Update: Jan. 23, 2013
Chief Theresa Spence's Official Spokesperson Danny Metatawabin has confirmed this afternoon that Spence and Elder Raymond Robinson have agreed to end their hunger strikes based on the commitments outlined and endorsed in a declaration of commitment suppoorted by the Assembly of First nations National Executive Committee, Native Women's Assoication of Canada, NDP national Caucus and Liberal Party of Canada Paliamentary Caucus.
Media event tomorrow in Ottawa.
Victoria Island, Ottawa, January 15, 2013
Att.: All First Nations Chiefs and Grand Chiefs
Re: Status of Hunger Strike and National Leadership Situation
Dear Chiefs and Grand Chiefs;
Today marks the 36th day of my hunger strike, 35th day for Mr. Raymond Robinson of Manitoba and yesterday Mr. Jean Sock from New Brunswick was his 28th day and his last. We owe a great depth of gratitude to Jean for his support by joining me and Raymond in our protest. In return we extend our full support and we respect his decision to end his hunger strike to attend to his ailing mother, and also to be with his youth who are struggling to comprehend our cause. We pray for his complete recovery and we send prayers to his mother, his family and to have a safe journey home.
With this letter, I want to make it clear once again the purpose of our hunger strike as well as to inform all of you the state of my health and Raymond. We also wanted to take this opportunity to express our position of the events leading to the meeting of January 11, 2013 and the current situation we are in.
As I stated from the beginning, something had to be done to bring our Nations immediate needs, treaty implementation issues among many other issues to the brought attention of the PM along with the Crown in meeting on Nation to Nation basis at the earliest time possible.
Now, that the meetings with the PM and the Governor General have taken place, despite the fact that the Chiefs met with them separately, like many of you the confusion has yet to subside as I continue to wait for the details in what was actually achieved. It is without a doubt, the events leading up to the meeting of January 11, 2013 with the PM and the evening with the Governor General, as well as the communication breakdown that day and into that night truly tested our unity once again.
Along with Mr. Raymond Robinson, Mr. Jean Sock and I, we call on all of you not to waste any more energy on determining the future of our National Chief - for what took place for the past month is beyond us all as individuals. We all began with a purpose, we had a plan, we need now to refocus and stick to the original plan to propose and follow our own agenda. This is our best chance to settle the struggles our Nations have had to endure for far too long.
We need the National Chief as much as we need each other. With the challenges ahead, we need to spend less energy fighting amongst ourselves; instead we must focus on finding a common ground, a common understanding and respecting each other’s goals and objectives. We must stand united, strengthen our unity and agree on an agenda that works for all of us and not just the few. The politics within our camp can wait and work itself out on its own time.
What we have endured here at the island is a small price to pay compared to what our ancestors, our own mothers and fathers endured. Putting aside the real purpose of our hunger strike, this was our way to pay tribute to our ancestors who have forgone some of the harshest periods in our history, to honor those among our Nations who continue to struggle for the basic standard of living to this day, as well as to raise new hope among our youth and to protect our future generations.
From the beginning, the support and prayers from all of you, from our grassroots, elders, women and particularly the youth brought us comfort and assurance that we are all in this together. This must continue.
Many of you have asked me directly or called on us indirectly to stop our hunger strike, but as we stated before, our exit or to end this hunger strike will be on our own terms. We ask all of you to respect that and ask you to refocus on the spirit and the intent of this movement.
Together, meaning the Idle No More movement, as hunger strikers, others who are fasting for the same cause with the support of our grassroots, our protesters, you the leaders, we have all been part of something historic which brought in all of us a sense of pride; our people have come together in solidarity for a common cause. The citizens of this country have also taken notice and we have their attention. Soon the rest of the world must to be informed and this Government along with the Crown must accept that the only way forward in this country is a renewed relationship with First Nations, but that it must begin with in a meeting with both the PM and Governor General present.
We are honored to be able to contribute to raising awareness of our Nations pressing issues, past and current struggles, as well as the challenges ahead. As more protests are being scheduled, we hope that the peace be maintained and ask all of you to encourage your members to remain peaceful and respectful.
Furthermore, we acknowledge and respect the Idle No More movement, their founders and spokespeople for promoting awareness of the controversial omnibus bills recently passed in the Senate. Our fights may be different, but our dreams and hopes for our people are common.
We will assess carefully our next steps in the coming days and will continue to remain optimistic. Our spirits are up, but we are growing weaker by the day but we do our best to maintain our health. We ask you to respect our choices and to leave us the decision when and if this hunger strike should end.
My fellow Chiefs, on behalf of Mr. Robinson and Mr. Sock, we thank you for your continued prayers and support. We ask you now to focus on the task at hand and please do not to worry about us; our people and our youth deserve real change and nothing more. May the Creator guide us through the challenges up ahead.
Gichi Meegwetch,
Chief Theresa Spence
Attawapiskat First Nation
Chronology – Events and actions around Chief Theresa Spence’s Hunger
Strike
December 4, 2012: At the Special Chiefs Assembly, Chief Theresa Spence
announced that she would go on a hunger strike within two weeks if the National
Chief did not receive a response from the Crown to an urgent appeal on Treaties.
December 6, 2012: Chief Spence met with senior officials during the SCA and
advised that the hunger strike would be imminent.
December 10, 2012: Chief Spence met with senior officials from the AFN to
discuss her plans and formally made the announcement to media on the steps of
Parliament hill.
December 11, 2012: Chief Spence began her hunger strike on Victoria Island.
December 11, 2012 – ongoing: AFN staff support for Chief Spence and other
hunger strikers and their helpers on Victoria Island, including direct delivery and
coordination of supplies such as firewood and a teepee, information sharing,
organizing visits from a health professional, logistics assistance including calls for
donations, organizing media availabilities, and providing office space. During this
time, National Chief Atleo and members of the AFN National Executive made
numerous visits to Chief Spence and her supporters to provide support and
participate in ceremony.
December 16, 2012: AFN National Executive sends open letter to the Prime
Minister and Governor General urging them to meet with First Nations
leadership, as requested by Chief Spence.
December 17, 2012: The Open Letter from the AFN National Executive to the
Prime Minister and Governor General urging a meeting with First Nations leaders
is hand delivered to both the Prime Minister's Office and Residence by First
Nations leaders and Chief Spence's supporters.
December 19, 2012: AFN National Executive sends a letter to Chiefs and
Councils stating support for Chief Spence and the grassroots actions across the
country. The National Chief stressed that leaders are working together to press
for a meeting to take place in the near future, so that the fundamental issues can
be addressed by First Nation leaders, the Prime Minister, and the Governor
General.
December 21. 2012: Rally on Parliament Hill.
December 28, 2012: National Chief Atleo meets with Chief Spence’s team to
discuss next steps. AFN coordinates invite to MPs and Senators to meet with
Chief Spence on December 30, 2012.
On December 29, 2012: Letter to all First Nation leaders outlining AFN’s
continued support of Chief Spence and Elder Raymond Robinson, pressing the
Government of Canada, the Prime Minister and the Governor General to engage
as Treaty partners in good faith and to up hold the Honour of the Crown. The
National Chief and Executive also reaffirm their support of the Idle No More
movement and direct action to advance First Nation interests and rights.
December 30, 2012: Open house with Parliamentarians on Victoria Island.
December 31, 2012: Conference call and meeting among leadership to
determine strategy and next steps.
January 1, 2013: Invitation issued to Prime Minister Harper and the Governor
General to commit to a meeting with First Nation leaders, including Chief
Spence, on January 24, the anniversary of the Crown First Nation Gathering.
January 3, 2013: National Chief Atleo and other AFN Executive Members meet
with Chief Spence and Elder Raymond Robinson. At that time they clarify that
they will continue the hunger strikes until the meeting takes place, and cannot
wait until January 24.
January 3, 2013: The National Chief does national media to publicly urge the
Prime Minister and Governor General to meet urgently and as soon as possible,
as per the direction of Chief Spence.
January 4, 2013: The Prime Minister agrees to meet with a delegation of First
Nation leaders on January 11, 2013. AFN continues efforts to ensure that the
Governor General join the meeting, as per Chief Spence’s direction. First Nation
leaders make it very clear that David Johnston, the Governor General needs to
participate in the meeting given his role as the representative of the Crown and
thereby party to the treaties that were signed between First Nations and the
Crown.
January 4, 2013: National Executive Conference Call to commence planning for
the meeting with the Prime Minister. Executive agrees that focused planning
meetings will take place to seek consensus the following week in Ottawa, among
Treaty leadership (led by Regional Chief Perry Bellegarde) and among
leadership working on inherent right and title issues, including the Chiefs
Committee on Comprehensive Claims (led by Regional Chief Wilson-Raybould).
Work continues to get the Governor General to also commit to a meeting.
January 8 – 9, 2013: AFN convenes meetings among Treaty leadership and
leaders working on inherent rights and title, including the Chiefs Committee on
Comprehensive Claims, to seek consensus for meetings with the Prime Minister
and Governor General. A consensus agenda is adopted around eight key areas.
January 9, 2013: AFN Executive meets to discuss consensus agenda.
January 10, 2013: Following many efforts by the AFN Executive Committee, the
Governor General issues an invitation to Chiefs to participate at a ceremonial
meeting at Rideau Hall, following the meeting with the Prime Minister on January
11, 2013. The AFN and Chiefs continue to request that the Governor General
join the meeting with the Prime Minister as per the original request.
January 11, 2013: AFN National Executive meets to discuss approach to
meetings with the Prime Minister and the Governor General.
January 11, 2013: A delegation of leaders and the National Chief meet with the
Prime Minister and members of the federal Cabinet.
January 11, 2013: First Nation leaders, along with Chief Spence, attend a
ceremonial meeting with the Governor General.
http://www.hashilthsa.com/news/2013-01-15/eight-key-elements-action-roll
