Prime Minister Agrees to Meet Indian Act Chiefs on Jan. 11, 2013

CBC News, Jan 4, 2013

Chief Theresa Spence, centre.

Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence says she will join a “working meeting” between Prime Minister Stephen Harper and a delegation of First Nations chiefs, but is not ready to give up her hunger strike.

Spence made the announcement from Victoria Island just north of Ottawa, where she has been conducting a hunger strike that is now in its 25th day.

War of the Words: chiefs issue ultimatums as grassroots dance in circles

by Zig Zag, Warrior Publications, January 4, 2013

Flash mob in Edmonton mall, December 2012.

There are three entities currently struggling for control over the grassroots Native mobilization that has spread across the country: the Idle No More’s  (INM) middle-class founders, Indian Act chiefs, and chief Spence herself.  It is in our interests as grassroots people that all of them fail in their efforts and that the autonomous, decentralized self-organization of our movement become more widespread.

Mi’kmaq protesters block eastern Quebec rail line

Passenger trains not affected

CBC News, Jan 2, 2013

Protesters supporting Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence’s hunger strike are blocking a rail line in Quebec’s Gaspé region today, in the latest demonstration linked to the Idle No More movement.

The demonstrators from the Listuguj Mi’gmaq community say they will maintain their blockade of the tracks at Pointe-à-la-Croix for as long as necessary.

Sarnia railway clear after judge orders end to native blockade

SARNIA, ONT. — The Canadian Press, Jan. 02 2013

Blockade of CN rail line near Sarnia, Ontario.

A nearly two-week long blockade of a railway line in Sarnia, Ont., was being dismantled Wednesday night just hours after an Ontario judge ruled that it must come down.

Lawyers for CN Rail launched court action against Ron Plain, a member of the Aamjiwnaang First Nation, alleging that he was in contempt of an injunction to disband the protests on the railway tracks.

First Nations chiefs contemplate “breach of treaty” declarations, indefinite economic disruptions

By Jorge Barrera, APTN National News, Jan 1, 2012

Protesters temporarily blockade Highway 401 near London, Ont, Dec 19.

First Nations leaders have discussed plans to launch country-wide economic disruptions by the middle of January if Prime Minister Stephen Harper doesn’t agree to hunger-striking Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence’s demand for a treaty meeting, APTN National News has learned.

Idle No More protests beyond control of chiefs

JAMES BRADSHAW and SHAWN McCARTHY, The Globe and Mail, Jan. 1, 2013

AFN grand thief Shawn Atleo at Idle No More rally, Ottawa, Dec 21, 2012.

The Idle No More movement is broadening into a call to shake off apathy, absorbing a range of issues from aboriginal rights and environmental safeguards to the democratic process. And as it swells, organizers are warning first nations leaders that the movement will not be corralled by aboriginal politicians even as the country’s chiefs look to use the protests’ momentum to press Ottawa on treaty rights and improved living standards.

Attawapiskat Chief Spence urges Idle No More to unite with leadership, says chiefs ready to “humble themselves”

APTN National News, Jan 2, 2013

Indian Act chief Theresa Spence in media scrum during hunger strike.

OTTAWA–Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence, who is on day 22 of a hunger strike, has asked the founders of the Idle No More movement to unify with First Nations leader, saying “the chiefs are ready now to humble themselves for the people.”

Seton Lake blockade ends, chief ponders further action

APTN National News, Dec 31 2012
The Seton Lake Indian Band ended their blockade of a CN Rail mainline Sunday evening between North Vancouver and Prince George.

The blockade, led by Chief Garry John, began Friday at approximately 3 p.m. and continued for three days in the T’salalh, St’at’imc territory.

It was CN’s mainline for freight trains.

Chief Spence Calls for Indian Act Chiefs to “Take Control” of Grassroots Movement

by Zig Zag, Warrior Publications, Dec 30, 2012

Indian Act chief Theresa Spence at her Ottawa hunger strike.

During a Dec 30 press conference on her 20th day of hunger striking, Attawapiskat chief Theresa Spence called on other Indian Act chiefs to take control of the grassroots movement, stating in a written text (read out by one of her aides):  “First Nations leadership needs to take charge and control of the situation on behalf of the grassroots movement.”

First Nation Woman brutally attacked in Thunder Bay urges Idle No More protests to remain peaceful

by Tanya Kappo, December 30, 2012

December 30, 2012 (Thunder Bay) The family of a woman who was brutally attacked on Thursday evening has come forward to issue a warning to people of First Nations descent living in the Thunder Bay region.