Confidence lost in AFN leader

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The head of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) stands by recent comments he made opposing the Manitoba chiefs' self government initiative, in spite of an unusual non-confidence vote to censure him.

Grand Chief Ovide Mercredi said on Jan. 12 he will continue to voice his opposition to the Framework Agreement process on self government involving Manitoba First Nations and the federal government. Mercredi, who was in Winnipeg to participate in a 500 person demonstration against health care changes, said the framework agreement, in its present form, could undermine existing treaties, which define Native rights and the nation-to-nation relationship between First Nations and the Canadian government.

Mercredi said he makes no apologies for comments made in a CBC national television report on Dec. 13, 1995 where he stated that "dismantling is dangerous to Indian rights and Indian treaties. That's the reason the people themselves have to stand up against dismantling in Manitoba."

Response to this statement by AMC chiefs was swift and blunt. At a special assembly in Winnipeg on Dec. 15, a motion of non-confidence, put forward by Chief Harold Turner (Mercredi's cousin), was overwhelmingly passed. It said Mercredi was bound by the chiefs of Canada to support the agreement. In other words, he should keep his mouth shut.

In a press release the chiefs charged that Mercredi's comments were part of a continuing campaign of misinformation against the Framework Agreement signed in 1994. They described Mercredi's opposition to the agreement as arrogant, misguided and a deliberate flouting of a 1995 resolution by AFN members directing the organization and the national chief to respected and support all regional self government treaty process.

The agreement is intended to repeal the Indian Act, dismantle Indian Affairs and recognize First Nations government authority in an undetermined number of jurisdictions.

The Framework Agreement Initiative Organization, an offshoot of the AMC, was formed last year to work with the federal government in the dismantling process. The process could take up to 10 years to complete.

The vote is considered unusual by many. It is rare for chiefs to criticize one another in such a public and direct manner. In the past public confrontations have been frowned upon and considered to be an unsavory part of the white mans' politics. Traditionally such disputes are resolved behind closed doors.

The issue has escalated a long-time feud between Mercredi and Phil Fontaine, AMC grand chief. Although the two walked together during the health care march, they seldom looked at or spoke to one another.

"National Chief Mercredi's actions and statements are an insult to the chiefs and, more particularly, to the First Nations peoples in Manitoba. The national chief's only motivation can be to sow confusion and discord among our people, and that is irresponsible, offensive and unacceptable," said Fontaine.

Mercredi said the actions of the AMC was a symbolic gesture that would probably carry little weight outside of Manitoba. Because his second, and last, term of office ends in about 18 months there is little political motive to censure himself. He said it is right and obligation as AFN grand chief to speak out against policies that may not be in the best interest of Indian people. He said his assessment of the process is based on a significant body of research and his comments are not made lightly or with malice.

He also said his views are shared by many Manitoba Natives. If this support was not evident Mercredi said he would not have felt comfortable attending the march.