Monday, December 31, 2012

21st Century Skills: Rethinking How Students Learn (Leading Edge ...

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21st Century Skills: Rethinking How Students Learn (Leading Edge) [Kindle Edition] Description :

James Bellanca, MA, is founder and CEO of International Renewal Institute, Inc., and acting director of the Illinois Consortium for 21st Century Skills. He founded SkyLight Professional Development in 1982. As its president, he mentored more than twenty author-consultants as he led SkyLight in pioneering the use of strategic teaching in comprehensive professional development. Bellanca coauthored more than twenty books that advocated the application of thinking and cooperating across the curriculum with the theme not just for the test, but for a lifetime of learning. Currently, Bellanca is building on the theories of cognitive psychologist Reuven Feuerstein to develop more effective responses to the learning needs of students whose academic achievement continues to lag. A longtime proponent of teaching that is aligned with the advocated best practices of 21st century skills, Bellanca s most recent publications include Designing Professional Development for Change: A Guide for Improving Classroom Instruction; Enriched Learning Projects: A Practical Pathway to 21st Century Skills; Collaboration and Cooperation in 21st Century Schools; 200+ Active Learning Strategies and Projects for Engaging Students Multiple Intelligences; and A Guide to Graphic Organizers: Helping Students Organize and Process Content for Deeper Learning. Ron Brandt, Ed.D., was editor of publications for the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), Alexandria, Virginia, for almost twenty years before his retirement in 1997. During his career at ASCD, he was best known as executive editor of Educational Leadership magazine. In the 1980s, he promoted the teaching of thinking in elementary and secondary schools, collaborating with Robert Marzano and a team of other educators in development of a book, Dimensions of Thinking, and a related teacher training program, Dimensions of Learning. He is also the author or editor of numerous other publications. Before joining the staff of ASCD, he was a teacher and principal in Racine, Wisconsin; director of staff development in Minneapolis, Minnesota; and for eight years was associate superintendent of the Lincoln Public Schools in Lincoln, Nebraska.

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Costumers reviews for 21st Century Skills: Rethinking How Students Learn (Leading Edge) [Kindle Edition]

21st Century Skills: Rethinking How Students Learn is a valuable contribution to the dialogue about the education of children and youth in the United States today. As longtime proponents of cognitive approaches to education, editors Jim Bellanca and Ron Brandt understand the importance of schools where students are engaged in important learning, becoming ever more self-directed. Their way of thinking about education connects well with the goals of the Partnership for 21st Century Skills, which partnership president Ken Kay articulates in his foreword to this book as preparing students for citizenship, college and career. In addition to emphasizing core content knowledge taught in schools, he discusses the partnership?s perspective for the need for students to become globally aware and literate about financial, civic, health, and environmental issues. Furthermore, Kay discusses the need for youth today to be masters of the 4 Cs?Critical Thinking, Creativity and Innovation, Cooperation, and Communication?to prepare for adulthood.

This book does not suggest one road to implementation in schools today, nor is the intent to limit discussion only to the book?s contents; rather it aims to give educational leaders and those who create policy food for thought. For thirty years my career has been focused on helping more students reach their potential through motivational and cognitive approaches to learning. Therefore, through the years my work has been informed by many of the fine educators who contributed to this book.

The first chapter by Howard Gardner is a great way to set the stage for a dialogue about 21st century education. In what I consider to be some of his best work, Gardner discusses five types of minds that students today need to develop: disciplined, synthesizing, creating, respectful, and ethical. To frame this discussion, it seems timely to consider respectful and ethical character development as essential to the future of our country and world. Gardner offers a human framework as the driving energy for education rather than a more limited approach (i.e., what technology should schools apply, how should we test, which curricula pass muster?) to nurture our national treasure, our youth.

Within a human framework, we can then begin to discuss implementation, or how we provide a 21st century education for all our youth. In Chapter 2 Linda Darling-Hammond makes the case for policy that supports effective teachers and leaders and provides opportunities for professional learning. Understanding that effective instruction (including leadership and policy support) has been found to be the most important factor for increasing student learning is central as leaders rethink education today.

Personally, I found Bob Pearlman?s insights on designing new learning environments and Cheryl Lemke?s work on innovating through technology to be novel and informative. Both authors discuss the importance of reaching youth today through the use of technology, a strength for many students. Lemke discusses technology as a means to further (1) multimodal learning and critical and creative thinking, (2) democratization of knowledge so that online learning activities are available to individuals and groups without regard to where they are located geographically, and (3) participatory learning through social networking systems already familiar to many youth today.

In Chapter 6, Bob Pearlman shares frameworks for designing modern schools that provide spaces for various aspects of learning, including individual and small and large group learning spaces rather than the usual teacher desk at the front of the room with rows of desks for students. Pearlman gives examples of models in the United States and England where communities have put a high priority on education and educators have thoughtfully designed schools around student learning in the 21st century. As the author puts it, the aim is an integration of form and function. I think this chapter is important not only because it addresses an interesting topic, but also because when we are discussing new buildings, it brings front and center the need for the community to support courageous educational leaders in the re-creation of schools.

I believe now is a critical time for educational change, just as it was when leaders in the mid-nineteenth century developed a system to educate the masses in a way that would be appropriate in the Industrial Age. Today, we are long past that era, and our youth, as well as our effective educators, need support of policy makers, leaders, and the local community. It is unfair to students and to all of us as the American taxpayers to settle for less. It is critical (1) that effective teachers and administrators have opportunities to share what has been found to work, (2) that educators have a chance to participate in cutting-edge professional learning that may include a variety of experiences, one of which might be learning how to teach with new technologies, and (3) that local community leaders work hand in hand with school leaders and policy makers to re-create our educational system.

In terms of Amazon?s goal to reach both educators and others in the community who are supportive stakeholders in education, this book is a useful introduction to some ideas that can help inform those interested in using their influence, from inside or outside education, to support institutions for learning. The time is now. Our children and youth deserve the best, and with the predisposition that many millennials have to embrace key issues today and to use social networks, with the right educational and community experiences, they may be better equipped than any generation before them to make our world a better place!

Donna Wilson, Ph.D.
President, 21st Century Skills, LLC &
BrainSMART, Inc.

from your own site.

Source: http://alrevisacademy.com/21st-century-skills-rethinking-how-students-learn-leading-edge-kindle-edition-2/

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Sunday, December 30, 2012

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Fans to introduce Beyonce at Super Bowl halftime

NEW YORK (AP) ? All the single ladies ? and fellas ? will have a chance to join Beyonce on the field at the Super Bowl.

Pepsi announced Friday that fans will introduce the Grammy-winning diva when she takes the stage Feb. 3 at New Orleans' Mercedes-Benz Superdome. A contest that kicks off Saturday will allow fans to submit photos of themselves in various poses, including head bopping, feet tapping and hip shaking. Those pictures will be used in a TV ad to air ahead of Beyonce's halftime performance, and 50 of those who submit photos ? along with a friend ? will be selected to introduce the singer.

Photo contest details are at www.pepsi.com/halftime . The contest ends Jan. 19, but Jan. 11 is the cutoff date for those interested in introducing Beyonce.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/fans-introduce-beyonce-super-bowl-halftime-023946319--spt.html

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Saturday, December 29, 2012

Eric Chua : Life, Business and Real Estate in Singapore ? Tips And ...

There are a lot of reasons many people invest in the world of commercial real estate. But these reasons must have something to do with a basic knowledge you have acquired about this particular business. The more information you have, the greater your earnings will be through your commercial real estate dealings. Below, you?ll find some great tips to help you start your commercial real estate career, or to add to your already wide breadth of knowledge.

When you begin to invest, it is wise to only have one investment in mind at a time. Pick out just one type of property to begin with and then give it all you?ve got. You want to be an ace investor in one property type rather than just OK at many different types.

Only work with companies that are sincerely interested in the success of their customers. If you don?t, you might wind up suffering over the long haul for an otherwise preventable error.

TIP! Prior to negotiating with the lease of your commercial real estate, try to decrease anything that could be a default as you can. The less behaviors you have that constitute default, the less likely it is that you?ll have to deal with a tenant?s default.

Think bigger when you are investing in commercial properties. Don?t let fear of managing a large building stop you from making the best investment possible. In reality, there?s no difference between managing a small number of units and a large number. Both sizes of buildings need commercial financing, but buildings with more units are cheaper per unit.

When you are setting up your home office or commercial property for selling purposes, consider the Asian art of feng shui. De-cluttering and open spaces are two key tenets, both of which are attractive to buyers.

Look out for any motivated sellers. You have to look for them, particularly the sellers who are willing to sell for less than the market price. Nothing happens until you come upon the deal made available by a very motivated seller.

TIP! There are different types of commercial real estate brokers. There are agents who only represent tenants and there are full-service brokers who work with both tenants and landlords.

Interest Rates

Be wary of fluctuating interest rates, as these can greatly affect not only your initial financing, but also your long-term investment. It?s completely unpredictable how the markets will be today or tomorrow, let alone a week or month from now, leaving investors vulnerable to changes in interest rates. Think about this when you are out shopping for a new property. Consider what your long-term options are.

Before you make a decision on which real estate broker to use, see how they negotiate. Ask about their training and experience. You can also double check that their methods are ethical, and that they have success in finding and negotiating the optimum deals. Ask for examples of successful and unsuccessful past negotiations.

TIP! Locate a lender prior to putting in an offer for a commercial property. Make a list of all of the most expert lenders locally.

Commercial rental buildings should feature sturdy construction and simple details. Tenants will be more likely to rent space in this type of building, as it looks taken care of. Not are the buildings more sturdy, there will be less maintenance issues for the owner and the tenant.

There are many websites available that offer information to investors; therefore, learn all you can before searching for commercial property. Learning is an ongoing process, and you can never know enough.

Pest Control

TIP! When hiring a real estate agent, read the disclosures completely before signing a contract with a realtor. It is important that you realize that you may be entering a dual agency transaction.

Bugs and rodents are always looking to ruin your property, so factor pest control into your business strategy when renting commercial property. It is a good idea to consult your rental agent for information on pest control policies, especially if the area your property is located in is known for a high population of insects and rodents.

When you write your letters of intent, start off by dealing with the larger issues, then move on to the smaller ones later. This lets you get the bigger issues out of the way first and makes small issues simpler to complete.

Compile a number of people to partner with financially. These can be professional lenders, friends and family. This will allow you to ascertain cash flow. Look into and set up contracts that offer you one of two options, either one that gives you an actual percentage from the income of the property you are dealing with, or fixed interest rate.

TIP! Keep in mind that a property will only last so long. Ignoring a property or deciding to wait too long can cause this lifetime to come to an unexpected end, especially if you aren?t willing to pay the fees for proper upkeep over the period of time.

You can save money on repair costs while cleaning up the property. First off, you may not be liable for cleanup expenses if you do not hold ownership interest, but if you do, you are on the hook. It can be incredibly expensive to dispose of waste that is not environmentally friendly. Get a report from an environmental assessment company. While these services are expensive, they may save you money in the long run.

Establish the needs of your business before looking at buildings. You should be aware of the exact specifications you will need for your office space. While prices are low, invest in a larger property that offers good growth potential.

Location is essential to the commercial real estate. For example, consider the surrounding area and local neighborhoods. Don?t forget to check out similar areas as well, in order to see how other neighborhoods are growing economically. The ideal location is situated in an area that can sustain economic growth for many years to come.

TIP! Thoroughly tour every potential property. Think about having a contractor as a companion to help evaluate the property.

Real Estate

Develop an eagle eye for excellent deals. Real estate professionals have an easier time finding deals. Their secret entails that they have an exit strategy, meaning that they know when to walk away from a deal. To be a professional real estate investor, you need to learn how to determine the risks inherent in every investment. Professionals can figure out the hidden costs of an investment, such as the need for extensive repairs, and only invest in properties that help them reach their financial goals.

As previously mentioned, you may want to invest in the commercial real estate market for a variety of reasons. However, no matter what your reason may be, you need to be knowledgeable about the subject. If you apply the advice you learned in this article to your own commercial real estate endeavors, you will be well on your way towards maximizing your profits.

TIP! Residential property transactions are much less intricate and protracted than are commercial transactions. Keep in mind though that the arduous nature of this process is just a stepping stone to better dividends yielded from the hours and money you invest.

Source: http://www.maynaseric.com/tips-and-tricks-for-successful-commercial-real-estate-transactions-2

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The Recipe for Successful 2013 Resolutions ? Swim Well and Live ...

Some interesting analysis of New Year?s Resolutions from statisticbrain.com:

The Top 10 Resolutions for 2012 were:

  1. Lose Weight
  2. Get Organized
  3. Spend Less . . . Save More
  4. Enjoy Life More Fully
  5. Stay Fit and Healthy (not always the same thing)
  6. Learn Something Exciting
  7. Quit Smoking
  8. Help Others Reach Their Dreams
  9. Fall in Love
  10. Spend More Time with Family

And some revelatory statistics about who makes resolutions and their success rate:

  • 62% of Americans make resolutions
  • 38% never do.
  • 8% of all resolutions made are achieved.
  • 39% of 20-something resolvers report success, while ? ouch ? only 14% of 50+ resolvers do.
  • However people who explicitly make a New Year?s Resolution are 10x more likely to achieve a goal than those who explicitly do not. (Huh?)
  • Self-improvement or learning resolutions are the most frequently achieved. Relationship resolutions rank lowest in success.

Takeaways.

  1. It?s better to resolve than not.
  2. Resolving to improve yourself or learn something improves your odds.
  3. Those who are 50+ (I?ve never taken a poll, but suspect the median age of those who follow this blog is probably around 50) probably need a more examined, strategic approach.

So for my final blog of 2012, some suggestions for making?and achieving?2013 resolutions. Naturally my advice will focus on improving your swimming?which can not only contribute to #s 1-4-5-6 in the list above, but also aid any self-improvement project.

Small is beautiful. ??The keystone of the TI Method is Kaizen, the philosophy of Continuous Improvement. Kaizen is rooted in the Taoist proverb: ?The journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step.? Kaizen is explicitly about incremental change?often so subtle you can?t sense it, yet never doubt it?pursued daily.

  • Some psychologists believe willpower is a limited resource: The more of it you require to make one change, the less you?ll have left over to make others. Or to sustain the first.
  • Researchers Teresa Amabile and Steven Kramer asked hundreds of resolvers to keep diaries. After reviewing their entries, they concluded: ?Small wins, achieved regularly, contribute much more to happiness than occasional ambitious accomplishments. The satisfaction produced by a greater achievement isn?t proportionately larger nor longer-lasting.?
  • Ambitious goals often lead to procrastination, while small ones are less daunting.

Make modest resolutions, and renew them throughout the year, rather than set ambitious goals now.

Focus on process. This is a central precept in work by George Leonard on Mastery, Mihalyi Csikszentmihaly on Flow, Anders Ericsson and colleagues on Excellence and Daniel Coyle in The Talent Code. In the simplest of swimming terms, it means stop focusing on getting to the other end and focus instead on being conscious of each stroke along the way. Before long you?ll become aware of ?consequential nanoseconds? within each stroke.

Or if you?d like to improve your 1500m time by 10 percent?say from 30 to 27 minutes, do you understand how you ?construct? your current pace? Have you sought answers to questions like these?

  • How do you pace your 1500 now ? how do the middle and final 500s compare to the first? If you slow down, why? Do you add strokes (lose Stroke Length) or lose tempo? What is the ideal way to ?construct? your goal time? What SPL and Tempo combination will produce your goal pace (per 100) . . . with the least effort?
  • Is your SPL within the range of 2 to 3 counts that are appropriate for your height or wingspan?
  • If your SPL is above that range, how much of that is due to poor balance and streamlining vs ineffective propulsion? Have you examined your stroke on video, or had it analyzed by a TI Coach?
  • Are you practicing with a Tempo Trainer? Do you know your Tempo ?Sweet Spot? ? the tempo at which you can most easily maintain an SPL that?s efficient for your height? At what Stroke Rates do your ease and efficiency break down?both when you slow or increase tempo?

With this info, you can plan 100% personalized practices that target your primary improvement opportunities in your skill makeup and in combinations of SPL and Tempo.

Embrace the imperfect.

Don?t wait for any particular condition to be fulfilled or to feel strongly motivated. Emotional states, like motivation, are too often transitory. And the supposition that you require motivation undermines action. ?The belief that you need to feel motivated, or need the perfect situation, before taking action is the biggest barrier to actually getting things done.

Imperfection is indeed, the natural state of the Human Swimmer and means we have limitless Kaizen potential.

Japanese psychologist Shomo Morita writes: ?Begin taking action now, while being neurotic or imperfect or a procrastinator or unhealthy or lazy or any other label by which you inaccurately describe yourself.?

Be happier today.

New York Times health writer Jane Brody wrote in her article Changing our Tune on Exercise? ?For decades, [we?ve been] bombarded with messages that regular exercise is necessary to lose weight, prevent serious disease and foster healthy aging. And most people say they value these goals. Yet a vast majority of Americans ? two-thirds of whom are overweight or obese ? have thus far failed to swallow the ?exercise pill.? She described new research that says people are far more likely to exercise when they anticipate it will make today a better day, than for some possible future benefit.??People who exercise for quality of life exercise more over the course of a year than those who value exercise for its health benefits.???

I ride a bike for every feasible errand between April and November, neither to be green, nor to be fit. I do it because it makes me feel 15 again (I?m 61) and because, on a bike, I can feel a breeze on my face, smell the flowers and hear birdsong?none of which happens in a car. My swimming motivation is essentially the same. While I do swim in meets and and open water races?and am a very competitive person at heart?and I hope to be mobile, agile and graceful at 85?my main reason for swimming is I feel fantastic, physically and mentally, during and after.

Final Word

Any of these precepts could be resolutions themselves. Next week I?ll share my resolutions for 2012 and how they worked out, and those I?ve set for 2013 and how I?ve been guided by these precepts in setiing ? and re-setting ? them.

Until then, what will your swimming goals be for 2013? If you?d like to share, I?ve set up a special thread on the TI Discussion Forum. ?Look for ?What are your 2013 Swim Resolutions?? in the Links and References conference.

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Source: http://www.swimwellblog.com/archives/1830/

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Broader background checks and denial criteria could help prevent mass shooting catastrophes, experts say

Dec. 27, 2012 ? Garen Wintemute, a leading authority on gun violence prevention and an emergency medicine physician at UC Davis, believes broader criteria for background checks and denials on gun purchases can help prevent future firearm violence, including mass shooting catastrophes such as those that occurred at Sandy Hook, Aurora, Virginia Tech and Columbine.

"To reduce the number of deaths and injuries from firearms in the United States, we need to develop policies that require background checks for all firearm purchases, including private-party sales -- the most important source of firearms for criminal buyers and others who are prohibited from purchasing guns," said Wintemute, director of the UC Davis Violence Prevention Research Program and inaugural Susan P. Baker-Stephen P. Teret Chair in Violence Prevention at UC Davis.

"We need to prevent individuals with a previous conviction for a misdemeanor violent crime, such as assault and battery, from purchasing or possessing a firearm. We also need to develop better data and criteria that allow us to distinguish between those with a treatable mental disorder who do not have a history of violence from those with a history of violence or substance abuse," he said.

Wintemute's views posted on the Online First section of the New England Journal of Medicine website as a Perspective article, entitled "Tragedy's Legacy," on December 26, 2012. It also will appear in the journal's January 31, 2013 print edition.

According to Wintemute, the United States represents only 5 percent of the world's population, but it owns more than 40 percent of all firearms that are in civilians' hands. In addition, he believes that policies governing gun purchases and use have allowed the widest possible array of firearms to be available to the widest group of people, for use under the widest array of conditions. Wintemute specifically cites the "Stand Your Ground" laws, enacted at the state level, as dangerous experiments that have been used to legitimize shootings that once were considered to be murder.

Wintemute emphasizes taking a broad approach.

"It may be impossible to predict the next mass shooting incident, and we cannot expect interventions designed for specific circumstances to eliminate the risk of firearm violence. But we can change our firearms laws, based on existing evidence, to reduce harm and better ensure public safety," he said.

"Some 40 percent of all firearm transactions, for example, involve private-party sellers, who are not required to keep records and cannot obtain a background check," Wintemute said. "We need policies that prevent these quick, anonymous and undocumented sales. We also need policies that deny gun purchases to those who we know are at high risk for violence."

Wintemute's research has shown that among persons who purchase firearms legally, those with a previous conviction for a misdemeanor violent crime are roughly nine times as likely as those with no criminal history to be arrested for a violent crime later. For those with two or more such prior convictions, he found the risk increases by a factor of 10 to 15. In addition, studies have shown that firearm owners who abuse alcohol are more likely than other owners to engage in violence-related firearm behavior.

"We know that comprehensive background checks and expanded denial criteria are feasible and effective, because they are in place in many states and have been evaluated," Wintemute said. "In California, the denial policy reduced the risk of violence and firearm-related crime by 23 percent among those whose purchases were denied. But we need to broaden these and other effective state-level regulations to eliminate the flow of firearms from states where laws are lax to states where laws are stricter."

Wintemute also notes that proposals for comprehensive background checks and denials for misdemeanor violence and for alcohol abuse enjoy broad public support, including among firearm owners. Survey data come from Wintemute's own research as well as a series of public polls conducted for the Mayors Against Illegal Guns.

"While the individual circumstances of the mass shooting massacres in the U.S. are different, we can only change the outcome if we confront the challenge of unchecked and easy access to firearms," Wintemute said. "Strengthening our background check and denial policies for firearm purchases will not eliminate firearm violence, but they can reduce it."

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Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by University of California - Davis Health System.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.


Journal Reference:

  1. Garen J. Wintemute. Tragedy's Legacy. New England Journal of Medicine, 2012; : 121226140059003 DOI: 10.1056/NEJMp1215491

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/top_news/top_health/~3/Q7KXLV85PdI/121227154701.htm

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Hunger strike pressures Canada PM, aboriginal protests spread

OTTAWA (Reuters) - A Canadian aboriginal chief in the third week of a hunger strike is urging Prime Minister Stephen Harper to "open his heart" and meet with native leaders angered by his policies as small impromptu protests spread beyond Canada's borders.

Chief Theresa Spence from the remote northern Ontario community of Attawapiskat has been fasting since December 11 and has vowed to continue until Harper personally commits to the talks on a litany of complaints, including new legislation that she says will harm native lands.

"He's a person with a heart but he needs to open his heart. I'm sure he has faith in the Creator himself and for him to delay this, it's very disrespectful, I feel, to not even meet with us," she said in an interview in Ottawa.

Spence is at the center of an unprecedented Canadian aboriginal protest movement called "Idle No More" that began with four women in the province of Saskatchewan raising awareness about the Conservative government's budget bill, which was passed earlier this month.

The bill, which has also been heavily criticized by opposition politicians for its broad reach, scales back environmental protections for lakes and rivers and makes it easier to sell reserve lands.

Aided by Facebook and Twitter, their protest proliferated faster than anyone had imagined and is now drawing comparisons to the "Occupy Wall Street" movement.

"Flash mob" protests with traditional dancing and drumming have erupted in dozens of shopping malls across North America. There have been rallies, marches and highway blockades by aboriginal groups across Canada and supporters have emerged from as far away as New Zealand and the Middle East.

The campaign aims to draw attention to the dismal living conditions faced by many of the country's 1.2 million natives, including poverty, unsafe drinking water, inadequate housing, addiction and high suicide rates.

'I'M WILLING TO DIE'

Camped out in a traditional teepee within sight of Ottawa's Parliament buildings, Spence appeared weak and short of breath but resolute on Thursday, Day 17 of her hunger strike, staying warm by a wood stove as a snow storm raged outside.

To critics who question her strategy and say her demands are too vague, Spence replies that she has run out of patience.

"I know it's hard for people to understand what I'm doing but it's for this pain that's been going on too long with our people," she said, sitting on her makeshift bed and flanked by supporters.

Blankets hung from the inside walls of the teepee and a faint aroma of cedar rose from branches spread on the ground. Spence is consuming only water, fish broth and a medicinal tea.

"It has to stop and I'm willing to suffer until the meeting goes on. Even if I don't make it, people will continue my journey. Like I keep saying, I'm willing to die for the people of First Nations because the suffering is too much," Spence said.

Spence was in the headlines last year when a severe housing crisis in her community forced people to live in tents in temperatures of minus 40 Fahrenheit (minus 40 Celsius).

The Canadian government suggested taxpayer funds were being squandered and appointed an outside adviser to oversee the town's finances, a move seen as insensitive and later rejected by the courts.

Harper met with native leaders in January but Spence says he had his own agenda and that this time the aboriginal leaders want to bring their issues to the table.

"Why are they so afraid to meet with us?" she said.

Harper's office declined to comment. A spokesman for Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan said the minister has tried repeatedly to reach Chief Spence with no success.

"We will continue trying to engage the chief and other First Nation leaders to discuss how we can build on the progress we have made since 2006," said the spokesman, Jason MacDonald.

MacDonald said Ottawa had built and renovated schools and homes, invested in safe drinking water, introduced legislation to protect the rights of women on reserves and settled over 80 land claims.

Harper also formally apologized in 2008 on behalf of Canada for having in the past forced 150,000 aboriginal children into residential schools, where many were abused.

SIMILAR TO 'OCCUPY' MOVEMENT?

Meanwhile, with the help of social media the Idle No More movement has taken on a life of its own in much the same way the first "Occupy Wall Street" camp gave birth to a multitude of "occupy" protests with no specific demand or leadership.

Events listed on the group's Web site for Friday include rallies in Los Angeles and London, where protesters plan to present Queen Elizabeth with a letter.

But organizers say they've lost track. Their initial Facebook page has 33,000 members and the Twitter hash tag was mentioned 40,000 times in a single day at its peak on December 21.

"This has spread in ways that we wouldn't even have imagined," said Sheelah McLean, an instructor at the University of Saskatchewan who was one of the four women who originally coined the "Idle No More" slogan.

"I don't think the hash tag is the most important thing that has happened," she said.

"What this movement is supposed to do is build consciousness about the inequalities so that everyone is outraged about what is happening here in Canada. Every Canadian should be outraged."

(Editing by Jeffrey Hodgson and Vicki Allen)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/hunger-strike-pressures-canada-pm-aboriginal-protests-spread-151457991.html

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