' F56 !!)-01 Rtceivod;^,cu CJ speaker March 27, 1987 Volume 5 No. 3 Metis land question Getty reaffirms commitment By Terry Lusty transfer of lands he said, is an initiative "unique in The matter of outright Canada." ownership of 1.3 million Rostad blamed the change acres of land which consti- in government (leadership) tute the eight Metis settle- for delaying the matter. ments of Alberta has again When questioned about a surfaced in the Alberta - time frame, he said that no legislature. actual time table had been Last Friday, (March 20) a set but, "I'm hoping that it's Metis delegation led by accomplished by this time Randy Hardy of the Feder- in 1988, that it's all resolved." ation of Metis Settlements He also stated that Premier met with Premier Don Getty is "going to respond Getty at his office. The to Randy with an estimated object of the meeting was to date which he hasn't try and nail down not just divulged to any of us." the reaffirmation of former Hardy, in a press confer- premier Lougheed's com- ence following their meet- mitment to reach an ing with Getty in the after- accommodation on the noon informed Windspeaker Metis land question, but to that, "he (Getty) reassured also establish a target date us that he will do his utmost for when the province to respond to our concerns PAINTING THE TOWN RED would act on securing and prior to the First Ministers' Joe Poorman of the Poorman Reserve of Quentin, Saskatchewan, gets ready to paint the town red. Thousands of protecting the settlement Conference." That dancers joined in celebration at Regina on March 21 and 22 for the Saskatchewan Indian Federated College Powwow. lands. response, he says, is to - Photo by Bert Crowfoot "Basically," said Hardy, come in the form of a letter "what the premier said was from Getty with a targeted that they are committed to date identified that would First day of First Ministers' Conference the whole process." see Resolution 18 ensh- In June of 1985, Lough - rined in the Alberta Act to eed introduced a resolution protect Metis lands for that received unanimous Metis people. Talks split on self- It committed the government support. A major difficulty in province to revising the resolving the issue has been '1938 Metis Population Bet- the government's unwil- By Rocky Woodward land were against entrench- recognizing Aboriginal and stated that he was sup- terment Act' in such a way lingness to accept the ment without first defining self-government. portive of the constitution that it would grant the set- Metis' desire to have juris- "I see that a few of the self-government. "Aboriginal self-govern- being amended to enable tlement lands to the Metis. diction not only over lands premiers are making valued Quebec refused to sit in ment is something to be Aboriginal people's to deal A session of the House but also the streams, lake efforts to reach a solution on the constitutional talks welcomed and encouraged." in an effective matter with met earlier Friday and solic- beds, road allowances and and we applaud them for but supported entrench- Leader of the govern- government. itor general Ken Rostad other resources. this," said Georges Eras- ment of Aboriginal rights. ment of the Yukon, Tony "I would like to see it informed the Honorable This "territorial integrity" mus, representing the "The government of Quebec Penikett, stated that since completed and completed members that discussions is something which Rostad Assembly of First Nations is in favour of the recogni- 1981, there was a promise at this conference." have been occuring between says, "we (government) (AFN), while making his tion in the constitution of made to the Aboriginal Ghiz also introduced an the government and the have some concerns with." opening remarks at the the principle of government people to "recognize equity idea where there could be a settlements since 1985. At Hardy calls the Metis' First Ministers' Conference autonomy of Native people and justice." "Sunset Clause" on a five that time, Lougheed intro- rights to lands an "inherent in Ottawa, March 26. in the framework of agree- "Now is the time to keep or six year plan, that would duced his resolution that right" which accrued from The first day of talks saw ments to be negotiated with that promise. Aboriginal grant self -government to would see the Alberta Act the Manitoba Act of 1870, five of the provinces premi- the government involved," rights must have a founda- Aboriginal people "and if it amended and that would an act that recognized the er's in favour of an agree- said a spokesman on behalf tion as women's rights, did not work out, then they grant the existing settle- special status of the Metis. ment being made to of Premier Bourrasse. media rights and Elders (government) could reverse ment lands to its occu- Ray Martin, leader of the entrench Aboriginal rights Nick Sibbeston, govern- rights," stated Penikett. it." pants, the Metis. Official Opposition claims in the Constitution of Can- ment leader for the Prince Edward Island The talks continue and The proposed change to that his NDP party "look ada, however, Alberta, Northwest Territories said Premier Joe Ghiz com- Windspeaker will have full the 'Alberta Act' would also forward to a speedy resolu- Saskatchewan, British there must be an amend- mented that the constitu- coverage of the FMC next include the incorporation of tion of this matter that has Columbia and Newfound- ment to "our constitution, tion offers some protection week. a governing body and the dragged out." establishment of member- He informed the House ship criteria for the in their morning session settlements. that the Metis "would have INSIDE THIS WEEK In addressing the Legisla- wanted the legislation ture, Rostad stated in their introduced before the First discussions with the federa- Ministers' Conference." If tion, "we have agreed in that were done he con- Tantoo Cardinal, Budget '87 Fort principle on fair and demo- tinued, it "could have been AMMSA shows, win explained McMurray cratic criteria for settlement a showcase for all over big in membership and land allo- Canada. I think that their at Alberta layman's region cation and on unique and fear is that after the FMC film awards terms profiled appropriate governing there will not be the same See Pages 10 & 11 See Page 4 See bodies - and remain political will to entrench Pages 12-14 committed to reaching an their rights in the accommodation." The Constitution." PAGE 8 March 27; i.987, WD DSPRAKER "The United States, Canada, New Zealand Treaty 6 delegation make Australia, Chile, Guatemala, countries violate the rights presentation to United Nations of Indigenous peoples..." By Albert Crier Canada and other countries virtue of that right they America, who never ratified have and are denying freely determine their the Human Rights coven- A Treaty 6 delegation, Indians their right to self - political status and freely ants, the minimum stand- headed by Chief Eugene determination and the right pursue their economic, ards of protection of pri- Houle made a presentation to development. social and cultural devel- soners and other instru- to the United Nations "The United States, opment." ments, withdrew its charter Commission contribu- Human Rights Canada, New Zealand, As an example of a Can- base customary on Indigenous tion to the work of the Uni- hearing Australia, Chile, Guatemala, adian violation, Houle peoples, on February 27, at pointed to the govern- ted Nations. A direct result countries continue to the Geneva, Switzerland. violate the rights of ment's treatment of the of the cancellation of A tape of the oral Indigenous peoples regard- Lubicon Lake Indian band, work of the Working by Peo- presentation Chief less of the ratification or who have been waiting Group on Indigenous Lake, was the commis- Houle of Saddle non- ratification of the action on their 46 year old ples and Sub- by Houle. recently obtained Human Rights covenant," land claim. - sion," charged Chief Windspeaker. said Chief Houle. "How ironic, the United that "Indigenous people have Chief Houle alleged States became rich from Canada violated the human Canada had signed the worked for years to have International Covenant on our voice heard by the the lands of Indians. Take rights of Indian people, in our lands and withdraw hope that the U.N. Economic, Social and international community. Cultural Rights in 1966. We were stopped when our your money," said Chief Commission will pressure Houle. Canada into recognizing This covenant reads "All work plan was altered, the HOULE and respecting the rights of El Salvador and other because the Working Chief Houle said U.S. EUGENE on Indigenous Peo- not to ratify the ...at Geneva, Switzerland Indian people in Canada. peoples have the right to Group "chose Chief Houle said that self- determination. By ples was cancelled last covenant for fear of expo- summer," Chief Houle told sure to international scrut- the commission hearing. iny for the ill- treatment of are single and living off -reserve. "Now we understand indigenous inhabitants of will in I then called the Vancouver office of the Department that the working group the lands America." of Indian Affairs. An official there said the Department be limited to five working He also reminded the hasn't heard from the Josephs' since the end of World days instead of the hearing audience, of the War Two. The official also said that George and requested eight days, due present imprisonment of Dorothy might be brother and sister; that they might be to lack of funds," said Chief David So Happy, an Elder OTTAWA related to some members of the nearby Musqueam Houle.