Photo: Duncan family immigrants in Canada.
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An article supposedly based on a Wikileaks diary of Canadian Indian Minister John Duncan found a new home today, after the minister requested that the original publisher, First Perspective, remove it. The author is investigative reporter Obidiah.
In the article, Duncan complains of having to "suck up to all those chiefs," and endure prayers and that "pipe thing." He worries over fish gut soup, with his liver the way it is, and moans about polar bears.
The article was posted by Regina's Leader-Post for eight hours, and appeared on Google News, with no mention that it was a satire. It was considered authentic and First Nations people were insulted, urging Duncan's removal.
Here's one of the leaky statements:
"Chretien and Trudeau had it right in the 69 white paper. The only hope for them is assimilation into the mainstream culture. And the gradual decline of numbers residing on reserves. I mean, what hope is there for a community on the Hudson Bay? With not even a road in? And polar bears!"
Although it is satire, in language and tone it is not very different from the authentic cables of US diplomats published on Wikileaks, especially those from Bolivia, Chile and Brazil. There's the same arrogance and white privilege.
Today, after the Duncan article began to sear webpages and inflame the continent, the Leader-Post added a note at the top, stating it was satire and the newspaper would leave it up, for those who think it is funny.
The note is written by Kevin Blevins, deputy editor of the Regina Leader-Post.
"Editor's note, the following post is intended as satire. First Nation blogger Chris Tyrone-Ross found it after It was posted originally by First Perspective as a legitimate news story, but that publication has since removed the story from its web site at the request of the Ministry of Indian Affairs. We intend to leave this post up on this blog, for those who may find the satire entertaining and funny. However, we must emphasize that the following list is simply satire and is not factual in any way. It is not meant, in any way, to serve as an opinion of the job John Duncan is doing as Minster of Indian Affairs."
Here's the 'Top 10 Wikileaks from Minister of Indian Affairs John Duncan'
http://communities.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/blogs/rezxtra/archive/2011/01/12/top-10-wiki-leaks-from-minister-of-indian-affairs-minister-john-duncan.aspx
