Fasting Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence remains steadfast in her commitment to forgo solid foods, despite federal officials agreeing to work with aboriginal leaders to resolve land claims and treaty issues.
In an exclusive interview with CTVâs Question Period, Spence said she will continue to hold out for a meeting with Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Gov.-Gen. David Johnston and First Nations leaders before agreeing to end the fast.
âThereâs a crisis in our communities, which the government has known about for so many years,â Spence said Sunday. âIf you experience what we live, as a person, as a woman and as a mother, you would do anything to protect your children and to make your children and other peopleâs children have better living conditions.â
Spence has been on a liquids-only diet since Dec. 11 in an effort to draw attention to the living conditions on some of Canadaâs remote reserves, and to spur government action. The chief has staged her protest while living in a teepee on Victoria Island in Ottawa.
Following mounting pressure, Harper agreed to meet with the Assembly of First Nations leaders on Jan. 11. The working session aimed to address a number of indigenous concerns, including the resolution of land claims and giving First Nations a âfair shareâ of resource development revenues.
Spence, however, boycotted the meeting as it did not include Johnston. A number of chiefs stood in solidarity with Spence and didnât partake in the session.
As the Queenâs representative in Canada, Johnstonâs position is primarily seen as a ceremonial one. However, Spence stressed that the Governor General is vital to any discussion regarding treaty issues.
âWe (see) his role in a different way,â she said. âWhen this treaty was signed, it was with the Crown. Itâs important for the treaty partners to be in that meeting.â
Almost a month into her hunger strike, Spence came under fire after an audit of the Attawapiskat reserve found significant documentation lacking for $104 million transferred to the band between 2005 and 2011.
Spence said Sunday she was disappointed when the media brought the audit to light in early January.
âWe heard the recommendations from the audit (that) explained where the lack was and what needs to be improved,â she said. âItâs good to see where we need to improve and weâll comply with the recommendation.â
Spence said at the time she was promised by federal officials that the audit wouldnât be used âagainstâ the northern Ontario reserve.
âThis is why I was really disappointed to see it in the media,â she said.
Spenceâs fast coincides with the Idle No More movement, which was sparked by the governmentâs omnibus budget bill.
Spence said she has lost 30 pounds since launching the liquids-only diet.
âThereâs always criticism,â said Spence. âBut you have to see it to believe it, so come and visit me, talk to me. Youâll see what Iâm going through.â