THURSDAY
K A M L O O P S
THIS WEEK
Thursday, January 3, 2013 X Volume 26 No. 1 www.kamloopsthisweek.com X 30 cents at Newsstands
In the days leading to her fast, former Tk’emlups Indian Band councillor Evelyn Camille said an eagle has perched in the trees above her sweat lodge. Camille began her fast on Wednesday, Jan. 2, in support of Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence, who has been on a hunger strike for more than 20 days in hopes of securing a meeting with Prime Minister Stephen Harper to discuss First Nations issues. Camille said the eagle — which is sacred to the Tk’emlups people — is a sign she is doing the right thing. Andrea Klassen/KTW
Speaking her mind by closing her mouth By Dale Bass STAFF REPORTER dale@kamloopsthisweek.com
Her years as a councillor with the Tk’emlups Indian Band taught Evelyn Camille the rule of politics. However, having left the band’s council, the 73-year-old residentialschool survivor said she can now speak her mind. Camille hopes her actions speak louder than her words as she continues a fast in support of Attawapiskat
First Nation Chief Theresa Spence, now in her 23rd day of a hunger strike while seeking a meeting with Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Attawapiskat, located a two-hour plane ride north of Timmins, Ont., made headlines in October 2011, when a state of emergency was declared due to extreme cold, inadequate housing and the remains of a 2009 sewage spill that had not been cleaned up. The only elementary school had been closed in 2000.
Spence,” Camille said before enterSpence, who was also chief at the time of the crisis, began her pro- ing the sweat lodge next to her test not only to draw attention to her home on Wednesday, Jan. 2. She received permission from own people, but to that of all First her spiritual Nations in advisor within Canada and the band, but the way TIB CHIEF ON IDLE NO MORE • PAGE A13 noted TIB they have Chief Shane been treated Gottfriedson has not spoken to her by the federal government, accordabout her plans. ing to a press release sent out by Camille said she was disappointed Shawn Atleo, national chief of the Gottfriedson has not shown support Assembly of First Nations. for the Idle No More protests that “I really want to support Chief
have accompanied Spence’s actions. “I don’t support him in that area at all,” she said of the chief’s decision to also publicly ask Spence to stop her protest. “But, my hands are free and I can speak my mind.” Camille said when the United Nations issued a report earlier this year condemning Canada for its human-rights record with aboriginal peoples, she thought it might spark more concern at the federal level than it did.
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