Chief Spence Ends Fishy Fast

Smoky Lake Signal Article No. 253 (unpublished)

Whispering in the Wind

The circumstance between the fragmented hierarchy within the Assembly of First Nations (the chiefs) and Prime Minister Harper’s government has gone from bizarre to dangerously ridiculous – with a good deal of attention being paid to publicity hungry Chief Theresa Spence and her disregard for the people of Attawapiscat.  It’s become embarrassing for the aboriginal peoples of Canada; the Prime Minister of Canada; and yes, all of Canada.  So I guess in at least one respect, she has been successful.    

Unraveling the Attawapiscat Scandal: 

Chief Theresa Spence of the Attawapiscat First Nation was recently interviewed by the CBC on Question Period – I thought Chief Spence’s responses to the questions were bizarre to say the least.  Chief Spence indicated that her fish fast would continue until there was a joint meeting of chiefs with the Prime Minister and the Governor General (together).  In my view such a joint meeting would not only be unwise, it would be contrary to Canada’s parliamentary traditions and the in-place system of governance that includes division of responsibility and power.  To express it in terms that I understand:  Prime Minister Harper was elected (along with his elected government) to DO things for the benefit of Canada through the legislative process.  The role of the appointed Governor General is to protect the constitution of Canada and assure that all the DOings of the Prime Minister (and his government) conform to all the tenants of the Constitution Act, 1982.  To bring these two functions together is, in my view, an affront to Canada’s parliamentary system of government.  Chief Spence was also challenged in the Question Period interview about the administrative practices at Attawapiscat and the possible mismanagement of over $100 million of federal funding; Chief Spence’s response:  “It was a witch hunt.”          

Buckingham Palace Responds:

To add further intrigue to the Chief Spence sage, a letter dated January 7, 2013 from Buckingham Palace was sent to a Chief Spence supporter (Jonathan Francoeur) living in British Columbia.  The relevant passages of the letter from a correspondence secretary to the Queen reads:  “This is not a matter in which The Queen would intervene.”  “As a constitutional Sovereign, Her Majesty acts through her personal representative, the Governor General, on the advice of her Canadian Ministers and therefore, it is to them that your appeal should be directed.”  The Queen is also aware and acknowledges Mr. Francoeur’s concerns regarding Chief Spence’s hunger strike.  What hasn’t been released is Mr. Francoeur’s original letter to the Queen dated December 15, 2012 and a follow up letter he sent later.  A spokesperson for Chief Spence voiced that the Queen’s letter sent to Mr. Francoeur is a fake.  A spokesperson from the Governor General’s office voiced that the letter from the Queen looked authentic.