From the desk of...

One of the joys of being a public figure is getting fan mail. I have a huge collection of letters and emails from people who were so affected by what I have said that they felt compelled to send me an encouraging note, or to offer some perspective on my ideas.

Here's something I didn't know before a few months ago: apparently, lots of people do not like Matthew Coon Come. And those who don't like him, really, really don't like him. A lot. I have received some very negative feedback because of my association with the national chief's office at the Assembly of First Nations.

Granted, most of it has been predictable and comes from Mr. Coon Come's political enemies, but the reaction has been cutting nonetheless. In reading in this paper of my support for Matthew and his agenda, and about the fact that I worked with his office on communications for a short time last year, people have questioned my motives and the sincerity of my commitment to the ideals I write about in this column and in my books.

Like many other people who had no previous interest in the AFN or the games that are played in Native political organizations, I gave him the benefit of the doubt because of his reputation and supported Matthew Coon Come when he stepped forward. I believed that he represented the kind of leader of vision that could turn the AFN from the corrupt instrument of colonization it is into a vehicle to advance the unification of our people. I believed that his energy and agenda could be the catalyst for a renewed grassroots movement by our people to reject the federal government's agenda and to reform the AFN into something that does some good for our people. And to think that I often chide people for their naivete!

Like all those other hopeful revolutionaries in Indian Country, I am disappointed at how things have actually turned out. With the wisdom of hindsight I know today that for many and complex reasons, the AFN remains unchanged and is, in fact, unchangeable. There can be no revolution from within, and I have since returned to my previous skepticism and distanced myself from the organization.

But I sure took my knocks from people who were not so generous in their attitude. It's a good thing I believe in the rule that says, if you dish it out, you should be ready to take it too. So I take no personal affront to people such as a Mr. Anish Inabe, 'The Indianator', a staggering genius of politics, for his highly informed and constructive criticism of my opinions, delivered courtesy of the email exchange re-printed below.

From: 'anish inabe'

To: 'Taiaiake Alfred'

Subject: Hypocrisy

What a hypocrite you are! You condemned Phil Fontaine for being too cozy with the government meanwhile you lecture in a white institution. You lecture about your idealistic notions of self government all the while distorting your students perception of First Nations governance.

Have you ever been chosen by your people to lead? Have you ever held a leadership position? Do you know what it is like to be entrusted with leadership responsibility? It is easy to judge from your white, accomodating [sic]institution.

Your book was irrelevant nonsense. Your notions of Indigenous government are idealistic and contradictory. Your ideas have no place in contemporary society. You endorsed Coon Come. A right-wing Christian fundamentalist who has no time for traditionalism. A big talker who will soon show his lack of political awareness. Where has he been during this election when Aboriginal issues have been ignored? Where has he been on the Musqueam decision? The Alliance platform? How consistent is that with your Iroquois ways? You guys are supposed to be hardcore. I think your affirmative action, Ivy league education has not provided you with sound judgement.

Give your head a shake and wake up! You are living off the white man?s education system. You make your living off of the ignorance of middle class white kids who don?t know any better. Yousovereignistic views have been cultivated in the comfortable surroundings of white post-secondary institutions. All the while paid for by the treaties which you southern Ontario Indians claim to despise but have readily accepted in the form of benefits.

Furthermore, your people, the Iroquois, are the ideal example of what you called Phil Fontaine 'accommodationist. Take a look at the Aboriginal people in government. 75% are Iroquois. How accommodating is that?

You have no right to judge Mr. Phil Fontaine. An Anicinabeg leader who has served his people well for 35 years.

Look in the mirror first before you judge anybody

From: 'Taiaiake Alfred'

To: 'anish inabe'

Subject: cowardice

'Indianator'...that's pretty good, for a white man.

From: 'anish inabe'

To: 'Taiaiake Alfred'

Subject: RE: cowardice

Watch yourself motherf****r! You'll find yourself wearing dentures goof! (Edited for taste by Windspeaker managing editor.)

Only one thing Mr. Inabe wrote did upset me (aside from the fact that he didn't even buy and read my book before he criticized it): I am not a 'southern Ontario Indian!'

Holy, you would think that someone who had done all that research on the number of Iroquois in government would know that Kahnawa:ke and Six Nations are two different places.

Most of my mail is heart-warming, and I suppose I could just press the 'delete' button and trash what ails me, but I think I'll keep at least one of these less-than-glowing fan mails on hand. Life is all about lessons learned and balance, anyway.