The Great Debate

Hats off to K103 radio in Kahnawake for taking the initiative to air an hour-long English-language debate between Kanehsatake Grand Chief election opponents James Gabriel and Steven Bonspille last Tuesday.

While the debate itself was relatively mild (considering the bad blood that has historically existed between the two factions), congratulations are also due moderator Ross Montour for his fairness, neutrality and objectivity.

Now that the laurels have been handed out, I would like to award one immense lemon to The Montreal Gazette for its sloppy coverage of the debate. Although The Gazette managed to spell Bonspille's name correctly in the photo caption, his name was misspelled seven times in the body of the story, in a subhead and - worst of all - in huge type in the banner headline above the article! Where were the proofreaders? Were the copy editors on March break? It's a wonder they didn't call Gabriel "Gabrielle."

Steve Bonspiel does exist, all right, but he's a free-lance reporter for The Eastern Door and, as far as is known, is no relation to Steven Bonspille. I'm the first to admit that mistakes can be made (after all, nobody's perfect), but to this extent, in a story of such magnitude? You would think somebody could have checked the spelling. There was plenty of time to do so, since the debate took place at 12 noon, not at 10 p.m. under pressure of an impending deadline.

As I said, the debate itself was relatively tame with no fireworks, no name-calling and a minimum of hostilities. Both candidates acted like perfect gentlemen. That is not to mean that they didn't fire darts, but even when they did so, it did not seem overly mean-spirited.

Bonspille accused Gabriel of being "autocratic, with an obsession for law and order." So what's wrong with a little law and order? Bonspille said that Gabriel is out to destroy the booming tobacco trade, but Gabriel reiterated that this is only when the cigarette vendors persist in selling drugs as well.

Gabriel blamed Kanehsatake's dismal financial situation on Bonspille, saying that the lion's share of the debt was incurred while the latter was serving as "interim Grand Chief." But Bonspille noted that the community's finances under Gabriel were already a shambles when he, Bonspille, inherited the throne.

Bonspille claimed it was "unacceptable" for the Grand Chief to take on the duties of police chief and form his own police force. But Gabriel retorted that he had little choice, since the police chief in place was perceived to be "soft" on crime in the community.

Bonspille noted that said police chief had sued the Band Council as a result of Gabriel's actions. But Gabriel parried that by pointing out that the ousted police chief had lost his case in court last Dec. 23.

Left to be decided is when the election will be held. As of this week, no date had been confirmed.

Dan Rosenburg

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