A council of elders for the FSIN (Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations) has voted 20 to 1 in favour of reinstating disgraced leader David Ahenakew after he was removed from his post for making anti-Semitic remarks during a conference held in Saskatoon late last year.

The vote came after Ahenakew pleaded for reinstatement, according to a reliable FSIN source.

But the move by the elders shocked leaders of several Jewish groups who said Ahenakew's behaviour precludes such early reinstatement.

B'nai Brith Canada president Rochelle Wilner said the move to reinstate Ahenakew must be rethought.

"This sends a message that anybody can just spew hate," she said
But the chairman for the FSIN senate says his colleagues weren't endorsing Ahenakew's statements only their wish to work with him and reform his attitudes.

"If we don't do something to rehabilitate David then what are we about," said Roland Crowe.

But the senate head admitted the situation was problematic, particularly for the image of the Saskatchewan organization.

FSIN Grand Chief Perry Bellgarde distanced himself from the senate action, noting the vote needs approval from the organizations executive council.

"We'll talk about it but I don't see him coming back," said Bellgarde.