29°c A few clouds
15°c Cloudy periods
Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Hunger strike over, hard work begins
She leaves Ottawa with her head high. Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence's courageous 44-day fast epitomized the hunger of Canada's First Nations for recognition and a square deal, and her camp-out near Parliament Hill helped drive the issue to the top of the national agenda and onto the international stage.
While Spence couldn't compel Prime Minister Stephen Harper to convoke Gov. Gen. David Johnston to a meeting with First Nations leaders, her protest had a far wider impact by highlighting the plight of many native communities: high unemployment, youth suicides, underfunded schools and services, mouldy housing, unfit water, missing and murdered women. After having roused the nation's conscience and having catalyzed other protests, Spence was right to call off her fast. There was no cause to risk her health any further.
Related Items
As Spence's spokesman, Danny Metatawabin, put it on Thursday: "We will not be forgotten. We will not be put behind. We have awakened." That is the raw message of the youth-driven Idle No More movement as well. It is a demand for justice that political leaders should take to heart.
Spence's fast was controversial. Skeptics question how much she really accomplished, apart from a hurried, firefighting meeting on Jan. 11 between Harper, Assembly of First Nations Chief Shawn Atleo and other chiefs. Many Canadians take a dim view of Idle No More and doubt her fast will have lasting impact. A critical audit of Attawapiskat's books didn't help.
Moreover, the AFN very nearly split as Spence and younger voices defiantly challenged traditional negotiating methods. But divisive or not, this was a cry of anguish that cannot be ignored.
Canada's treatment of 1.7 million First Nations people is a national scandal that demands urgent action. We've seen mass rallies on Parliament Hill, in cities across the country and disruption along rail lines and highways. A crisis is brewing that threatens Ottawa's plans to exploit $600 billion in natural resources on or around native lands.
The ambitious 13-point declaration by the NDP, Liberals and AFN that formally ended Spence's fast is designed to keep up the pressure when Parliament resumes. It reaffirms Spence's call for a meeting with Harper, Johnston and the chiefs. It seeks a better funding deal from Ottawa, starting with investments in housing, schooling and native languages. It seeks a "meaningful consultation" on federal legislation that impinges on native interests and rights. It calls on provinces and territories to share resource revenues and seeks an inquiry into violence against women.
It is a checklist for a healthier relationship between Canada's governments and indigenous people. For that, Chief Spence deserves her share of credit and respect.
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition January 28, 2013 A10
More Analysis
- Back to Top
- Return to Analysis
More Analysis
(1 of 6 articles for today)
Peace process with Taliban fragile
1:58 PM 0Past attempts by the Obama administration to start peace talks with the Afghan Taliban foundered in part because the process ...
Poll
Most Popular Analysis
- Hike to PST will bite Manitobans hard
- Hidden no more
- Don't let flood-evacuee problems kill the vision
- Pimachiowin Aki is exceptional heritage
- Quebec's nationalism run amok
- Canadian to expose alien collaboration with U.S.
- Firm sues governments over intellectual property
- Smart people SLEEP LATE
- Iran’s president-elect a glimmer of hope
- Street art stifled in Winnipeg
- Too rural, too white, too male
- Canadian to expose alien collaboration with U.S.
- Quebec's nationalism run amok
- Smart people SLEEP LATE
- Beauty and the (mortgage) Beast
- Was east side misled by NDP government?
- Expense scandal dogs Nova Scotia's fading NDP government
- UNESCO's concerns unrelated to Bipole III
- Appalling rates of public-sector absenteeism must be addressed
- The view of Bipole III from Hart Mountain
- Canadian to expose alien collaboration with U.S.
- Smart people SLEEP LATE
- Key of Bart: Video Killed The Mayor Who Hates The Toronto Star
- Too rural, too white, too male
- A sorry fact -- Katz finds it hard to apologize
- Ford puts Toronto on the map at last
- Manitoba Hydro's halcyon days are gone
- The key of Bart
- Ford can't resign as mayor soon enough
- Obama gets ‘revenge’ with Rice appointment
- UNESCO's concerns unrelated to Bipole III
- Smart people SLEEP LATE
- Shed more light on JTF2 secrets
- Hydro must serve citizens, not government
- The view of Bipole III from Hart Mountain
- Aging makes women proud — and loud
- Was east side misled by NDP government?
- Quebec's nationalism run amok
- Canadian to expose alien collaboration with U.S.
- Here comes War of 1812
- No bailouts required for Pollock's
- Smart people SLEEP LATE
- Teachers should fast-track inclusive plan
- Manitoba Hydro's halcyon days are gone
- Hydro must serve citizens, not government
- Shocking exclusion
- Canadian to expose alien collaboration with U.S.
- Gadgets in classrooms are gimmicks
- ‘Stand your ground’ case not what it seemed
- Hydro plans will be scrutinized in public
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
Have Your Say
Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscribers only. why?
Login SubscribeHave Your Say
Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press Subscribers only. why?
SubscribeThe Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.