American Indian protesters hold rally at Capitol

HELENA — About 150 Native Americans and their supporters gathered at the Montana Capitol for a rally and dance in solidarity with a protest movement by Canadian tribes.

It was the second Idle No More protest at the state Capitol. The Great Falls Tribune reports Monday's rally drew three times the participants as the one on Jan. 7, the first day of the legislative session.

The Idle No More movement began last year in protest of a budget bill being considered in Canada that protesters say alters the approval process for leasing aboriginal lands to outsiders and changes environmental oversight in favor of natural resource extraction.

Rallies have spread to the U.S.

Blackfeet tribal member Gyasi Ross of Browning says Idle No More gives a voice to the poorest people.