Fontaine Lambastes AFN for Squandering Opportunities

Former national chief says three-years of needless confrontation sidelines action on critical issues facing first nations.

By Len Kruzenga

Describing the behaviour of the AFN leadership during the last three years "schizophrenic," "unfocused" and "hopelessly ineffective," former AFN National Chief Phil Fontaine served notice he's intent on wresting back the leadership of the organization from Matthew Coon Come.

"I thought about this a great deal. I was doing very important work with the Indian Claims Commission but so many people approached me urging me to run.

"They are very very concerned over the way that our first nations issues have become marginalized as a result of the AFN squandering opportunities to engage in meaningful discussion and negotiation."

And the recent example of the First Nations Governance Act is a perfect example of that, noted the former AMC Grand Chief.

"In the case of the FNGA the AFN was badly outmanoeuvred when it sent conflicting messages to its own people, the government and the Canadian public.

"First they said they were going to participate, then they said no, then they said maybe and then once again they said no. That was schizophrenic."

The climate of confrontation espoused by the AFN leadership also stands in direct contrast to assurances Coon Come made when he was elected that despite his combative reputation he was a skilled and able negotiator able to produce effective results.

"By saying no they (AFN leadership) relegated our critically important perspective and input to the periphery of the discussions respecting policy. First Nations were left to protest on the outside while the negotiating table was on the inside. The seat where the AFN should have been was empty."

And Fontaine categorically rejected Coon Come's contention that first nations cannot work with Indian Affairs Minister Robert Nault.

"Look I was grand chief here in Manitoba when Brian Mulroney was prime minister and Gary Filmon was premier of the province. We were able to negotiate significant agreements with political parties and governments that were extremely conservative. You can't expect to work with someone when you refuse to participate in discussions.

"The example of what's happening in Israel and Palestine is a perfect example. The relations between the Palestinians and the Jews is extremely strained between the two groups and yet the leadership on both sides recognizes that the only road to constructive change and positive development is through dialogue, in reasoned negotiation and in sitting down together.

"That's the reality that exists in this country and a reality that the current leadership of the AFN apparently refuses to accept.

"We (first nations) haven't had that seat because the AFN has chosen to vacate their seat and give up our voice. It's not realistic, it's not productive and it's a failure of the organization to work to address their own people's critical concerns.

And Fontaine rebuked the current strategy of confrontation and protest adopted by the AFN over the last three years.

"The AFN has simply become a protest organization and hasn't advocated effectively on a number of key issues and squandered the opportunity to do so when it has become available."

He noted that a recent report on first nations housing conditions released by Canada's Auditor General that underscored the housing crisis on Canada's reserves offered a perfect opportunity for the AFN to commence a meaningful dialogue with the Canadian public and the federal government. "When Sheila Fraser released this report there wasn't as much as a peep from the AFN. And yet we know that the people and first nations leadership consistently name housing as one of the most critical issues facing first nations,

"The AFN should have seized this opportunity to advocate that CMHC and Indian Affairs remove themselves from the field when comes to housing. First Nations could have produced a viable action plan and presented it to the government. The Auditor General's report gave us the opportunity to take this issue and run with it but the AFN squandered this chance."

While Fontaine appeared more subdued and less emotional than during his election battle with Coon Come in 2000, it is apparent that the man once criticized as being too cozy with the government during his term as national chief views the last three years-in which the AFN has virtually been sidelined as a major political force-as completely wasteful and entirely perplexing.

However there is not a hint of bitterness or of "I told you so" in his remarks or critique of the AFN, although he could be excused if he so felt like saying so.

His warning in Ottawa in July of 2000 on election night, as he struggled to fight off Matthew Coon Come's criticism of his leadership during the preceding three years seems prescient.

"The chiefs must decide whether they wish to abandon three years of concrete and substantial progress for confrontation simply for confrontation's sake or whether they want to keep the AFN as an effective organization and tool to create the change needed to address our communities needs," he told delegates.

But after the third ballot the chiefs had given Coon Come the lead he needed. Although a fourth ballot fight was still possible Fontaine sensed his warning had not gotten through to enough chiefs to fight off Coon Come's challenge and he conceded defeat.

While the task in repairing the relationship between the AFN, the government and the Canadian public would appear to be daunting prospect it's a challenge the veteran first nations politician has faced before when he successfully defeated Ovide Mercredi for the AFN leadership in 1997.

At that time Mercredi had already served as leader of the organization for two terms and like Coon Come had managed to create such a hostile atmosphere between himself and then minister of Indian Affairs Minister Ron Irwin that productive communication between the AFN and Indian and Northern Affairs was essentially non-existent.

"I have a proven track-record. Our people and our leaders as well as the government know what I'm about and that I am a passionate defender of our first nations interests. I am willing to meet with anyone, anytime anywhere when it comes to securing justice and the rights of our people. It's too important to ignore and simply refuse to take the steps required to ensure our voices are not only heard but acted on."

When asked about his view of the future for relations between first nations and Canada Fontaine said the potential for the nation to realize the cultural, economic, political and social aspirations of first nations' people is limitless.

"Look, in 1969 when the government attempted to introduce the White Paper there were 80 first nations post-secondary graduates in the country. In less than four decades that number is now 30,000 and growing exponentially every year.

"Our people are becoming more educated and in larger and larger numbers and are contributing in all spheres of life in a dynamic way. That is a resource for the entire nation. It speaks of hope for the future and of taking our rightful place in society as full equals.

"A recent CD Howe Institute report noted that with Canada's aging workforce it would be aboriginal people and immigration that must fill the gap. This speaks of opportunity to develop programs and policies that can enable our people to capitalize on all sorts of opportunity. First Nations people are an essential and vital resource for this nation and the opportunity to seize the time falls upon first nations leadership.

"It is important to be able to see opportunity, to build on the momentum of progress rather than adopt a role where all you are able, or seem to want to do, is protest and fan the flames of confrontation.

"We have a responsibility to our communities to lead by pursuing effective and results-oriented strategy not by standing outside Parliament and pounding on the doors demanding to be let in."