Congratulations Due

Congratulations on a hard-fought battle for the election of a new grand chief of the Assembly of First Nations during their general assembly in Calgary. A full eight rounds of voting before the electoral success could be finally settled on the youngest of the candidates, the one who was singled out initially as the front-runner. Who was given a hard run for his success, nonetheless.

Newly elected Grand Chief of the Assembly of First Nations Shawn Atleo is lifted onto supporters shoulders after giving his addresses the assembly following hs win on a marathon eighth ballot Thursday in Calgary.

Photograph by: Ted Rhodes, Calgary Herald

We are ever so satisfied that someone of the ilk of Terrance Nelson was not elected. And it would be ever so satisfying if the new Grand Chief, Shawn Atleo, recognized that it is incumbent upon him to represent the very best interests of the First Nations Status Indians rather than defending the administrative turf of the Assembly of First Nations. Should it ever come to pass (and we hope in the relatively near future) that Canada's indigenous people become capable of full independence and thrive under their newfound security and self-support, that may be the time for the AFN to dissolve.

But as long as First Nations remain dependent on Federal Government handouts, relinquishing responsibility for their singular needs, living in traditional tribal areas in clearly unsuitable geographies where there are no prospects for employment and meaningful pursuits of any kind other than to languish in poverty and degradation, where their children are robbed of a decent education and the opportunity to integrate into the wider world, the Assembly of First Nations is assured of its longevity.

Shawn Atleo's most important job now is to nurture the future for Canada's aboriginals, to encourage First Nations peoples to become staunchly independent as many other Indian bands have been successful in doing, living on or off reserves. And once a growing element of success has been established, he can slowly begin to distance the AFN from the management of the reserves, allowing each to achieve full autonomy and self-respect.

Putting himself and the AFN out of business and encouraging and enabling First Nations to be responsive to their own needs and responsible for their own futures and those of their children, will be the best thing that could ever happen to them.