As protests swell, Attawapiskat chief stands firm on hunger strike

[bananas]

Source: Globe and Mail

The aboriginal interpretive centre on an island in the middle of the Ottawa River where Theresa Spence is living out her hunger strike is not an unhappy place. There are fires and drumming and even the occasional round of song.

<snip>

It was coincidental, she said, that her personal crusade began about the same time as first nations across Canada embarked on a widespread and prolonged series of demonstrations under the banner of “Idle No More.” Those actions were also aimed at the Conservative government – specifically at a number of bills that will have a direct effect on aboriginal communities.

But Ms. Spence has emerged as a movement hero and has had plenty of support from people such as Saulteaux actor Adam Beach, who stopped by over Christmas. And, on Boxing Day, she met with Liberal leadership candidate Justin Trudeau. Her daughters and her partner, Clayton Kennedy, are also in Ottawa this week, and the atmosphere in the log-walled compound on Victoria Island is celebratory.

<snip>

Meanwhile, disruptions are continuing across Canada. Boxing Day round dances were organized in shopping malls, and a blockade of a CN rail track in southwestern Ontario continued into its sixth day.

<snip>

Read more: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/as-protests-swell-spence-stands-firm-on-hunger-strike/article6734968/

[Bozita]

1. Naomi Klein's take on the topic: "Awake, Hungry and Idle No More"

Awake, Hungry and Idle No More
By Naomi Klein, NaomiKlein.org
26 December 12


I woke up just past midnight with a bolt. My six-month-old son was crying. He has a cold - the second of his short life– and his blocked nose frightens him. I was about to get up when he started snoring again. I, on the other hand, was wide awake.

A single thought entered my head: Chief Theresa Spence is hungry. Actually it wasn’t a thought. It was a feeling. The feeling of hunger. Lying in my dark room, I pictured the chief of the Attawapiskat First Nation lying on a pile of blankets in her teepee across from Parliament Hill, entering day 14 of her hunger strike.

I had of course been following Chief Spence’s protest and her demand to meet with Prime Minister Stephen Harper to discuss the plight of her people and his demolition of treaty rights through omnibus legislation. I had worried about her. Supported her. Helped circulate the petitions. But now, before the distancing filters of light and reason had a chance to intervene, I felt her. The determination behind her hunger. The radicality of choosing this time of year, a time of so much stuffing -mouths, birds, stockings -to say: I am hungry. My people are hungry. So many people are hungry and homeless. Your new laws will only lead to more of this misery. Can we talk about it like human beings?

Lying there, I imagined another resolve too - Prime Minister Harper’s. Telling himself: I will not meet with her. I will not cave in to her. I will not be forced to do anything.

more...
http://readersupportednews.org/opinion2/277-75/15234-focus-awake-hungry-and-idle-no-more

[bananas]

2. Chief Spence talked to Harper’s wife on the phone

http://aptn.ca/pages/news/2012/12/20/shes-my-role-model-says-daughter-of-attawapiskat-chief-spence-now-into-9th-day-of-hunger-strike/

‘She’s my role model,’ says daughter of Attawapiskat Chief Spence, now into 9th day of hunger strike

20. Dec, 2012 by APTN National News
By Jorge Barrera
ATPN National News

<snip>

She also issued a woman-to-woman call to Harper’s wife, Laureen Harper, to convince her husband that he should meet with the chiefs.

“This is about children, for our children to unite together, to walk together. We need Mrs. Harper to talk to her husband, tell him to set up that meeting,” she said. “It’s for the children. She has children and I have children.”

<snip>

[bananas]

3. David Suzuki linked to Naomi Klein's article on his facebook page

and his foundation has also urged Harper to meet with her.

His facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/DavidSuzuki

Here he linked to Naomi Klein's article:

David Suzuki shared a link.
Monday
As Chief Spence starves, Canadians awaken from idleness and remember their roots - Naomi Klein on #idlenomore

Here he linked to the statement by his foundation:

David Suzuki
December 21
We believe that Canada’s efforts towards improving the wellbeing of Aboriginal peoples must be guided by our commitments under the UN Declaration, including obtaining free, prior and informed consent when it comes to resource development on lands and waters that have sustained Aboriginal communities for millennia.

http://ow.ly/girTc

Follow Idle No More

http://www.davidsuzuki.org/media/news/2012/12/david-suzuki-foundation-letter-of-support-for-idlenomore/

David Suzuki Foundation letter of support for Idle No More
December 21, 2012

Dear Prime Minister Harper,

<snip>

The David Suzuki Foundation urges you to meet with Chief Spence and other First Nations leaders to address their immediate concerns pertaining to poor housing, chronic underfunding, lack of safe water and other pressing issues, and to initiate a dialogue on the concrete actions that are necessary to ensure that Canada effectively promotes and protect the rights of Aboriginal peoples, including the right to a healthy environment.

<snip>

[bananas]

6. Mohawk Woman Leaders Visit Chief Spence

Posted in the Video forum: http://www.democraticunderground.com/101788799

KahnawakeTV Published on Dec 21, 2012

On December 19th, Mohawk Woman Chiefs from Kahnawà:ke, Akwesá:sne and Kanehsatá:ke made the pilgrimage to Victoria Island in Ottawa to bring a very special message directly to Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence who is well into the second week of her hunger strike.

[MAD Dave]

5. I am afraid Chief Spence will come to mortal harm......

.....before PM Harper will meet with her. Harper is not FORCED to do ANYTHING.