Trust. Integrity. Reputation. Top News - January - 2003 Ian Akiwenze of Toronto was all smiles at the Canadian Aboriginal Festival powwow held at the Skydome in Ontario's capital city from Nov.28 to Dec. 1. Photo by Ann Hanson RCMP hears Pankiw complaint AFN sets schedule for re-structuring Leaders respond to comments of David Ahenakew Hate lives cozily among us - Editorial Self-government means FSIN should clean up own mess - Guest Column Check out Ontario Birchbark THE ENTIRE CONTENTS OF WINDSPEAKER'S JANUARY ISSUE ARE ONLINE IN THE ARCHIVES - ACCESS IS RESTRICTED TO SUBSCRIBERS ONLY. CLICK HERE FOR ONLINE SUBSCRIPTION INFO. RCMP hears Pankiw complaint Paul Barnsley, Windspeaker Staff Writer, Saskatoon A complaint against independent Member of Parliament Jim Pankiw was filed with Saskatoon RCMP on Dec. 18 by a Métis man. John Melenchuk told Windspeaker he was interviewed at length by Cpl. John Kubat of the Major Crimes Unit. Kubat said he could not comment on what he had discussed with Melenchuk, but he did confirm he had spoken to him that day. Melenchuk said the police officer assured him he would investigate the complaint. It centres around a pamphlet the Saskatoon-Humboldt MP sent out to constituents in early December. Entitled "Stop Indian Crime," the pamphlet states that Native people are disproportionately represented in the justice system because Native people commit more crimes. He said political correctness has prevented anyone from stating this "fact" and Natives, instead, are given a "get-out-of-jail-card" through section 718.2 (e) of the Criminal Code of Canada which allows judges to not sentence some Aboriginal offenders to periods of incarceration because of social circumstances they may be faced with. The pamphlet, paid for with tax dollars, prompted Canada Post employees to picket the MP's constituency office because they did not want to have deliver what they considered offensive material. Melenchuk said he decided to file the complaint for two reasons. First, he felt that since there had been calls for a police investigation into recent anti-Semitic comments made by Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations Senator David Ahenakew, then Pankiw's comments should also be investigated. Second, the back cover of the pamphlet shows the famous photo of a Mohawk Warrior face to face with a Canadian soldier. Pankiw's caption under that photo: "Indian terrorist confronts Canadian soldier at Oka, 1990" caught the attention of the Métis man's young son. "He saw it and asked me, 'Are you an Indian, dad?' I said, 'No. I'm a Métis. I'm half Indian.' Then he asked me, 'Are you a terrorist?' That's when I decided I had to do something," said John Melenchuk. He said he filed the complaint because the FSIN leadership had not taken action. "Our so-called leaders here are doing nothing so I decided to do something," he said. "If Ahenakew's behavior was worth an investigation then this certainly is. At least Mr. Ahenakew apologized." Section 319 of the Criminal Code of Canada states that "Every one who, by communicating statements in any public place, incites hatred against any identifiable group where such incitement is likely to lead to a breach of the peace is guilty" of a hate-crime. It has been a notoriously difficult charge to prove and few such charges have been laid. The attorney general of the province also has the last word on if the charge will proceed. Those who were enraged by the comments of Ahenakew have called for an investigation. They have also called for revocation of his membership in the Order of Canada. "The Jews damn near owned all of Germany prior to the war," Ahenakew told the Saskatoon StarPhoenix. "That's how Hitler came in. He was going to make damn sure that the Jews didn't take over Germany or Europe. "That's why he fried six million of those guys, you know. Jews would have owned the goddamned world. And look what they're doing. They're killing people in Arab countries." Native leaders denounced his comments. Ahenakew apologized and resigned from the FSIN posts on Dec. 17. Top AFN sets schedule for re-structuring Paul Barnsley, Windspeaker Staff Writer, Ottawa A schedule for making changes to the way the Assembly of First Nations functions has been set. National Chief Matthew Coon Come laid out the timing for the process in his address to the chiefs at the December Confederacy in Ottawa. Coon Come said he and the executive committee have come up with a draft plan that will be sent to the chiefs for their examination in preparation for a debate at the next chiefs meeting in April. "There will be many options that we would want this assembly to entertain. And we will give you ample time," he told the chiefs. "We do have a draft. I think it's about 46 pages with various options. We will send that out ahead of time so you will have an opportunity to review it." Okanagan First Nation Chief Dan Wilson questioned the national chief on one of the most controversial aspects of AFN re-organization. "At the last AFN election we were led to believe we were going to have a national election for national chief. I believe we need to do that if we're really going to be respected as a government. Right now we're a corporate structure and we're just recognized as a lobby group. I'd like to ask the national chief if he plans to follow through with his campaign promise and allow each and every one of our band members to vote for a national chief," he said. "I made that recommendation but I alone cannot make that happen and I do lead the assembly," Coon Come responded. "So that will go out for the April confederacy, then we can debate it and look at the re-structuring of our organization. And [it will be finalized] at the annual general assembly which is the only entity that we have-they're the only ones that can amend the charter or approve it in reference to our constitution." Further details were not released, although the national chief provided a few clues during an interview with Windspeaker. "We hope to engage in some serious dialogue among ourselves on where we sit as nations-the Cree Nation, the Mohawk Nation, the Haida Nation. We need a structure like the United Nations because of our diversity," he said. "We'll also be looking at the roles of the vice-chiefs who are elected by their regions. Should there be other people, other than the national chief, who are elected by the people so they can focus on national issues? We've also talked about looking at the chiefs committees and what role they play. Are they advisory roles or decision-making? And what relation does that have to the executive committee? We're looking at the whole overall structure. It's long overdue. We felt that it's imperative and the only way you can do it is by the annual general assembly." Coon Come was asked if he felt it was important the AFN wean itself from government funding that it is presently so dependent on. "You and I know that as long as we, as a national organization, are totally dependent on the department [of Indian Affairs] we are at their mercy and are restricted as to what we can do-no room for flexibility. So I certainly would concur that we need to look at how we can be independent if we really believe in a national organization and how we want to set ourselves up. Hopefully, we'll be able to discuss those monetary aspects," he replied. Top Leaders respond to comments of David Ahenakew Dear Editor: I am deeply disturbed to have learned of the extraordinary anti-Semitic and racist remarks attributed to Saskatchewan First Nations Senator Dr. David Ahenakew in newspaper reports. As national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, and on behalf of all First Nations and First Nations peoples from all regions in Canada, I unconditionally reject these hateful, ignorant and unacceptable remarks made by Dr. Ahenakew. These comments are damaging and they are morally offensive. We regret these insulting comments directed at our Jewish brothers and sisters who have in fact supported First Nations in many of our struggles. Millions of people around the world, including hundreds of thousands of Canadians, responded to the call to defeat Nazi oppression and the march of fascism. Many, including a disproportionate number of First Nations people from Canada, gave their lives in this struggle against Hitler's evil in Europe and elsewhere. For hundreds of years, Indigenous peoples around the world have been and are still being subjected to horrendous intolerance, discrimination, racism and various forms of genocide. We have cried out against these continuing injustices, and have been joined by decent and well-meaning people of many races and faiths-including very many Jews-in doing so. I have contacted senior representatives in the Jewish community to convey our regrets and offer our assistance in any way that may be helpful to deal with this regrettable situation. We want to ensure the positive relationship we enjoy with the Jewish community remains strong and intact. There can never be any justification for racism or genocide, anywhere. Accordingly, First Nations leaders and peoples in Canada reject and dissociate themselves from any action or expression of racism, bigotry, and injustice, no matter whether they are aimed at us or at Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Hindu or any other people. The AFN and First Nations find these comments offensive and totally unacceptable. An apology is a necessary first step and further efforts may be required to repair the damage and hurt inflicted by these comments. National Chief Matthew Coon Come Assembly of First Nations Top Dear Editor: Re: Comments made by David Ahenakew. We have all seen the recent words of David Ahenakew. The spirit is familiar. Here, again, the ugly spectre of anti-Semitism. What is it that Aboriginal and Jewish peoples share, if not acquaintance with this swaggering abomination called hatred? It has devoured our peoples, has multiplied despair, has forged the machinery of domination and death. Our Elders teach us to rebuke both the thought and deeds of hate, for according to the teachings it is the work of human beings to promote through their thoughts and actions peace and respect among the world's peoples. Indeed, we are taught that this is what makes us fully human. We know therefore that Mr. Ahenakew's hateful comments have no place in the world we are meant to create for future generations. Today, many Aboriginal people are trying to undo the intergenerational legacy of colonizing institutions whose aim was the eradication of our cultures, our languages, and our ways of living in the world. In some measure, the efforts of colonization have succeeded. Even so, nothing of our ways as Aboriginal peoples would have survived to the present day, had the logic of racial superiority prevailed. We know that racism is an enemy. And yet many of us have internalized the notions that we are stupid, dirty and inferior. Suicide, alcoholism, violence and self-hate continue to plague us. Healing consists in replacing the legacy of racism with a legacy of reconciliation and peace between peoples. Our well-being depends upon the success of this endeavor. I acknowledge and honor the many Jewish people who have been active in the healing movement. As an Aboriginal person, I am saddened and sickened to see David Ahenakew's comments. He has offended Jewish people everywhere, and has marred a relationship between peoples, which I nonetheless believe will remain positive. It is my hope that people respond to the spirit of hate, wherever it appears, by renewing their commitment to the long and difficult task of healing and reconciliation. We have seen, endured, and overcome much. But when the minds and spirits of our own peoples are conquered, we are lost. Masi Georges Erasmus President, Aboriginal Healing Foundation Top I have spent most of my life fighting for the rights of Indigenous Peoples around the world. Racism has been one of the most powerful forces undermining Indigenous rights, and we cannot condone statements made by anyone, especially members of the Indigenous community, that are based on racism directed against any minority. The Jewish People of Europe were victimized in the Holocaust and before that by the pogroms in Europe. It has been among the world's most persistently persecuted populations. Many Jewish people have been involved in struggles to defend human rights and have fought hand in hand with Indigenous communities in defense of our human rights. We are extremely grateful for this assistance. For hundred of years we have had to deal with the consequences of racism directed against our peoples. Racism has long been discredited and cannot form the basis of any legitimate social criticism. We, as an Indigenous people and as Crees cannot accept this and do not accept this within our own community. The legacy of our Cree ancestors is to respect all people as human beings and equals. By speaking out against racism we show our commitment to basic principles of human rights and confirm our commitment to our traditions. Grand Chief Ted Moses Grand Council of the Crees Top On the occasion of the suspension of David Ahenakew from the SIFC Board of Governors. David Ahenakew's remarks do not represent the views of the SIFC, the FSIN or First Nations people. Racism is intolerable, whatever the source, and cannot be excused. We apologize to the Jewish community and the public at large. Vice-Chief Lindsay Cyr Chair of the SIFC Board of Governors Top Skeetchestn World War II soldiers put their lives on the line to defend us against racist and anti-Semitic ideas. It would dishonor the memory of their sacrifice to remain silent on this issue. Having been the victims of racist government policies ourselves, we must send a strong message that Mr. Ahenikew's remarks are totally unacceptable and have no legitimate place in a free society that respects human rights. Chief Ron Ignace Skeetchestn Indian Band, B.C. Top [David] Ahenakew's comments are hurtful to all of us Canadians. It is disappointing that as a community leader, in a position to guide and mentor his community, he harbors and voices such venomous and hurtful comments. However, I feel that it does demonstrate a very unsettling and disturbing trend, which causes many Canadians grave concern no matter what our background. What is most disconcerting is that Ahenakew's comments can incite acts and sentiments of hatred. At a time when we should all be working towards respecting each other's cultural and religious background and working toward peaceful co-existence, Ahenakew's statements are truly reprehensible and destructive. There is no excuse or justification for such anti-Semitic remarks. Art Hagopian President, Canadian Ethnocultural Council Top Every reasonable person must condemn the words, the thoughts and the actions that perpetrate such hatred. I can sympathize with people of the Jewish faith who will be hurt by this story and its widespread coverage. As an Aboriginal leader and traditionalist, I can tell you that comments of this nature are completely contrary to everything Aboriginal teachings support and can only represent the hurtful ramblings of a sick individual. I have every confidence that the Aboriginal leadership and citizens in his constituency will take the appropriate action and close any public stage to this man. Grand Chief Leon Jourdain Grand Council Treaty #3 Top We are deeply concerned about comment made by Dr. Ahenakew to the Saskatoon Star-Phoenix newspaper regarding our jewish brothers and sisters. We find these statements to be offensive and intolerable. We wish to express our outrage and regret that these hurtful comments were made. Robert Adams, executive director Native Canadian Centre, Toronto As the national representative of the Métis people of the traditional Métis homeland, I offer my sincere regrets to the Jewish people who have been hurt by those words. Our people know all to well the pain caused by hurtful words. Our people know how ignorance about our true history is the basis for many of the racist attitudes that exist today. That is why we must condemn these words. It has always been the belief of the Métis people that Aboriginal rights are human rights. One cannot defend Aboriginal rights at the expense of human rights and vice versa. Let's not allow racism lead to more racism. The words of one individual should not be used to judge all Aboriginal people. Gerald Morin, President Métis National Council Top As an Israeli/Aboriginal woman I am particularly shocked at the comments made by Dave Ahenekew. No matter how you look at it or attempt to justify it, it is outright racism. I would expect that an Aboriginal leader who understands the meaning of oppression and genocide would set an example for humanity in a good way. The comments made were not only intolerant and racist, but an embarrassment to all leaders who are really working towards the greater good. For those of us who work towards tolerance and understanding every day, it is truly upsetting to get a taste of the hatred we are working against. Through my life I have found more similarities than differences between Israelis and First Nations, but the most important thing to recognize is that we all must work together and accept one another. As Native people we must stay strong and support one another. We must teach our children to respect all humanity no matter what faith, religion or color they are. I am sad that once again the media has a negative spin to put on our people. Next time think before you speak because you may not realize how many people are listening or what a lasting affect your words will have. Jennifer Podemski Actor/Producer Top