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Spence said on the political talk show that she told officials the band would comply with all recommendations in the report, but told officials, “We don’t want you to use this against us. We want to have a better working relationship.”

Days before Prime Minister Stephen Harper met with Assembly of First Nations (AFN) chiefs, the aboriginal affairs department posted the audit on its website and argued the decision to do so was not politically motivated.

Spence questioned the findings of the review, saying auditors were in Attawapiskat for 10 days and rejected a request for a larger, forensic audit of the band’s finances.

“There were documents in the warehouse which they didn’t even go and look at,” Spence said. “It was a witch hunt.”

On her hunger strike, Spence said she was willing to die and leave her children without a mother if Harper and Gov. Gen. David Johnston didn’t meet with her and other chiefs.

“I go day by day. I’m still waiting for that meeting that needs to take place with the Governor General and the prime minister and our leaders. This meeting is required,” Spence said.

Spence said it was a mistake for AFN chiefs to meet with Harper on Jan. 11 because it was considered a “working group” rather than nation-to-nation talks. She also said that First Nations leaders saw Johnston’s role as key to their concerns, despite the Governor General being a largely ceremonial figurehead that acts on the advice of the government.

“We feel his role in a different way because when this treaty was signed, it was with the Crown,” Spence said.

Spence said she has lost 30 pounds since she started her liquid diet about 40 days ago, and brushed off anyone doubting the validity of her fast saying: “There’s always criticism.”