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Vote marks new era for natives

By: Colleen Simard

4/07/2009 1:00 AM | Comments: 10

As a self-confessed aboriginal political junkie, I've been looking forward to July 22 for awhile now. That's the date of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) elections being held in Calgary, and the buzz is growing about who's going to take the top spot.

This is big stuff for First Nations people -- kind of like the election of a prime minister, if you think about it.

When current AFN National Chief Phil Fontaine announced his retirement, many people were pretty deflated. Nobody likes to change leadership in times of economic uncertainty, and aboriginal people are no exception.

Fontaine was the most charismatic leader of our generation. He did much to raise the profile of the AFN and strengthen First Nations rights during his years in office. He leaves behind some big moccasins to fill.

So here's how it works. There are 633 First Nations in Canada that are recognized as members of the AFN. And the AFN says it represents the approximately 700,000 First Nation band members across Canada.

No, we don't get a direct vote for the AFN national chief, but we don't get to vote for the prime minister either. The way it works is actually similar to Canadian politics.

In Canadian politics we elect an MP in our community, just like a chief. Then the political party with the majority of MPs forms the federal government and puts its leader in the role of PM.

The AFN is similar, except there are no highly visible political parties. That's not to say that there aren't any divisions between the 633 chiefs. Instead of elected MPs, it's elected chiefs who cast a vote on who the national chief will be.

As for the candidates, the June 25 deadline for nominations has passed and five people have thrown their hats into the ring.

There's Shawn Atleo and Bill Wilson from British Columbia, Perry Bellegarde from Saskatchewan, Jean Beaucage from Ontario, and Terrance Nelson from Manitoba.

Atleo is an AFN vice-chief who may hold the king maker bloc in AFN elections -- the 200 plus B.C. chiefs. However, Wilson has decades of experience in B.C. politics, dealing with chiefs and the AFN.

Bellegarde is the former leader of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations, with 20 years of political experience to draw from. Grand Chief Beaucage of the Union of Ontario Indians is one of the most vocal contenders, and may have the backing of the Ontario chiefs.

Nelson is the firebrand chief, who's the most radical of the bunch. Will that translate into votes?

My guess is the race is between Atleo and Bellegarde, the two younger candidates of the pack. These two are technically savvy -- as is Nelson -- and have set up websites, Facebook pages, Twitter and YouTube videos.

Of course, my guess could be totally wrong. And that's the beauty of the AFN election. Nobody knows for sure until the ballots are counted.

To run for AFN national chief you need to be of First Nations ancestry, 18 or older, the band member of a First Nation in good standing with the AFN, and have gathered up 15 endorsements from eligible First Nations chiefs.

The rules of the election are straightforward: The first candidate to receive 60 per cent of the votes from registered votes will become the new AFN national chief.

I've been to a couple of AFN elections, and plan to go to this one too. It's the end of an era with Fontaine stepping down. And it's a spectacular event. If you are an aboriginal person, you should attend an AFN election at least once in your life.

Along with all the political excitement that keeps you guessing, there's that feeling of pride that sweeps through the room when a new chief is elected. It's a time of celebration.

Colleen Simard is the publisher of Urban NDN.

colleen.simard@gmail.com

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition July 4, 2009 A15

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10 Commentscomment icon

The desire for change is a momentum that the world has discovered thanks to Obama, and it is wise to know that First Nations are not exempt from this idea. The majority of all First Nations are under the age of 25. Youth dominate the population and yet they have no real voice in our national affairs... at least not yet.

The youth in Indian Country are on fire and ready for this Obama inspired change. What they are saying is "we want out of this old system and we want to put an end to the status quo!" They are tired of leadership that is only concerned with building up "loose legacies" for themselves (Fontaine). They are tired of leaders who are only concerned with sustaining the dynasty of their family (Perry Bellegarde). They have become sick of the moderates and passives (Atleo). What they want is a new brand of leadership, one that will build a legacy for the people! They want a candidate that is truly concerned with the grassroots in Indian Country!

The candidate that is willing to take hold of this new "youth" movement is the candidate that will assume a new kind of power. He will assume the reins of a youthful electorate that has the power to dominate at the band level.

From band Council to band Council, we will see this young electorate rise up and change the status quo. Therefore it would be wise for the Chiefs to openly express their support for the one candidate who represents this new movement, lest they are seen as obstacles to the revolution!

I see this July 22 AFN election as a referendum on the Status Quo. This is an opportunity that we must not bypass. The young people are watching and I'll bet that they are expecting their Chiefs to vote for the one man that epitomizes their true feelings... that man is TERRY NELSON!

Thank you....

Colleen how come I have never seen an Aboriginal writer talk about the genocide that occurred in Canada? Are you limited in what you can talk about?

"Fontaine was the most charismatic leader of our generation"....wtf??? How sad for us that this person totally lacking in charisma was our most charismatic leader. I guess the word charisma has a few slightly different meanings and maybe he is under certain definitions, but when I think charisma, I think electrifying, engaging, inspiring, women want him and men want to be him. That was not fontaine. a relatively small percentage of the First Nation population liked him and most didn't care either way. That is not charisma. But I guess he really was "the most" charismatic. How sad for us.

I strongly suggest that for many aboriginal peoples that they protest against the use of the current reservation system. Their leaders need to advocate that their leadership is of responsilble nature and truly for their people. The disolution of the reservation system can be done while having aboriginal rights and culture maintained. How anyone can expect to build infrastructure on a reserve is absurd. Leadership needs to start with the males living on reserves and for these people to take accountability in their lives and to inspire others to make positive change. This can only be done by abandoning the reservation system. The fear this may cause is the loss of treaty rights, which will not be lost. How do you think other cultures living in Canada exist. For many it appears that aboriginals are whinning all the time with their hands out. The only thing that can come out of these elections is for the leadership to say, time to get off your asses get and education and a job. Leave the reserve and become part of the solution and not part of the problem by asking where's my handout.

"firebrand"... that's a nice way of putting it.

It will be a sad day for aboriginals across Canada if Terry Nelson is elected.

How come I have a feeling it will be "business as usual" with this new election, and nothing will change at all for any party involved?

"Junkie" is right, Colleen. As in addict, one who has an irrational and dangerous attachment to something. Like you do with aboriginal politics.

The whole reserve chief system has done more to keep Indian people down, dependent, poor and powerless than anything.

Which is why Ottawa dreamed it up.

The chiefs serve only themselves and the Ottawa system, period.

You have no idea what you are talking about, Colleen.

Funny how no women have any power in the AFN, eh?

Go ahead and cheerlead. You are just a dupe to help Ottawa keep us down with puppet "leaders".

And I am glad Phil Fontaine is finally gone. We don't need anymore Liberal Party crap on behalf of Indians.

Whomever is elected, I hope that they represent well those they are selected to represent. I hope that they work together with Ottawa(and vise-versa) for the betterment of First Nations and non-First Nations alike.

Together we are strong and shall stand, divided we are weak and shall fall.

I may have sometimes disagreed with Mr. Fontaine, but I agree with you Colleen that he was a respectable and savvy politician. Ultimately he sought to work with the government to pursue his interests, which is admirable. Im not any sort of expert on the four other candidates, but I have followed the 'political career' of Terrance Nelson. The fact this man has any support at all is scary. I would say 'firebrand' would be about the most charitable description one could give him. The fact is that he is a racist (see his comments on Jewish people), extremist, and has no respect for the laws of any man. He could not even win an election on his own reserve without major controversy! Furthermore he advocates for strategies such as blocking railroad lines. This type of behaviour is not merely radical, it is undeniably criminal and is completely at odds with Mr. Fontaine's ultra-professional approach. If Nelson is able to parlay his support into any sort of power position it will mean a huge step back for Native interests in Canada.

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