Hunger strike gains support. PM urged to meet

 Saskatchewan First Nations people and chiefs are supporting the hunger strike of Attawapiskat First Nation Chief Theresa Spence Photograph by: Supplied photo , courtesy FSIN vice-chief Simon Bird

By Natalie Stechyson, Postmedia News; With Files From The Leader-Post

Theresa Spence gained an unexpected and passionately outspoken ally as a former lieutenant-governor of Ontario called on Prime Minister Stephen Harper to "show that he's a leader" and meet with the Attawapiskat chief as she enters the third week of her hunger strike.
About 10 women are also standing "in solidarity" with Spence in Regina, beginning a four-day fast set to end Sunday.
Harper need not fear meeting with Spence to negotiate better living conditions for aboriginals would show any weakness, said James Bartleman, who served as Ontario's lieutenant-governor from 2002 to 2007 and is a member of the Chippewas of Rama First Nation.
"If he was to do something like that, he would be doing something that he could be proud of for the rest of his life, but if he doesn't do that, I would say shame on him," Bartleman told Postmedia News on Thursday.
"If she carries on like this, I would think she would die."...Continue reading...