Manitoba chiefs renew call for meeting PM
Harper won’t commit to conference with chiefs, governor general
OTTAWA — Stephen Harper won’t commit to a Thursday meeting demanded by some First Nations chiefs, but he will meet soon with Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn Atleo.
Manitoba First Nations chiefs said Friday they want a meeting with the prime minister and the governor general Thursday on a “nation to nation” basis, echoing the demands of Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence, who is still on a protest fast.
Many chiefs opposed Atleo’s decision to meet with the prime minister Jan. 11, demanding Gov. Gen. David Johnston’s presence and a bigger venue, to accommo- date more chiefs. Those conditions were reiterated on Friday.
“As we said following the meeting last week, the Prime Minister will be meeting with the National Chief in the coming weeks,” Harper spokesman Carl Vallée said, adding that the prime minister’s office has yet to receive a request from the AFN.
“Any request would be reviewed if and when it’s received.”
The AFN is said to be in the process of writing a letter to Harper requesting the meeting, which Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Derek Nepinak said needs to be “on our terms.”
“We will not bow down to prescriptive and predetermined agendas. We will not bow down to the types of meetings that we’ve had in the past with the prime minister,” said Nepinak, who was among those protesting outside the Jan. 11 meeting.
With Atleo on medical leave this week, there have been whispers of efforts to oust him from his post.
Friday, Nepinak called for unity and said he takes exception to portrayals of the Manitoba chiefs as dissidents.
But he also stated clearly that the AFN’s decision to demand a new meeting was se- cured “in the absence of the national chief.”
Nepinak said Spence’s continued physical deterioration adds urgency to the request.
Spence had been on a liquid diet for 39 days as of Friday. She has refused solid foods in hopes of securing a meeting in which the prime minister, Governor General and First Nations leaders are all in the same room.
Nepinak stopped short of calling for Spence to give up her protest, saying he supports whatever she decides. But fellow Manitoba Grand Chief Murray Clearsky said he has asked her, on behalf of some Manitoba chiefs and elders, to go home and join her family.
In a statement, Spence echoed the Manitoba chiefs’ call for the Thursday meeting and thanked them for their support.