Re: “Protesters set to block Pat Bay Highway today,” Jan. 16.

I was sad that the Idle No More movement decided to block the Pat Bay Highway (a disaster response route and way to work) on Wednesday.

Natives across Canada have been taken advantage of for more than 100 years and are quite right in saying there are many issues to address. However, I do not understand how the current protest called Idle No More could be synonymous with the title.

They are angry with the government and are mad for “its inaction.” The Harper government has done a lot recently, comparable with major changes in 1985, 1951, 1876 or even 1763 for native rights.

Of course we are lucky in Canada to have the right to protest and the freedom of expression. I have no problem with that — it’s an interesting way of expressing views. Despite that, I much prefer it when opposing groups work together to form a goal. One or both of these groups may extend an olive branch to the other in hopes of working.

The current movement has declined most of the time to be a part of meaningful and significant change — what the whole movement appears to be about anyway. In Grade 12 English, we learn a lot about irony. I challenge our native friends to be a part of the change, not stalling it.

Ryan Trelford

North Saanich

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