Tribal protest echoes through Paul Bunyan Mall, supports hunger strike in Canada

More than one hundred tribal members gathered inside the Paul Bunyan Mall in Bemidji Wednesday to stage a "flash mob" drum and dance circle. The event was organized as a show of support for a Canadian tribal chief who is on a hunger strike in Ottawa, Ontario.

Similar events supporting the Canadian "Idle No More" movement have been staged in Duluth, Minneapolis and other cities across the country over the past few weeks.

Tribal Chief Theresa Spence of the Attawapiskat First Nation in far northern Ontario has been on a hunger strike in Ottawa, demanding to meet with Prime Minister Stephen Harper to discuss poverty and other issues affecting native communities.

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.