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AFN Chief Shawn Atleo taking ‘brief’ doctor-ordered rest amid internal splits

Canada's top aboriginal leader says he's taking a "brief" spell of doctor-ordered time off as First Nations and the federal government prepare for the next phase of fragile negotiations to address longstanding native grievances.

Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo issued a statement Monday congratulating fellow leaders and the aboriginal grassroots for pressuring Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper into hosting last Friday's contentious meeting in Ottawa.

The session, boycotted by some regional chiefs and fasting Attiwapiskat Chief Theresa Spence and opposed by the Idle No More movement, produced some agreement on an agenda for further talks.

It also exposed fractures among the First Nations leadership and between the chiefs and supporters of grassroots Idle No More, which itself may be splintering between those who want to continue protests and others who want to escalate blockades of Canada's economic choke points like railway lines and highways.

[ Related: Canada natives block Harper's office, threaten unrest ]

In the middle of all this, Atleo is taking time off.

"I am proud of the support we received from First Nations citizens and Chiefs across Canada, even during the most difficult days," Atleo said in his statement. "There were many long conference calls, late night meetings, and frustrations in the past two weeks.

"I regret to have to tell you that those long days have caught up with me. This weekend, my doctor ordered that I take some time now to rest and recover and I have agreed with my family that I do this now."

Atleo, 45, delegated work on the key policy files to regional chiefs and urged everyone to keep working to maintain momentum.

"I will see you all very soon and will return re-invigorated and strengthened to work with you to drive this change together with all of you," Atleo said.

The vague reference to his unspecified health problem opened the door to speculation. Some comments on Twitter suggested Atleo had been battling the effects of a bout of norovirus — which has laid low lots of Canadians — for weeks.

Most wished him a speedy recovery but a couple made light of his ill health.

"#Ottawapiskat Chief is accused of using his medicine man to cast illness on @shawnatleo," tweeted FeistyCoyote.

"Our medicines cannot do harm to anyone!" Mzhako Kwe blasted back. "If Atleo is ill, it is his own doing."

[Related: AFN runner-up Pam Palmater accuses PM of trying to break up communities]

Atleo, hereditary chief of the Ahousaht First Nation on Vancouver Island, was first elected national chief in 2009 and re-elected last year against bitter challenges from those who thought he should take a harder line with the Harper Conservatives.

His closest rival in last summer's election, Mi'qmaq lawyer Pamela Palmater, is a prominent member of Idle No More.

(Reuters photo)