Idle No More movement will meet on Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Best Western Lakeside Inn as part of a global day of action.