Veteran aboriginal politician Phil Fontaine was elected to a three-year term as leader of the Assembly of First Nations in Edmonton earlier this month, marking the second time he has held that post.
The first time was from 1997-2000, when he was defeated by incumbent Matthew Coon Come.
This time, Coon Come was nowhere to be seen on the second ballot after garnering only 18.5 percent of the 555 votes cast on the first.
Coon Come’s early exit left Fontaine facing Six Nations chief and former Ontario Ombudsman Roberta Jamieson to determine the future of the AFN and when the votes were tallied, Fontaine was the clear winner—taking 338 votes to Jamieson’s 217.
The result left the leadership of the AFN in the hands of a man many have described as more moderate than Coon Come, who was known for having a fractious relationship with the federal government—in particular with Indian Affairs minister and local MP Robert Nault.
Earlier this year, Nault went on the record claiming the AFN no longer was relevant and cut its funding in half. Instead, he indicated a preference to work with such groups as the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples, which purports to represent off-reserve aboriginals, who, in turn, constitute the majority of aboriginal people in Canada.
Reaction to the outcome among Rainy River District chiefs, all of whom were present for the vote, was generally favourable, although none acknowledged Fontaine as their first choice.
“I guess he [Fontaine] has been given the benefit of the doubt, a second chance,” remarked Stanjikoming First Nation Chief Ed Morrison. “We’ll have to see how his platform unfolds.”
Fontaine’s platform is much like that of his two opponents, inasmuch as all three clearly stated their firm opposition to the proposed First Nations Governance Act currently before Parliament.
This new legislation proposes to overhaul the Indian Act in such areas as accountability, process, and funding on federal reserves.
As far as Fontaine’s leadership is concerned, the question in Chief Morrison’s mind appears to be one of process as opposed to substance.
“I think he has to change his strategies and how he presents himself before the government,” Chief Morrison observed. “He’s only as good as the people he surrounds himself with.”
Couchiching First Nation Chief Chuck McPherson said he also will support the new leader in the months and years ahead, and predicted Fontaine will find more success dealing with Ottawa than did Coon Come.
“If history tells us anything, the doors [to Ottawa] will probably be reopened,” Chief McPherson said. “He’s [Fontaine] less adversarial [than Coon Come].”
He made it clear Fontaine has his complete support—at least for the next three years.
“He’s our national leader. He was elected through a democratic process and we have to support him in his endeavours,” Chief McPherson stressed.
The process of electing the national leader requires the winning candidate to garner at least 60 percent of the votes cast as opposed to a simple majority of 50 percent plus one.
That’s why there was a second ballot after Fontaine captured a technical majority on the first one.
Rainy River First Nations Chief Gary Medicine was less enthusiastic in his endorsement of Fontaine. “It’s going to be a wait-and-see situation,” he predicted. “It’s too early to make the call.”
Chief Medicine did acknowledge Fontaine was a skilled politician and adept at dealing with the federal government, but he believes much will depend upon the results of the forthcoming Liberal convention and who the new Indian Affairs minister is after the leadership changeover in Ottawa.
“I’ve heard presentations from Phil [Fontaine],” said Chief Medicine. “Whoever is minister [of Indian Affairs] at the time, Phil has to find a way to manoeuvre and get aboriginal issues on the table.
“I think he’s in the right place, but that doesn’t mean he’s going to hit a home run,” he warned.
Seine River First Nation Chief Andrew Johnson was the only one to go on the record as saying Fontaine was not his first choice for the national chair, but he also feels relations with Ottawa will improve under his leadership.
“Yes, I think things will improve somewhat,” he remarked, although he felt Coon Come’s reputation for being confrontational and unco-operative was unfair.
“I think he [Coon Come] got a bad rap,” said Chief Johnson.
The supposed rivalry between the AFN and CAP did not appear to be a matter of great concern to the district chiefs. All agreed maintaining channels of communication between the two groups was to everyone’s advantage and Fontaine probably will keep that in mind as he moves ahead with his agenda.
“If he’s [Fontaine] looking for nationhood, it would be wise to make better contact [with CAP],” argued Chief Morrison.
“I think any initiatives he takes yielding positive results will be felt universally,” Chief McPherson agreed.
Chief Medicine said he feels what the two groups have in common far outstrips whatever rivalry there might be between them.
“When you look at the whole scope of the matter, it really doesn’t matter where you live,” he reasoned. “A lot of the concerns are mutual.”
The four chiefs also were unanimous in their esteem and respect for Jamieson. As the leader of the largest First Nation reserve in Canada and the first aboriginal woman to earn a law degree, she is seen by the chiefs as both a powerful asset to the AFN—and perhaps its future leader.
“I know she’s smart and takes a strong position,” said Chief Morrison. “I think she could be a potential leader in the future.”
Chief McPherson was equally impressed and hopes Fontaine doesn’t allow the opportunity to take advantage of Jamieson’s assets to pass. “Clearly she’s a very talented woman and I think if Phil doesn’t utilize her talents, he’d be remiss,” he said.
“We’re not at a point where we can afford to dismiss people just because they ran against you.”
While Chief Medicine shared their high opinion of Jamieson’s intellect and skills, he was less optimistic concerning her prospects as the future leader of an organization that has never elected a woman to its highest office.
“I don’t know if it’s an old-boys’-club—I wouldn’t want to think that—but sometimes you have you wonder,” he mused.
The Assembly of First Nations represents 637 bands from across Canada, although only chiefs have a vote at its meetings. The turnout for the vote this time was said to be one of the largest ever in AFN’s history.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
