Give Indians the vote.

It's time to give Indians the vote.

Of course, they can vote in federal, provincial, municipal, and band elections.

But not for the National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations.

Most people are shocked to find out that Phil Fontaine's mandate comes from the Chiefs, ordinary Indians are not allowed to vote for their national chief. They never have been.

As a result, much of the AFN policy reflects what the Chiefs want, not what their constituents want.

Matthew Coon-Come was elected on a platform of one Indian, one vote. It took the regional vice-chiefs about six weeks to beat that idea out of him

But Coon-Come was replaced by Phil Fontaine, or the "Silver Fox" to his friends. And Phil is a much more smooth operator. He launched the AFN renewal commission to produce a report called "A Treaty Among Ourselves."

Over the next 48 hours, the Chiefs are gathered at the Casino de Lac Leamy in Gatineau to consider the report which recommends essentially one Indian, one vote.

They should seriously consider voting to accept the recommendation, and for a number of reasons.

Firstly, gee, it's about freakin' time.

We can prattle on about tradition and custom, and the rest, but let's be clear: The AFN is a modern creature. It will create its own tradtions and customs, and there is no Aboriginal historical precedent. Get with the times.

Secondly, gee, it's about freakin' time.

The National Chief of the AFN has suffered traditionally from one major weakeness: The Mandate.

Time and time again, when faced with disagreements, other governments have poo-pooed the National Chief on the basis that the chiefs hold direct mandates from the people, and the National Chief does not. And it's true. Moving to a direct vote cuts the knees out from this argument.

Thirdly, gee, it's about freakin' time.

AFN elections and assemblies have been a mess for years. The rules are ignored, decisions reversed, then reversed again, and again, until no one knows what the Assembly's position on anything is.

A clear set of rules and a mandate will give the National Chief the clarity and the mandate to act, both externally and internally. And that's good thing for everyone.

Finally, gee, wouldn't it be fun to turn the tables on the Federal and Provincial governments?

I mean, hell, no one has ever voted directly for a Prime Minister or Premier. Enjoy the opportunity to say, "Whitey - hey, where's your mandate?"

Tell me that wouldn't be fun.... just once...