They triggered road and rail blockades, dozens of demonstrations and emergency talks between FirstNations leaders and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
His insistence that the FirstNations would block a Pacific pipeline may seem rather disingenuous because recent Canadian experience suggests that with proper environmental safeguards and appropriate compensation, agreements can be reached.
While the Attawapiskat leader has continued her fast, FirstNations protesters and others have rallied around her, as well as Canadian indigenous rights movement Idle No More, in protest on a range of issues.