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A cloud of confusion has descended over a First Nations meeting with the Prime Minister on Friday, with several chiefs demanding that Stephen Harper meet them on their own turf on their own terms.

One region after another declared that it was supporting Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence in her call to refuse a meeting with Mr. Harper unless Gov.-Gen. David Johnston was at his side. Their stand leaves the head of Canada’s largest aboriginal group — National Chief Shawn Atleo — largely isolated.

The internal turmoil is over logistics and process, and not over policy. After days and days of discussions, the chiefs and delegates actually have a consensus on what their demands would be, if the prime minister and governor general ever do meet with them.

One region after another declared that it was supporting Chief Spence in her call to refuse a meeting with Harper unless Gov.-Gen David Johnston was at his side.

“This is not simply one chief making demands on location and format for a meeting. Chief Theresa Spence is merely setting forward a call for truth and integrity from the prime minister,” said Isadore Day, a chief from northern Ontario. “She fights on behalf of over a million indigenous peoples in this country.”

Even if the meeting with Harper proceeds, Day predicted only a handful of chiefs would attend.

“There will clearly be no mandate to negotiate.”

Still, earlier in the day, the chiefs had overcome regional tensions and actually agreed to a united, concrete list of demands that they wanted to present to Harper.