Hundreds of people came out to the Rupert Square Mall in Prince Rupert on Dec. 30 to rally as part of the Idle No More movement.
Drumming and song rang out amid signs and speakers at the peaceful gathering that got underway at 2 p.m., followed by a walk through both the upper and lower level of the mall.
The Idle No More movement has garnered national support, with similar rallies taking place across the country. The movement calls for peaceful demonstrations against government acts that infringe upon Aboriginal lands and rights and threaten the environment.
"First Nations have experienced a history of colonization which has resulted in outstanding land claims, lack of resources and unequal funding for services such as education and housing," reads the movement manifesto.
"There are many examples of other countries moving towards sustainability, and we must demand sustainable development as well. We believe in healthy, just, equitable and sustainable communities and have a vision and plan of how to build them."