Theresa Spence: to fast or not to fast

Andy has written a very interesting and thoughtful blog concerning his confusion regarding what is happening these days with issues surrounding Theresa Spence's fast and her somewhat unclear demands, and the various concerns of the Idle No More movement. I would agree with what he is saying for the most part and I certainly support the need for change. Up until reading what he had to say, I was also of the mind that it was time for Chief Spence to go home to look after both her own health and that of her suffering community; time for her to be the strong and determined leader for her people that she has shown herself to be to all of Canada. 

Since reading Andy's blog, I worry that without Theresa as a focal point (though I do agree with him that Chief Spence's demands are both confusing and unfocussed) and the more amorphous and shifting concerns of Idle No More, that we -- concerned Canadians -- but most particularly our government, will be allowed off the hook. That the necessity for action that the flash dances and blockades and Theresa's fast have highlighted, might once again be forgotten by those who would seem to have the power to openly and honestly re-think legislation, re-think the ways and means to administer treaties and laws and re-think how best to help guide or allow desperate and ailing communities to lead themselves to become the very best they can be.

So I am torn. It would seem to be the right time for Chief Spence to go home, but I also do not want the recent issues so passionately presented to us all, to be dismissed or to disappear from public conciousness before some concrete action is taken.

Here is a link to Andy's excellent blog; please take the time to read it: 

http://andyincapebreton.wordpress.com/2013/01/20/mass-confusion-in-post-colonial-canada-and-on-the-north-shore-of-cape-breton-island/