First Nations elder ends hunger protest

OTTAWA – An aboriginal leader from Manitoba who began a hunger strike last week over Ottawa’s treatment of First Nations people now says he has ended his protest.

Grand Elder Raymond Robinson had been refusing to eat or drink unless and until Prime Minister Stephen Harper agreed to a meaningful dialogue with aboriginal leaders.

He also wanted the federal government to sit down with First Nations on a “nation to nation” basis.

But today, Robinson — of Manitoba’s Cross Lake First Nation — took to Twitter to say he’d decided to end his strike, although he didn’t say why.

Assembly of First Nations Grand Chief Shawn Atleo says he met last weekend with Robinson, who expressed frustration at the plight of Canada’s aboriginal communities.

Atleo says he reminded Robinson that while First Nations people encourage spiritual actions, they should be confined to within certain boundaries.