APTN National News
CROSS LAKE FIRST NATION, Man.–An elder from Cross Lake First Nation in Manitoba is travelling to Ottawa to continue his hunger strike alongside Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence.
Elder Raymond Robinson, 51, has been on a hunger strike since Dec. 12. Robinson is expected to arrive in Ottawa sometime Monday evening.
“I have been in steady contact with Chief Theresa Spence and we exchange ideas on what our next steps should be,” said Robinson, in a statement issued Monday.
Robinson said he will continue his hunger strike until Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Governor General David Johnston agree to a treaty meeting, which is also Spence’s demand.
“I am committed to continue my hunger strike until Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Governor General David Johnston meet with Chief Spence and myself and the First Nation leadership,” said Robinson.
Robinson is backed by Cross Lake First Nation Chief Garrison Settee.
“The Cross Lake First Nation fully supports Elder Robinson’s personal decision to make this sacrifice as an Indigenous person of this land we call Canada and as a citizen who holds treaty rights that the government of Canada has a legal and constitutional obligation to honour,” said Settee. “It is a sad day in Canada’s history when First Nations people are now ready to sacrifice their lives in order to get this government to work with our First Nations leadership on a nation-to-nation basis and to recognize, respect and honour our inherent and treaty rights.”
Robinson has been drinking only herbal tea since he began his hunger strike.
Spence has been on a hunger strike for 21 days.
All the more to Chief Spence and anyone who helps her.
I would like to offer my thanks to A P T N of their coverage of the Idle N More, they stand up to the Ottawa regime, other mainstream media are more interested in what Hollywood star is eating Hotdogs.