Letter from George F. Davidson to John Diefenbaker

Canada
Deputy Minister of Citizenship and Immigration
Ottawa, April 29, 1961
Neil Crawford, Esq.,
Executive Assistant,
Prime Minister’s Office,
Ottawa, Ontario.

Dear Mr. Crawford:

With reference to my letter of April 3, 1961, I wish to advise you that the results of the plebiscite held on the Blood Indian Reserve on April 12 and 13 were as follows:

The plebiscite was carried out meticulously in accordance with the highest standards of procedure set by the Department. The Regional Supervisor of Indian Agencies for Alberta who was in personal charge of the plebiscite has certified by signed statement that the results of the plebiscite were as shown above. Other signatures appearing on the statement include those of the deputy electoral officers, the scrutineers, three witnesses, and the Superintendent, Blood Indian Agency. The two deputy electoral officers, the two scrutineers, and one of the witnesses were members of the Blood Band. The other two witnesses were R.C.M. Police Officers.

The results of the plebiscite indicate the wisdom of the Minister in refraining from imposing the election provisions of the Indian Act on the Band without first obtaining the views of its members.

Yours sincerely,

[signed]

George F. Davidson.

Handwritten note: “I fear that the one person who will not be too happy about the result will be Sen. Gladstone. GFD.”