The Ontario chief of the Assembly of First Nations says protests this week are just the beginning.

Aboriginal people gathered in several cities across the country to express frustration over First Nations' current relationship with the government.

Attawapiskat chief Theresa Spence also started a hunger strike in Ottawa — demanding a meeting with the Prime Minister to address treaty issues.

The Ontario regional chief for the AFN said he’s “been telling the government for years now that there will be a time when those frustrations will boil over and that time has come.”

Stan Beardy said more grass-roots demonstrations — being organized largely through a social media campaign called Idle No More — are expected in the coming weeks.

Beardy noted the Attawapiskat chief's personal protest is part of that larger movement.

“There's a lot of anger out there because of the legislation coming down and the treatment First Nations people are getting from Canada,” Beardy said.

“First Nations across Canada have every right to be angry and the chiefs are supporting.”