David Ahenakew

Early Life

David Ahenakew was born and raised on the Sandy Lake Indian Reserve (now the Ahtahkakoop First Nation) in central Saskatchewan. Ahenakew was Cree and proudly defended Indigenous rights and education. In 1951, he married Sheila Grace Ahenakew, with whom he had three sons and two daughters.

Military Service

Shortly after his marriage, David Ahenakew left Saskatchewan to serve with the Canadian armed forces during the Korean War. He also served with NATO forces in Germany and in peacekeeping missions along the Suez Canal (see Suez Crisis). Ahenakew achieved the rank of sergeant and was decorated for distinguished service and good conduct in 1964. After he retired from the military in 1967, Ahenakew returned to Saskatchewan.

Band Council Politics

After his military career, David Ahenakew became involved in band council politics. He accepted a position with the Saskatchewan government as a placement and training officer and helped to establish the Indian Special Constable Program, a First Nation contingent of the RCMP.

In 1968, he worked as a communications agent for the Federation of Saskatchewan Indians (now the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, FSIN). He was elected the first chief of the FSIN that same year.

Ahenakew was also active in the development of the National Indian Brotherhood (now the Assembly of First Nations, AFN). He was the AFN’s first leader (from 1982 to 1985). After his term, Ahenakew continued his work with the FSIN as their senate chair for 17 years.

Indigenous Education

David Ahenakew was also a great supporter of First Nations education; he participated in a number of governmental education committees and was involved in a 1972 report on First Nation education in Saskatchewan. Ahenakew also helped to establish the Saskatchewan Indian Cultural College in 1972 and the Saskatchewan Indian Federated College (now First Nations University of Canada) in 1976. He served on the executive of both organizations for many years.

For his work, Ahenakew received an honorary LLD (law degree) from the University of Regina in 1976 and became the first recipient of the John Stratychuk Memorial Award from the Saskatchewan Human Rights Association in 1978.

Controversies

Women and the Indian Act

In 1984, David Ahenakew argued against the federal government’s plans to abolish a provision of the Indian Act that stripped women of their Indian status if they married someone who was not Status Indian. His comments outraged some Indigenous women, who felt that Ahenakew was challenging, rather than defending, their civil rights and liberties. Despite criticism, Ahenakew maintained that only Indigenous peoples — not the federal government — should determine their own membership.

Anti-Semitic Remarks

In 2002, David Ahenakew made anti-Semitic comments during a FSIN conference and to Saskatoon StarPhoenix reporter James Parker on 13 December of that year. Ahenakew called the Jewish people a “disease” and blamed them for starting the Second World War. The Crown accused Ahenakew of violating Canada’s hate legislation (see Hate Propaganda).

At his first trial, he was convicted of wilfully promoting hatred and fined $1,000. As a result of his conviction, the Saskatchewan Indian Federated College suspended Ahenakew from serving on its board. Governor General Adrienne Clarkson also signed a revocation ordinance, which stripped Ahenakew of his membership in the Order of Canada in 2005.

Chief Matthew Coon Come of the Assembly of First Nations spoke out against Ahenakew’s comments in 2003, stating, “I unconditionally reject these hateful, ignorant and unacceptable remarks made by Dr. Ahenakew. These comments are damaging and they are morally offensive. We regret these insulting comments directed at our Jewish brothers and sisters who have in fact supported First Nations in many of our struggles.”

Ahenakew appealed the conviction and, in 2006, the Court of Queen’s Bench ordered a new trial. In February 2009, provincial court judge Wilfrid Tucker ruled that while Ahenakew’s comments were “revolting, disgusting and untrue,” the Crown did not prove Ahenakew had the intent necessary for a conviction.

One year after his acquittal, on 12 March 2010, Ahenakew lost his battle with cancer at the age of 76 in Shellbrook, Saskatchewan.

Significance

In his final years, David Ahenakew became best known for his anti-Semitic comments; however, during his early career, Ahenakew was commended for his work in Indigenous communities, including his dedication to Indigenous rights and education. In 2010, the FSIN and its leader, Guy Lonechild, posthumously honoured Ahenakew, stating “We just want to remember the positive contributions Mr. Ahenakew made […] They are significant and many.”