Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence and Gov. Gen. David Johnston exchanged letters following a reception held by Johnston on Jan. 11, with Spence stating that 鈥渋t is imperative that yourself and the prime minister be present at a meeting of all First Nation Chiefs.鈥�
鈥淭his was requested and explained to you face to face by Chiefs and hunger strikers with honor, spirit and respect and the special value your position means to First Nations People,鈥� she wrote in the first letter, dated Jan. 15.
Spence attended the reception, but did not attend a meeting with Prime Minister Stephen Harper that was held earlier in the day.
Spence launched a liquids-only diet on Dec. 11 to draw attention to the living conditions on many of Canada鈥檚 reserves. She has been living on an island in Ottawa ever since.
She maintains that she will not stop her fast until Harper and Johnston agree to meet with her and other First Nations leaders.
In the Governor General鈥檚 response to Spence鈥檚 letter, he writes that according to Canada鈥檚 constitutional monarchy, 鈥渢he governor general acts on the advice of Canadian minister.鈥�
Spence wrote another letter to Johnston. In it, she says it鈥檚 the Governor General鈥檚 office has a 鈥渄irect role and duty鈥� in respect to her concerns, and urges him to 鈥減rovide your opinion and advice to the Prime Minister.鈥�
