Wednesday

Hunger-striking Attawapiskat chief vows to ‘die’ for her people as aboriginal protests spread

OTTAWA–With the crescent moon still gleaming like an icy scar cut into the pre-dawn darkness, Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence walked toward the sacred fire on Victoria Island to wait for the sun on her first day of the hunger strike.

The small fire burned in an area framed by a tall fence of weather-beaten wooden poles and the Ottawa River. The gate was closed Tuesday morning and the only way in was through gaps in the fence or up from the shore of the river.

Dressed in a parka, touque and fur-lined leather mitts, Spence stood by the fire facing east, facing the river and just beyond Parliament Hill, aglow.

About a dozen people gathered with Spence around the fire for a Sunrise Ceremony held in her honour. The elder leading the ceremony ordered all recording devices turned off before he lit a bowl of sweetgrass for the cleansing to begin. Then he pressed a clump of tobacco into the bowl of a pipe he passed around, allowing only those of First Nations ancestry to draw on and smoke.

Clifford Summers, who lives in Ottawa but is from the Oneida Nation on the Thames, picked up the drum and sang a Sundance pipe song before the elder handed Spence an eagle wing.

Spence spoke about the hunger strike, about how the Canadian government was ignoring the treaties and how it was the Queen’s duty to intervene because the Crown had signed all the treaties. She says she wants to force a meeting between Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Queen Elizabeth II and First Nations chiefs.

Spence said she won’t eat another morsel of food until then.

It has been a turbulent time for Spence who returned to Attawapiskat in 2000 after spending most of her life in Moosenee, Ont. Her northeastern Ontario First Nation, which sits along the Attawapiskat River and near a diamond mine, has become synonymous with the misery that afflicts many First Nations communities across the country.

She has found herself in the national spotlight as a result of this misery which played out on television screens and on social media across the country last fall. The images of babies and children living in shacks and trailers in the teeth of a northern Ontario winter shocked the sensibilities of a nation.

Attawapiskat became a cause celebre and the Red Cross swooped in to provide aid, embarrassing the Canadian government.


And Spence paid a price. She faced the brunt of the Harper government’s attack machine which blamed her and her band council for the poverty. Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan stripped the band council of its authority over finances and imposed a consultant to run Attawapiskat’s affairs. The minister’s move was eventually criticized by the Federal Court as “unreasonable.”

The government did send 22 modular homes to the reserve, but Spence said Attawapiskat still faces a housing crisis.

And so, on Monday evening, Spence ate her final meal of steak and potatoes.

“It was a good meal,” she said.

Later, she participated in a private ceremony in a home where she was given dandelion root and bear root to use during her hunger strike.

She carried other gifts Tuesday morning including a long braid of sweetgrass she received from a supporter and a cloth-wrapped bundle she received from the wife of Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn Atleo. She also received tobacco in a red cloth bag from the RCMP who will be monitoring her hunger strike closely.


Her five daughters, who range in age from 13 to 33, will also be watching, she said.

“They had tears in their eyes when I talked to them,” said Spence, in an interview after the ceremony. “Once they understood it they gradually accepted what I was doing and the risk.”

Spence said she plans to spend most of her time on Victoria Island in a teepee warmed by a fire stoked by volunteers around the clock.

She’s also planning to regularly visit Parliament Hill from noon to 1 p.m. to greet people and speak to the press if she has the strength.

Spence said she’s healthy and ready for the hardship of hunger. She recently underwent surgery to remove her uterus and Spence said she has also been fighting burnout from her job as chief.


“I am pretty healthy right now,” she said.

By the time the sun had consumed the last remnants of dawn, Spence, accompanied by two RCMP officers, walked to a waiting idling minivan to warm up.

Spence knows hunger will soon settle in next to her, be her closest companion.

She said not to worry.

“I’ll be okay,” said Spence.
Source
By Jorge Barrera APTN National News


VIDEO Chief Spence Hunger Strike with Charlie Angus

Responses to "First Nation chief vows to ‘die’ if necessary to improve lives of aboriginal people"

  1. Thank you, for your strength, courage, and undying love for our people! May the Creator bless you and walk with you during your journey!

  2. Anonymous says:

    This women is selfless and sad how so many people lose what is important on this earth and that is people, NOT money, NOT power, PEOPLE are the ones that suffer for the selfish acts such as Steven Harper. It's not only First Nations that will suffer, it's all Canadians and look at who's demanding change....First Nation people. You don't see any other race that live in Canada, doing what this brave woman is doing. I am proud to be First Nation because we care, share, help one another and we ALWAYS remember that Mother Earth needs to be treated with respect. I sure hope Chief Spence message reaches the Queen and something will be done about the way we've been treated past,present and future. ~Hiy-Hiy~ I salute you Theresa Spence

  3. Anonymous says:

    So close to parliment hill, yet as isolated as the spot is, it is ot of sight to most canadians in a time where it should be in plain open sight on the very steps of the hill so all of the people could see and be a part of this. My heart is with you in this time of great need, prayers and blessings, chi meegwetch for your strenght.

  4. Anonymous says:

    My heart weighs heavy upon the journey you have accepted for the people of the Red Nation. Prayers and thoughts are with you always.

  5. Unknown says:

    [Description]

    Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence plans to begin a hunger strike in Ottawa this week and continue until Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the Queen agree to a treaty meeting with First Nations in Canada or she meets her “ancestors.”


    We are asking that you join us by signing up for a day of fasting in solidarity with Theresa Spence, one day per each day of her fast. This will send out a strong message of support and will let the Harper Government we want our rights respected.
    Those that are sick, disabled,or who are breastfeeding may join with prayer and smudging.
    Let's Unite and show our support by joining this event and committing to a one day fast..
    http://www.facebook.com/events/448271678567106/

  6. Anonymous says:

    Smoke and prayers will be sent to keep you strong in your resolve. Governments by their nature overlook the needs of the needy to look after the wants of those who have no need. May The Creator prosper your efforts, and soften the hearts of those you confront. Peace and Love, Honor and Respect.

  7. Anonymous says:

    Prayers and thoughts are with you from the USA

  8. Valkyrie says:

    Lets keep this story of sacrafice in the forefront of the media attention for all to see...you are in my prayers. All success to your efforts to right a wrong. Blessings!

  9. Louise Hilland says:

    As a nation what are we doing to support Theresa? This shouldn't be a one women stand. Today is 12 12 12, lets let the world know we are here. Let our voices be heard, strong and united. Love and strength from one woman of the Nuxalk Nation.

  10. Anonymous says:

    Sending prayers to help you along your journey
    Lots of love
    Honor
    Respect
    May the Creator loves
    lIght
    guard
    rule
    and guide you
    You are a blessing onto all First Nations

  11. Unknown says:

    People think funny things and do things for many reasons, a few do it for all of us .This seems to be the case here .This is a mother a mother of earth a mother of children a person that is saying hey look what is going on it is not right it is not ok . She needs help a lot of native people need help a lot of white yellow and black people need help what we all need is respect for the creator and mother earth and each other, all things that we are granted and I mean granted at our disposal .It is up to each and everyone of us to do our part lets not make this, about a loving lady going hungry for she should realy not even miss a meal we as human beings as people of CANADA as a family need to do our part the queen and harper are really little and small parts of what the bigger picture is .It is the time that all nations of our country help each other to become the greatest nation on earth .We cant change history yet we can change the outcome of the effects of others actions.May the creator guide and bless her and may her belly never feel a single pang og hunger aho

  12. Anonymous says:

    Thank you for standing for others. May the Creator keep you strong, in your times of weakness, and warm when you're cold. Sending thoughts and prayers that this hunger strike is ended in a timely manner, and the "powers that be" realize why you're doing this...the people need the help. Canada/Queen respect the treaties you signed. The people trusted you would keep your word!

  13. Anonymous says:

    chief Angus you are a brave heart..an inspiration to us all..yes something must be done..but is it the right way..sorry to say but the queen has no real political power..she is more of a decoration of english power OF THE PAST..
    the solution??next election..VOTE HARPER AND HIS MONEY GREEDY GRAPPING CLOWNS OUT OF OFFICE..HE IS SELLING CANADA BY THE POND..HES LETTING IN THE CHINESE..BIG MISTAKE..THEY DONT CONSIDER HUMAN RIGHT AS A PRIORITY..ALL THEY WANT IS THE OIL..MOTHER EARTH NATURAL BLOOD!YOU CANT EXPECT MUCH OF A MAN..THAT IS FRIEND WITH A GUY CALLED GEORGE BUSH...NEXT ELECTION..AS A NATION UNITED..VOTE NDP..THEY WILL DO MUCH MORE THEN THE REDNECK TORRES.I ONLY HAVE 1/16 OF NATIVE BLOOD GOING IN MY VEINES..BUT ITS THAT BLOOD THAT THAT CRYES OUT WHEN THEYRE IS INJUSTICE.i HAVE LIVED IN THE NUNAVIK WHEN I WAS A KID..IN THE 1960S AND IT WAS BETTER THEN TODAY..NOW ITS A NIGHTMARE,ALL THE YOUNG PEOPLE ARE DIPRESS SUICIDE IS A COMMUN WAY OUT..WHITE MAN IS A TEACHER OF GREED..SO THEY HUNTED AND FISH FOR MONEY GAIN TO THE POINT THE RECOURSES ARE ALMOST NO MORE...WE NEED TO BRING BACK THE OLDER WAYS OF LIVING,BE STRONG CHIEF ANGUS..MAY THE GREAT SPIRIT BE WITH YOU AT ALL TIMES!

  14. Anonymous says:

    SORRY I GOT THE NAMES WRONG..NOT CHIEF ANGUS ..BUT CHIEF SPENCER..SORRY
    WE WILL PRAY FOR YOU!!

  15. Richard9 says:

    She does not look a native american more European? but a very strong women indeed with fighting for a better standard of life, good luck...

  16. Anonymous says:

    May the Creator be with Chief Spence in her journey to help our country. She is very brave.

  17. Anonymous says:

    i am so sorry and ashamed that this has to go so far!
    but we have to protect our mother !
    we only have one !!!!
    my feelings are with you...

  18. Anonymous says:

    I am honored as a nishnabekwe,for you be who you are and to love with the greatness of the old people.My prayers and songs are with you in this journey .There is no greater love than to lay ones life down for another to live.I love you,my sister.

  19. Anonymous says:

    You are very Courageous we all appreciate what you are doing to get our voices heard #IdleNoMore!
    My Prayers are with you!!!

    First Nations People Lets Stand & Unite Together as we once were!!!

  20. Anonymous says:

    if the Chief is calling to meet w/ the Queen & the Canadian Prime Minister, this smacks of the situation the Mohawk Nation faced only a couple decades ago, where those two entities were playing the Native Government off one another, each shamefully denying any responsibility (ask yourself what would happen if Canada or the Crown treated any major world power this way).

    if you're going to dishonor a treaty, don't just dishonor it, GIVE BACK EVERYTHING you gained when signing it, before abandoning it (then pay all your back rent and use of resource fees, before figuring out where you're going to move).

    My heart, mind and spirit stand in solidarity w/ Chief Spence and the Attawapiskat Nation (and all Original Nations) on this one.

  21. Anonymous says:

    it IS sad! when governments become so self involved they can't even see the people they've sworn to serve!! i'm american and it's been a huge problem here for many years, the definition of "democracy" has changed (been altered). but it has been good to see that the peoples of canada seem to be heard more than they do here in the states. my prayers to you dear sister/mother!!! mitakuye oyasin!

  22. Anonymous says:

    Any one who wants to help needs to Pray. We all have this kind of injustice going on in our countries, look around, people are suffering while our Governments give aid to other countries instead of their own people in need.

  23. Anonymous says:

    I respect this woman. She represents the spirit of those that suffer. I believe in what she stands for. I hope those that CAN make changes for the people, will listen to her & make things right. God bless her.

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