In 1987, Canada attempted to approve a new constitution, one that would give renewed rights and recognitions to Quebec but which failed to even make mention of the presence or rights of the First Nations. First Nation representatives in Manitoba contacted one of their representatives, Elijah Harper, who agreed to help. Each time a motion to vote on the new Constitution came up in the Manitoba Legislature, Harper motioned “No,” delaying the vote until past the deadline.
(You can read more about the different methods of nonviolent protest in Gene Sharp’s book The Politics of Nonviolent Action. Access CSA’s catalogue of Sharp’s methods here, or download the full list of 198 methods here.)
