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 readingTag: Chief Theresa Spence Hunger Strike
The 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: 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 readingCowichan Conversations: Hey Steve Harper – Crunch These Numbers!
Richard Hub Hughes-Political Blogger Canadians are all going to be affected by the Harper Government handiwork on many levels. In the news right now of course the Chief Theresa Spence Hunger Strike and the ever growing ‘Idle No More’ movement are, as they say, trending. The pressure on PM Harper
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Chief Theresa Spence’s Heroism Already Eclipses Nelson Mandela’s
by Obert Madondo | Huffington Post Blog: http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/obert-madondo/chief-theresa-spences-her_b_2408049.html Hunger-striking Attawapiskat First Nation Chief Theresa Spence is the reincarnation of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. She is becoming the greatest moral and political leader of our time. In fact, Chief Theresa Spence’s courage and sacrifice already eclipses that of South Africa’s
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: Netherlands Quakers & Mennonites Support Chief Spence and #IdleNoMore (PHOTO)
Netherlands Quakers & Mennonites sent their message of support and solidarity to hunger striker Attawapiskat First Nation Chief Theresa Spence and the phenomenal #IdleNoMore grassroots movement for Aboriginal rights and sovereignty: Photo via Facebook RELATED: Chief Spence says Harper government has encouraged “segregation” PETITION: British Crown Must Honour Canada-First Nations Treaties, Revoke Bill C-45,
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: Indigenous and Human Rights Groups Issue Joint Statement Supporting Chief Spence and #IdleNoMore
Twenty-four indigenous and human rights groups have issued the following joint statement supporting the #IdleNoMore grassroots movement and Chief Theresa Spence, who is in the fourth week of her indefinite hunger strike on Ottawa’s Victoria Island, just across from the Canadian Parliament. Chief Spence, the leader of the northern Ontario Attawapiskat First
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: Elizabeth May shares her 2002 hunger strike experience, begs Harper to meet Chief Spence
During my 85-day hunger strike against Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s New Jim Crow-style crime Bill C-10, the deceptively christened “Safe Streets and Communities Act”, a prominent opposition MP told me hunger protests weren’t part of the process of democratic engagement in Canada. I was shocked and disappointed. First, during our conversation on
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: Is Chief Theresa Spence your 2012 newsmaker of the year? POLL
Is hunger striker Chief Theresa Spence, who entered Day 20 of her peaceful protest today, your 2012 newsmaker of the year? Is it the Idle No More movement? The Quebec student movement? Beleaguered Toronto Mayor Rob Ford? Is it Kevin Page, Canada’s fearless gallant Parliamentary Budget Officer, who showed uncommon courage recently when he took the Harper government
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: 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: Hunger striker Chief Spence urges supporters to maintain pressure on Stephen Harper
In the press release below, issued on Friday, December 28, hunger striker Chief Theresa Spence invites MPs and Senators to visit her at her teepee on Victoria Island, a short walking distance from Parliament Hill, on Sunday, December 30th, 2012. Chief Spence, who is now on Day 19 of her
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Amnesty International Urges Harper to meet with hunger striker Chief Spence
by Amnesty International Canada: Editor’s Intro: In the letter bellow, issued yesterday, Amnesty International urges Prime Minister Stephen Harper to meet with hunger-striker Chief Theresa Spence as her peaceful protest reaches Day 18. Chief Spence is demanding a meeting involving Harper, a representative of the Queen, and First Nations leaders. She wants
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