At 2:30 p.m. today (Dec. 26, Boxing Day in Canada) there was what was planned to be a Flash Mob at the Tacoma Mall. It was put together by a group of local Native Americans in support of the Idle No More movement in Canada.

The group got together and began drumming, and singing 4 traditional songs in the Food Court. Some say 400 to 500 gathered to sing. Unfortunately, something went wrong. It drew Mall Security officers who escorted people away. Nearby shop owners were frightened and closed their doors. It wasn’t exactly the way everyone had hoped in the beginning. All Native Americans were banned from the Mall for 24 hours.

Here’s Kalvin Satiacum’s video and another by Phillip Campbell showing the beginning of the event. The Weekly Volcano was in on it with a  video. ttp://www.weeklyvolcano.com/entertainment/spew-blog/2012/12/Idle-No-More-movement-hits-tacoma-mall/. The News Tribune placed the story in their Lights and Sirens (crime) section. They also included a video.

On Facebook, KLAY Radio host Frank Blair commented, “We were at the mall for the Indian flash mob today. About a hundred Indians drumming and singing for a half hour… It was BEAUTIFUL. Of  COURSE the mall called the cops. NO arrests, everyone was VERY respectful. Thank you ALL for your songs and spirituality. It put a lump in my throat.”

If anyone comes upon an Idle No More protest, don’t be afraid, just understand there are peoples’ needs that are not being understood by government. Ask questions and listen to what they have to say. You can find out more about the movement here. There are photos of other Idle No More protests around Canada on Yahoo. They are peaceful protests regarding First nations treaty rights, clean air and clean water and Canadian legislation, Bill C-45. They have created a great deal of attention in Canada, holding up traffic, filling parks and shopping malls. Chief Theresa Spence, of northern Ontario’s Attawapiskat First Nation, has been on a hunger strike since Dec.11 in protest. Two large Canadian Labor unions have issued a statement in support of the Canadian First Nations. This is a budget bill that makes radical changes to environmental protections and Indigenous rights and sovereignty in Canada. There is a petition for Canadians on Change,org.

Penny Octuck Cole via Native Vote Washington on Facebook exclaimed, “It is fun to drum and sing! Love all my Native relatives!”

We could call it a clash of cultures, but we need to learn the reason behind it to understand why they were there. It was really for the long-term health of the planet. Canada’s issues have crossed our border.