First Nations chief Theresa Spence calls for solidarity protests
'Willing to die' for her people
CBC News
Posted: Dec 29, 2012 5:02 PM ET
Last Updated: Dec 29, 2012 5:01 PM ET
Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence is in the third week of a hunger strike, hoping to force Prime Minister Stephen Harper to meet with her and other native leaders, who are angered by his policies. (Chris Wattie/Reuters)
As First Nations Chief Theresa Spence's hunger strike continues, the chief called for weekend solidarity protests from all Canadians to force Prime Minister Stephen Harper to meet with her and other native leaders angered by his policies.
'Her condition continues to weaken every hour.'—Statement from Chief Theresa Spence
While Idle No More protests have been staged in various communities over the past two weeks — a movement aiming to repair existing violations to the treaty relationship — this is the Attawapiskat chief's first time calling for action.
"Her condition continues to weaken every hour and the time has come for increased efforts to gain the support of Canadians and governments in forging this new relationship," read a statement released late Friday.
After starting her hunger strike on Dec. 11th, the chief declared she is "willing to die" for her people.
Wawa First Nations holds solidarity protest
In the statement, Chief Spence asked all Canadians and indigenous people to stage ceremonies, events and rallies, calling on Harper to meet with her and "commit to a path of recognition and implementation of the treaty commitments and forging a new First Nations crown relationship."
According to the statement, international and national events will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday.
People from the Northern Ontario town of Wawa have already answered her call by staging an Idle No More protest Saturday afternoon, which was expected to last four hours, according to the movement's Facebook page.
Some Michipicoten First Nation members planned to stage the protest at the junction of highways 101 and 17 in support of Chief Spence, wrote one of the event's organizers, and because "so many of our lakes on Crown Land are no longer accessible to us."
Police warned locals to expect traffic delays because of the protest, but said they hoped the organizers would ensure the demonstration did not interfere with emergency vehicle traffic.
Chief Spence also issued an open house invitation to all MPs and Senators to visit her at her teepee on Sunday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. She is expected to make a brief statement to the media at that time.
The NDP announced Saturday that a delegation of its MPs will visit the chief Sunday. The delegation will be led by Megan Leslie and Charlie Angus.
Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan has offered to speak with Chief Spence and form a working group, but she declined his offer because she believes he isn't the one who should be speaking on a nation-to-nation level.
Saturday marks Chief Spence's 19th day without solid food, which she stopped eating in an effort to secure a meeting between First Nations leaders, the prime minister and Governor General over the treaty relationship.
With files from Canadian PressShare Tools
Top News Headlines
- Search for Oklahoma tornado survivors nearly complete
- Rescue workers raced to complete the search for survivors and the dead in the Oklahoma City suburb where a mammoth tornado destroyed countless homes, cleared lots down to bare red earth and claimed 24 lives, including those of nine children.
more »
- Video forensics: How easy would it be to fake a Rob Ford video?
- Two media outlets reported last week that they had seen a cellphone video of Mayor Rob Ford allegedly smoking crack, a claim that has gone global. If a video does surface, how easy would it be to determine its authenticity? CBC News asked video forensic analyst David McKay. more »
- Tim Bosma memorial today in hall that hosted his wedding reception
- The widow of Tim Bosma, the Hamilton man killed after taking two strangers on a test drive in a truck he had listed for sale online, will say goodbye to her husband in the same hall where they celebrated their marriage just three years ago. more »
- Eritreans in Canada say consul still demands cash from them
- Evidence obtained by CBC News suggests Eritrea's top diplomat in Canada is again soliciting taxes from the Eritrean community despite a threat by Canada eight months ago not to renew his credentials if he kept at it. more »
- How the weather info that storm chasers use can keep you safe
- Radar imagery and a stream of weather information are readily available to the public when severe weather bears down. more »
Must Watch
Latest Canada News Headlines
- Tim Bosma memorial today in hall that hosted his wedding reception
- The widow of Tim Bosma, the Hamilton man killed after taking two strangers on a test drive in a truck he had listed for sale online, will say goodbye to her husband in the same hall where they celebrated their marriage just three years ago.
more »
- Senate sends Duffy expense audit for 2nd internal review
- The Senate decided to send Senator Mike Duffy's audit report back to its internal committee for a second review, despite objections from the Liberal Senate leader, who argued the RCMP should be tasked with the job. more »
- Video forensics: How easy would it be to fake a Rob Ford video?
- Two media outlets reported last week that they had seen a cellphone video of Mayor Rob Ford allegedly smoking crack, a claim that has gone global. If a video does surface, how easy would it be to determine its authenticity? CBC News asked video forensic analyst David McKay. more »
- What is 'Tornado Alley'?
- A tornado that generated winds as strong as 320 km/h and killed more than 20 people in Moore, Okla., on Monday fell in a geographical area of the U.S. generally known as 'Tornado Alley.' Here's a closer look at this storm-plagued region — and its counterparts in Canada. more »
- How the weather info that storm chasers use can keep you safe
- Radar imagery and a stream of weather information are readily available to the public when severe weather bears down. more »
The National
The Current
- The morning after the Oklahoma tornado May. 22, 2013 8:17 AM The rescue efforts and aftermath of yesterday's devastating tornado in Moore, Oklahoma.
- Microsoft unveils Xbox One
- Only 1 set of human remains found at Millard farm, police say
- Jodi Arias gives jailhouse interviews as jury mulls execution
- Deadly Oklahoma tornado confirmed as most powerful type
- Video forensics: How easy would it be to fake a Rob Ford video?
- Rob Ford faces more calls to address crack allegations
- Search for Oklahoma tornado survivors nearly complete
- Cloverdale Rodeo 'racist attack' investigated
- Yukon couple hold record for longest marriage in country

