Categories: Capital Read, Inside the Queensway

In some cases, it can be considered a compliment when one's departure leaves an organization "on the verge of collapse" …

by kadyomalley on Tuesday, January 13, 2009 7:12am - 23 Comments

… but not, however, when it comes to the furore that continues to swirl around former Congress of Aboriginal People national chief Patrick Brazeau, one of the eighteen senators-in-waiting named to the Upper Chamber by the Prime Minister just before Christmas:

The national aboriginal organization led until last Friday by new Conservative Senator Patrick Brazeau is on the verge of collapse amid the fallout from his controversial leadership as national chief.

Affiliates of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples, which represents off-reserve natives from Ontario and the western provinces, are threatening to pull out unless their board members receive a report they’ve been demanding on allegations of sexual harassment filed last March against Mr. Brazeau.

They are also demanding the recognition of an Alberta affiliate and the reinstatement of the Manitoba wing, suspended just days before the annual general meeting. The Manitoba president has said he intended to go public at the meeting with allegations of harassment and heavy drinking by senior staff at the Congress’s Ottawa headquarters.

The abrupt end to Brazeau’s tenure as chief may also have an impact on the distinctly Conservative-friendly stance that has been taken by the Congress in recent years — it was the only aboriginal organization to endorse the Conservatives in both 2006 and 2008 — which was probably not exactly the outcome that the PM had in mind:

Mr. Dennis said the board members believe Mr. Brazeau’s repeated backing of the Conservatives is the reason he was appointed to the Senate.

“We’re definitely against that Conservative agenda, looking at how the Conservatives have treated our people in the past, and if these allegations are true, if there was a misconduct of some form between himself and the former employee and it’s vindicated through the human-rights case, then I think he should step down from his [Senate] position,” Mr. Dennis said.

UPDATE: A Reader points out that, should worse come to worst and his appointment somehow fail to materialize, Brazeau can always make a return to the runway.

Tags: congress of aboriginal peoples, patrick brazeau, the western affiliates are restless, you think it's easy to appoint senators without controversial pasts?

More by kadyomalley

http://carnewsandviews.com jwl

“We’re definitely against that Conservative agenda, looking at how the Conservatives have treated our people in the past”

Seems a bit harsh towards the Cons since the Libs have been in power the vast majority of the time over the past century and it’s Lib policies that have led to natives being the worst off ethnic group within Canada.

http://www.macleans.ca Kady O’Malley

I wouldn’t make the mistake of assuming that an organization that is opposed to Conservative policies automatically supports the Liberals – or any other political party. Aboriginal issues, in particular, tend to be more complex and nuanced than such a binary choice would allow.

http://carnewsandviews.com jwl

I don’t assume anything, Kady. Just thought it was a harsh statement, talking about the past, when the Cons have barely been in power during Mr Dennis’ lifetime.

TobyornotToby

If I remember correctly, the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples, was in favour of the Kelowna Accord, despite it’s generally friendly approach to the Conservatives. Might have something to do with the reaction hmmm?

John D

Dissing the Conservatives does not mean supporting the Liberals. It would have been pretty irrelevant for Mr. Dennis to talk about the Liberals when they have nothing to do with it.

Jenn

This whole story is strange. First of all, somebody had to TELL him it was inappropriate to hold down two full time positions (and the 100 grand plus salaries attached to both) for two distinctly different “employers”? He couldn’t figure that one out on his own? That says a whole lot, right there.

Next, I have yet to see a serious rebuttal of why the Manitoba wing was suspended the moment they informed him they’d be bringing a complaint to the National meeting. If I have what facts I have right, that informing was done in writing–so I fail to see how one can justify the timing as strictly coincidental.

Thirdly, the board got to see a SUMMARY? Because the guy the independent investigation was investigating told them that’s all they needed? Come on!

And what’s this about Alberta only having observer status? I have no idea of actual numbers, but I’m surprised Newfoundland and Labrador would have more off-reserve First Nations peoples than Alberta. So why isn’t Alberta a full member of this congress?

http://carnewsandviews.com jwl

“somebody had to TELL him it was inappropriate to hold down two full time positions (and the 100 grand plus salaries attached to both) for two distinctly different “employers”?

He was just following the lead of our pols who double dip all the time. It is the ‘entitled to entitlements’ mentality that is so pervasive within the public service.

Alan

“…that is so pervasive within the public service.”

Can we qualify our sweeping generalizations a little? Speaking as a rank and file member of the public service, this is nonsense. If you wanted to talk about executives of crown corporations, or something along those lines, be my guest, but try to be a little more specific than talking about all public servants.
John D

Could you mention a few statistics or even specific cases of public servants ‘double dipping’ in this manner?

SEM

I will respond to your fourth paragraph as to why Alberta does not have an affiliate to CAPS. The Alberta affiliate for the past four years has been lead by two incompetent “elected or interim” Chiefs that have yet to submit the information to the CAPS committee, where upon completion, at their next annual general meeting (AGM) all National CAP representatives that have a vote can at that time, vote in the new members which would include Alberta if they should ever complete that task, and if these people in Edmonton ever get off their “you know what’s” Alberta might one day be a part of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples.

Anon

Harper’s due diligence squad at the PMO is just top notch, isn’t it? They couldn’t find out the details of a sexual allegation charge against a prospective nominee — I mean, didn’t they learn anything from the Couillard fiasco?

John D

Couillard? Whatever, did they not watch the US Presidential race? Did Palin teach them anything about proper vetting?

Jenn

I would dearly love to know if the PMOs office also settled for the summary–or if anyone other than Brazeau saw the full report.
http://carnewsandviews.com jwl

Couillard? Whatever, did they not watch the US President Elect Obama a couple of weeks ago? Did Richardson teach them anything about proper vetting?

Jenn

Oh, they were aware of the allegations. But, see, he cleared himself–I mean, he’d been cleared.

http://carnewsandviews.com jwl

The Senate is a rogues gallery, I am sure Brazeau will feel right at home there.

A lot of this seems to be whispers and allegations of impropriety so far but that shouldn’t keep Brazeau from his appointment. If Brazeau is charged and convicted for anything, he should resign immediately.

Jenn

I don’t think the Senate is a rogues gallery at all. But I do agree with you that the sexual harassment stuff is nothing more than allegations at this point. However, he is someone who has proven himself to be so ethically bankrupt as to think he can have his senatorship and eat his congress too. I think Harper might be wise to have a change of heart on this one.

Then again, that makes him out of two jobs. A bit of poetic justice, but perhaps not totally fair.
DR

Personally, I’m just surprised that this organization has more than a dozen members.

Matthew Fletcher

DR,
Are you not aware of the significant number of First Nations people who do not live on reserves?
Or are you surprised at the membership because of the apparent dysfunction of the organization?

long time reader, first time writer

MF,

I would caution you from assuming that just because First Nation people live off the reserve they support CAP. I am an Urban First Nation person who left my reserve in the late eighties to further my education and career but still have a strong connection to my reserve and community members (including voting for my Chief every two years).

Mr. Brazeau never represented me nor does he represent many of my FN friends and family who live off the reserve. Urban First Nation members don’t vote for CAP President, the Board Members do.

kwe off reserve

I agree with you, long time reader. AND, I am one of those Bill C-31s (whose mother regained status; therefore I have status now but my children do not even though my father-in-law has status.) I have always lived off-reserve but the reserve IS my home. My mother moved to the closest city when she was forced to leave the reserve upon marrying a non-native. We spent all of our spare time on the rez and have always been very active in the community. My First Nation serves me well and I vote in every election there.

When I first saw this Patrick Brazeau and heard about CAP I thought, “Where does this organization get off saying they represent me and my family?” There is no local near me…nowhere even close that I am aware of. Their disfunctional and now defunct provincial organization here in Ontario did nothing for me before it “disappeared” and the new one ….well I haven’t heard a peep from them…no press releases, no calls for members, no elections…CAP is a farce…and Brazeau is a phony.

I currently work for a First Nation organization. I attend many meetings where these off-reserve Aboriginal organizations’ (Metis and non-status) staff and leadership attend also. Over the years, I heard stories from long ago (1970-1980s) of how some of our leadership would spend a lot of time drinking when they went to these meetings. I am glad to see that this is a rarity with First Nations leadership and staff. Unfortunately, I have witnessed the leadership and staff of these off-reserve organizations doing this of late. It is like they are 20 years behind the First Nations when it comes to appropriate behaviour when representing in public.

I would like to know where they keep their membership list. There may be many, many of us off-reserve but that does not mean that we are members of CAP or even served by CAP. I am a member of a First Nation and served by my First Nation. I have no affiliation with CAP or any other off-reserve organization. How do people like me get this message through to the federal and provincial governments? “Stop giving these organizations funds based solely on off-reserve aboriginal population. They do not and cannot serve or represent all of us. Give them funds based on the number of bonafide members of their organizations.”

Andrew (not Potter or Coyne)

First one bites the dust… that was quick!
Gerald McIvor

HE SERVED HIS MASTERS WELL AND HE WAS VERY WELL REWARDED!

In reference to the Prime Minister porking up the senate, something he said he would not do throughout his tenure as leader of the overhauled Reform Party( A.K.A. Conservative Party Of Canada). He has now filled the biggest porkbarrel in Canadian political history in the shortest time frame. I recall this was an election platform for Stephen Harper and his cabal of seat fillers not to do this. He said he would reform the senate! He REFORMed it alright. The Reform Party ideology is emerging faster and faster. I have to congratulate Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (CAP) President Patrick Brazeau on his patronage appointment. He worked hard to promote government propaganda and interests with no formal mandate from the First Nations. The First Nations of this country should collectively thank Stephen Harper for taking his colonial servant out of the way so he cannot run interference for government anymore.

Patrick Brazeau should take a long hard look at his past actions and realize his complicit actions all led to assimilation. I have seen many First Nations leaders make a lot of sacrifices for our people. In my opinion, Mr. Brazeau tried to sacrifice the rights of future First Nations generations for his political gain. I will reiterate Patrick Brazeau served his masters well and he was very well rewarded! He should be ashamed of himself. I bet Stephen Harper is calling him “ Patty” much like George W. Bush called Prime Minister Harper “ Steve”. The Prime Minister of Canada spoke with a forked tongue again!

For as long as the sun shines, the grasses grow and the waters flow…the First Nations will remain proud and strong….