“I will not be attending Friday’s meeting with the prime minister, as the Governor General’s attendance is integral when discussing inherent and treaty rights.”
While Canadians largely view the Governor General as a figurehead, it was on behalf of the Queen that treaties were negotiated, making the Crown the primary party that signed those agreements, rather than the government of Canada.
Johnston has said it is a working meeting and a matter of government. Spence’s statement holds that Canada’s legitimacy resides on its treaties with First Nations.
Spence and the broader Idle No More movement are calling for a complete overhaul of the Canada-First Nations relationship toward a strict adherence to the spirit of the original treaties the Crown signed with First Nations.
An Angus Reid poll found that 55 percent of Canadians think the upcoming meeting will be unsuccessful.
Economic Disruptions Threatened
The Assembly of First Nations (AFN), which the Idle No More founders have said does not represent their movement, has delayed announcing its hopes for the meeting. A press conference set for Wednesday to outline the AFN’s expectations was cancelled.
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