June 8, 2006 - David Ahenakew - a podcast by Stephen Hammond

Ruling overturned for disgraced aboriginal leader David Ahenakew. David Ahenakew was a distinguished member of the Saskatchewan First Nations community. He’d given years of service at the helm of the Assembly of First Nations and had been recognized for other accomplishments with the prestigious Order of Canada. So onlookers were shocked when on December 13, 2002, at an aboriginal health-care conference, he went into a racist tirade with slurs against Jews, Indo Canadians and other immigrants to Canada. After his speech, Saskatoon Star Phoenix reporter James Parker asked Ahenakew for more comments and clarifications and he continued on his tirade, saying more horrible things about Jews. Media coverage of his comments led to national headlines and condemnation from coast to coast. Ahenakew resigned from all aboriginal leadership positions, as he began the long process of trying to defend himself. On July 8, 2005, Saskatchewan provincial court judge Irwin found Ahenakew guilty of inciting and wilfully promoting hatred against Jewish people as per Canada’s criminal code. The judge said the comments in his speech did not violate the Code; however, his comments to the reporter did. Three days later the Council of the Order of Canada revoked his membership and demanded the return of his medal. Ahenakew appealed his criminal conviction and on June 8, 2006, Court of Queens bench Justice Robert Laing set aside the conviction and ordered a new trial. Judge Irwin made the mistake of not taking into consideration certain evidence before making certain inferences and the final decision. Shortly after the conference and the outrage in 2002, Jewish and aboriginal leaders throughout Canada came together to enhance better understanding in their respective communities.

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