First Nation grand chief on hunger strike over future of former U.S. embassy

The grand chief of the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation Tribal Council began a hunger strike Monday at midnight, protesting alack of significant consultation about the future of abuilding at100 Wellington St.in downtown Ottawa.

Verna Polson's hunger strike is happeningin a wigwam that was erected by the nation onJune 19in front of the former U.S. embassy opposite Parliament Hill. Polson has been living there since then.

On Monday she spoke with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in a privatemeeting.

According to Frankie Cote, a band council member from Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg in western Quebec and a negotiator for the Indigenous Peoples space, themeeting was unsuccessful and Polsonvowed to continueher hunger strike.

Trudeau announced in 2017 that the former embassywillbecomea nationalspace dedicated to Inuit, Mtis and First Nations communities. But the First Nation has saidit was not consulted on key aspects of the new space.

The heritage building, which is on Algonquin Anishinabeg territory, sat vacant for nearly two decades afterthe U.S. embassy moved to its current location on Sussex Drive. Ever since,its future use has beenthe subject of public debate.

Under formerprime minister Jean Chrtien, the building was slated to become a portrait gallery, but that plan was shelved when Stephen Harper came to power.

Last month, Polson said she plans to live in the wigwam until she becomes a partner at 100 Wellington St.

"We're fighting for our rightful place,"Polson said. "If we can't come to an agreement or solution for something as small as this, how is Canada going to address bigger Algonquin issues?"

She added that the First Nation was not consulted on the art and displays planned for the space until Februaryand wasn't consulted on the governance of the building until April and it's still not a full partner.

First Nations push for equal partnership on future of former U.S. embassy

5 years ago

Duration 0:35

Norm Odjick, director general of the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation Tribal Council, says they were not consulted on the future of the building, which stands on traditional Algonquin territory.

Feds won't say whether Algonquin should become partners

The federal government is not saying whether the AlgonquinAnishinabegNation should be allowed to enter into full partnership with national Indigenous organizations in managingthe space at 100 Wellington St.

Afederal spokesperson toldCBC News in June thatit's up to those groups to decide what to do with the space.

"As 100 Wellington is located on Algonquin traditional territory, the Government of Canada supports the participation of the Algonquin people, including the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation Tribal Council, in the Indigenous Peoples' Space initiative," a spokesperson forCrown-Indigenous Relations wrote.

"We respect the process of the working group, and the need for decisions to be taken amongst all members regarding the Indigenous Peoples' Space, including membership of the working group."