Harper Invited by AFN to Meet Native Chiefs

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

Canada: Oye! Times readers Get FREE $30 to spend on Amazon, Walmart…
USA: Oye! Times readers Get FREE $30 to spend on Amazon, Walmart…

The aboriginal leaders of Canada have published an “urgent” invitation to Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen Harper, to attend a meeting on Jan. 24, i.e. scheduled to take place on the anniversary of a landmark Crown-First Nations gathering last year. It was announced by the spokeswoman of Chief Theresa Spence, on Thursday that she might end her hunger strike in case Harper commits to attend the meeting, i.e. due in 21 days. Chief begun her hunger strike on Dec. 11, since when she has not eaten anything and intends to keep it that way until Harper meets her.

All native chiefs are already scheduled to convene on the anniversary of the 2012 summit, in which previously Gov. Gen. David Johnston, Harper and First Nations chiefs met in Ottawa and reviewed the treaty obligations to and agreed with governance and funding plan for aboriginal communities. This scheduled meeting has come on a crucial time when the natives have already begun a nationwide movement known as Idle No More, that recently spread to abroad as well, for channeling their disapproval of how government has failed to address First Nations issues in a meaningful matter.

The National Chief of AFN, Shawn Atleo, mentioned in a statement that “there is no excuse for inaction either by First Nation leadership or by Canada.” He added that “we must see concrete commitment and action. It’s time for the Crown to honour its relationship and responsibilities to First Nations starting with the recognition and affirmation of our inherent and Treaty rights.”