"THE FUTURE IS NOW!"
May 17, 1994
Dear Chief and Council:
I would like to take this opportunity to inform you of my decision
to seek the office of the National Chief of the Assembly of First
Nations. Please note that I did not make this decision lightly for
I appreciate the tremendous responsibility that will be bestowed on
the successful candidate come July.
The theme of my campaign is "The Future Is Now!" We cannot speak
of what the next century will bring, for it depends on what we want
to do today. We cannot rely on the government to dissolve the
Department of Indian Affairs or abolish the Indian Act for we need
to state what we need to see it replaced with. In other words what
guarantees will there be for our treaty and aboriginal rights if
we, as First Nations simply take over from Indian Affairs and run
it ourselves. We need a new attitude; we need to assert ourselves
and state our position that will reflect our vision of the future.
THAT VISION IS OUR CHILDREN. They are looking upon us to secure a
place that will ensure their spiritual, cultural, education and
economic survival.
It is my contention that the National Chief must be a person with a
broad spectrum of experience. This leader must have comprehensive
knowledge of community issues if he/she is to be successful at the
national level. As a person raised in a traditional setting I have
been fortunate enough to learn the teachings of my elders and my
experience has been at the community, regional and national levels.
These are the qualities I offer in my candidacy.
We cannot rely on the government to act on our behalf and to
protect our treaty rights. This is why I see the Assembly of First
Nations as an advocacy which will promote the voice of the people.
The assembly of First Nations is not a government, it was never
intended to be.
My philosophy and belief is nationhood as enshrined in the Two Row
Wampum and other treaties that were made in the spirit of nation to
nation relations. We have never surrendered our sovereignty and
this belief is considered to be a drawback in that some First
Nations leaders consider me to be too aggressive and militant. I
believe that standing up for our rights is neither aggressive or
militant.
For the past ten years I have had the honour to be Grand Chief of
my community. During this period, Akwesasne has experienced
tremendous growth; we have taken control of our own elections,
membership, education, policing, environment, social and health
programs. This was accomplished by being a team player through
community committees, boards and commissions.
A leader must recognize that power lies within the people, and the
leader is only as strong as the people allow him to be. This
attitude toward leadership is something I grew up with and was
conveyed to me from the traditional teachings of my elders. I have
expressed this attitude in national and regional meetings and am
committed to the process that First Nations Leaders have to work
together in order to succeed. I firmly believe that this can
happen with the Assembly of First Nations and it can be the most
powerful political voice to represent the First Nations across this
country.
In closing, I would like to thank you for your consideration and
would be honoured to work for you. Please find enclosed a video
and a copy of a recent interview which outlines my outlook on our
First Nations issues. For further information I can be reached at
613/932-9542 or by fax 613/932-0092.
Niawen,
Michael Mitchell.
-------------------------//-----------------
Posted by Harold P. Koehler hkoehler@web.apc org
43 Napoleon Drive, LONDON ON N5V 4A8 (519)453-5452, Fax 453-3676
- 30 -