Because We Said So

The response from the federal government with respect to the reinstatement of David Ahenakew as a senator with the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations was almost as swift as that of the provincial government in condemning this ill-considered action.

Indian Affairs Minister Chuck Strahl minced no words in characterizing the reinstatement as ethically inappropriate, and that he has instructed his department officials to eschew participation in any meeting where Mr. Ahenakew may be present.

Federation Chief Lawrence Joseph was unmoved, unrepentant, and determined that neither the provincial nor the federal government was entitled to tell the FSIN what it could and could not do. Well, he's right there.

Canada's native communities insist on autonomy as First Nations people, and they have the right, should they so wish, to conduct themselves in a manner unbefitting responsible authorities. Setting a pretty poor example in values and responsibility for the people whom they represent, in the process.

Unequivocally, Chief Joseph stated, with the full dignity accorded him through his position, that Mr. Ahenakew would "resume his duties shortly". "We totally, unequivocally condemn [Ahenakew's] remarks", said Chief Joseph. So, you see, you can have it any which way, after all, and through that statement, validate the FSIN's honour.

"But he's apologized, he's won an appeal, he's been stripped of everything he had, including an opportunity to make a living, and he has not repeated that mistake in over five years. Let's be reasonable." And in so saying, compellingly illustrating the Federation's compassion. Disagreement with that position serves to highlight the lack of compassion of nay-sayers.

And the Federation engaged in a bit of condemnation of their own, rebuking the Saskatchewan government for condemning the Federation's decision to reinstate Mr. Ahenakew. And then they went just a tad further, refusing entry to a Saskatoon StarPheonix reporter to the news conference.

It was, after all, just such a reporter from that very same paper who reported the original outrageous anti-Semitic statements of Mr. Ahenakew. Those inflammatory, controversial statements still resonate as representing the epitome of hateful libel: "Jews owned the Goddamn world"; "How do you get rid of a disease like that?".

Anyone harbouring that diseased mindset, and who repeated similar incendiary statements long after apologizing, has disentitled himself to respected official duties representing any recognized group.

Let alone a group which has suffered discrimination, violations of their human rights, neglect and impoverishment. That that very group would then honour a member to an office of respect after his having slandered and characterized another historically marginalized and persecuted group is mind-bogglingly offensive, quite beyond belief.

Defiance of public opinion in the matter of First Nations business is one thing. Neglect in support of the dignity and human rights of other people, is quite another.

This act of respect to one undeserving of it only serves to demean the moral authority of the Federation.