Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn Atleo, speaks to the media at the National Press Theatre in Ottawa Jan. 10, 2013. (Andre Forget/QMI Agency)

OTTAWA - The head of the Assembly of First Nations is taking time off on the advice of his doctor.

Shawn Atleo played a central role last week trying to heal divisions within his organization before meeting Prime Minister Stephen Harper to address a series of longstanding issues.

"There were many long conference calls, late-night meetings and frustrations in the past two weeks," Atleo wrote in a letter posted to the AFN website. "I regret to have to tell you that those long days have caught up with me. This weekend, my doctor ordered that I take some time now to rest and recover and I have agreed with my family that I do this now."