Fractured First Nations chiefs sign request for meeting with Harper

OTTAWA -- First Nations chiefs have set aside their differences and have signed on to a request for yet another meeting with the prime minister.

That's an attempt to bring the protest by Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence to an end.

The Assembly of First Nations' executive agreed to the request in writing and sent a letter to Stephen Harper on the weekend, calling for a meeting as soon as Thursday.

National Chief Shawn Atleo could be back on the job by then.

He took a sudden sick leave after his controversial meeting with Harper earlier this month amid a leadership crisis within the AFN.

Unlike that meeting, this week's proposed session with Harper would include a broad range of chiefs as well as Governor General David Johnston.

Spence has been demanding such a meeting since she started her protest more than a month ago.

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  Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence, wearing a headdress, takes part in a drum ceremony before departing a Ottawa hotel to attend a ceremonial meeting at Rideau Hall with Gov. Gen. David Johnston in Ottawa, Friday Jan. 11, 2013. (Fred Chartrand / THE CANADIAN PRESS)