Editor's Notebook

Page 7

Windspeaker responds to Desmeules letter, say he's made false allegations

Windspeaker editorial staff and senior management stand by the editorial and story questioned by Metis Association of Alberta president Larry Desmeules in his letter to the editor. We regret his dissatisfaction with the articles, but feel he's made false allegations.

Mr. Desmeules says he was given no opportunity to reply to Ron Laroque's statements in a story we ran in our Oct. 2 edition. This is simply not the case. Mr. Desmeules was contacted on no less than five occasions, but chose not to return our calls. He also saw fit to avoid the calls we made to him after the story ran, in an attempt to get his explanation of the controversy.

When he first became president, he refused to give use the official election count. A week after he took office, we asked him for a personal interview to introduce him to our readers and publicize his plans as the new MAA leader. He turned us down. This week a reporter spoke with Mr. Desmeules, who once again refused to answer any questions.

Mr. Desmeules, the people have a right to know what their elected officials are doing. This includes the dismissal of employees and the financial status of the organization because public money is involved. And, as head of the MAA you must have heard rumors of a split within the organization and know this could be detrimental to the unity of Alberta's Metis. Why not go on record with your explanation of these current affairs and tell your people what you will do about the situation?

We at Windspeaker will continue to do everything in our power to contact all parties involved in news stories and write balanced stories. However, the refusal of any key player to answer questions will not result in the story being held.

Mr. Desmeules also complains that there is little 'positive' news in Windspeaker. Such is not the case. Each week the stories on positive news far outweigh those that might appear to many as 'negative' news stories.

Readers should remember that because we have no official 'opposition' parties, as in mainstream politics, very often a free voice, such as Windspeaker, is often the only "watchdog" organization that grassroots people feel they can turn to.

Each week we receive letters or telephone calls from people who are concerned over threats or perceived threats to their way of life, either from government departments or from their own local administration.

Windspeaker is obviously fulfilling a need. And it is a need we do not take lightly. We have a role to provide our readers with information, both good and bad, in order that the communities themselves can deal with the problems before they get out of hand.