January 2, 2013
Demonstrations could 'get a lot uglier' if feds fail to meet First Nations: Angus
By Kristy Kirkup, Parliamentary Bureau
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 Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence pauses after speaking with journalists about her hunger strike in a teepee on Victoria Island in Ottawa, December 27, 2012. REUTERS/Chris Wattie |
OTTAWA — Peaceful First Nations demonstrations could "get a lot uglier" if the feds don't meet demands for a substantive conversation between aboriginal leaders and Prime Minister Stephen Harper, NDP MP Charlie Angus suggested Wednesday.
"This is a situation that really doesn't need to boil over," Angus said. "There is a lot of frustration ... let's try and settle this in a way that's just and fair."
Angus says he plans to meet Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence in Ottawa on Thursday. The chief, who represents a poverty-stricken northern Ontario reserve in Angus' riding, has launched a personal protest at Ottawa's Victoria Island for three weeks.
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