December 30, 2012

Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence speaks with journalists about her hunger strike in a teepee on Victoria Island in Ottawa December 27, 2012. (REUTERS/Chris Wattie)

OTTAWA - On the 20th day of her headline-making hunger strike, Attawapiskat First Nations chief Theresa Spence invited MPs and senators to join her at her teepee to discuss the government's omnibus budget bill and her objections to it.

Despite the frigid weather, 17 NDP MPs and a handful of Liberals showed up to show their solidarity with what has become known as the Idle No More Movement.

At issue is Bill C-45, which removes thousands of waterways from federal jurisdiction and would allow private corporations to buy reserve land.

Spence began her hunger strike Dec. 11 to force a meeting with First Nation leaders, Prime Minister Stephen Harper's and the Governor General.