Ahenakew Choosing Not To Return To FSIN Senate

Ahenakew Choosing Not To Return To FSIN Senate

Thursday, April 03, 2008 at 16:04

 

 

David Ahenakew says he is declining an invitation to return to the senate of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations.

 

In a written statement released today, Ahenakew writes that he takes issue with “being used by federal and provincial governments to punish First Nations people”.

 

He adds “. . . there are those in government that have chosen to callously attack the legitimate decision made by our Chiefs”.

 

FSIN leaders have been at the centre of a firestorm of controversy over a secret vote held last week to reinstate Ahenakew.

 

A total of 43 First Nations chiefs from Saskatchewan voted in favour of bringing him back on board.

 

Some First Nations leaders say the vote caught many by surprise, while others were upset not all chiefs were present for Friday’s vote at the Dakota Dunes Casino.

 

Ahenakew, who faces a second trial this fall for wilfully promoting hatred against Jews, was thrown out of the FSIN senate over five years ago when he was initially convicted of the charge.

 

That decision was eventually overturned and a new trial was ordered.