That's the challenge and the goal for National Chief Ovide Mercredi in his battle for Aboriginal rights and self-government in Canada. First and foremost, it is contrary to our traditions and teachings of our Elders.
Violence is a negative force that leads to self-destruction and more aggression.
It is appropriate that Mercredi will deliver the inaugural Mahatma Gandhi Lecture on Nonviolence. Mercredi has had a life-long fascination with Gandhi's philosophy of peace. In 1995 he travelled to India to explore first-hand the legacy of Gandhi's teaching. He came back to Canada with a reinforced determination that Aborginal people can regain their traditional rights through peaceful, disciplined confrontation. Mercredi says civil disobedience is acceptable but only in a way that doesn't damage property or deliberately hurt anyone.