"Olympic torch" cartoon controversy erupts in a battle of letters

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The controversy over a Calgary Herald cartoon published March 15 has erupted into a war of letters between the Herald and the Chairman of the Calgary Aboriginal Urban Affairs Committee.

In a letter to Herald Publisher, Patrick O'Callaghan, Andy Bear Robe accused Herald cartoonist Vance Rodewalt of "inciting violence" against Native people and that the Herald's treatment of Native people is "morally reprehensible, slanted and stereotypical."

In a replay to Bear Robe, a copy of which has been obtained by Windspeaker, Associate Editor Catherine Ford blasts Bear Robe's allegations saying: "For you to suggest that his decision (Vance Rodewalt) to draw two cartoons about Aboriginals, my decision to approve them for publication, and this newspaper's decision to publish them (the cartoons) is a sign of racism and overt bigotry is silly."

"Obviously, you have chosen to overlay Rodewalt's cartoons with a particular, dare I say bigotry of your own, seeing racism where non exists; misconstruing the uses and abuses of stereotypification; and sadly misunderstanding the role and responsibility of this newspaper," says Ford.

In his letter Bear Robe pointed out that it is the Herald's responsibility to make a "positive contribution toward an amicable solution and settlement for the Lubicon Indian band."

However, Ford takes exception to that statement and points out that it is the responsibility of the herald to provide equal coverage of the situation.

"It is the right of this newspaper to express its own opinion on the editorial page. And it is the privilege of this newspaper to extend to readers, through the letters-to-the-editor columns, and to its columnists, through their clearly identified opinion pieces, the opportunity to express their own view points."

"What you are in favor of is propaganda, and that is anathema to the free press," adds Ford.

During discussion of the letter during the committee meeting held in June, the committee again requested Bear Robe to write another letter to the publisher.

"I think Catherine Ford missed my point," said Bear Robe. "And I would prefer a reply from the publisher himself." Bear Robe added that Ford appeared to have taken the letter "personally."

"My objection was the Herald condoning violence against Aboriginal people. What if people torched picketers?"

Several committee members drew silimarities between the Herald cartoon and the atrocities committed by the Nazis during the last work war.

The cartoon in question portrays an Olympic torch runner prevented from running by a road blocked by four Indians dressed in traditional costume and war bonnets. The runner torches the Indians and continues his run with one Indian asking the others: "Any more bright ideas?"

The cartoon was drawn in response to stories published in the Herald which alluded to a road blockade by the Lubicon Lake Indian band in support of their 47-year old land claim.

Chief Bernard Ominiyak has consistently denied making any threat to blockade the torch relay.