KATHERINE O’NEILL
The Globe and Mail
November 24, 2008
The case against disgraced former national aboriginal leader David Ahenakew, which has already been a provocative and high-profile test of Canada’s hate-crime laws, is heading back to court on Monday in Saskatoon.
- A d v e r t i s e m e n t
All sides involved are hopeful Mr. Ahenakew’s second trial in connection to anti-Semitic comments he made nearly six years ago will finally settle what constitutes the crime of “willfully promoting hatred” against an identifiable group.
In 2005, the former leader of the Assembly of First Nations was found guilty of the rare criminal charge and fined $1,000. Federal officials later stripped him of his Order of Canada.
The case began on Dec. 13, 2002, after Mr. Ahenakew, 75, made several anti-Semitic comments to an audience in Saskatoon and later to a newspaper reporter. He called Jews a “disease” and blamed them for the Second World War.
Former aboriginal leader David Ahenakew is shown arriving at provincial court in Saskatoon in July, 2005, charged with willful promotion of hatred. (Troy Fleece/The Canadian Press)
Mr. Ahenakew appealed the conviction and it was overturned in 2006. The Crown appealed that decision to the province’s top court.
The Emergency Election Sale is now live! Get 30% to 60% off our most popular products today!