Attawapiskat Chief Spence has drawn up will, prepared for death: aides
Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence has signed off on her will and is prepared for death, APTN National News has been told.
Spence’s will includes a description of who will care for her daughters and she has also signed off on directions requesting non-intervention if her health takes a turn for the worse. The documents are in the hands of her lawyer, aides told APTN National News.
Spence began her hunger strike Dec. 11 to force a meeting between Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Gov. Gen. David Johnston and First Nations leaders.
Harper is scheduled to meet with a delegation of First Nations leaders, youth and elders on Friday.
Johnston’s office, however, has said he would not be attending.
Spence has said she would not be attending the meeting if Johnston did not go and would continue her hunger strike.
Spence’s spokesman Danny Metatawabin told chiefs Wednesday they should cancel or walk-out of the meeting if Johnston did not attend.
Johnston represents the Crown, which entered into treaties with First Nations. The Johnston’s presence is viewed as essential by some because he represents the original treaty relationship.
Spence has sent a letter to Queen Elizabeth II requesting she direct Johnston to attend.
While some chiefs are seriously considering canceling or walking out of the meeting, Six Nations Chief Bill Montour said Spence should end her hunger strike on Friday.
“For her own health, Jan. 11 should be the end of the hunger strike,” said Montour. “She has the attention of the world and let the world judge Harper.”
This is not the first time a First Nations leader has asked Spence to end her hunger strike. Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Derek Nepinak also asked Spence to end her hunger strike in a Christmas Eve letter.
“I believe that you have accomplished the efforts for which you have set out to do and I plead with you now to take down your camp, return to your people and embrace your loved ones,” wrote Nepinak in the letter.
Montour said First Nations leaders should attend the meeting with the prime minister, even if Johnston does not attend.
“You never walk out of a meeting, if you walk out you are defeated,” said Montour.
Spence has consumed no solid food, taking only on cups of fish broth, herbal teas and water since she began the hunger strike. Spence’s health is rapidly deteriorating, she has been complaining of pains from her stomach contracting over lack of solid food, has lost at least 22 lbs and is increasingly fatigued, her life partner Clayton Kennedy told APTN National News. Kennedy also said her blood-sugar level has been dropping.
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Spence’s will includes a description of who will care for her daughters and she has also signed off on directions requesting non-intervention if her health takes a turn for the worse. The documents are in the hands of her lawyer, aides told APTN National News.
Spence began her hunger strike Dec. 11 to force a meeting between Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Gov. Gen. David Johnston and First Nations leaders.
Harper is scheduled to meet with a delegation of First Nations leaders, youth and elders on Friday.
Johnston’s office, however, has said he would not be attending.
Spence has said she would not be attending the meeting if Johnston did not go and would continue her hunger strike.
Spence’s spokesman Danny Metatawabin told chiefs Wednesday they should cancel or walk-out of the meeting if Johnston did not attend.
Johnston represents the Crown, which entered into treaties with First Nations. The Johnston’s presence is viewed as essential by some because he represents the original treaty relationship.
Spence has sent a letter to Queen Elizabeth II requesting she direct Johnston to attend.
While some chiefs are seriously considering canceling or walking out of the meeting, Six Nations Chief Bill Montour said Spence should end her hunger strike on Friday.
“For her own health, Jan. 11 should be the end of the hunger strike,” said Montour. “She has the attention of the world and let the world judge Harper.”
This is not the first time a First Nations leader has asked Spence to end her hunger strike. Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Derek Nepinak also asked Spence to end her hunger strike in a Christmas Eve letter.
“I believe that you have accomplished the efforts for which you have set out to do and I plead with you now to take down your camp, return to your people and embrace your loved ones,” wrote Nepinak in the letter.
Montour said First Nations leaders should attend the meeting with the prime minister, even if Johnston does not attend.
“You never walk out of a meeting, if you walk out you are defeated,” said Montour.
Spence has consumed no solid food, taking only on cups of fish broth, herbal teas and water since she began the hunger strike. Spence’s health is rapidly deteriorating, she has been complaining of pains from her stomach contracting over lack of solid food, has lost at least 22 lbs and is increasingly fatigued, her life partner Clayton Kennedy told APTN National News. Kennedy also said her blood-sugar level has been dropping.
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