Idle No More / by Grey Gallinger

U of W Aboriginal Students United for Aboriginal Rights

University of Winnipeg students marched from the University's downtown campus to the legislature grounds where they held a rally in solidarity with Aboriginal groups around Canada opposed to bill C-45.

Michael Champagne, @northendmc activist and organizer of Meet Me At The Bell Tower, speaks at a rally of organized by University of Winnipeg students.

Speakers at the rally included Wab Kinew and Michael Champagne AKA @northendmc. Grand Chief Derek Nepinak of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs was also in attendance, Nepinak has been a vocal opponent of bill C-45, calling it illegal, colonial, and paternal.

Derek Nepinak, Grand Chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs at the Idle No More rally at the Manitoba Legislature.

Although the rally was spurred by bill C-45 it is part of a bigger reengagement of politically conscious people. Similar to the Occupy and Québec student movements, the aboriginal rights movement is regaining energy and taking advantage of social media to get people engaged.

You can see more photos from the rally here.