First nations groups set for blockades, protests as part of Idle No More day of action A day of action threatened by native leaders who are frustrated with the approach taken by the federal government in dealing with their issues is upon us but it is unclear how widespread and sustained the disruptions will be. Chief Gordon Peters of the Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians has called for blockades of major transportation corridors throughout Ontario because Prime Minister Stephen Harper refused last week to sit down with all of the chiefs who wanted to talk to him about treaty rights and other concerns. One traffic slow-down is planned for Windsor, Ont., the major trade crossing between Canada and the United States. And other chiefs have promised the same types of demonstrations will be carried out in their own provinces - Manitoba in particular. Windsor Police Traffic Sergeant Michael Fontaine said early Wednesday that there were no problems and that they were expecting a demonstration later that wouldn't impede traffic. Other chiefs have promised the same types of demonstrations will be carried out in their own provinces - Manitoba in particular. But Mr. Peters has been cryptic about exactly where blockades might occur - taking a "just watch us" approach. At least one Idle No More organizer has said she opposes blockades and the group has occasionally been critical of first nations leadership. But it is a loosely constructed movement fuelled by the energy of native youth who may well heed Mr. Peters" call to action. On the other hand, even Mr. Peters says he recognizes that protests such as the one threatened Wednesday risk alienating the broader population of Canada who the first nations are counting upon for support as they press for a greater share of resource revenues and increased dialogue with the government. He and other first nations leaders have said they want all demonstrations to be respectful and non-violent. In a video statement posted on-line Tuesday, Ontario Provincial Police Commissioner Chris Lewis urged restraint by those officers handling protests. Whether we like it or not, the first nations people of Ontario have long-time disputes with government and we cannot solve those issues as a police service, he said. As well, first nations have the ability to paralyze this country, by shutting down travel and trade routes. It is a difficult situation no matter how we view or address it. In policing these events we will be criticized, sometimes from all sides. Our response at all times needs to be measured, professional and sensitive. I'd rather be criticized for a decision to not jeopardize, take or lose lives, than for taking unnecessary aggressive action that undoubtedly will. He also shot back at critics who have questioned seeming police inaction in the face of militancy, even when the officers had been instructed by court order to end protests, saying that their strategies are "difficult and complex to explain to the general public." The overall objective of the OPP is to work with all parties to ensure public and officer safety and to maintain orderly conduct and peace. This isn't us not doing our jobs, as some would have it, but in fact, it is our job," Commissioner Lewis said. There may be situations requiring our immediate enforcement action, and we will at times do so. But otherwise, we will continue to investigate these incidents and we'll lay charges after the event where appropriate. Regional chiefs of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) say they have struck crisis-management teams to ensure that conflicts created by demonstrators do not get out of hand. Jody Wilson-Raybould, the British Columbia Regional Chief of the AFN will hold a conference call with fellow chiefs Wednesday and is expected to tell them that disrupting the provincial economy is unproductive. But many indigenous people disagree with her. Arthur Manuel, the former chief of B.C."s Neskonlith band, said in an open letter to chiefs and councillors on Tuesday that the British Columbia economy has not benefitted indigenous peoples as it has the rest of the population. "I urge the elected chiefs that support the Idle No More (INM) to get on the call and let the Regional Chief know that the Idle No More is a grassroots movement and that the Chiefs will not become a shield for the province," wrote Mr. Arthur, "especially because the province is unjustly rich and the INM is grassroots moment that is systemically made poor." A possible closure of the main highway leading to Fort McMurray, Alta., the hub of the oil sands, seems unlikely to take place - although there were rumblings about that earlier in the week. Chief Allan Adam of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation said Tuesday there are no imminent plans to blockade Highway 63. "However, the people are upset with the current state of affairs in this country and things are escalating towards more direct action," said Mr. Adam in a statement. As a leader I have been talking to the people, talking with governments and industry to try and diffuse the situation that is coming to the surface. However, neither government nor industry seems willing to move on the issues and the people have said that enough is enough. Shawn Atleo, the National Chief of the AFN, is taking time off to recuperate from a severe bout of stomach flu and exhaustion after last week's intense negotiating session with chiefs and then Mr. Harper. A number of first nations leaders are upset that Mr. Atleo proceeded with the meeting even though Mr. Harper refused to meet the demand of Theresa Spence, the hunger-striking Chief of Attawapiskat who wanted Governor-General David Johnston to be in the room. Those schisms within the AFN could come into play in the future as the government tries to negotiate a way out of the unrest that is being demonstrated across the country by supporters of Idle No More. But the executive of the AFN says the work of preparing for future talks with the government is carrying on in Mr. Atleo's absence and they are holding meetings to plot strategies going forward. With a report from Oliver Moore