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
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The 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
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Why does it take a hunger strike to gain media attention for Aboriginal issues in Canada?
Dana Wensley | Troy Media: The issue is one of of fairness As First Nation groups continue their protests against Bill C-45, what comes as a surprise to me is that it took so long to happen in Canada. In the lead up to Canada Day I noted that while other
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: To Chief Theresa Spence, From Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan
by Obert Madondo: If it’s a Christmas present, it’s a terrible one. No, an insult. A window into the insidious, hostile and frozen core of political power in Canada under Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the Conservatives. Yesterday, Christmas Day, Harper’s Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan wrote to Chief Spence, whose indefinite hunger
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Idle No More: An audio essay by the CBC Radio’s Jian Ghomeshi
Jian Ghomeshi, the host of “Q”, a national daily cultural affairs talk program on the CBC’s Radio One, weighs in on the Idle No More grassroots movement for First Nations rights in Canada. Ghomeshi tackles the slogan, the hashtag, and the movement. RELATED: Canada’s First Nations leaders confront Harper Gvt
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: This Christmas, Canadians and First Nations Idle No More
Neither the bitter Canadian winter nor the holiday season are slowing down Chief Theresa Spence and the phenomenal Idle No More movement. Flash mobs and other peaceful protest actions are either under way or planned for the near future, including the ongoing blockade of a CN Rail line in Sarnia, Ontario. Chief
Continue readingCowichan Conversations: Massive Support For Chief Teresa Spence-Just Twitter ‘Idle No More’
Chief Teresa Spence is now on Day 15 of her strike on behalf of indigenous peoples struggles everywhere. She has vowed to continue her hunger strike until Canadian Prime Minister meets with her to deal with the deplorable living conditions so many Natives are facing nation wide. The call for
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Hunger striker Chief Theresa Spence gets 5 500 Twitter followers in only 40 hours
Today marks Day 14 of Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence’s indefinite hunger strike. Still, Canada’s Prime Minister refuses to tear down his stubborn wall of silence over the peaceful protest. He remains unwilling to meet Spence legitimate demand for a face-to-face meeting of the prime minister, Governor General and First Nations leaders. Michael
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Alberta Federation of Labour urges Canadians to be Idle No More
by Alberta Federation of Labour: The Alberta Federation of Labour is urging Canadians to be Idle No More in opposing Bill C-45. On the morning of Friday, Dec. 21, union representatives marched with First Nations leaders and Albertans from all walks of life in Edmonton at an “Idle No More” rally against
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Canadian Labour Congress supports Idle No More and Chief Spence
by Canadian Labour Congress: The Canadian Labour Congress supports Chief Theresa Spence of the Attawapiskat First Nation in northern Ontario, who is on a hunger strike in Ottawa. She is determined not to eat until granted an audience with the Prime Minister to discuss conditions on her reserve and government
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Pressure mounting on PM Harper to meet hunger striker Theresa Spence
by Obert Madondo: Pressure is mounting on Prime Minister Stephen Harper to tear down his stubborn wall of silence over hunger striker Chief Theresa Spence. First Nations leaders, the opposition, unions, the media, grassroots movements and individuals are urging Harper to meet with the Attawapiskat First Nation chief as her indefinite protest reaches the
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Hunger Striker Chief Theresa Spence’s Exclusive Interview With The CBC
In this exclusive interview with the CBC’s Chris Rands, hunger striker Chief Theresa Spence explains her peaceful protest. Chief Spence started her hunger strike here in Ottawa on December 11. She’s demanded an immediate meeting with Prime Minister Stephen Harper and a representative of the Crown to discuss the treaty
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Harper saddened by NHL lockout, NOT by Chief Spence’s hunger strike
Once again, proof that Canada’s biggest shame is its Conservative Prime Minister. Stephen Harper is saddened by the ongoing NHL lockout, according to the Metro News Ottawa. And, apparently, NOT by Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence’s ongoing hunger strike right here in Ottawa. As Spence’s gallant protest enters Day 9., Harper
Continue readingWalking Turcot Yards: Hunger Strike As First Nations Serve Notice
Open letter on behalf of the First Nations leaders to the Right Honourable Governor General David Johnston and the Right Honourable Prime Minister of Canada Stephen Harper OTTAWA, Dec. 16, 2012 /CNW/ – On behalf of the National Executive of the Assembly of First Nations, we write today regarding an
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Chief Spence Hunger Strike: Solidarity letter from the Canadian Union of Postal Workers
by Canadian Union of Postal Workers: Chief Theresa Spence, The Canadian Union of Postal Workers honour Chief Theresa Spence of Attawapiskat for her courageous stand in defense of the land against the moral bankruptcy of the Canadian state. We recognize the racist and genocidal history of Canada and that the
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: As Theresa Spence’s hunger strike enters second week, National Chief Atleo calls for urgent meeting with Harper
by Assembly of First Nations: Open letter on behalf of the First Nations leaders to the Right Honourable Governor General David Johnston and the Right Honourable Prime Minister of Canada Stephen Harper: On behalf of the National Executive of the Assembly of First Nations, we write today regarding an urgent
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Idle No More: Canadian Citizen Writes to the Governor General
A Canadian citizen writes to the Governor General, declaring fierce opposition to numerous pieces of legislation recently passed by the Harper Government. The bills the writer has issue with seek to further exploit, disempower, control and marginalize First Nations. They include Bill C-45, which is at the heart of both the
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: What Chief Spence’s Hunger Strike Says About Canada
by Obert Madondo | Huffington Post Blog http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/obert-madondo/cheif-hunger-strike-democracy_b_2298786.html “I’m willing to die for my people because the pain is too much and it’s time for the government to realize what (it’s) doing to us.” The chief of the northern Ontario First Nation reserve of Attawapiskat uttered the haunting statement as
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Chief Theresa Spence speaks on first day of her hunger strike (VIDEO)
Maggie Padlewska of One Year One World interviews Attawapiskat First Nations Chief Theresa Spence on Victoria Island on December 11, 2012, during the first day of her hunger protest against the Harper government’s continuing abuse of First Nations. Chief Spence is demanding a meeting with Prime Minister Stephen Harper and a representative of the Queen.
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: National labor union urges Harper to meet with hunger striking Chief Theresa Spence
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE), one of Canada’s largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members, is calling on Prime Minister Stephen Harper to meet with hunger striking Chief Theresa Spence. The Chief of the northern Ontario First Nation reserve of Attawapiskat began a hunger strike here
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