Editorial: Read it here first - Chiefs shine

The conduct of the chiefs as demonstrated at a recent special assembly held in Ottawa has given us hope for the future of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN).

There, we said it. And we'll freely admit it's a strange feeling now that it's out there, because optimism is just plain counter-intuitive in a newsroom.

Our job is to look at events with critical eyes, to look for holes, be vigilant against self-serving agendas. There is no shortage of those in politics. The chiefs, however, want us to be their cheerleader. They expect we will take everything they say at face value, not roll it around in our heads, examine it against other perspectives, analyze its worth. In doing our work in such a way, some have accused us of being anti-Phil Fontaine or anti-AFN. Our purpose is either misunderstood, or is used against us as a political ploy designed to knock us off our game. No problem there; that's the way the game is played. Politics is a rough sport.

But it's one thing to be critical as a matter of principle and another thing to be critical for the sake of being critical. Only the former makes for good journalism.

It's been a long time coming, but the First Nation leadership has finally given us something to cheer about, a chance to prove that we do not exist just to be pugnacious. The December 2005 chiefs' confederacy distinguished itself as one that was positive and productive. This one was different. Things got done.

Thirty odd resolutions, all of the resolutions that were put forward by the chiefs, were passed. More remarkable, they were passed without a single dissenting voice. Resolutions that might have sparked disagreement were worked out respectfully by the parties. Gone, for the most part, was the grandstanding, the empty, nauseating rhetoric that has marred many AFN gatherings.

What was witnessed from Dec. 6 to 8 in Ottawa were delegates facing a series of difficult challenges that were taken up and disposed of with class.

We were impressed with how the Quebec delegation very respectfully stated it could not endorse the national executive's approach to engaging the first ministers in Kelowna. The Quebec chiefs stood united behind their regional chief Ghislain Picard as a sign of respect for their fellow chiefs and for the AFN as an organization.

Just as impressive was the British Columbia delegation's answer to Quebec. Once again, respect for diversity of opinion and approach, and a strong sense of honor, were the hallmarks of that moment.

Then Six Nations (Ontario) Chief Dave General and First Nations Summit (British Columbia) leader Doug Kelly iced the cake. Ontario and B.C. have been at each other's throats at just about every AFN assembly in recent memory. But by working together behind the scenes and coming to an understanding over a couple of crucial resolutions, Ontario and B.C. avoided the usual brinkmanship that usually ensues.

As for the national chief, Fontaine received a standing ovation for his performance on the residential school compensation file and there was a sense it wasn't mere political theatre. Even though Fontaine himself recited a long list of shortcomings and potential criticisms that could be directed at that agreement, the bottom line is that there is now something there where before there was nothing.

So, there it is. Praise for the AFN from Windspeaker. We know it will cause howls of outrage among the many who work to oppose Fontaine for either political or philosophical reasons. Their response is of no consequence. We do this for our readers; to let them know that we saw something positive and add our voice to the congratulations that has been directed towards the national chief and his executive.

We are aware of the criticisms that surround the initiatives spearheaded by the AFN-residential school compensation, the Kelowna accord. We are aware that Fontaine's political opponents contend there is a poison pill at the centre of those agreements, that he is giving the government exactly what it wants in exchange for short-term gain. Only time will tell who's right on that question and we know that. If a federal government that is willing to follow through on the commitments made in Kelowna is elected and then it turns out Fontaine's led us astray, you can be sure we'll be very well motivated to tell that story in great detail.