Idle No More

Idle No More is an organization for which Gregory Lowan-Trudeau co-organized a teach-in series.

The name appears in the Lakehead University Alumni Spotlight profile of Gregory Lowan-Trudeau.

In Anishinabek News

• April 2013: The movement held a series of educational teach-ins at Canadore College to discuss sovereignty and treaty obligations. Spokesperson Pam Palmater stated that the core message of the movement is the assertion of sovereignty through culture, language, and independent decision-making. The movement has faced criticism regarding how its activities are covered by the media.
• August 2013: Idle No More is a movement where First Nations people are standing up to speak out about their rights. The movement was mentioned by Maurice Switzer as a sign that people are ready for a postcolonial era.
• March 2014: Supporters of this movement are among the global audience accessing Anishinabek News content online.
• September 2014: The movement's blockades and resistance to government plans were monitored by the Ontario Provincial Police using threat assessments. The Canadian forces reportedly spent almost all of 2013 monitoring protesters involved with this movement. The movement resists government assimilation plans and asserts Aboriginal and treaty rights across Canada.
• July 2015: This movement involves Indigenous people and supporters participating in round dances and protests against ongoing injustices. The movement represents a refusal to remain inactive while successive governments fail to honour treaty and constitutional obligations.
• June 2016: Tori Cress of this group joined the 2016 rally to advocate for Indigenous communities facing environmental challenges. The group participated in the march to the Ontario Legislature to protest against environmental racism.
• April 2017: The movement was highlighted by Candace Brunette-Debassige as an example of Indigenous women's leadership. Its founders include Jessica Gordon, Sylvia McAdam, Sheelah McLean, and Nina Wilson.
• September 2019: Kerry Potts cited this movement as a factor contributing to shifts in Indigenous studies.
• December 2019: The movement served as a catalyst for Jay Soule to pursue new creative and entrepreneurial directions in his work.
• July 2020: Jesse Thistle identified the period after Idle No More as an era where institutions are increasingly eager to hire Indigenous graduates.
• April 2021: Idle No More supported a gathering of Indigenous scholars to respond to the educational crisis at Laurentian University.
• August 2021: The movement's momentum in 2012 highlighted the absence of Indigenous voices in Canadian news reporting. Observations during this movement led Journalists for Human Rights to study media representation.
• September 2024: Ryan Derangé served as an organizer within this movement.
• May 2025: The movement began in 2012 in opposition to federal Bill C-45, which reduced First Nations' authority over environmental assessments. Linda Debassige stated that the Anishinabek Nation would be idle no more if Ontario passes Bill 5, Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, 2025 in its current form.
• February 2026: The movement was cited by Marsha Smoke as an example of First Nations rising up to preserve their rights.