Unions are urging the federal government to use a “collective bargaining approach”

Unions are urging the federal government to use a “collective bargaining approach” with First Nations people over treaty rights. They have also called on Prime Minister Stephen Harper, and the Queen’s representative Governor General David Johnston, to meet with Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence. The Canadian Auto Workers union and the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union were concerned enough for Chief Spence’s safety, as she went into her second week of a hunger strike, to echo the demand for the meeting, first made by the Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn Atleo on Dec. 16. Spence commenced the hunger strike to call attention to the dire conditions First Nations communities and people face, and to protest the shameful treatment of First Nations by Canada. “For our entire existence as a country, the federal government has abused the rights of the First Nations people,” said CAW National President Ken Lewenza. “This is no more apparent than in Chief Spence’s community of Attawapiskat where, a year later, the town is still without adequate housing and infrastructure as the winter sets back in.” Lewenza said that he and many others have been deeply moved by the courage and tenacity shown by Chief Spence, and are adding their voices to the legions of supporters through the #Idlenomore movement. During the hunger strike, Chief Spence is living in a teepee on Victoria Island in the Ottawa River, near the Supreme Court of Canada and the House of Commons. “Chief Theresa Spence’s fight for her people is similar to that [of the] labour movement and so many other groups—the fight for dignity, respect, and equality,” said CEP National President Dave Coles. “It is urgently necessary that the government reach an equitable agreement with the First Nations people. As a country, we know all too well the reality of centuries of colonization, inequality and abuse.”