OTTAWA — An area Algonquin chief says Conservative Senator Patrick Brazeau should stop using his aboriginal heritage as a free pass to “tirade” against First Nations.
Chief Gilbert Whiteduck of Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation, near Maniwaki, Que., said he will no longer remain silent as Brazeau unleashes a “parody of ridicule ... against all First Nation citizens,” most recently against Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence and the Idle No More movement.
He said Brazeau’s “reformist views” show a “total lack of understanding of the challenges facing First Nations” and that the “unelected senator” does not represent Algonquin people or Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg, the community of which Brazeau is a member.
And while Whiteduck maintains that there’s nothing wrong with asking questions and working to improve the situation, he said Brazeau’s comments are misleading and counterproductive serving only to make First Nations citizens look bad and destroy all the work he and his community members are doing.
Whiteduck referred specifically to a speech Brazeau made at a provincial Tory fundraiser early last week, which was reported by Metroland Media.
Speaking to a crowd at the Orléans Legion, Brazeau questioned Spence’s 44-day hunger protest saying “I was sick two weeks ago. I had the flu. I lost five pounds.”
The crowd laughed and applauded but Brazeau went on to say “I’m sorry. I’m not a comedian. But, I look at Miss Spence when she started her hunger strike, and now?”
The senator went on to ridicule the Idle No More movement, which has seen unprecedented public participation from young aboriginal people across Canada.
“They don’t stand for anything,” Brazeau told the crowd. “I, as an Algonquin person, am living proof that no one will colonize me.”
Whiteduck called this latest incident part of the senator’s “ongoing tirade” against First Nations, saying Brazeau’s comments confuse the issues and misinform Canadians.
“My community members are working hard with limited resources,” said Whiteduck. “But, they are making a difference and Senator Brazeau’s dismissive and condescending statements leaves no room for meaningful dialogue.”
Whiteduck, who has participated in every Idle No More rally in Ottawa since early December, said he sees the grassroots movement as an encouraging awakening of young people.
The Idle No More movement began in response to omnibus budget bill C-45 which, protesters argue, infringes on aboriginal treaty rights as it makes important changes to the protection of waterways on traditional First Nations territory. .
Very active on Twitter, Brazeau consistently trades barbs with citizens and leaders alike.
After he was turned away from Spence’s Victoria Island camp on Christmas Eve, Brazeau wondered on Twitter why Spence would see members from the NDP and the Liberal party, but not from the Conservative side.
Later, on the day she finished her hunger protest, someone using the ChiefTheresa Twitter account called Brazeau a “colonized Indian A--hole.”
The tweet was quickly deleted and a member of her team said it was not Chief Spence who typed it.
Speaking at the same event on Tuesday, Orléans Conservative MP Royal Galipeau mentioned he had visited with Spence in her teepee on Victoria Island during her hunger protest.
While he did not reveal to her at the time that he was a member of parliament, he did tell the audience that her manicured fingernails were something his own wife could not afford and questioned her leadership.
Whiteduck said, after the most recent comments, many of his community members said “enough is enough.”
They were fed up with Brazeau’s characterization of First Nations as “lazy people” who “aren’t working hard,” said Whiteduck.
“Not everything is rosy. We have challenges that we’re trying to address. We know we can improve on accountability ... of course, every government can,” he said. “We’ve tried to avoid getting into any debate with Senator Brazeau for a long time,” said Whiteduck, “But, when he’s using his aboriginal heritage as a way to propel his viewpoint, well, I’m sorry, he doesn’t know what’s going on.”
In response, Brazeau said, “I’m always happy to respond to criticism from my distant cousin Chief Whiteduck. People are entitled to their opinions, as am I.”
“Anyone who attended my speech at the Legion saw that it was on the need for greater accountability for the benefit of first nations citizens living in those communities,” he added.
Brazeau also said that many first nations leaders take his comments out of context. “A lot of them will portray me as painting everyone with the same brush,” he said.
“We have to work for the benefit of grassroots first nations, and in my view accountability is issue number one,” Brazeau said.
Before Prime Minister Stephen Harper appointed Brazeau to the senate in 2009, he was the leader of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples, an organization that represents aboriginal people living off-reserve.
Original Article
Source: canada.com
Author: TERESA SMITH
Chief Gilbert Whiteduck of Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation, near Maniwaki, Que., said he will no longer remain silent as Brazeau unleashes a “parody of ridicule ... against all First Nation citizens,” most recently against Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence and the Idle No More movement.
He said Brazeau’s “reformist views” show a “total lack of understanding of the challenges facing First Nations” and that the “unelected senator” does not represent Algonquin people or Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg, the community of which Brazeau is a member.
And while Whiteduck maintains that there’s nothing wrong with asking questions and working to improve the situation, he said Brazeau’s comments are misleading and counterproductive serving only to make First Nations citizens look bad and destroy all the work he and his community members are doing.
Whiteduck referred specifically to a speech Brazeau made at a provincial Tory fundraiser early last week, which was reported by Metroland Media.
Speaking to a crowd at the Orléans Legion, Brazeau questioned Spence’s 44-day hunger protest saying “I was sick two weeks ago. I had the flu. I lost five pounds.”
The crowd laughed and applauded but Brazeau went on to say “I’m sorry. I’m not a comedian. But, I look at Miss Spence when she started her hunger strike, and now?”
The senator went on to ridicule the Idle No More movement, which has seen unprecedented public participation from young aboriginal people across Canada.
“They don’t stand for anything,” Brazeau told the crowd. “I, as an Algonquin person, am living proof that no one will colonize me.”
Whiteduck called this latest incident part of the senator’s “ongoing tirade” against First Nations, saying Brazeau’s comments confuse the issues and misinform Canadians.
“My community members are working hard with limited resources,” said Whiteduck. “But, they are making a difference and Senator Brazeau’s dismissive and condescending statements leaves no room for meaningful dialogue.”
Whiteduck, who has participated in every Idle No More rally in Ottawa since early December, said he sees the grassroots movement as an encouraging awakening of young people.
The Idle No More movement began in response to omnibus budget bill C-45 which, protesters argue, infringes on aboriginal treaty rights as it makes important changes to the protection of waterways on traditional First Nations territory. .
Very active on Twitter, Brazeau consistently trades barbs with citizens and leaders alike.
After he was turned away from Spence’s Victoria Island camp on Christmas Eve, Brazeau wondered on Twitter why Spence would see members from the NDP and the Liberal party, but not from the Conservative side.
Later, on the day she finished her hunger protest, someone using the ChiefTheresa Twitter account called Brazeau a “colonized Indian A--hole.”
The tweet was quickly deleted and a member of her team said it was not Chief Spence who typed it.
Speaking at the same event on Tuesday, Orléans Conservative MP Royal Galipeau mentioned he had visited with Spence in her teepee on Victoria Island during her hunger protest.
While he did not reveal to her at the time that he was a member of parliament, he did tell the audience that her manicured fingernails were something his own wife could not afford and questioned her leadership.
Whiteduck said, after the most recent comments, many of his community members said “enough is enough.”
They were fed up with Brazeau’s characterization of First Nations as “lazy people” who “aren’t working hard,” said Whiteduck.
“Not everything is rosy. We have challenges that we’re trying to address. We know we can improve on accountability ... of course, every government can,” he said. “We’ve tried to avoid getting into any debate with Senator Brazeau for a long time,” said Whiteduck, “But, when he’s using his aboriginal heritage as a way to propel his viewpoint, well, I’m sorry, he doesn’t know what’s going on.”
In response, Brazeau said, “I’m always happy to respond to criticism from my distant cousin Chief Whiteduck. People are entitled to their opinions, as am I.”
“Anyone who attended my speech at the Legion saw that it was on the need for greater accountability for the benefit of first nations citizens living in those communities,” he added.
Brazeau also said that many first nations leaders take his comments out of context. “A lot of them will portray me as painting everyone with the same brush,” he said.
“We have to work for the benefit of grassroots first nations, and in my view accountability is issue number one,” Brazeau said.
Before Prime Minister Stephen Harper appointed Brazeau to the senate in 2009, he was the leader of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples, an organization that represents aboriginal people living off-reserve.
Original Article
Source: canada.com
Author: TERESA SMITH
Whiteduck is all about DRAMA--him and his supporters, most of whom have lost faith in him after 5 years, and who are wondering why he can't provide the drama that they crave, which he promised to them on a daily basis after they elected him in 2008. When Brazeau was a good senator, Whiteduck was on the band wagon. Once Brazeau went down, Whiteduck was quick to kick him him in the teeth...just to get into the news. You're an asshole, Whiteduck, kicking Brazeau when he's down. But then again...you love that drama.
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