Theresa Spence facts for kids

Theresa Spence (born in 1963) is a former chief of the Attawapiskat First Nation in Canada. She became well-known for her work on important issues affecting First Nations communities. These issues included housing problems in Attawapiskat and the Idle No More movement. Before becoming chief, she served as the deputy chief for her community.

Attawapiskat Housing Challenges

As chief, Theresa Spence was in charge of a large yearly budget for the Attawapiskat First Nation. The community has about 1,549 people living on its reserve land.

Declaring a State of Emergency

The Attawapiskat reserve faced serious housing problems. Chief Spence declared a "state of emergency" several times because of these poor living conditions. This meant the situation was very serious and needed urgent help. These declarations brought national attention to the community's struggles. For example, on October 28, 2011, she declared a state of emergency for the third time in three years.

The Canadian government provided money to help the Attawapiskat reserve. By early 2013, the government had spent $131 million since 2006. This money helped build or fix 60 houses and a new school.

Questions About Funding

There were some questions about how the money from the government was being spent by the reserve's own leaders. An audit in 2012 looked at financial records from 2005 to 2011. It found that some records about how millions of dollars were spent were missing. Chief Spence said that Canada was not acting fairly when this audit was released. Other First Nations leaders said that keeping clear financial records was very important.

The De Beers company, which owns a diamond mine nearby, also helped. They donated trailers for housing to the reserve. The Attawapiskat government also received payments from De Beers.

Some leaders, like Grand Chief Stan Louttit, explained that living in remote places like Attawapiskat is much more expensive. This means that money does not go as far as it would in bigger cities.

Idle No More and Hunger Strike

On December 11, 2012, Chief Spence began a hunger strike. During her strike, she only drank liquids like lemon water, special teas, and fish broth. This type of diet was historically used by Indigenous communities when they faced poverty and food shortages.

Why She Protested

Chief Spence started her protest to bring attention to important First Nations issues. She wanted to support the Idle No More movement, which works for indigenous rights. She also had concerns about a new law called Bill C-45.

She said her protest would continue until Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Governor General David Johnston agreed to meet. She wanted them to talk about Canada's treaty relationship with First Nations leaders.

The Protest Location and Support

Chief Spence stayed in a tipi on Victoria Island, near Parliament Hill in Ottawa. She asked First Nation traditional women healers and other women to join her to "pray for Canada." Her protest gained worldwide attention for the Idle No More movement. Many people saw her as a symbol of unity for the movement, and the Attawapiskat community fully supported her.

Many people visited Chief Spence to show their support. This included 21 senators and members of parliament from opposition parties. Former Prime Minister Paul Martin also met with her. Amnesty International spoke out in her support and urged the Prime Minister to meet with her.

Meetings and End of Strike

Shawn Atleo, the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, met with Chief Spence many times. He tried to convince her to end her hunger strike.

On January 4, 2013, the Prime Minister's Office announced a meeting for January 11, 2013. Prime Minister Harper and Minister Duncan would meet with First Nation leaders. Chief Spence initially said she would attend, but later decided not to. She wanted the Governor General to be there, and her health was a concern.

Chief Spence ended her 6-week hunger strike on January 24, 2013. A special document called a Declaration of Commitment was created. It committed federal opposition parties and the Assembly of First Nations to work on important issues. These issues affected the relationship between First Nations people and the Canadian Government, based on treaties from the 18th century.

Her hunger strike was shown in part in a 2015 documentary film called After the Last River.

Personal Life

Theresa Spence has five daughters. Her common-law husband is Clayton Kennedy.

Career Highlights

Theresa Spence has held many different jobs within the Attawapiskat government and its organizations. She was elected Chief on August 27, 2010. Before that, she worked as deputy chief, a councillor, a member of the local development group, and managed a local daycare.