‘It’s shocking… that nothing has been done’
Ahenakew’s comments alone should be more than enough to warrant the termination of his award. Again, it is shocking to me that nothing has been done. The ‘court’ proceedings should have nothing to do with the Advisory Board’s decision. It is not a jury trial and these comments were made very long ago. If a Jewish leader made such hurtful remarks against Native Canadians, for example, I would bet that your office would have condemned same, and rightly so. A “letter in the mail” will not satisfy me. I want to speak to someone who can act, and I would like to see action. I am hurt by her excellency’s lack of action and am insulted.
Jason Kimelman, LL.B.
‘We have heard enough’
Hate-filled speech has no place in Canada’s multicultural society. Mr. Ahenakew was charged with willfully promoting hatred for his insidious remarks justifying the genocide of six million Jews. During his recent hate-crime trial, Mr. Ahenakew stood by his initial remarks.
We have heard enough. It is not necessary to await the outcome of the trial. Ahenakew’s performance at the hearings provides even more evidence of a deep-seated bigotry.
Governor General Adrienne Clarkson, who has final say over such appointments, should delay no longer her decision on the removal of Ahenakew’s Order of Canada. If people who express such vile views are allowed to hold Canada’s highest honour, it will make a mockery of our country.
Javier Nudler
‘Immediate action… fully warranted’
I am writing to request that you rescind and remove the Order of Canada previously granted to David Ahenakew, former Chief of the Assembly of First Nations. Mr. Ahenakew, during his recent trial, has repeated his hateful remarks about Jews, and in particular, has tried to justify the genocide of six million Jews during the holocaust. Regardless of whether Mr. Ahenakew is technically guilty of violating the criminal code, no one who supports and promulgates such views deserves to hold the Order of Canada.
Your immediate action in this regard is fully warranted. Failure to act will only serve to bring the Order into disrepute.
Robert C. Kay, LL.B., B.L.
Chairman, Karalco Corporation
‘Rescind Order of Canada now’
We want to share with you our strong feelings regarding a governor general position and power over appointments such as Ahenakew’s order of Canada.
We believe that it is more than clear to most fair-minded Canadians that if and when anyone – including a native leader – expresses such vile views are allowed to hold Canada’s highest honour, it will make a mockery of our country.
Please rescind the Order of Canada bestowed on David Ahenakew now!!!
Mr. & Mrs. Cherni
Winnipeg MB
Ahenakew ‘not worthy of that honour’
I would like to add my voice to those calling for David Ahenakew’s Order of Canada to be revoked. His hateful attitudes show that he is not worthy of that honour.
Caroline Ben-Ari
‘I have always believed in the honour of Order of Canada’ till now
I recently called your office and was told the best way to express my views on the subject was to write a letter. So, of course, I delayed and thought I would move on and get going with my daily responsibilities of running a small company in the Canadian marketplace. But, to no avail. The issue still made me write this letter to you.
As a young Canadian (early 40s) I have always believed in the honour of the Order Of Canada. I used to read in the newspapers who was honoured, and ask myself on many occasions: “what can I do for my country that would raise me up so that I may one day receive such an honour?”
With what I have read, and heard about David Ahenakew, it is clear that if he continues to hold such an honour, then the honour itself has lost significant value. In fact, the Order of Canada just becomes another PR release from just another government body, with no real “spirit” of honour. Ms Clarkson cannot let that honour die.
This does both an injustice to every man and women who currently holds that honour and to every potential honouree in the future.
Please… remove Mr. Ahenakew’s name from that list of great Canadians, and honour us all once more.
Kevin Price, B.Eng. MBA
Index | Letters to the Editor | Main Page | Op Ed | Photos
Send Letters To The Editor:
editor@jewishtribune.ca
This site hosted by:
vex.net
