The former chief of Little Pine First Nation is expressing frustration that the constant focus on the fate of FSIN Chief Guy Lonechild is setting back the cause of all First Nations.
Speaking to the News-Optimist Thursday, Patrick Bonaise said he believes the controversy surrounding Lonechild's leadership and the ongoing attempts by FSIN chiefs to remove him takes the focus away from the real First Nations issues that need to be addressed.
The controversy over Lonechild erupted in February when it was revealed he was charged with impaired driving prior to his election as grand chief. He later plead not guilty to the charges.
Bonaise, who previously supported Lonechild in the vote for grand chief, expressed his frustration with the entire FSIN over what is going on.
"His drunk driving conviction seems to be dominating the issues of First Nations people that FSIN should be concentrating on," said Bonaise, pointing to issues such as education, poverty and others as more important.
"There's very serious issues in the First Nations community that are not being addressed," said Bonaise.
Bonaise made his comments on the same day members of the Assembly of Sasaktchewan Chiefs were meeting on Whitecap First Nation, where they reportedly were negotiating a buyout package for Lonechild and his staff.
The controversy over Lonechild boiled up again last week when a Queen's Bench court ruling reinstated him to the position of grand chief after it was determined the proper procedure wasn't followed by the FSIN to suspend him from office.
The court also ruled invalid a planned no-confidence vote by the Assembly of Saskatchewan Chiefs Thursday against Lonechild, but the meeting went ahead anyway.
Further controversy was ignited Wednesday, when Lonechild was locked out of the FSIN office upon his return to work.
Bonaise pointed to that locked-doors incident as a further distraction.
"We are sitting here today wondering if he's going to get in the office or not," said Bonaise.
Bonaise expressed the opinion that the media circus surrounding Lonechild's leadership is undermining confidence in the level of respect that First Nations should have.
"I'm embarrassed to have this media circus," said Bonaise, who added the whole process to remove him "does not do us any favours as First Nations communities."
As for Lonechild's own troubles with impaired driving, Bonaise believes that should never have been raised as a political issue by opponents.
"If he can show that he can change," said Bonaise, "that is not a political issue - that should never have been a political issue, it's a social problem."
