MEDIA ADVISORY

"No Excuse For Anti-Semitic Remarks"

December 16, 2002 The President of the Canadian Ethnocultural Council, Mr. Art Hagopian, has expressed the utmost shock and outrage at the statements made by David Ahenakew, former Chief and leader of the National Assembly of First Nations.

"Ahenakew comments are hurtful to all of us Canadians. It is disappointing that as a community leader, in a position to guide and mentor his community, he harbours and voices such venomous and hurtful comments", said Mr. Hagopian. He commended the First Nations leadership for their quick condemnation and acknowledged Ahenakew's comments do not reflect the views of that community. "However, I feel that it does demonstrate a very unsettling and disturbing trend which causes many Canadians grave concern no matter what our background. What is most disconcerting is that Chief Ahenakew comments can incite acts and sentiments of hatred. At a time when we should all be working towards respecting each others cultural and religious background and working towards peaceful co-existence, Ahenakew's statements are truly reprehensible and destructive. There is no excuse or justification for such Anti-Semitic remarks"concluded Mr. Hagopian.

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For more information contact Anna Chiappa, Executive Director, (613) 230 - 3867, fax (613) 230-8051 or anna@ethnocultural.ca. or website: www.ethnocultural.ca

The Canadian Ethnocultural Council is a coalition of over 30 national ethnocultural organizations which in turn represent over 2,000 local chapters across Canada. Its mandate is to work towards the elimination of racism and to promote the understanding of the multicultural reality of Canada as defined in The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and The Canadian Multiculturalism Act.