'First Nation leaders of Turtle Island' issue open letter, call on Harper to uphold 'honour of the Crown'
A group of First Nations chiefs have issued an open letter urging Prime Minister Stephen Harper to agree to the treaty meeting demanded by Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence who is on day 23 of a hunger strike.
APTN National News
OTTAWA–A group of First Nations chiefs have issued an open letter urging Prime Minister Stephen Harper to agree to the treaty meeting demanded by Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence who is on day 23 of a hunger strike.
The letter, signed by the “First Nation leaders of Turtle Island,” asks Harper to work with the First Nations leader to end Spence’s hunger strike and meet with the leadership to reaffirm “the spirit and intent of our treaty relationship and based on the principles of honour, peace, friendship and Indigenous sovereignty.”
The letter, released shortly after midnight Wednesday, also mentions the planned Jan. 16 national day of action that could see country-wide economic disruptions through rail and highway blockades among other planned events.
“Work with us to end the hunger strike of Chief Theresa Spence. We fear for her health. We do not only speak for our conscience and the pain we feel for her, but we implore you for her children. For the love of humanity, we make this plea,” said the letter. “We firmly support a national day of action scheduled for January 16, 2013. We also realize that our people and supporters for the liberation of Indigenous peoples in this country continue daily assertions of peaceful demonstrations.”
Concern is mounting about Spence’s health and the Attawapiskat chief is said to be getting weaker by the hour.
“From this day forward make no miscalculation- as First Nation leaders in this country, we will increase our efforts to speak, teach, and reconfirm the truth about the Indigenous People of this country. In fact, the rest of the world is now closely observing,” said the letter. “We support Chief Spence as she implores cooperative efforts of your government towards real and dignified change for First Nations. The rest of the world awaits your response as well.”
The letter comes following a series of meetings and teleconferences between about 70 chiefs over the past few days.
In a statement accompanying the letter sent to APTN National News, said the recent meetings were called in haste because of Spence’s situation and the tensions between the Idle No More movement and the existing First Nations leadership.
“The reality is this, we are behind the eight-ball and needed to respond to our fellow chief who is on a hunger strike,” said the statement. “We also had to dispel the myth that we are trying to take over a movement that we are in fact a part of and have always supported.”
The letter states that Canada is facing “a time of renewal” and that “Indigenous leaders in this country must make clear that this land is not the personal possession of a political party or a government.”
It calls on Canadians to find common cause with First Nations people.
“First Nations or Canadians should not tolerate trade treaties, race-based legislation and colonial policies designed to assimilate and strip away the rights of the Indigenous peoples of Turtle Island any further,” said the letter. “We must focus on change for our people, returning to the spirit and intent of the original treaties in Canada, not new deals with other countries to be granted legal land tenure for the sole purpose of their economic gain.”
The letter states that First Nations leaders would continue to take their message around the world, including to the Queen, U.S. President Barack Obama and Nelson Mandela.
The letter calls on Harper to uphold the honour of the Crown which is bound up in the treaties and refers to the prime minister’s holiday address in which he highlights the “joy of giving” and helping the less fortunate.
“Prime Minister, Canada requires leadership that will address these matters in a manner that seeks constructive dialogue and collaborative efforts to change,” said the letter. “We call on your congruent response; a response that upholds the professed values of Canada and a response that is consistent with the honour of the Crown and the sacred covenant of treaties in Canada.”
The Letter
Perhaps a new hashtag…. DNM #DividedNoMore. A troubling perception is out there that those FN elected leaders are not part of this movement. This is unequivocally false and a wrong perception to promote. There is one thing that is clear…FN leaders are and will uphold a fiduciary obligation for First Nation Citizens. As a First Nation leaders, we are always told that we must speak on behalf of the people. The other perception out there is that we have an option to fade into the background into obscurity – not so! Just like the people, we also have a fiduciary responsibility to the land. The movement that is not idle any longer…is a good movement that is supported by the vast majority of Chiefs and leaders across this country and will continue to be supported. Will FN leaders…try to take over…??? Perhaps in someones illusion…..this is not even possible….this is a social movement without a formal structure of governance legally responsible for a registry of Citizens, a defined tract of land or a territory by which its community is signatory. Listen, First Nation leaders are responsible because the people in our communities chose it so. Oh, one last thing, the majority of First Nation leaders today are educated and take direction from their People and their community customs, the very people that are helping to propel this movement. Perhaps if you look inside this great movement long enough, you will identify those Chiefs and Councillors that are out there taking part in this great movement every chance they get……perhaps you will also see many supporters of FN leadership that support this great movement because it finally is the fuel in the tank to move our people and FN leaders forward in a much more united way…perhaps if you look inside….you will by instinct and passion for Our People realize that we should be #DividedNoMore This is a great political movement for Our People…..I remain supportive of this great collective movement forward. To the coordinators and founders of this movement, this is a prophetic time for our people that must not lose its fire because of a fragmentation and resistance to see beyond the cloud of colonial confusion. Miigwetch.
Let’s be clear about whats going on here. First of all, Idle No More is a grassroots movement which women started in response to Band Councils neglect of their Band Members basic human needs, housing, food, education. Chief Theresa Spence is doing a hunger strike based on the 14 pieces of federal legislation which includes omni bus C-45. which lifted the federal protections of almost 2 million lakes and 8500 rivers….
Lets not twist up these direct action events….
IDLE NO MORE is made up of the indigenous people and Chief Spence represents First Nations Band Councils. IDLE NO MORE was operational in early November 2012 and the flash mobs were ignited, the 8th prophecy.
Chief Theresa Spence started her hunger strike December 11, 2012 in response to Stephen Harpers move towards abrogating the treaties with the First Nations in Canada…..although the INM movement and Chief Spence’s hunger strike may overlap in drawing attention to the plight of the First Nations people they are two separate movements.
You need to remember that Stephen Harper’s willingness to keep promises appears to be pretty much a sham. All of Canada is suffering — not just the First Nations. This is the time when aboriginal and non-aborigiinal people need to work together.
This is totally bogus! An anonymous unsigned letter from unnamed chiefs calling for blockades and economic disruption? THAT is exactly what IdleNoMore is NOT! Check your facts and site your SOURCES APTN!
sounds like some cointel pro governmental conjured up scheme to me
Its a Very Reasonable Request ,I Would Like to Believe WE as a Nation have moved beyond interGovernment letters Such as This 1921 https://twitter.com/TootlessWonderS/status/286347807378513922/photo/1This Book also makes Reference To it Suggesting Sloths&Idleness http://books.google.ca/books?id=Q_SlM-kJpX4C&pg=PA86&dq=December+1921+deputy+superintendent+General+Graham+Sloth%26Idleness&hl=en&sa=X&ei=c8rjUN27OYPY2gXzyYDICA&ved=0CDgQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=December%201921%20deputy%20superintendent%20General%20Graham%20Sloth%26Idleness&f=false #IdleNoMore Meet & Gurantee ALL Canadians REAL Meaningful Change for Generations to Come PLEASE Gentlemen ;-}
Viva Azteca’s , the Aztecs support Idle No More
Great letter. If Stephen Harper has any honour or humanity he must meet with Chief Spence. He must or forever be known as evil.