Former PM Paul Martin meets with Spence, calls her 'an inspiration'
Former Liberal prime minister Paul Martin is calling Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence “an inspiration” after meeting with her on Saturday, CTV News has learned.
Martin, the highest-ranking dignitary to visit with the hunger-striking First Nations Chief at her tent in Ottawa, told CTV’s Question Period in an exclusive interview that he had a “very good” discussion with Spence.
“I just told her that she really was a, she’d become really an inspiration for all Canadians and that we were obviously concerned about her health and that she’s got to talk care of herself,” Martin said.
Spence has lived off a liquid-only diet since Dec. 11 in an effort to help call attention to the broader Idle No More Movement, which has seen groups throughout Canada hold demonstrations in a bid to forge a new relationship between Ottawa and First Nations communities.
Martin is no stranger to federal government relations with Canada’s Aboriginal Peoples.
In 2005, serving as the prime minister at the time, Martin brokered the Kelowna Accord --an intergovernmental agreement between Frist Nation leaders and both the federal and provincials governments.
Among the main priorities, which were largely set by aboriginal leaders, were education, employment and living conditions.
Three days after the Premiers agreed to the treaty, Martin’s minority government fell and was replaced by the Conservatives.
On Friday, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced that he would meet with Spence and other First Nations Chiefs on Jan. 11, ahead of the previously scheduled Jan. 24 gathering of the Assembly of First Nations.
In a statement, he said the Jan. 11 meeting will serve as a follow-up to the Crown-First Nations gathering a year ago, when the two sides discussed strengthening relations, governance, economic development and respecting treaties.
Spence has indicated that she will continue her hunger strike until the meeting with Harper takes place.
Former PM Paul Martin meets with Spence, calls her 'an inspiration' | CTV News
Former Liberal prime minister Paul Martin is calling Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence “an inspiration” after meeting with her on Saturday, CTV News has learned.
Martin, the highest-ranking dignitary to visit with the hunger-striking First Nations Chief at her tent in Ottawa, told CTV’s Question Period in an exclusive interview that he had a “very good” discussion with Spence.
“I just told her that she really was a, she’d become really an inspiration for all Canadians and that we were obviously concerned about her health and that she’s got to talk care of herself,” Martin said.
Spence has lived off a liquid-only diet since Dec. 11 in an effort to help call attention to the broader Idle No More Movement, which has seen groups throughout Canada hold demonstrations in a bid to forge a new relationship between Ottawa and First Nations communities.
Martin is no stranger to federal government relations with Canada’s Aboriginal Peoples.
In 2005, serving as the prime minister at the time, Martin brokered the Kelowna Accord --an intergovernmental agreement between Frist Nation leaders and both the federal and provincials governments.
Among the main priorities, which were largely set by aboriginal leaders, were education, employment and living conditions.
Three days after the Premiers agreed to the treaty, Martin’s minority government fell and was replaced by the Conservatives.
On Friday, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced that he would meet with Spence and other First Nations Chiefs on Jan. 11, ahead of the previously scheduled Jan. 24 gathering of the Assembly of First Nations.
In a statement, he said the Jan. 11 meeting will serve as a follow-up to the Crown-First Nations gathering a year ago, when the two sides discussed strengthening relations, governance, economic development and respecting treaties.
Spence has indicated that she will continue her hunger strike until the meeting with Harper takes place.
Former PM Paul Martin meets with Spence, calls her 'an inspiration' | CTV News
