New senate appointee also wants to remain head of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples
Patrick Brazeau's Senate appointment comes as no surprise, observers say
MONTREAL — Observers say the appointment of aboriginal advocate Patrick Brazeau to the Senate should come as no surprise, given his close ties to Stephen Harper's Conservative government.
Brazeau, 34, the current national chief of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples, is an Algonquin from northwestern Quebec and a citizen of the Indian reserve of Kitigan Zib.
Brazeau says he was invited last week to the Prime Minister's Office and asked if he'd like to be a senator.
Brazeau said he accepted the seat with the understanding he would not keep it for the next 41 years.
"I basically have some strong beliefs and I support the prime minister's view on Senate reform so I think there are some contributions I can make to make that a reality," Brazeau said in an interview Monday.
"The thought of 41 years (in Senate for myself) is comical at this point."
Russell Diabo, a consultant to various aboriginal groups, said there were rumours galore that an aboriginal appointment was coming.
"When I saw it was Patrick Brazeau, it didn't surprise me because he's been pretty partisan promoting the Conservative agenda and the prime minister has been praising him up," said Diabo, who is based in Orillia, Ont.
Diabo said Brazeau has been a very vocal supporter of Harper's Conservatives for a long time.
Harper came under fire for attending a meeting of the Congress in Halifax last year after snubbing a similar invite from the Assembly of First Nations.
Harper was introduced by Brazeau at that event as "a man and a leader who has taken bold steps to ensure Canada's off-reserve aboriginal communities are no longer considered a forgotten people."
Diabo said the Congress "has been basically towing the Conservative line of criticizing First Nations chiefs on reserves, making allegations there wasn't enough accountability or transparency."
The Congress has been involved in a turf war with the Assembly of First Nations over who represents natives.
Brazeau has said he would like to move away from the Indian Act toward a governance model that is more accountable and reflective of problems communities face now.
"I've never been afraid to voice my opinions and my beliefs in asking for more accountability," Brazeau said.
The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples was originally known as the Native Council of Canada before reorganizing in recent years. Its leadership says the group represents Metis and off-reserve status and non-status Indians.
Therein lies the controversy, as many groups say the Congress doesn't represent them.
"The allegations are still hanging in the air that the Congress declared itself to represent people that don't feel they are being represented by the Congress," said Paul Barnsley, a journalist who has covered aboriginal politics for years.
Barnsley said those he spoke to following the appointment viewed it as a double-barrelled move.
"People are wondering how much this is a recognition that the Congress supported Stephen Harper's party when they first became government and how much of it is a snub at the other national chief," said Barnsley, referring to Assembly Grand Chief Phil Fontaine.
"There is some rivalry there and it is a very interesting political scenario.
"It could say an awful lot in aboriginal political circles."
Barnsley says it could signal the end of Brazeau's run in aboriginal politics.
"He's now part of the parliamentary system - and he's a young man. So if they don't change the rules about having that job until 75, he's going to be hanging around the hill for a long, long time."
But Brazeau indicated he may not immediately give up his role as head of the Congress.
"I would have to assure there would be no conflict in assuming both duties - and, if so, I'm willing and able to fulfil both positions," Brazeau said.