OTTAWA—As he rode to a meeting with Prime Minister Stephen Harper last Friday, Shawn Atleo’s Blackberry buzzed.

“Since you have decided to betray me, all I ask of you now is to help carry my cold dead body off this island,’’ the text message said.

It was sent in the name of Chief Theresa Spence, but those who saw the text believe it came from someone else in her circle on Victoria Island.

But they were certain about one thing — the timing, moments before he went into one of the most important meetings of his life, was meant to destabilize the National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations and undermine his efforts at a meeting which many in his organization fiercely opposed.

The missive distilled two vicious strains coursing through the internal fighting at the AFN — the threats and intimidation under which its leadership is functioning, and the growing sense from some that the Attawapiskat chief, now entering day 38 of a liquid diet with the temperature dipping to -27C here, is being used as a pawn in an internal political struggle.

To attend last week’s meeting Atleo already had to leave his Ottawa office from a back door to get out of a building with angry chiefs trying to blockade him inside.

He would have to enter the Langevin Block for the meeting through a back door for the same reason.

There have been no shortage of charges, countercharges and denials within the organization over the past weeks and the truth in this saga is often elusive.

For example, sources told the Star that threats were aimed at Saskatchewan regional chief Perry Bellegarde, in front of witnesses, before the Friday meeting which he chose not to attend.

Bellegarde would not be interviewed Thursday, refusing, through a spokesperson, to discuss internal AFN politics and denying he received any threats.

Some supporters of Atleo, enraged he is now being accused of weakness for taking a sick leave that may sideline him for days to come, lined up to denounce what is being called the “thuggery’’ within the organization.

Others said Thursday they will remain silent and not sink to the level of politics being played.

“Threats have been made against the national chief and threats were made to Chief Bellegarde and that is totally offside,’’ said Chief Doug Kelly of the Sto:Lo Tribal Council of British Columbia.

“That is disgusting and inappropriate. Go hard on issues, go hard on the tactics, go hard on the ideas, but go easy on the people.’’

Kelly said he was told of the threats by officials in the AFN Ottawa headquarters.

Thirty years ago, Kelly said, issues did not get resolved at the table, they got resolved in the bar after the meeting. If they didn’t get resolved in the bar, they got resolved in the parking lot.

“I won most of the fights in the parking lot. I get it. I understand anger. I understand that level of hostility. But the time for that type of politics is long past. We need skilled, passionate, principled leadership. We have that in Shawn Atleo and we have that in Perry Bellegarde.’’

James Bay Cree Grand Chief Matthew Coon Come says “a few isolated individuals who have lost touch with fundamental First Nations’ values,’’ are behind divisions in the AFN.

“We should be seeking national solutions, not blaming or threatening the chief or regional chiefs.

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“This is an emotionally charged time and people tend to say things they wouldn’t normally say.’’

Spence’s spokesperson, Danny Metatawabin, was one of those who questioned Atleo taking sick leave and he stuck by that Thursday saying he was entitled to his opinion.

The APTN National News published a string of emails from chiefs and AFN political aides mocking Atleo’s sick leave and calling on him to step down. His allies say he has suffered internal bleeding and dangerously low blood pressure while he was accused, in one email, of “seeking pity and endearment.’’

“That’s so unfair. They don’t know what he’s going through,’’ Coon Come said.

Then there is the increasing concern that Spence has become a weapon in internal AFN politics.

Kelly says he is troubled by those around the chief who are using her “to find their own moment in the sun.’’

Her motives may be pure, Kelly says, but others around her have different agendas. “They are using Chief Spence for an anti-AFN agenda.’’

Earlier this week, Roger Augustine, the regional chief for New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, told iPoliticsSpence had agreed to end her hunger strike, but changed demands when political foes of Atleo got involved.

Metatawabin said Spence remains strong and her supporters united.

But she is now being overshadowed by internal fighting within the AFN.

She needs a way out before people no longer pay any attention to her.