APTN National News
OTTAWA– An organization representing Ontario First Nations chiefs has written all MPs and Senators asking them to no longer consider Conservative Senator Patrick Brazeau as a “legitimate representative” of First Nations.
The Feb. 8 Chiefs of Ontario letter signed by nine chiefs representing tribal councils and band councils stated that identifying Brazeau as a representative of “the Indigenous Peoples in Ontario” violated the human rights of First Nations in Ontario.
“Senator Brazeau was never elected to lead or to represent a First Nation in Canada. He has no authority to speak to our issues. Such authority can only come from our people,” the letter stated.”We are therefore deeply concerned with the misperception that Senator Brazeau has any authority, or right, to speak to our issues.”
The letter also stated that while the Conservatives had appointed Brazeau to the Senate, the government had no ability to grant him the authority to speak for First Nations people.
“We have never given up our right to govern ourselves nor to determine our own citizenship … and while it is the current Conservative government’s prerogative to appoint anyone they wish…we simply ask that these choices do not effectively violate our rights,” the letter stated.
Under international law and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, recently endorsed by Canada, Indigenous peoples have a right to maintain their own “distinct political, legal, economic, social and cultural institutions…and our right to choose our own representatives,” the letter stated.
Brazeau dismissed the letter as “petty politics” and said it stemmed from a testy exchange with Ontario First Nations leaders during their appearance before a Senate committee studying a bill on safe drinking water.
Brazeau said it appeared to be another example of First Nations chiefs trying to stamp out their critics.
“If they are trying to do that with certain Parliamentarians, just imagine what they are trying to do to grassroots people across the country,” said Brazeau, who is Algonquin. “As a First Nations person, I am ashamed of these types of letters.”
Brazeau has questioned the necessity of government funded First Nations organization and has fashioned himself as a defender of “grassroots” people against the First Nations political class.
The letter was signed by Assembly of First Nations regional Chief Angus Toulouse, Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians Grand Chief Randall Phillips, Grand Council Treaty 3 Ogichidaakwe Diane Kelly, Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Stan Beardy, Independent First Nations Chief Joseph Gilbert, Mushkegowuk Tribal Council Grand Chief Stan Louttit and Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Patrick Madahbee.
Best comment on this thread!!!! Hands down!
you have to keep the turtle flag up or democracy dies…..why without opposition dictators come in…
youtube watch?v=Qlym4eLWHFA&feature=fvst
Even if Brazeau said something I liked, I still wouldn’t like it.
when you want to dig all our gold… will find the ugly
youtube watch?v=XP9cfQx2OZY
i got some sallty dogs for newcomrs…nwho want to whip us off the page of history….nnnnyoutube watch?v=lKCFDT9ELSg
this our country…nnyoutube watch?v=wUzbiNa-upA
This is our country..nnyoutube watch?v=5Uu3kCEEc98&feature=fvsr
in democracy thiers a rule equality trumps demands…
I am Turtle island citizen living in Kanata province…nnor is it the over lords that tell us what we are is this democracy…the voice of the people to self describe themselves….nndefining what we are… and everyone has a voice… democracy…nnlike i said before i don’t vote in newcomers system but in democracy our leaders count…the opposition have rights…nnwhen you vote what do they claim they are your rulers…nnthe borders were set for newcomers not to fight on who can trade with us..trade boarders…nnRoyal Proclamation of 1763 was what before both countries created… we are not say you cant defin your self in democracy.. everyone has that right… so the boarders were never made in 1867 were they…
This guy drives a hundred thousand dollar truck around Ottawa, not even our shadiest chiefs can afford that. Grassroots my behind!
Itu2019s obvious to some that as First Nations people we have a diversity across the great land, and there is no pan-indigenous way of looking at things. To do so, is to proceed in ignorance or refuse to recognize the effort that it will take to adequately address our issues. Since Harper has decided to do just that, with his appointment of Mr. Brazeau. It moreover stands to reason that we lose the individual voices we have. And as a result, we have the limits set in place. Our individuality is compromised, and one moccasin fits-all. You would think a country that is so diverse; it would be obvious that differences are inevitable. If a real chief is about the people, he would not hesitate to take a step back with a circumstance that puts him over/above all. Any leader knows he needs to stay connected to his people. Therefore if a leader wants to be all that, he would be wise to have a good relationship with other (aboriginal) leaders. The idea of trying to work through a disenfranchised leader is inadequate at best. It is not that we do not need people in certain capacities but that there has to be a far reaching unity. In other words, that has to be the impetus of any leader. If the government wants an umbrella initiative, that leader had better make an effort to bring others under that umbrella. To say u201cthis is my umbrella and only my umbrellau201d is to miss a great opportunity.nOn the other hand for leaders to dismiss what the government has initiated is to be so determined and cockeyed, that stubbornness is becoming a problem. To concede is to strive for peace. So really the answer lies, in as much, taking a step back and trying to find an answer in the circumstances before us. nI think of Riel, and how determined he was for native people. I think he left a great example. We are different people, but we are still one people in a country that is so beautiful. Canada will always be about people with diverse backgrounds. In the end, greatness calls for us to move as one, and to respect our differences. But who can do that?n
it seems brazeau has become what he hates the most a appointed dictator… with not root support…nnwhats needed is a way to empower rule and reserve people… that everyone counts and that limiting our voice by reserve boarders is no good that we have freedom of movement on the land…. many will leave the reserve but in the end they will want to come back…nnthat our voice good anywhere we are on Turtle Island our country…
Brazeau Sucks and he knows it…..hands down for Brazeau….were are the grassroots people to defend him?
P Brazeau is nothing more then a self loathing walking talking set of contradictions. Hates Indians, but is passionately in love with himself and could die happily in his own arms. Avid self promoter and obviously very self indulgent and can be bought for the price of a used Porsche. Prior to his appointment to Senate for services rendered he passed himself off as ‘National Chief’ of all Aboriginal Peoples’ (First Nations, Metis and Inuit) without a shred of evidence to support this claim. Today…a defender of the downtrodden and grassroots…again where is the proof….where is the evidence….? Its truly sickening that Aboriginal Peoples’ must always contend with likes of this! In the words of my Grandfather….thats pitiful…
i agree. brazeau is an ass. smug, argumentative and belittling towards first nation endeavours. he revels in patronizing first nation people. says inflammatory things to distract from the actual issue. he’s a hindrance to first nation issues, causes and does what he can to dissuade public empathy from supporting government to honour its own treaties. when he’s off the senate (to which he’s desperately clinging to) he’ll never work for first nation, metis, urban aboriginal, etc. interests again. he is an imposter.