Prime Minister Harper announces Jan. 11 meeting, Spence to continue hunger strike
Prime Minister Stephen Harper has agreed to meet with First Nations leaders on Jan. 11, but Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence, whose 25-day hunger strike forced the meeting, says she will continue to abstain from food until the meeting actually happens.
APTN National News
OTTAWA–Prime Minister Stephen Harper has agreed to meet with First Nations leaders on Jan. 11, but Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence, whose 25-day hunger strike forced the meeting, says she will continue to abstain from food until the meeting actually happens.
Harper issued a statement Friday saying the meeting would be coordinated by the Assembly of First Nations and would focus on the treaties, Aboriginal rights and economic development.
“The government of Canada and First Nations have an enduring historic relationship based on mutual respect, friendship and support. The government of Canada is committed to strengthening this relationship,” said Harper in the statement.
An aide to Spence said she is aware of the announcement, but won’t end her hunger strike until the meeting happens. Spence also told her aide the governor general needs to attend the meeting.
Serpent River First Nation Chief Isadore Day said in a statement that leaders “are still reluctant to breath easy about what the process is and how it will affect future political relations between the Crown and First Nations in this country.”
More to come
I hope Chief Spence tape records the meeting with Stephen Harper!
Our leaders are apart of the problem. Not all of them . Cant rock the boat . The goverment will find a way to idle the cheifs again. Idle no more !
Our leaders are apart of the problem. Not all of them . Cant rock the boat . The goverment will find a way to idle the cheifs again. Idle no more !
accoding to the news Chief Spense is not invited nor welcome. Time for the men to stand up and seeing they invited him and he accepted they should set the list of attendees not Harper
time for real leaders to stand up,it’s not through governments
i think all first nations should be gathered around outside where the meeting is taking place… BIG ROUND DANCE!!
Shame it had 2 come to this for it to happen. It will surly be historic. It is an exciting time to be alive; never boring! I hope it does some good and history records this meeting as positive. The only real good though will be when Harper leaves the Prime Minister’s office and takes a seat playing piano in a bar someplace…
They were a voice in this but our issues are for our chiefs to deal with. Idle no more is doing it part as all of us should be support both Idle No More and Chief Spence!!!
government (chiefs) are one of the reasons there has been idle movement since they were forced upon our people,they were smart,install there government on us and they have to follow there bosses
I wonder if #idlenomore founders will be invited to attend? They should be present.
there should be people representation