Prime Minister Stephen Harper today issued the following statement on a planned meeting with a delegation of First Nations leaders coordinated by the Assembly of First Nations:
"On January 24, 2012, I was pleased to participate in the historic Crown-First Nations Gathering. On that day, the Government of Canada and First Nations committed to making progress in the following areas:
*Improving relationships and strong partnerships between Canada and First Nations respectful of Aboriginal and Treaty rights as recognized and affirmed in the Constitution Act, 1982;
*Building effective, appropriate, transparent and fully accountable governance structures;
*Empowering success of individuals through access to education and opportunity;
*Enabling strong, sustainable, and self-sufficient communities;
*Creating conditions to accelerate economic development opportunities and maximize benefits for all Canadians;
*Respecting the role of First Nations' culture and language in our history and future.
"The Government and First Nations committed at the Gathering to maintaining the relationship through an ongoing dialogue that outlines clear goals and measures of progress and success. While some progress has been made, there is more that must be done to improve outcomes for First Nations communities across Canada.
"It is in this spirit of ongoing dialogue that, together with Minister Duncan, I will be participating in a working meeting with a delegation of First Nations leaders coordinated by the Assembly of First Nations on January 11, 2013. This working meeting will focus on two areas flowing from the Gathering: the treaty relationship and aboriginal rights, and economic development.
"The Government of Canada and First Nations have an enduring historic relationship based on mutual respect, friendship and support. The Government of Canada is committed to strengthening this relationship."
Source
Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence, whose 25-day hunger strike forced the
meeting, says she will continue to abstain from food until the meeting
actually happens.
I WILL CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR THE MEETING TO MATERIALIZE...
PLEASE DO THE SAME...NEVER GIVE UP..
I WILL CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR THE MEETING TO MATERIALIZE...
PLEASE DO THE SAME...NEVER GIVE UP..
VERY PROUND OF YOU CHIEF SPENCE
VERY PROUD OF YOU CHIEF SPENCE YOUR A VERY STRONG WOMEN .........WE SHALL NEVER GIVE UP OUR LANDS AND RIVERS AND LAKES AND OUR FUTURE FOR OUR KIDS FORTHOPE ONTARIO
Your vision for a better world for your people and all human beings around the globe is so beautiful and Blessed. As a Fr. in the Church, I thank you for taking care of those who are not able to. Your courage Chief Spence is so very inspiring. Fr. John Nelson
Your People also noticed by AIR BIKER (dutch-LUCHTFIETSER) he was 19 years and I found Jeroen Vogtschmidt, we use facebook.
Your vision of our relationship is with the world is so clear. The strength that you and women globally as Vandana Shiva is such a motivation. I too will keep in mind cautious optimism. All details(every word) of the meeting need attending to. thinking of you. rosa musket
my heart is with you may everything take a change in the right direction.....!
Staying strong n proud as one whole nation is like having one good strong heart to beat at the same pace as the drum. Knowing n feeling that We all stand together in being n in spirit is the greatest power in anything. Chief Spence is a proud example of how strong our people are, n when I say Our People, I'm not only referring to First Nations, I'm also referring to every single beating heart that has rights!! As a non-status First Nations person, I strongly believe in what Chief Spence n whomever is doing the same. People like these ones give other people the strength n belief that as an individual n as a whole that we can have a bigger voice that what our words can say!!