And in this corner... [editorial]

Let’s get ready to rumble...The iconic catchphrase of American ring announcer Michael Buffer seems an appropriate way to start a rematch between coastal nations (BC and Atlantic) versus, well, everybody else. If the Special Chiefs Assembly held in Ottawa May 27 is any indication, the Assembly of First Nations Annual General Assembly scheduled for Halifax July 15 to 17, with a preliminary battle for supremacy held July 14 at a Confederacy of Nations meeting, should be a real barn burner.

 The etymology of that phrase is an interesting one. It’s said to come from the idea of burning down one’s own barn to get rid of a rat infestation.  Or, one who will destroy all to get rid of a nuisance. It’s important to understand that this assembly will be a watershed moment for the organization. There is the very real potential that the AFN walls will come crashing down upon the organization, depending on the attitudes the chiefs bring to the table.

There has never been so much dividing the chiefs, including the polarized perspectives of how to move forward on education.
Many chiefs would have liked to see amendments to Bill C-33. At least, they say, there were some things within that legislation that they could work with, and that includes $1.9 billion. British Columbia was on that side of the equation, but was heavily outmatched with only 60 of its 203 delegates on the ground May 27 when they produced their resolution to ask the feds to change the bill. We bet they won’t let that happen to them again.

The chiefs in assembly also have some important decisions to make because time is not on their side. They need to quickly decide when and how they are going to move forward on the issue of leader. They will need a national chief sooner rather than later, we have to assume. A federal election will be held Oct. 19, 2015 and First Nations leaders will need to be prepared for that, and well in advance if they are to combat this current government’s anti-First Nations agenda.

The Harper government must be giddy at the prospect that the AFN has decapitated itself. To allow the infighting and posturing for control over the organization, so apparent and outrageous at the May 27 SCA that it threatened the organization’s very ruination, to continue into the federal election year would work well in the Conservative’s favor.  The only real option it would seem is to have the AFN election at this year’s December meeting.  This will give the AFN time for at least some recovery.
The mood is so noxious, however, that even that is in doubt.
The candidates are lining up. Many of them are currently on the AFN executive, so that will prove a hurdle to get over in and of itself. It will be very interesting to see how these chiefs carry themselves in July. Will they put politics before all else?
Electioneering, showboating, or endless circular speeches about nothing, could be what we are in store for. Wasting the time of busy leaders will cause further frustrations for those who have other and bigger fish to fry.

So readers, if you are interested in witnessing some four very historic and entertaining days, book your tickets now. This is a not to be missed event. The gloves will be off. The title up for grabs.

Windspeaker