Chief Theresa Spence, Dec. 25
Chief Theresa Spence begins the 16th day of her hunger strike this morning. This photo of her from yesterday, December 25 – Christmas Day, comes from Twitter @ChiefTheresa. To read commentary by Naomi Klein posted to rabble.ca on December 24, please see http://rabble.ca/columnists/2012/12/idle-no-more-chief-theresa-spences-hunger-speaks-all-us, and from Brigette DePape in Maclean’s on December 25, go to http://www2.macleans.ca/2012/12/25/idle-no-more-is-a-christmas-gift-to-us-all/. The spin in today’s mainstream media from one of Harper’s ministers that he is “concerned” about Chief Spence’s health is insincere at best. Last year, the UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples expressed concern to the Harper government about the conditions in Chief Spence’s community of Attawapiskat, including the lack of running water. This same minister, Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan, dismissed the concern as a “publicity stunt”. Please send your message to the Prime Minister at pm@pm.gc.ca demanding that he meet with Chief Spence immediately. Solidarity with the Aamjiwnaang First Nation today, the 6th day of their blockade of the rail line near Sarnia, Ontario. And solidarity with the Garden River First Nation as they prepare for a 12-hour blockade tomorrow (Thursday December 27) of rail and road through their territory near Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.
