Chief Theresa Spence hasn't eaten in over 11 days. The weather has taken a big turn for the worse and her tent home on Victoria Island is far from ideal. With Christmas week upon us, there is a real danger that the war room gamers in the Prime Minister's office will think they can simply wait this one out. It would be a terrible miscalculation. Make no mistake, as Ottawa shuts down for the holidays, this hunger strike is entering a very volatile and high stakes phase.
I've been deeply worried about the timing of this Christmas hunger strike since Chief Spence first announced her attentions back on December 10. On the day she started her strike, Parliamentarians were focused on getting home for the holidays. It hardly seemed like an auspicious time to begin such a drastic action. She walked up to Parliament Hill with only a handful of supporters. There was no media present. I met her at the Eternal Flame and presented her with some presents of friendship -- wool socks, a candle and a tartan blanket. I asked her to reconsider her decision. She wasn't budging. This was a serious business and she told me she wasn't backing down.
I knew then I was watching the beginning of a revolution.
Last year, the diminutive leader from Attawapiskat was thrust into the international spotlight when she declared a state of emergency over the horrific conditions on the James Bay coast. As the Red Cross touched down with emergency aid, Prime Minister Stephen Harper lashed out against the community, and accused Chief Spence of financial mismanagement. He tried to put an end to the story by deposing the Chief and Council.
It was a serious miscalculation. Chief Spence not only defied the government, but took them to Federal Court where she won a resounding victory. The mishandling of the situation was a black eye for both Minister John Duncan and the Harper government. A little bit of diplomacy and a little bit of compassion would have gone a long way to resolving the crisis before it became an international embarrassment.
As Chief Spence said at the time, "When I declared an emergency, it wasn't my intention to cause embarrassment to Canada and I didn't plan this type of exposure. I just wanted to help my community."
It is a plea she would most likely repeat today as the hunger strike drags on. The question is what role will the Prime Minister play this time around? People often describe him as a "brilliant tactician," but tactics aren't enough to run a country. From a tactical point of view, he will no doubt assume that Christmas is the worst time to mount a protest because the public's attention is being diverted to home and family. He might also think that a winter hunger strike will sap the energy of the Chief quickly and bad weather will dampen public support rallies.
Yes, this is all true. But what Mr. Harper needs to understand is that he isn't the one holding the cards.
Hunger strikes are very volatile and potentially divisive actions. They stem from desperation and a belief that all other attempts to negotiate in good faith have been exhausted.
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Chief Spence's actions have touched a chord of anger that has been brewing in First Nation communities for some time. And the physical crucible of a winter hunger strike will bring these issues to a head much quicker than the war gamers in the PMO can respond.
Yesterday, John Duncan shrugged off mass protests and unrest as a case of "that's social media. We'll see how it goes."
Well John, if Chief Spence gets sick in her tent over Christmas because of the refusal of the government to show some leadership, then it won't take a crystal ball to see where this is going. Hunger strikes have the potential to create martyrs and stir rage. One has only to remember the days of Bobby Sands and the bitter death strikes that rocked the U.K. in the 1980s.
Chief Spence has put her life on the line. This is not a game. This is not a stunt. Every day that Mr. Harper tries to wait out the crisis, the stakes rise higher. Mr. Harper has a very short window to show leadership. He needs to come the table and begin to address the issues that have driven so many First Nation communities into poverty and despair.
If Chief Spence gets sick or worse, this country will be crossing a political Rubicon. It will signal a historic rupture between the government of Canada and First Nation people. Stephen Harper has a narrow window to avert a potential tragedy. Last year, the Attawapiskat crisis became known as Canada's "Katrina" moment. Let us hope that political obstinance will not not result in the world seeing Canada's H-Block moment.
Well first off she's not going to die. Get real.
Secondly I support the idle no more movement. I support a real extensive re-design of the entire treaty framework as well as the details. I support Chief Spence and I understand that things have come to this extreme because no one pays attention. Every politician puts the natives on the backburner as long as they can.
It's very unfortunate that it comes to this because not only could this situation have been avoided but now we basically guarantee an intractable political situation. It's a catch-22 for natives. They could've screamed all day and night for a meeting and never have been heard, so now they feel forced to this extreme, the catch-22 here is this becomes a political trap for the PM. It's his own fault of course but now he's in a position were he's damned if he meets with them and of course damned if he doesn't. He has no choice and I hope he recognizes this: the sooner he meets with her the better, regardless of the productivity of such a meeting.
will probably establish for the rest of his tenure harpers nature
(for those who haven't seen it already)
the strong stable government of economic prosperity
is for a select few only
most canadians need not apply
the alberta conservatives i know are regretting the loss of the progressive part
cowboys actually like science and the environment
thus the progressive conservative win over the harper backed reform alliance wildrose
We see the rise of Christian fanatics in the US and Canada trying to deny women of their "right to chose" on the abortion debate. Now we seeing something like the suicide bombers- seeking little more than "martyrdom" - "hunger strikes"
Seems to me that if you want to change something you do it from within, alive and healthy-not dead
You are accountable for your own actions.
No wonder various tribes have problems with their kids, they set horrendous role models, as epitomized by this Chief.
Chief Spence will be around for a long time - and this preconceived hunger strike is infantile.
Not a leader as she should be, but then again ...when you believe the world owes you everything you need to recalculate and re-access your situation.
Judging by her BMI - she wont be transiting to the Happy-Hunting-Ground anytime soon.
Sometimes verisimilitude really sucks eh?
with multiple accounts
This is a man who is willing to pollute and sell off Canada..(No discussion, No debate, No thought, to citizens right to know..just ram though bills that he needes to be in effect to accomodate his and his backers, Plutcratic agenda for Canada...
He reasons,in his mind, Chief Spence will "stop short" of dying.
A man such as Harper could never understand, anyone literally, willing to giving their life, for a humanitarian cause.. He is likely biding time,to see if others will convince Chief Spence, to end her hunger strike pledge, before it seriously, endangers her life... before he, MUST intervene in the current situation.
Do not count on HARPER, to do the right thing.. (over 60% of Canadians already know he cannot be trusted as a Leader)
Let Stephen Harper commit,political suicide instead, by ignoring your plea's and those of the people.... (native and non-native).. with issues about his leadership, that need addressed). I wholeheartedly, support your right, "to be heard".. in the (once upon a time) Democratic Nation of Canada..
that would of course, be similar to the 60% who knew Chretien couldnt be trusted as a leader.
he MUST NOT intervene in the current situation. SHE is endangering her own life.
He will not be committing political suicide either. there are many (around 40%) who will still support him, as long as he doesnt give in to this blackmail. it would be no better than giving into a terrorist.
just for giggles, who do you advocate replacing him with?
the "beard"...... his recent performance or lack of it regarding the quebec situation......sort of says it all except he is a citizen of a foreign country. nothing wrong with that (before you make hay out of it).
since he refuses to give up his "other" citizenship, his loyalties are split. and i (and a lot of others) dont want a leader with split loyalties.
Jack Layton always had my vote. He was a class act all the way. A true nice guy.
however, "the beard" is another "thing" altogether. with Mr Layton's passing ( rest in peace) the party has hopped the tracks and is looking for a new set. the "beard" and harper are two different cookies from the same batch.
as for this "chief" i would say she has already been heard. and heard and heard and heard,etc,etc,etc. nothing more than a child throwing a tantrum.
NO MORE MONEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The initiation of the hunger strike may be extreme in some peoples eyes,(imo, foolish..) but it is a "peaceful", albeit, dangerous demonstration, not an uprising...yet!
One ignored, "voice", doesn't mean much, but thousands of ignored voices will rally others, to make sure ,Mr Harper will LOSE his Dictatorship in 2015..and warn future leaders to LISTEN when citizens "speak".
I will be voting NDP, and watching them, to make sure they keep their word, if elected... or I will ride them as hard, as I rode Harper's Govt.
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The Politics of Inclusion: Granting Aboriginals the Vote
Ottawa, Canada
1960
From Confederation to 1960, there had never been a time when every age eligible Canadian could vote. Whether it was because of race, gender, national origin, or religious belief, there have always Canadian citizens that were excluded from the democratic process.
Finally, the federal government removed the restrictions placed on aboriginal peoples with respect to the vote. Beginning in 1960, aboriginal Canadians were no longer required to give up their treaty rights and renounce their status under the Indian Act in order to qualify for the vote.
Any human being knows that.
You clearly know nothing of history or of the current situation. (as evidenced by your "the only Indian (sic) plan I have heard....")
Have you read the omnibus bill? .... or even a synopsis? .... have you read any of the treaties of which we are in violation currently, that most first-nations east of BC signed when they let us use their land for our homes, farms, and resources?
fine, if they want to stick to the treaties, we will stick to them, EXACTLY AS WRITTEN, not one single thing more.
i dont think they are lazy.
what other words are you going to put in people's mouths? he didnt say any of those things.