David Ahenakew, a controversial Native leader who went to trial for making anti-Semitic statements, has been reinstated as a senator for the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations.
Ahenakew had been stripped of his position when he was charged with inciting hatred against Jewish people. But now that his conviction has been set aside, FSIN leaders voted him back in.
Not everyone wanted him back though. Shoal Lake First Nation Chief Marcel Head voted against reinstating Ahenakew, a former chief of the Assembly of First Nations.
"I think he's done a lot of harm by the words he spoke to the Jewish community, and to me, I condemn the words," Head told CBC News.
The government of Saskatchewan says it will retry Ahenakew but a new date hasn't been set.
Get the Story:Ahenakew back with senate of First Nations group (CBC 3/31) Court of Appeal Decision:
Queen v. Ahenakew (January 14, 2008) Queen's Bench Decision:
Ahenakew v. Queen (June 8, 2006) Lower Court Decision:
The Queen v. Ahenakew (July 8, 2005)
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