By: Assembly of First Nations Quebec and Labrador | Press Release: WENDAKE, QC – Madam Jeannette Pilot, an Innu from Uashat Mani-Uténam, has undertaken a hunger strike this past January 1st. On March 13th, Madam Pilot indicated that she was now refraining from drinking, thus moving on to a complete fast.
Continue readingTag: HUNGER STRIKE
The Canadian Progressive: Chief Theresa Spence Ends 43-Day Hunger Strike With Declaration “Towards Fundamental Change”
by Guest Blogger | The Canadian Progressive, Jan 25, 2013 Attawapiskat First Nation Chief Theresa Spence signed the First Nations declaration that ended her 43-day hunger strike at Ottawa’s Victoria Island . The 13-point declaration, entitled “First Nations: Working Towards Fundamental Change”, was signed jointly with First Nations leaders and Canada’s federal opposition parties.
Continue readingCowichan Conversations: Calling In The Backup: Chiefs Unite To Face PM Harper
This is Day 40 of Chief Theresa Spence’s Hunger Strike. She has reportedly lost 30 pounds while living on a liquid diet to protest living conditions and treaty infractions faced by natives across Canada. The Huffington Post featured this report by Canadian Press reporter Heather Schofield. OTTAWA – Top First
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: NWAC President writes to PM Harper regarding Chief Spence
by Michèle Audette | Native Women’s Association of Canada, Jan 16, 2013 Dear Prime Minister Harper, Let me introduce myself, my name is Michèle Audette, President of the Native Women’s Association of Canada. I am a mother of five adorable children, and I am deeply committed to my nation and
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: AFN update on meeting with PM Harper, Chief Spence and Idle No More
by Assembly of First Nations | Jan 16, 2013 The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is pleased to offer this update regarding recent discussions, strategy sessions, meetings and developments regarding the First Nation-Crown relationship, and the continued priorities of First Nations in achieving change for our peoples, communities and nations. Meeting
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Chief Spence decries Harper’s “paternalistic relationship” with Aboriginals
For Immediate Release: January 11, 2013, Victoria Island, traditional territory of the Algonquian Peoples: Chief Theresa Spence is standing firm on her request that both Prime Minster and Governor General of Canada need to be present and participate at the meeting with First Nation leaders. This statement comes on the
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Quebec students support Idle No More, the ‘Native Spring’ of 2013
by L’Association pour une solidarité syndicale étudiante (ASSÉ) | Jan 11, 2013 L’Association pour une solidarité syndicale étudiante (ASSÉ), the Quebec student movement which prosecuted the hugely successful 2012 Quebec student protests against tuition hikes, has issued the following statement of solidarity with #IdleNoMore: Last year the streets of Quebec vibrated to the rhythm of hundreds
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: In Ottawa, Thousands of #IdleNoMore And Allied Protesters Demand Real Change (PHOTOS)
by Obert Madondo | The Canadian Progressive | Jan 11, 2013 7.00 PM EST #IdleNoMore’s show of people-power forced Prime Minister Stephen Harper to stay for entire five hours of meeting with First Nations leaders. More than five thousand #IdleNoMore protesters gathered in Ottawa today as Prime Minister Stephen Harper and First Nations leaders held a closed-door
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: For #IdleNoMore, support and prayer from Kobe, Japan (PHOTO)
From Kobe, Japan, an expression of support and solidarity for hunger striker Attawapiskat First Nation Chief Theresa Spence and the phenomenal #IdleNoMore grassroots movement for Aboriginal rights and sovereignty: This photo: Photo via Facebook And these words: Today , we gathered together to pray in Kobe Japan. We hope this prayer can reach to Chief Theresa
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Harper government bills that enraged First Nations, Theresa Spence, and birthed #IdleNoMore
Yesterday, Idle No More, the grassroots movement for Aboriginal justice, flexed its muscle with peaceful blockages of bridges and border crossings across Canada. Dr. Pamela Palmater, an indigenous activist and chair in Indigenous Governance at Ryerson University, says #IdleNoMore is pushing back at the aggressive assimilation agenda of the right-wing Conservative government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Ottawa businesses support Chief Theresa Spence’s hunger strike
by Teresa Smith | Ottawa Citizen: OTTAWA — Two Ottawa businesses are donating their time and services to help Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence as she continues to her hunger strike for aboriginal treaty rights. Lara Purvis, 33, the floor manager at Venus Envy on Lisgar St. near Bank St., says
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Again, hunger-striking Chief Spence calls on PM Harper, Governor General to meet
For immediate release: January 4, 2013, Victoria Island, traditional territory of the Algonquian Peoples: As Chief Theresa Spence enters into her twenty fifth day of her hunger strike, her message is becoming more crucial. “We are calling on the Prime Minister and the Governor General to meet with us. This
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Chief Theresa Spence speaks on Day 21 of hunger strike against Harper Conservatives
For immediate release: December 31, 2012, Victoria Island, traditional territory of the Algonquian Peoples: Today is the twenty first day of Chief Theresa Spence’s hunger strike and the last day of 2012. Yesterday, Chief Spence met with Senators and Members of Parliament from the New Democratic Party, Liberal Party and
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Canada’s Indigenous #IdleNoMore Movement Gains Momentum (VIDEO)
First Nations groups denied their constitutionally-protected rights, targeted by the Harper Conservative government In Canada, #IdleNoMore, an indigenous rights movement that started as a small social media campaign, is gaining momentum. The movement is spearheaded by Chief Theresa Spence, the leader of the Attawapiskat First Nation, who is now on Day 23
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Spence hunger strike: FN Chiefs contemplate Canada-wide “economic disruptions”
by Obert Madondo | The Canadian Progressive | January 01, 2013 “Economic impacts are imminent if there is no response.” APTN National News is reporting that First Nations leaders are contemplating Canada-wide “economic disruptions by the middle of January if Prime Minister Stephen Harper doesn’t agree to hunger-striking Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence’s
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Chief Spence says Harper government has encouraged “segregation”
For immediate release: December 31, 2012, Victoria Island, traditional territory of the Algonquian Peoples: Today is the thirty first day of Chief Theresa Spence’s hunger strike and the last day of 2012. Yesterday, Chief Spence met with Senators and Members of Parliament from the New Democratic Party, Liberal Party and Parti
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: United Church of Canada implores Harper to meet with hunger striker Chief Spence
by United Church of Canada: December 19, 2012 The Right Hon. Stephen Harper Prime Minister of Canada House of Commons, Ottawa, Ontario Fax: 613-941-6900 Dear Prime Minister Harper: We write with urgency to implore you to meet with Attawapiskat First Nation Chief Theresa Spence, as soon as possible. We are
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Idle No More at Ottawa’s Rideau Centre today
At the Idle No More event at Ottawa’s Rideau Centre today, I bore witness: I saw friendly activists handing out literature: I saw a poster that said “We Support Chief Spence”. Theresa Spence, the Chief of the Northern Ontario First Nation of Attawapiskat is in Day 20 of her hunger strike. She
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Theresa Spence Hunger Strike: Social Media Conversation on Day 19
It’s the end of Day 19 of Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence’s indefinite hunger strike, taking place here in Ottawa. Spence started her peaceful protest on December 11, 2012. She’s demanding a meeting involving Prime Minister Stephen Harper, a representative of the Queen and First Nations leaders. She wants to discuss treaty agreements between
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Idle No More dance and speeches on Parliament Hill (VIDEO)
This colorful video of the December 21, 2012, Idle No More protest on Parliament Hill, will always remain one of the highlights of my career as a progressive activist. The video includes speeches by supporters and helpers of hunger striker Chief Theresa Spence. The speakers also repeated Spence’s call for a meeting involving Prime
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