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OTTAWA — B.C. First Nations leaders distanced themselves Thursday from a formal threat by a group of aboriginal leaders to grind Canada’s economy to a halt.

A resolution from leaders claiming to represent the Confederacy of Nations, a regional entity that is part of the Assembly of First Nations, passed a resolution in Ottawa on Wednesday threatening the Harper government over education legislation.

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They want the government to scrap a bill aimed at giving First Nations greater control over education, which includes $1.9 billion in new funding. Instead, they want to replace it with direct cash transfers and full jurisdiction to run primary and secondary education with no federal role.

“Should Canada not withdraw and cease all imposed legislation on First Nations without our free, prior and informed consent, we will strategically and calculatedly begin the economic shutdown of Canada’s economy from coast-to-coast,” said the resolution passed by a group of leaders from more militant bands in Ontario, Quebec, the Prairies, the Northwest Territories and Yukon.