"AFN leader under attack, fasting Spence was going to quit"

Assembly of First Nations leader Shawn Atleo is fending off attackers while others are maintaining the fasting Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence was going to quit fasting before Christmas.

But failed candidates for the AFN leadership coupled with some of their supporters have instead encouraged her to continue, said Roger Agustine, AFN regional Chief for New Brunswick and PEI.

He is filling in for Chief Shawn Atleo who has come under attack by chiefs and former candidates for his job when the national leader took medical leave to battle the flu last week.

AFN Regional Chief told Turtle Island News, "when we started working with her before Christmas Chief Spence told us that all she needed was a commitment from the Prime Minister to have a meeting with the AFN executive."

He said the executive, which he is a part of as regional chief, arranged the meeting.

"Our executive got it arranged but on advice, she said, from legal and political counsel, she was advised it was not enough. They wanted a meeting with the Prime Minister and Governor General."

He said one of those advisers is university professor and failed AFN candidate Pam Palmater along with a handful of chiefs including Manitoba Chief Derek Nepinak.

He said as issues became heated, "Manitoba Grand Chief Nepinak said he was going to call for a non-confidence vote to have Shawn (Chief Atleo) removed."

He said he then received a letter from Chief Spence last week offering strong support for the national chief. "She said we have to support him and get together and work together and we need the national chief."

He said a hunger striker from Big Cove, New Brunswick has returned home.

"For sure, I would like to tell her (Chief Spence) you made your point, created awareness. She has brought a spiritual awakening among our people and I thank her for that."

But he said it was time for her to end her fast. "I am sure her family is looking forward to seeing her and her community has been without a chief for awhile and is anxious to see her return and continue her work."

He said the AFN has received strong support from some chiefs for Chief Atleo.

"He has been going strong not just this past two weeks but for four years and the flu caught up with him."

The AFN is hoping to meet with Prime Minister Harper sometime this week.

In the meantime an Ipso Reid poll showed Atleo's approval rating at 51% and Harper's at 46%. He said he was pleased to see the Idle No More Movement hit.

"I am totally inspired by it all. It would be a setback if anyone gets hurts but the movement itself I am so fortunate to be around after 36 years to witness this. It's powerful. I'd like to see Idle No More become more independent, find a good leader, maybe one of the founders stepping up and acting as spokesperson."

He said the AFN will be looking at inviting traditional governments into the meetings with the Prime Minister, as well.

He said the Micmac Confederacy has been invited. "I think the Haudenosaunee Confederacy should be invited as well."