Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence and Manitoba Elder Raymond Robinson will be honoured at ceremonies today, as they resume eating solid food for the first time since Dec. 11.
Opposition politicians and aboriginal leaders say they will continue to fight for the issues this protest helped bring into the national spotlight. On Wednesday, representatives from the Assembly of First Nations, the NDP caucus and the Liberal caucus endorsed a declaration of specific commitments asked for by Spence.
The health of the pair overall is said to be "fine," considering they have consumed only fish broth and herbal teas for the last six weeks and spent a great deal of time outdoors in punishing winter temperatures.
Sources say Spence spent the night in hospital in Ottawa as a precaution. She was not suffering from any acute condition, but was admitted and stayed overnight to receive nutrients and hydration as routine checks were performed.
Spence said previously she was willing to die for her cause, and spoke as recently as last Friday of being prepared to have her body carried off Victoria Island with honour.
Instead, ceremonies Thursday are expected to mark the pair's symbolic exit from Victoria Island. They were due to start around 9:30 a.m. ET, and Spence and Robinson were to meet with reporters at the National Press Theatre at 11 a.m. But as of 10:15 a.m., Spence hadn't arrived at Victoria Island and it wasn't clear whether she would be there for the ceremony or the press conference, with different supporters giving conflicting information.
Danny Metatawabin, a spokesman for Spence, refused to answer questions about where she was when he arrived at Victoria Island.
Spence and Robinson based their protest at a camp with their supporters on Victoria Island, a native education centre in the middle of the Ottawa River between downtown Ottawa and Gatineau.
Throughout her protest, she has been taking regular breaks to shower, nap and visit with family members at a downtown Ottawa hotel.
Political support
NDP MPs Romeo Saganash, himself a Cree leader from a northern James Bay community in Quebec, and Charlie Angus, who represents the Ontario riding that includes the Attawapiskat First Nation, are expected to attend the ceremony.
Interim Liberal Leader Bob Rae, who along with other MPs from his party was involved in meeting with Spence and her supporters, and negotiating this conclusion to her protest, is also expected to attend.
No representatives of the Harper government are expected to be present.
In a statement Wednesday, Jason MacDonald, a spokesman for Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan, wrote only that "the Minister has been clear in urging Chief Spence to end her protest. He's expressed concern for her health and safety."
The AFN issued a statement Wednesday in support of Spence's declaration and hailing the impact of the protest in "raising awareness of the need for fundamental and transformative change in the relationship between First Nations and the Crown."
An honouring ceremony at an Ottawa hotel has been organized to celebrate the accomplishments of Spence and Robinson's protest, arranged by the Nishnawbe Aski Nation, which represents 49 Ontario First Nations, including Attawapiskat.
National Chief Shawn Atleo, who is set to resume his regular duties after a leave to recuperate from a health issue of his own, will hold a press conference with other AFN leaders in Vancouver later in the day.
Atleo continues work with Harper government
The AFN continues to pressure the Harper government to follow through on efforts that began one year ago today, at the 2012 Crown-First Nations gathering held in Ottawa. On this one-year anniversary, chiefs are meeting to continue to plot their next steps on eight priority issues, including treaty recognition, education, and resource development.
A Jan. 11 "working meeting" was held in the Prime Minister's Office between representatives of the AFN and the Harper government, including Stephen Harper himself. Spence's protest is credited with adding pressure to Atleo's demands for a high-level meeting to press his organization's concerns, but she did not attend that day because Gov. Gen. David Johnston was not present.
Some chiefs boycotted that meeting, declaring their support for Spence and other protesters from the Idle No More movement protesting nationwide that day, calling for an end to the status quo in government-First Nations relations.
Atleo has struggled to keep his organization united in the face of dissent over his strategy in dealing with the Harper government.
The Governor General hosted Spence and other First Nations leaders later that day in a ceremonial event at Rideau Hall, at the prime minister's request. But the pair continued to decline solid food, feeling their concerns were not adequately addressed.
Harper confirmed with reporters Wednesday that he will have a followup meeting with Atleo in the near future, but no specific date has been set.
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