Prime Minister Stephen Harper agreed in a meeting with native leaders to pay more attention to their demands, trying to mollify an aboriginal protest movement that has threatened to blockade roads and railways across the country.

Faced with a seemingly intractable situation that has confronted successive governments, Harper agreed to a high-level dialogue with the natives and to have his office take increased responsibility for their issues. Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan said:

“Working together remains the best way to achieve our shared objective of healthier, more prosperous and self-sufficient First Nations.”

Hundreds of aboriginal protesters had blocked the main entrance to a downtown building where Harper was preparing to meet about 20 native leaders on Friday, demonstrating their frustration, but also highlighting a deep divide within the country’s First Nations on how to push Ottawa to heed their demands.