The chief of the Rouseau River Anishinabe First Nation in Manitoba apologized on Monday for linking media coverage of a Native leader's hate crimes trial to Jewish people.

Chief Terrance Nelson said his comments were "hurtful and offensive" to some Jewish people. But he said he would continue to speak out against media coverage that he says is unfair to Natives.

Nelson made his comments during the hate crimes trial of David Ahenakew, a former chief of the Assembly of First Nations and former head of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations. Ahenakew is accused of violating the law by praising Adolf Hilter for the Holocaust and blaming Jewish people for World War II.

Get the Story:
Manitoba chief apologizes to Jews (CBC 4/18)
Chief sorry for letter about Jews (CBC 4/18)
Manitoba chief apologizes to Jews for letter to Winnipeg newspaper (CP 4/18)
Chief sorry but warns (The Winnipeg Sun 4/19)

Related Stories:
Native leader blasts media over hate crimes trial (04/12)
Native leader's hate crimes trial comes to an end (4/8)
Native leader offers diabetes defense for hate crime (4/7)
Native leader's hate crimes trial a raucous affair (4/6)
Native leader on trial for anti-Semitic remarks (4/5)
Native leader's hate crimes trial delayed again (11/01)
First Nation leaders return from trip to Israel (08/18)
First Nation leaders head to Israel to build relations (08/10)
Aboriginal leader's hate crimes case delayed again (07/01)
Jewish groups oppose Native leader's nomination (01/28)
Native leader pleads not guilty to hate crime (10/02)
Native leader's hate crimes case postponed again (08/28)
Report: Native leader has long held racist views (08/15)
Hate crimes case against Native leader continues (07/29)
Native leader charged with hate crime for remarks (06/12)
Hate crimes charges mulled against tribal leader (03/26)
Native and Jewish leaders meet in Canada (01/09)
A different kind of debate on race (12/19)
Native Trent Lott faces criminal probe (12/18)
Apology sought for Hitler remarks (12/17)
First Nations upset with Hitler remark (12/16)