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Dear Editor:

Re: "I've said it before and I'll say it again, Indian lobbyists and supporters of race-based rights and privileges are nothing more than modern Klansmen." Saskatchewan independent MP Jim Pankiw-Dec. 17, Ottawa Citizen

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As the national representative of the Metis people of the traditional Metis 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 Metis people that Aboriginal rights are human rights. One cannot defend Aboriginal rights at the expense of human rights and vice versa.

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[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.

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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.

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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

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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.

Dear Editor:

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.

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Friends:

I was heartened to learn this afternoon that David Ahenakew had fallen upon his own sword and resigned as chair of the FSIN Senate and as a member of that Senate.

I am, however, deeply disturbed by the demands for a criminal prosecution of Ahenakew. There has been a growing tendency to a knee jerk response to treat every piece of misbehavior as though the only remedies available were those in the Criminal Code.

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Now that a certain calm has come to this community after four days of sickening tumult that was caused by the hate-filled spewing of Dr. David Ahenekew at a meeting in Saskatchewan in December, it's time for a little sober reflection.

Ahenekew's public rant on Jews and the Holocaust and Hitler, as ugly as it was, provides us with an opportunity to talk about this issue of racism in an open and honest manner.