Manitoba Chief Begins Hunger Strike

An aboriginal leader from Manitoba says he has begun a hunger strike to try to stop changes to federal funding for First Nations people.
Grand Elder Raymond Robinson says the action will continue until Prime Minister Stephen Harper agrees to have a meaningful dialogue with aboriginal leaders.
He wants Harper to cancel a series of recent amendments to the First Nations Comprehensive Funding Agreements.
Jason MacDonald, a spokesman for Native Affairs Minister Bernard Valcourt, says the minister is prepared to meet with Robinson or any First Nations community member who wants to make progress for aboriginal people.
He says the government also wants to see more prosperous and self-sufficient First Nations communities.