Committed ... to WHAT?!!

There are no fewer than seven candidates from across Canada contesting Shawn Atleo, to take the position of National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations from him at a conference currently taking place in Toronto.  They are all fairly critical of National Chief Atleo's relationship with the current Conservative-led government.  It is too quietly comfortable for their liking, not confrontational and demanding enough, although Chief Atleo does have the ear of Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

His challengers would far prefer Chief Atleo, in representing them, have the scalp of Prime Minister Harper.  Raw, preferably.  Some of them charge that "Atleo has, in a few rogue steps, turned the Assembly of First Nations into the Assimilation of First Nations".  What a dastardly slander.  From the aboriginal perspective, that is.  On the other hand, it wouldn't be such a bad thing were that to in actual fact, be the case.  The entire country would be better off for it.

The First Nations heritage would never be forgotten, it would have its honoured place in the history of the country.  In assimilating Canada's First Nations into the mainstream of society with everything that promises aspirationally and practically in the way of opportunities, education, health outcomes, pride and the honouring of First Nations people, they would be far better off than they are now, isolated on tribal lands where they are too often victimized by band councils.

"There is a sense that if you're not intransigent and fighting the federal government, then you're not doing it right.  After the gathering the whole 'Atleo sellout' narrative started to take shape, which in my view was bizarre and unfortunate", says Joseph Quesnel, an analyst with the Frontier Centre for Public Policy, commenting on the election battle.

One of the contestants is Pam Palmater, an aboriginal lawyer and academic, who speaks of Chief Atleo "selling our souls to the devil".  She holds that consultation with the Assembly chiefs was overlooked when agreeing to the government initiative on native education.  She claims also in an interview that the "extremely cordial relations" with Mr. Harper have been of harm to First Nations.

"This race is now a real debate about what the AFN stands for", explained Mr. Quesnel.  Most of the contesting candidates appear to view the role of the National Chief as ideally one of leadership of a protest movement.  An incendiary, dissatisfied and disgruntled one.  Chief Atleo sees it differently; he has acted as mediator and facilitator, speaking with the federal government in "nation-to-nation" dialogue.

Chief Atleo, in other words, behaves like a statesman with the best interests of his people close at heart.  He feels more can be accomplished through civil interaction than a continuation of the usual pitting itself against government forces whose interest is perceived in holding the aspirations of First Nations hostage to the finer interests of the country, excluding aboriginal interests.

Another candidate from Berens River First Nation in Manitoba, feels the AFN should be represented by a stronger voice: "I don't need a platform - the AFN is not a government, it's an advocacy organization and should be driven by the chiefs", insists Joan Jack.  And Ellen Gabriel, who acted as spokesperson for the Kanesetake First Nations during the Oka crisis speaks of the potential of another uprising claiming that confrontation and blockades makes the government sit up and take notice.

Chief Terry Nelson from Manitoba represents a more aggressive breed of political advocacy.  As National Chief of the AFN he would engage OPEC nations in support of native resource claims.  "I am committed to accepting an invitation to speak to the Iranian parliament", he insists.  He would condemn UN sanctions against Iran and request OPEC to denounce "undeclared economic sanctions against First Nations in Canada".

His way would be to oppose the Northern Gateway pipeline.  "This will waken the Chinese to the fact that an agreement with the immigrant government of Canada does not guarantee anything, if First Nations have a veto over the sale of resources", he explains.  As National Chief he would have Treaty 8 First Nations join OPEC.

Chief Atleo requires the support of 60% of the 630 chiefs.  He appears assured to carry most of the 198 chiefs from British Columbia, his home province, and a good portion of the 133 from Ontario.  An online poll has given Chief Atleo a commanding lead, with Ms. Palmater in second place.  The final accounting of the 630 chiefs who will cast votes will tell the end of the story.