Marilyn Buffalo wants to be National Chief
of the Assembly of First Nations

Canada is Breaking the Law - Time for us to Get Tough
News and Comment
by Tehaliwaskénhas - Bob Kennedy, Oneida

"The fight is on!"

Assembly of First Nation leadership candidate Marilyn Buffalo's passion for the issues is being fueled by her growing concern that today's leaders are soft. She has heard the Elders say it. Aboriginal youth say it. Women are saying it.

Hot on the heels of a presentation to a conference of the Chiefs of Ontario, sleepy eyed but feisty, she is in Vancouver for the First Nations Summit where her message is hard, straightforward, even bordering on aggression.

"They're breaking the law", she says of the Canadian government's reluctance to honour its own Supreme Court decisions that have affirmed Aboriginal rights, title and treaties. Buffalo, holding her ground with the strength of her namesake, releases volley after volley of accusations against the federal and provincial governments. In British Columbia where the treaty process teeters on the brink of collapse, there is a very interested audience of First Nations leaders here.

"They stole our land and now we're letting them steal our trees, our fish and all our resources". Canadians need to know that their own government is a law breaker. First Nations people need to know their leadership is letting them down if they continue to let them get away with it. We cannot let them get away with it," she warns.

Buffalo's words are not those of a political preacher - more like a protective mother, caring for her family. In fact, her own words speak volumes about her leadership style and where-she's-coming-from --- "We have to protect our territory and we have to focus on treaty rights. We must speak to our Elders and return to our traditions for guidance." In her travels and discussions in the communities, what she has been told is that, "It's time to develop our teams and prepare a rescue plan together."

Make no mistake about it, Marilyn Buffalo knows First Nations have a real fight on their hands. She senses a great urgency to have new leaders who are not soft on government, "Those of us who are willing to prepare our communities for the fight."

Asked to comment about her opponents, she shakes her head and says, "These guys are all looking backward." She accuses 'soft' leaders of resting on their past accomplishments and cozy relationships with governments.

"What we really need is to walk with our own people and move forward together, that's my vision."