(By Fraser Needham / La Ronge Northerner.)
After a whirlwind six months of political activity, Brendan Cross is calling it quits.
The leader of the First Nations Party of Saskatchewan announced in late November he was stepping down amid questions about his controversial tactics, leadership and dedication to the party.
“Because of my age and inexperience, a lot of people are not in this party that could be,” Cross said.
“I have decided more people would get involved if I wasn’t leader.”
A political rabble rouser, Cross burst upon the provincial scene earlier this year when he said none of the mainstream parties represented Aboriginals.
In September, the First Nations Party gained official party status in Saskatchewan.
However, the 24-year-old Cross quickly ran afoul not only opponents but initial supporters when it was discovered he continued to hold memberships in both the Canadian Alliance and the Liberals after the First Nations Party was formed.
Cross, a former Saskatchewan Party member, was also accused by NDP MLAs Keith Goulet and Buckley Belanger of being funded by that party to drain off Aboriginal support from the New Democrats.
In October, the First Nations Party leader made headlines after attempting to burn a copy of the Alliance policy book in front of Alliance Leader Stockwell Day during a rally in Moose Jaw.
However, many First Nations Party members, including Leonard Iron, a member of the First Nations Coalition for Accountability, threw in the towel after Cross announced he was running in Churchill River as a candidate for the Canadian Action Party in the federal election.
Cross said his poor election result , where he received less than one per cent of the votes cast, did not affect his decision.
Nevertheless, he was a bit taken aback by how people questioned his age, previous political affiliations and educational and family background while out on the campaign trail.
“I did meet with a number of people during the campaign that conveyed a party (First Nations) was greatly needed but questioned my leadership,” he said.
“Rather than waste my time with misconceptions of me, I am going to let another person lead.”
Jason Bear, a spokesperson for the Saskatchewan Aboriginal Education and Voter Registration Drive, was one of the people supportive of the concept of a First Nations party but critical of Cross’ methods.
Bear said his organization does not endorse any particular political party but that Cross’ resignation could nevertheless be positive.
“He had so many antics and a bit of a past,” he said.
“Indian people don’t see past and present as different. We have talked about it (Cross’ resignation) a little bit. The party could be considered to help our cause. It could be used as a platform to launch issues.”
Cross hopes a new leader will be in place by the new year and that this person will be the candidate in the upcoming by-election in Regina-Elphinstone.
If no one comes forward, he said he will have to fold the party.
Now that he is not leader, Cross added he plans to spend more time with his family and aiding in the establishment of First Nations parties in Brititsh Columbia, Manitoba and New Brunswick.
As far as his political tactics, Cross said he has no regrets.
“I don’t really have any regrets,” he said.
“I’m young and to be honest I really don’t know what the heck I am doing all of the time. If I could do it over again I would be more vocal. It is the squeaky wheel that gets heard.”
