Minister of Aboriginal Relations, Ms. Bennett, tells Chiefs that she did not interfere with the AFN elections

Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Crown Relations, told chiefs gathered at a meeting of the Assembly of First Nations in Vancouver that she was not the only one of her kind. did not try to influence the election of a national leader.

Bennett was accused of interference He met with the leaders of Alberta on Wednesday morning at the time of the National Chief's vote

. In a speech to the badembly, Bennett acknowledged the controversy and insisted that the meeting had nothing to do with the election

. a concern raised about Ottawa's interference in your business, "said Bennett. "I did not intend to upset people by accepting the invitation of a newly elected regional chief to hear the leaders of his region talk about their concerns and I would I have too much respect for all of you to try to influence your decisions. "

Bennett She told reporters Thursday that she had initially offered to organize the meeting off-site, but that she had agreed to go to the Vancouver Convention Center where the vote was held to accommodate the leaders

. Marlene Poitras said that she invited Bennett to the meeting to listen to local concerns

The issue exploded on the floor of the convention between the first and second ballots.

Russell Diabo, a leading national candidate political badyst from Kahnawake, Quebec, accused Bennett of political interference.

Russ Diabo, political badyst for Kahnawake in Quebec, sparked controversy over Crown-Aboriginal relations.

He said that Bennett had "corrupted" the election because the minister's words could have influenced the decisions of the leaders at the polls

Diabo was supported by candidates Sheila North, a grand chief of Manitoba Miles Richardson, former President of the Haida Nation of British Columbia, and Katherine Whitecloud, former Regional Chief of the AFN of Manitoba.

AFN National Chief Perry Bellegarde, who won the second round of voting, tried to stand out from the controversy.

National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, Perry Bellegarde, says leaders can invite whomever they want to their meetings (CBC)

Thursday morning Bellegarde jokes Bellegarde said in a interview given to CBC News that the indignation of the other candidates was motivated by political considerations

"I won and they lost," said Bellegarde

. 2] Bellegarde said that he could not think of another example when a federal minister came forward during the day of the AFN vote. However, he said that Bennett was there at the invitation of the Regional Chief of Alberta.

"It's a meeting of chiefs and they invite guests to their regional caucuses," said Bellegarde. "It's to the chefs."