A new Patrick Brazeau Rumour

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Ok rumour, rumour, rumour. Hot off the phone I learn that our favourite infamous Senator Pat Brazeau is suing CAP and it's president Ms. Lavallee for 1.25 million buckaroos. Seems she might have said something he disagrees with during her bid for the top job at CAP.

Anyone out there know anything about this?

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It’s not about you; it’s about what you do

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The cheap clichés always win: It’s not about you; it’s about what you do

It’s unfortunate when poor leadership drags down organizations. The labour performed by dedicated and passionate people is lost or forgotten in the shower or accusations and finger pointing that is the inevitable fallout from greed and inexperience. We post CAP stories that hit the news about the fallout from poor leadership because we believe (crazy bitches that we are) that we deserve good governance – corporate, political, and economic. It just happens that all bad governance CAP stories lead back to Pat.

It’s not like CAP in the past did not have relevancy. Dwight Dorey, former national leader of CAP, ensured CAPS position at the table during discussions of the governance initiative to change the Indian Act. Pat the (sorry choice but) Conservative Senator sat as CAP’s lackey at the table back then. CAP was the force behind the Corbierre decision and the vote rights for off-reserve First Nations people. CAP can be a force again (and must) but must first rise from and leave behind the useless baubles, bits, and shiny beads left behind by the former model (who dreamed of bigger glitter and bigger baubles) and focus on issues that are meaningful. (Come on nobody actually expects world peace and nobody expects every First Nation person living on a reserve to give up their life, community, and family, land, culture, and history to haul-ass and move to the city – get real.)

Ward knows I don’t mind being vocal when I think the people who would call themselves “leader” behave in ways that look and resemble the behaviour of sheep. I want our organizations to demand answers to right wrongs and defend our positions – NOT be a mouth piece for assimilation. Why should my tax-paying dollars go to defend the assimilation views from an organization that is supposed to protect or advance my rights? If CAP wants us to assimilate then they should simply close their office doors and cancel their lease.

Otherwise sit down Patrick Brazeau – your time in the sun came and left. Your legacy as a sponge is forever solidified in our history. Now let’s cross our fingers and pray that the newly elected leader finds and issue of relevance to the people and sticks to it.

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Outcome of CAP elections

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There was no follow up media from Bill Curry on the CAP (Congress of aboriginal Peoples elections, so for those who are wondering the winner was: It's Betty Ann Lavallée. Here's her official Bio. Kevin Daniels, was acting as inter-rim until the election has returned to his post as National Vice-Chief.

Find Betty Ann Lavallée's offical biography, below.

The new National Chief of the Congress of Aboriginal People and the Chief of the New Brunswick Aboriginal Peoples Council for the past 13 years is Ms. Betty Ann Lavallée, CD.(RTD), a status off-reserve Mi’kmaq woman who has worked all her adult life in non-traditional roles. Ms. Lavallée had also completed a term as the Vice-Chief of the NBAPC prior to being elected Chief in August of 1997. Ms. Lavallée has an extensive background in administration, transportation, business, and leadership management and has been active on numerous Boards as a Director, both Provincially and Nationally, and Committees that have dealt with Aboriginal Issues such as Fisheries, Housing, Education, Employment and Training, Economic Development and Health.

Ms. Lavallée was a member of the Canadian Armed Forces for approximately 17 years, where she was awarded the Canadian Forces Decoration and Commendation Formation Level and the Queen’s 50th Anniversary Jubilee Medal. Ms. Lavallée grew up in the military community of Oromocto, New Brunswick. Joining first as a reservist with 1 RNBR, Fredericton, then transferred over to the Regular Forces in 1980, where she was posted to Base Transportation Company, CFB Gagetown, in August immediately following her recruit and basic training. Ms. Lavallée remained at CFB Gagetown until August of 1988 when she was posted to 2 SVC BN, Special Service Force at CFB Petawawa, Ontario. In 1993, she was transferred back to CFB Gagetown, New Brunswick where she remained with the Technical Services Branch, Transportation Company until her retirement in April of 1996 when she left to take on the job of Economic Development Officer for Wabanaki Enterprises Inc., an off-reserve Economic Development Corporation

Ms. Lavallée is the daughter of John(Jack) and Rhoda Bernard of Geary, New Brunswick. She is married to Battery Sergeant Major J. S. Michael Lavallée, CD2 who is currently serving at 67(Depot) BTY, The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery School at CFB Gagetown . They have a 32 year old son, Sgt. Trevor Lavallée, CD (RCR), 1 PL Training Co. Parachute Instructor, Canadian Advance Warfare Center, CFB Trenton. She is the proud grandmother of 3 year old, Kaden John William Lavallée and 2 year old, Ethan Michael Brian Lavallee.

Ms. Lavallée has a keen interest in Aboriginal Issues as well as Domestic and International politics. She is a stanch advocate for employment for women in non-traditional roles and very protective of inherent rights for the Off-Reserve Aboriginal People of Canada.

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Patrick Brazeau, the scandal continues,

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Frankly, I have blogged myself to death on this dude. But the scandal surrounding Senator Patrick Brazeau continues. I don't have anything left to add. Let's wait and see if "Bad Anon" comes a trolling to try to defend this one.

Bill Curry

Ottawa — From Saturday's Globe and Mail
Friday, Sep. 11, 2009 10:34PM EDT


Members of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples expressed shock over the “disturbing” financial situation left behind by Patrick Brazeau as they gathered for the first time since their former national chief was appointed to the Senate.

Delegates of the off-reserve aboriginal organization met in Ottawa Friday to elect a new national chief, but the vote was overshadowed by a report showing the congress posted a major deficit last year after a federal department demanded it pay back hundreds of thousands of dollars in expenses that had been ruled ineligible.

Beyond the mounting debt, delegates expressed concern when told Mr. Brazeau received severance when he left the organization, that he routinely flew first-class on congress business, and that a big-screen television for his office was originally described as a gift from the organization's auditor and then later paid for by the congress as an expense.

In a financial report tabled Friday at the congress meeting, national vice-chief Betty Anne Lavalée wrote that she first saw the organization's finances in February and found them “very disturbing,” a view she later voiced publicly in presenting her report to the delegates.

Ms. Lavallée wrote that she uncovered cheques that were issued without the required approval of the board of directors.

“Also, valuable items had been given away or removed from the building,” she wrote.

She clarified in an interview that the items were pieces of aboriginal art and one Inuit carving that was donated to charity.

“This entire situation, quite frankly, makes me ill,” she wrote.Delegates were still voting for a new national chief late Friday night. It is a position that involves taking part in first-ministers meetings and raising off-reserve issues with the prime minister and federal ministers. The congress receives about $5-million a year from Ottawa.

Ms. Lavallée was elected chief last night on the second ballot. The three other candidates for national chief included Kevin Daniels, Brad Maggrah and Alvin Chartrand. All four supported the need to advocate for improved social conditions for off-reserve aboriginals and to fight for the congress's provincial affiliates that are looking for federal funds.

The Globe and Mail reported in January that Health Canada has frozen its funding to the congress and was demanding repayment of up to $260,000 in expenses that were deemed ineligible. According to Ms. Lavallée, who took over responsibility for the congress's finances as interim vice-chief in January, that story led other departments to launch similar audits.

One of those audits by a branch of Indian Affairs called the Office of the Federal Interlocutor concluded that the congress must pay back $529,880 in expenses from the fiscal years 2004 to 2006. Mr. Brazeau worked at the congress from 2001 to 2008. He was elected vice-chief, with responsibility for the organization's finances, in 2005 and became national chief in 2006.

In an e-mail, Mr. Brazeau, who was named a Conservative senator nine months ago, said delegates were informed of the audit findings at last year's gathering. He said the television was not a gift from an auditor and that it remains the property of the congress. He also defended his first-class flights.

“As per standard policy and practice at CAP, executive members of the Congress often flew business class and/or utilized upgrade certificates,” he wrote.

“Ms. Lavallée, along with all other board members of the congress were given a full, open and transparent quarterly report regarding the financial state of affairs of the Congress,” he wrote. “All board members were given financial updates and had the opportunity to ask questions on the financial management of CAP's affairs.”

Mr. Brazeau built his reputation as national chief as an advocate for financial accountability among native leaders. He was particularly critical of native chiefs and the Assembly of First Nations, the larger national native group made up of chiefs from Canada's more than 600 reserves.

Mr. Brazeau has said that he was aware of the government's financial concerns and worked as national chief to improve the accountability of the organization.

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He's back! Guallaume Carle. Yet another National Chief

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Guillaume Carle is my favourite National Chief. Yes we have an AFN National Chief, and two organizations called CAP, both with National Chiefs, so there are 3 to choose from.(Perhaps this explains in part why Indian politics baffles other Canadians, eh?) In case you didn't know about Guillaume here's some background.


In 2003, Guillaume was elected president of the Quebec wing of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (CAP, Patrick Brazeau's former organization). A few years later, Guillaume and Patrick had a falling out. (BTW- interesting fact, they both claim to be former models - although they are rather short. They also look alike, although Guillaume is older. Guillaume is top right, Patrick is immediately right) Guillaume lost his election in 2006 or, in his opinion, was illegally usurped. Out of spite, Guillaume set out to replace CAP with hisown national organization: the Confederation of Aboriginal Peoples. (To avoid confusion we'll call it CAP2)

Guillaume want to replace CAP1 because he believed it was politically and fiscally irresponsible. He also believed someone was trying to kill him for exposing this. In response, Brazeau accused Guillaume of being a white guy. In 2007, Guillaume and his fledgling organization held a few fairly well-attended protests. He led an armed roadblock of a highway near Barrier Lake in northern Quebec, and protested outside Parliament about housing (targeting the Waskahagen Corporation), and outside Indian Affairs about a long list of issues. He eventually got arrested, as protesters sometimes do, and could not participate in further acts of civil disobedience.
In June 2007, he went into Kahnawake to try and recruit members to CAP2, but was chased out by a small group of Mohawk women and banned from returning.

Everything he got really quiet.
I wondered what happened to him.
Then one day there was an ad in the Ottawa Sun advertising an Elvis impersonator for hire for home and office parties for a small fee. It didn't say that it was Guillaume. There was only a stage name. But everyone I know who saw it swore it was him.
The ad dissapeared.
Months went by.
I checked out Guillaume's website. Googled his name. No new news. I thought he was gone forever.

But today my search was rewarded with this press release:

The Confederation of Aboriginal Peoples Tells the Real Story
RIVIERE BLEUE, QC, June 11 2009 /CNW Telbec/ - During the last days, the
Confederation of Aboriginal Peoples (CAP) has been officially informed that
false information coming from an incredible disturbed imagination has been
communicated regarding the National Grand Chief Guillaume Carle. This
information is communicated to create confusion regarding the identity and
actions of the National Grand Chief Guillaume Carle.
It is important to inform all readers that the Internet Site used to
carry the false messages regarding National Grand Chief Carle, called the
"Nation Autochtone du Québec", is the property of Jean Jolicoeur which is a
director of the Waskahagen Corporation. This Corporation is already in front
of the tribunal facing a multi hundreds of thousands of dollars law suit for
having caused damages to the National Grand Chief Carle's reputation. All the
negative information contained in this Internet Site is communicated to try to
tarnish and discredit his reputation.
Additionally, we would like to inform all readers that Grand Chief Carle
has never been expelled or escorted out of OKA by anybody. The story
concerning his visit in OKA contained on the Internet Site mentioned above is
completely false and should not be taken seriously.
It is very important to mention that a few years ago, Guillaume Carle,
National Grand Chief received two valuable distinctions from European
instances. In 2007, he was the recipient of the "Civic Star" for his exemplary
conduct in the defense of indigenous rights and improving the life of
individuals regardless of their age, nationality, color and social state.
Thereafter, in late 2007, "La Ligue Universelle du Bien Public", an
organization attached to the United Nations and founded in 1468, presented to
Grand Chief Carle its most prestigious awards "The Golden Medal" for his
contribution to the Defense of Human Rights and finally to have sowed good in
his entourage.
Guillaume Carle, National Grand Chief is highly considered in the
Aboriginal community and in the international arena. In addition, he is also
recognized by the Aboriginal Community as a National Spiritual Elder, Sacred
Pipe Carrier and Bearer of the Sacred Eagle Feather.

This is who this man really is. (CAP)



For further information: Monique Thibault, Communications, (418)
893-1886

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Patrick Brazeau has become the most unaccountable aboriginal leader in Canada today.

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Patrick Brazeau claims he is standing up for the rights of elders, single moms (yes I note the irony) and children in a letter to National Post. In reality Patrick Brazeau is the most unaccountable aboriginal leader in Canada today. He is standing up for a Bill that has practically no support in Indian Country. At least when he led the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples, a small lobby group, he had to face criticism from those who elected him and worked with him. Now that he has an appointed position, he's accountable to no one. Or so he thinks. He's sure as hell going to be held accountable to First Nations his people here at Crazy Bitches R Us.

In blue, quotes from Patrick Brazeau's letter, (which I have also reprinted in full, if you scroll down below) in black my comments.

#1 Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is denying the government the right to make systematic reform. No Patrick. The AFN is standing up for the right of legitimately elected FN governments to make reform. Women like me, have a right to tell our democratically elected chiefs how we want to be governed. I don't get a vote for the Minister of Indian Affairs. The Minister did at least deign to consult us, but then he completely ignored every word we said and decided to force this Bill on us instead. By supporting this breach of process Patrick, you are as unaccountable as the Minister is. Shame on you.

#2 "the AFN receives substantial funding from the government. It is unfortunate that it chooses to use these investments to fund continued criticism of government efforts." The AFN has to take direction from the people, or we won't support them. That is why they exist. And yes, sometimes that means dishing out some well-deserved criticism. At least they don't spend their funding on kissing-ass for a senate seat.

#3 The government's apology for residential schools ...."may be considered by some as having provided First Nations leadership a right to veto the government's legislative endeavours." Wrong again Brazman. The fact that we live in a democracy (well not you, you're appointed not elected, but the rest of us) and not a totalitarian society gives us that right.

#4 The repeal of section 67 that gave "...same degree of human rights protection that all other Canadians enjoy through the Canadian Human Rights Act were met with resistance from the chiefs" A) FN already had human rights protections under the Constitution. This only opened the Human Rights Commission as an alternative venue to the courts.(But I'm sure I don't have to explain the Human Rights Commission to you Patrick.)Finally the chiefs' didn't oppose it, they just wanted it amended to include an impact analysis, an assessment of the existing capacity to deal with complaints and a 2 year adjustment period.(Much like the provinces had when the concept was first introduced.)Once those amendments were made they supported the change.

#5 "when our government introduced the Federal Accountability Act....The AFN sought to exempt itself from the bill's measures" What the AFN did, in fact, was ask for an independent First Nations Auditor General and Ombudsman which would have created a two-way accountability. The conservatives weren't interested in two way accountability. Reading the recent Parliamentary Budget Office Report on First Nations Schools may provide a hint why.

#6 The so-called Kelowna Accord promised plenty of resources and was essentially a "get out of jail free" card ... I seem to remember CAP being very involved in Kelowna negotiations, in fact CAP lobbied parties to commit to Kelowna during the 2006 election (All the links showing CAP's previous stance were removed from the CAP website, but you can still get at it with google.) CAP began to oppose Kelowna only after the conservatives got elected, and CAP became their mouth piece. Patrick, do you really believe your own people are so foolish that we wouldn't notice that you have been reading conservative speaking notes instead of representing our interests? You should be listening to your people, not letting the government use you against us to advance an agenda that could hurt us. Again, shame on you.

#7 "Our government pays attention to are those of the families, the elders, the single mothers..." Actually they don't. I haven't heard any one in Indian Country - except you - support this Bill, Patrick. And just to be clear, it does not have the support of FN women.

Here is Patrick's full letter.

Aboriginals deserve better
Re: Tories Make Conservative Progress, John Ivison, May 28.

Mr. Ivison cuts to the heart of the matter when he suggests that in its opposition to progressive measures such as matrimonial property rights legislation, the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is denying the government the right to make systematic reform in areas where measures for improvement are long overdue.

As the representative organization that speaks for the chiefs of the 633 First Nations reserves, the AFN receives substantial funding from the government. It is unfortunate that it chooses to use these investments to fund continued criticism of government efforts rather than to apply itself to act as a catalyst for change in its communities.

Mr. Ivison makes a very insightful observation when he suggests that our government's rendering of its sincere apology to the aboriginal community for the tragedy of Indian residential schools may be considered by some as having provided First Nations leadership a right to veto the government's legislative endeavours.

Sadly, an overtly negative posture by the AFN in the face of progressive change is a familiar occurrence. Legislative efforts last year to bring to First Nations the same degree of human rights protection that all other Canadians enjoy through the Canadian Human Rights Act were met with resistance from the chiefs.

Similarly, in 2006, when our government introduced the Federal Accountability Act, we sought to have First Nations subject to its provisions. This would have been another incremental step toward improving transparency at the community level. The AFN sought to exempt itself from the bill's measures. It mobilized opposition parties and the measures were removed from the bill.

Yet, such resistance seems to evaporate when money is discussed without encumbering conditions of accountability. The so-called Kelowna Accord promised plenty of resources and was essentially a "get out of jail free" card that lifted any need for regular periodic indications of measurable change-- to the obvious delight of the AFN.

When it comes to aboriginal affairs, the only special interests our government pays attention to are those of the families, the elders, the single mothers and the children who must face the myriad changes before them daily.

Incremental change is indeed occurring. Canada's aboriginal community deserves it, and we will stay the course for the sake of First Nations, Metis and Inuit families everywhere.

Senator Patrick Brazeau, Ottawa.

Now here is an article that speaks to our elected leaders.
Proposed legislation is flawed: critics

By Kerry Benjoe, The Leader-PostMay 28, 2009

The federal government is moving forward with the Family Homes On Reserve and Matrimonial Interests or Rights Act despite opposition from First Nations groups and leaders.

The legislation, also known as Bill C-8, consists of federal rules governing matrimonial real property combined with a mechanism for First Nations to develop their own real property laws. Presently, those living on reserve are governed by the Indian Act and when a marriage breaks down provincial or territorial laws relating to matrimonial property rights do not apply on reserves.

On Monday an attempt to quash the bill failed.

"It will continue to be debated at second reading and once the motion for a second reading is adopted the bill will be referred to the standing committee on aboriginal affairs and northern development," said Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) spokeswoman Patricia Valladao.

Beverley Jacobs, president of the Native Woman's Association of Canada (NWAC), said her organization believes Bill C-8 is flawed.

"It's a piece of legislation that has been unilaterally drafted by (INAC). It doesn't take into account a lot of things," said Jacobs. "They're touting that it's benefiting aboriginal women and children but it's not."

She believes the new legislation is lacking in many ways. Jacobs said before such a bill can be introduced other on-reserve issues need to be addressed such as housing, justice and violence.

She added that NWAC has always supported the need to introduce legislation for on-reserve matrimonial property rights.

"But we've always said aboriginal women's voices have to be included in the creation of that legislation," said Jacobs. "We thought that this was occurring in this process, however that didn't happen."

Perry Bellegarde, candidate for the National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), agrees with AFN and NWAC in regards to Bill C-8. According to an AFN news release on the Bill C-8, the new legislation will do nothing to solve the problems associated with matrimonial real property.

"As First Nations people, as First Nations governments, we have to start occupying the field and exert our own laws and jurisdictions on our territories and communities and we have to start developing our own legislation," said Bellegarde. "We're concerned as First Nations people about First Nations women's issues and the plight of marital breakup and the plight of our youth and everyone else in our communities."

Bellegarde believes First Nations need to become more proactive because if they don't then the federal government will continue to make unilateral decisions that will affect all First Nations.

© Copyright (c) The Regina Leader-Post

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