Of all the people out there to have issues with Justin Bieber, we thought the pop star would probably be able to steer clear of drama with the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples, organization to serve the interests of Canadian citizens living off Indian reserves. But with a comment that The Bieb probably felt was fairly innocuous, he has drawn the CAP’s ire, according to National Vice-Chief Dwight Dorey. The comment came in Bieber’s recent Rolling Stone profile, in which he told writer Josh Eells about a little-known part of his ancestry:
‘I’m actually part Indian,’ he said. ‘I think Inuit or something? I’m enough per cent that in Canada I can get free gas.’
So what’s the problem? Well, for one thing, Dorey’s not a fan of Bieber’s word choice. “That’s a term that our people in Canada have been moving away from for years,” Dorey said of Bieber’s use of “Indian.” “[He's] now at an age to be responsible for statements such as this.”
And for another…what the hell is The Bieb talking about with the free gas thing? “First Nations people in Ontario are exempt from the provincial gas tax of 14.7 cents per litre if they have a gas card (issued by the Ministry of Finance) – but that’s only if they’re buying gas on a reserve,” reports Canada’s CBC News. “We have enough issues with racism and stereotyping,” comments Dorey of Bieber’s error. “A young, high-profile entertainer like Justin has a huge following. He has a major impact on young people. That concerns me.”
Despite the beef, Dorey and the CAP are willing to make nice with the Ontarian pop sensation. “He indicated some interest in the fact that he has some aboriginal ancestry or thinks he has, and we could assist in tracing his ancestry to determine that,” offered Dorey. Good—all sounds squashable. Let’s just hope The Bieb doesn’t show up in a feathered headdress during a show anytime soon.
The post Justin Bieber’s Latest Beef: The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples appeared first on Popdust.
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