[IPSM] CBC News Sask - Aboriginal journalist says his newspaper column suppressed

[Stefan Christoff]

Aboriginal journalist says his newspaper column suppressed
{Column Posted Below CBC Article}

SASKATOON  - Another newspaper columnist has run afoul of the owners of
most of Canada's newspapers. This time, a column by a Saskatchewan-based
writer has been pulled by editors.Doug Cuthand's columns have run for 10
years in the Regina Leader-Post and the Saskatoon Star-Phoenix. Cuthand is
a well-known aboriginal journalist and TV producer, whose frank views on
aboriginal affairs and other issues have often landed him in hot water.

The column in question was supposed to appear in the Star-Phoenix on Dec.
28.

Cuthand says he hasn't received an official explanation from the paper's
owners, Southam News, but has been told, unofficially, that his column was
too "anti-Israel."

The owners of the Canwest/Southam newspaper chain, the Asper family of
Winnipeg, have been outspoken supporters of Israel in the past.

"The column was sort of an aboriginal view of world events and it took a
look at the Middle East and the Palestinian situation," Cuthand says.

"It took the view that they [Palestinians] were the Indians of the Middle
East, and they were removed from their land and placed in camps, like
reservations, and lost control of their lives."

A few weeks ago, a columnist of 20 years with the Halifax Daily News quit
the Southam paper when one his columns was suppressed.

In his column, Stephen Kimber complained about the amount of editorial
control being exerted on Southam and Canwest papers by head office in
Winnipeg.

Kimber was writing in support of journalists at the Montreal Gazette and
other papers who were unhappy at being ordered to run editorials written
at headquarters in Winnipeg.

When asked about the Cuthand column, Murdoch Davis, the editor-in-chief of
Southam News, said he's under no obligation to explain editorial decisions
to the CBC. However, sources at the Star-Phoenix, who say they fear to
speak publically, report head office made the decision to pull the column.

The Leader-Post and the Star-Phoenix were among dozens of newspapers
bought last year by the Asper family, which also owns the Global TV
network.

---------------

Unpublished Article:
Doug CuthandÊ

Many times I watch the events on the world stage from a First Nations
perspective. The ongoing conflict between the Palestinians and the
Israelis is a case in point. What we have here is a complicated land claim
without any claims commission to work things out.Ê

The problem revolves around the fact that the state of Israel was created
on land formerly known as Palestine and the original inhabitants were
removed from the land. After 2,000 years of inhabiting the area youÕd
think the Palestinians had a pretty good claim to the land. I know it
would hold up if it was reviewed by the Canadian Indian Claims
Commission.Ê

Over the years I have maintained a sympathetic point of view toward the
Palestinians. I see them as the Indians of the Middle East.Ê

The history is hauntingly familiar. The Palestinians lost their land. They
were placed in camps similar to reservations and they have been colonized
and controlled by an outside force. As a First Nations person in Canada I
see in them an enormous parallel.Ê

In Canada we have had decades of treaty entitlements and land claims and
if we have learned anything itÕs that these issues donÕt go away. If one
generation canÕt negotiate a settlement than the next will be better
educated and take the issue to court. The claim grows in size and cost
with each generation. It wonÕt go away. If anything it gains moral and
political strength and hardens the resolve of our people.Ê

This is also the case for the Palestinian people. The dream of their own
state has remained unchanged for the past 50 years and no amount of
oppression will take it away. With any colonized people the flame of
independence only burns brighter with the passage of time.Ê

In our case the difference is that Canada has recognized aboriginal rights
in the Constitution and the Charter of rights and Freedoms. Mechanisms
have been developed, like the Indian Claims Commission, to work out
solutions. In Saskatchewan we have the office of the Treaty Commissioner
that negotiated the Treaty Land Entitlement Agreement.Ê

The Israelis also built their nation on other peopleÕs land but they
regard any sign of dissent as terrorism. This is common practice. The
demonization of a people and their leadership is a blunt instrument used
to get the public on side. As First Nations people we have
witnessedattacks on our leadership by groups such as the Taxpayers
Federation and the Canadian Alliance. Ê

We in Canada are not well informed. The media picks up the news from the
extremes such as the settlers and real terrorist organizations like Hamas.
The majority of Palestinians and Israelis who simply want to live in peace
are silent in the media.Ê

Over the years the United States has supported the State of Israel
alienating it from the larger Middle Eastern community. American and
Canadian media carry a definite bias toward Israel and at times it can be
racist in its condemnation of the Palestinians. Ê

In this climate there is no negotiating to recognize land claims or self
government. The settlers continue to move into the West Bank, land that
doesnÕt technically belong to them. Overcrowding continues in the
Palestinian camps and people live in poverty with no hope for the future.
The very use of the word ÒsettlersÓ indicates a Wild West mentality and
strengthens the parallel between our two groups.Ê

Because the issue remains unresolved and continues to fester the cause has
been picked up by radical groups in the region. Muslim fundamentalists
have picked it up as their cause in spite of the fact that many
Palestinians are Christian. Ê

Unresolved issues become radicalized as options run out. Here in Canada we
see that the First Nations political leadership in British Columbia are
more outspoken because of their frustration over the Treaty negotiation
process and now a province wide referendum. Their lack of a settlement and
government intransigence is evident in the frustration of the leadership.

IÕll probably be accused of being anti-Semitic and thatÕs not the case. I
am against any group of people pushing another nation off their
traditional land. ItÕs a story my people have lived for seven generations.
ItÕs a story that has no easy solution but both sides must work together
in an atmosphere of respect or this story will never end.Ê