Attawapiskat chief goes on hunger strike

[petros]

The Official Idle No More Website - Idle No More

Under important information.
Can't do a cut and paste from my tablet.

The Official Idle No More Website - The Official Idle No More Website


IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

The Founders and many of the organizers of Idle No More from Across Canada have been given word that the Leadership is calling for action in the name of Idle No More.


They have also stated in a press release that they have met with Idle No More representatives that support this call. We would like to state that this is FALSE.


The Chiefs have called for action and anyone who chooses can join with them, however this is not part of the Idle No More movement as the vision of this grassroots movement does not coincide with the visions of the Leadership.

While we appreciate the individual support we have received from Chiefs and councelors, we have been given a clear mandate by the grassroots to work outside of the systems of government and that is what we will continue to do. We are not trying to have division amongst this movement! However Chief Nepinak stated, "we are behind the grassroots people". Please let others know!!!!


I would also like to add, the face of the Idle No More people are you and I. The people who walk turtle island and the people who walk on this earth.

Sound familiar?

Spence and Idle No More have zero in common. Spence and the media trampled all over the core issues of Idle No More.

 

[Colpy]

The Official Idle No More Website - The Official Idle No More Website


IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

The Founders and many of the organizers of Idle No More from Across Canada have been given word that the Leadership is calling for action in the name of Idle No More.


They have also stated in a press release that they have met with Idle No More representatives that support this call. We would like to state that this is FALSE.


The Chiefs have called for action and anyone who chooses can join with them, however this is not part of the Idle No More movement as the vision of this grassroots movement does not coincide with the visions of the Leadership.

While we appreciate the individual support we have received from Chiefs and councelors, we have been given a clear mandate by the grassroots to work outside of the systems of government and that is what we will continue to do. We are not trying to have division amongst this movement! However Chief Nepinak stated, "we are behind the grassroots people". Please let others know!!!!


I would also like to add, the face of the Idle No More people are you and I. The people who walk turtle island and the people who walk on this earth.

Sound familiar?

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

We don't have a clue who we are, what we are doing, or who the leadership is....

We have no coherent philosophy, no plan, and no sense.

We are Idle No More.

Shame that.

 

[karrie]

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

We don't have a clue who we are, what we are doing, or who the leadership is....

We have no coherent philosophy, no plan, and no sense.

We are Idle No More.

Shame that.

Looks like they know precisely who they are....a grassroots movement made up of people who are not band leaders. Looks like they have a pretty coherent philosophy... to educate people on the true impact of the bills being brought forth. Really, read through

 

[petros]

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

We don't have a clue who we are, what we are doing, or who the leadership is....

We have no coherent philosophy, no plan, and no sense.

We are Idle No More.

Shame that.

Turn on your "media filter" Colpy.

 

[gerryh]

The Official Idle No More Website - The Official Idle No More Website


IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

The Founders and many of the organizers of Idle No More from Across Canada have been given word that the Leadership is calling for action in the name of Idle No More.


They have also stated in a press release that they have met with Idle No More representatives that support this call. We would like to state that this is FALSE.


The Chiefs have called for action and anyone who chooses can join with them, however this is not part of the Idle No More movement as the vision of this grassroots movement does not coincide with the visions of the Leadership.

While we appreciate the individual support we have received from Chiefs and councelors, we have been given a clear mandate by the grassroots to work outside of the systems of government and that is what we will continue to do. We are not trying to have division amongst this movement! However Chief Nepinak stated, "we are behind the grassroots people". Please let others know!!!!


I would also like to add, the face of the Idle No More people are you and I. The people who walk turtle island and the people who walk on this earth.

Sound familiar?

Keep reading. I told you where to look. Your choice to ignore.

 

[petros]

Looks like they know precisely who they are....a grassroots movement made up of people who are not band leaders. Looks like they have a pretty coherent philosophy... to educate people on the true impact of the bills being brought forth. Really, read through

There is far more to it than the Bills. The Chiefs don't represent Urban Natives. Never have, never will and that is why Idle No More wants seperation in the media.

Keep reading. I told you where to look. Your choice to ignore.

The ADHD kicking in again?

Chief Spence decided she would fast on that day as part of her action to support the Idle No More movement. It is very important this history is known. We are very greatful for Theresa Spences honourable and courageous support, we also need to remember the face of Idle No More is also the grassroots people.

 

[karrie]

Keep reading. I told you where to look. Your choice to ignore.

They say they are grateful for her support, but they say repeatedly she does not represent them.

 

[petros]

They say they are grateful for her support, but they say repeatedly she does not represent them.

But the headlines karrie...

Well, if the "founders" don't support her then they have lost control because right on the front page is a statement of support for Chief Spence.

 

[Mowich]

I don't think the G.G. should involve himself directly with such issues.

The courts long ago determined that treaty obligations the Crown had entered into now are the responsibility of the Canadian government. This was done at Confederation. Thus, the GG has no place at this table.

Strange then that idle no more supports Spence.

I guess it depends on who the media decides to interview, gerry as I have heard several members of Idle No More distance themselves from Spence.

Well, if the "founders" don't support her then they have lost control because right on the front page is a statement of support for Chief Spence.

And this should come as a surprise. They have no coherent message, gerry.

 

[petros]

They have no coherent message, gerry.

They do but nobody is listening.

 

[Mowich]

As the Globe's Jeffrey Simpson noted in a recent column, one of the sadder symptoms of the pervasive ignorance plaguing much of this country's aboriginal leadership is a bizarre belief that Canada still operates under some manner of robustly royalist government. A system where our monarchs and viceroys are not simply -- to paraphrase my old poli-sci teacher -- folks who "cut the ribbon at the new Wal-Mart," but rather functional co-rulers of the state, à la, say, Saudi Arabia.

I mention this because yesterday's revelation that hunger-striking Attawapiskat chief Theresa Spence will be boycotting the Prime Minister's Friday summit so long as Governor General Johnston remains a no-show only makes sense once you've unlearned eighth grade civics in this peculiar fashion. Like many of her contemporaries, Spence evidently clings to the childishly literal notion that "the Crown," to quote Simpson, is "somehow an independent agency" within Canada's government, as opposed to merely a synonym for it. (Chief Spence has also written a number of bossy letters to Queen Elizabeth demanding Her Maj's "intervention." Will and Kate no doubt eagerly await their instructions.)


What makes this sideshow all the more embarrassing is that amid all the proper care and feeding Spence's been giving her peoples' non-existent partnership with Buckingham Palace, there's been a complete breakdown in the Chief's relationship with the one independent agency whose power actually does matter -- the press.


Despite some gripes from the usual places about a "Media Party" conspiracy to whitewash the antics of Starvin' Spence, it's fast becoming clear that whatever journalistic goodwill the woman initially possessed is vanishing faster than her latest serving of fish broth. The indifferent contempt in which she has so consistently held the press is beginning to return in kind. You can almost hear her 15 minutes ticking away.


Read on:


J.J. McCullough: Media Bites: Chief Spence, Your 15 Minutes Are Up

 

[gerryh]

They say they are grateful for her support, but they say repeatedly she does not represent them.

I neversaid that she represents them. Their words make itobvious that they do support her and that is all I have been saying. Petros stated that they don't support her.

 

[karrie]

They have no coherent message, gerry.

As the Globe's Jeffrey Simpson noted in a recent column, one of the sadder symptoms of the pervasive ignorance plaguing much of this country's aboriginal leadership is a bizarre belief that Canada still operates under some manner of robustly royalist government.

And actually, if you read through the Idle No More page, especially about its inception, the non-existent mission you mention, is to educate on these exact types of things. They talk about the teach-ins they've held to educate the First Nations people on what treaty rights actually are. Which is, as your article says, sadly lacking in this country.

 

[petros]

I neversaid that she represents them. Their words make itobvious that they do support her and that is all I have been saying. Petros stated that they don't support her.

Well, if the "founders" don't support her then they have lost control because right on the front page is a statement of support for Chief Spence.

ADHD must have a been a bitch to grow up with.....

 

[karrie]

I neversaid that she represents them. Their words make itobvious that they do support her and that is all I have been saying. Petros stated that they don't support her.

I still don't read a statement of support. i read them thanking HER for HER support, not extending it the other way around. Quite the opposite. They say repeatedly that they want the chiefs left out of it.

 

[Retired_Can_Soldier]

I don't think the issue should go away. I think it should be cracked wide open. Do you honestly have no nagging impression that our government might maybe just a little be willing to try its best to discredit her?

I don't like the way she's seemingly cracked up under the pressure, lashing out at the media, but I also don't buy the government line 100%

I'm not the government, but this Chief's motives, from the get go, stunk of self preservation and deflection.

As to the governments willingness to discredit her, well the numbers speak for themselves and yes I absolutely think that the government is playing politics, so is First Nations.

That's what they do.

 

[skookumchuck]

Harper hasn't fulfilled his part. He is not going to be there. He's is going to be there at the opening only.

Turning this into partisan politics is totally unhelpful. Many years of liberals have done worse.

 

[Retired_Can_Soldier]

Turning this into partisan politics is totally unhelpful. Many years of liberals have done worse.

Some are pragmatic and some are partisan. Unfortunately politics at all levels is what has made this a royal cluster F.

 

[gerryh]

I still don't read a statement of support. i read them thanking HER for HER support, not extending it the other way around. Quite the opposite. They say repeatedly that they want the chiefs left out of it.

If they had just said they were grateful, you might have a point, but the descriptive words used to describe her implied a little more than that. IMO.


I also see that they state that THEY are the leaders. If that is the case then they are responsible for the existing situation. The leadership of any organization is where the buck stops.

 

[petros]

Turning this into partisan politics is totally unhelpful. Many years of liberals have done worse.

Ummm... ???