The Assembly of First Nations(AFN) should allow all First Nations people to vote for their leaders

By F.P. Favel:
Last week, Chief Nepinak from Manitoba was threatening to bring the economy of Canada to it’s knees as a protest against the Conservative’s Bill 33, the bill on First Nations education negotiated between Prime Minister Harper and former Grand Chief Atleo of the AFN. Many Chiefs felt that Atleo did not properly consult with the chiefs and Chief Beardy of Nishnabi Aski feels “Atleo did not have the power to enter into and sign agreements, as the AFN is only a negotiating or lobby group on behalf of the chiefs.”
The controversy surrounding this education bill forced Chief Atleo to step down as grand chief, and the organization seems to be in disarray. Many feel the political and public attacks against Atleo were based on the differing political and career ambitions of his detractors and the informed First Nations person is able to see beyond the rhetorical posturing and feather ruffling of the more vocal First Nations chiefs.
The chiefs of the AFN recently brought into motion a little used section of the AFN constitution — the Confederacy of Chiefs. This confederacy was last brought into use in 2003 and although it is legal within the AFNs constitution, Aboriginal Affairs Minister Valcourt dismissed this confederacy as nothing but a few “rogue” chiefs...Continue reading..