16.08.2005, 19:03
Today has been a historic & trying day for myself & the CWF.
I was kicked out of the NWA today for standing up for my rights as an aboriginal person in Canada & I was welcomed into the AWA (American Wrestling Association) by Dale Gagne, who has become a supportive friend. While it would be easy for me to go on here & bash the NWA, I have more respect for the tradition of the NWA, however I do not have too much respect for the current organization.
When Ed Chuman call me a "Drug Store Indian", I found that offensive. Implying that all aboriginal people in Canada stand around & do nothing, don't work, wait for handouts, welfare, I find offensive. That is a stereotypical attitude that we are fighting to change.
I invited Mr. Chuman to come up to some of the Northern communities I visit to see for himself & relay his thoughts to those people in the commuities. That I would like to witness personally.
I asked for an apology, when he refused, I asked for an arbitrator to be assigned under our bylaw structure, but was refused by the current BOD members. The membership failed to respond & they failed to protect my rights as not only a member but from the discriminatory remarks.
I was left no choice but to take a stand, When I did Dave Republic had these comments in an e-mail " you do not have any support from any Aboriginal leaders or organizations in Canada. In fact you are detested because of your 1/16 Métis heritage which you only use as a tax advantage". Facts are Dave Republic & Ed Chuman were the ones who brought forth the motion & lobbied for my removal from the membership with a motion that was a twisted version of the truth & this is only the tip of the iceberg. Both of them seem to have a problem with Aboriginal people.
Now onto more positive news. I joined the AWA & obtained the rights to Canada. That is great news for all those people contacting me in British Columbia. Now I will be able to start visiting BC communities with no fear of being kicked out of an organization for doing so. That is another story. In addition, I have already been contacted by a BC based promotion & an Alberta based promotion about the AWA affiliate program.
I used to sit glued to the TV every Sunday afternoon watching the AWA when I was a kid. Nick Bockwinkel, The Crusher, Maddog Vachon all made wrestling real for me. My goal is the same as the AWA, to bring back that "old school" style, which I have been doing for the last 3 years. The AWA will only validate my efforts to a higher level.
I met many of the stars of the AWA at the old Gold's Gym in Winnipeg when they used to come to town. Back then I was power lifting. I remember one of the Fabulous ones asking me if I ever consider becoming a wrestler. At that time I had no interest in the business. Man, how times change.
Stay tuned as the plans are under way to feature some AWA legends on my upcoming 10th Anniversary show. Once a date has been confirmed, the announcement will be made.
Meegwetch,
Ernie Todd
President - AWA Canada
I was kicked out of the NWA today for standing up for my rights as an aboriginal person in Canada & I was welcomed into the AWA (American Wrestling Association) by Dale Gagne, who has become a supportive friend. While it would be easy for me to go on here & bash the NWA, I have more respect for the tradition of the NWA, however I do not have too much respect for the current organization.
When Ed Chuman call me a "Drug Store Indian", I found that offensive. Implying that all aboriginal people in Canada stand around & do nothing, don't work, wait for handouts, welfare, I find offensive. That is a stereotypical attitude that we are fighting to change.
I invited Mr. Chuman to come up to some of the Northern communities I visit to see for himself & relay his thoughts to those people in the commuities. That I would like to witness personally.
I asked for an apology, when he refused, I asked for an arbitrator to be assigned under our bylaw structure, but was refused by the current BOD members. The membership failed to respond & they failed to protect my rights as not only a member but from the discriminatory remarks.
I was left no choice but to take a stand, When I did Dave Republic had these comments in an e-mail " you do not have any support from any Aboriginal leaders or organizations in Canada. In fact you are detested because of your 1/16 Métis heritage which you only use as a tax advantage". Facts are Dave Republic & Ed Chuman were the ones who brought forth the motion & lobbied for my removal from the membership with a motion that was a twisted version of the truth & this is only the tip of the iceberg. Both of them seem to have a problem with Aboriginal people.
Now onto more positive news. I joined the AWA & obtained the rights to Canada. That is great news for all those people contacting me in British Columbia. Now I will be able to start visiting BC communities with no fear of being kicked out of an organization for doing so. That is another story. In addition, I have already been contacted by a BC based promotion & an Alberta based promotion about the AWA affiliate program.
I used to sit glued to the TV every Sunday afternoon watching the AWA when I was a kid. Nick Bockwinkel, The Crusher, Maddog Vachon all made wrestling real for me. My goal is the same as the AWA, to bring back that "old school" style, which I have been doing for the last 3 years. The AWA will only validate my efforts to a higher level.
I met many of the stars of the AWA at the old Gold's Gym in Winnipeg when they used to come to town. Back then I was power lifting. I remember one of the Fabulous ones asking me if I ever consider becoming a wrestler. At that time I had no interest in the business. Man, how times change.
Stay tuned as the plans are under way to feature some AWA legends on my upcoming 10th Anniversary show. Once a date has been confirmed, the announcement will be made.
Meegwetch,
Ernie Todd
President - AWA Canada