Sympathy hunger strikes begin in support of Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence

By Annette Francis
APTN National News
Drummers and supporters gathered on the steps of Parliament Hill for day three of Attawapiskat First Nation Chief Theresa Spence’s hunger strike Thursday.

Each day there is a growing show of support for a woman who, according to Ellen Gabriel, is brave and courageous.

“We should all stand united (and) think of Chief Theresa Spence and her community and all the other communities right across Canada that are experiencing the same kind of desperation and frustration for the lack of political will,” said Gabriel.

Spence’s actions are attracting international attention through social media.

And many are now fasting in support. Supporters from Egypt to South Dakota are fasting.

That includes Meghan Rice in England.

She heard about Spence on Twitter.

“The idea that people in this modern world are still willing to do that for something they believe in very deeply is something that just really moves me and it’s something I find extremely noble beyond words and so for me a one-day fast is really the least I can do when you consider the fact Chief Spence is risking her life,” said Rice.

Janie Kapaquapit-Ramos is a member of Attawapiskat, but now lives in Pennsylvania.

“I don’t want her to die for this. We should all be there for her,” Kapaquapit-Ramos.

That’s why she is fasting too.

“For me fasting represents prayer, when you pray for others to find their way because we see too much suffering by our people and they need to find their way back, so for me that’s the highest thing you can do to help others,” she said.

In the Northwest Territories regional Chief Bill Erasmus has taken up the call too.