Gov. Gen. David Johnston has agreed to a request from Prime Minister Stephen Harper to host a ceremonial meeting with First Nations leaders at Rideau Hall following their working meetings on Friday.

Some native leaders have insisted that the Governor General should be at the actual meetings and this development offers a possible compromise.

It is unclear, however, whether the meeting with Johnston will salvage the process.

Manitoba chiefs say they won't attend the working sessions without the Governor General.

Their comments today echoed Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence who said Wednesday she would boycott the meetings in Johnston's absence.

It was Spence's month-long protest which triggered the idea of a meeting between aboriginal leaders and the federal government in the first place.

Photo: Governor General David Johnston responds to questions during an interview at his official residence, Rideau Hall, in Ottawa on Wednesday, November 28, 2012. Johnston has agreed to a request from Prime Minister Stephen Harper to host a ceremonial meeting with First Nations leaders at Rideau Hall following their working meetings on Friday.THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Patrick Doyle"