INSIDE THIS WEEK The 295 houses provided by Metis Urban Housing have made a big difference in the lives of the people who live in them. See Page 4. Kim McLain explores the growing popularity of round dances as a means of reviving traditions. See Page 21. A display of Canadian contemporary Native art is receiving a warm reception in Los Angeles. See Page 19. Metis constitutional concerns outlined By Albert Crier those two basic rights, says must be entrenched in the the "inherent right" to self - Sinclair. Canadian Constitution, government, reports EDMONTON - Metis "TheAlberta govemment says Sinclair. Sinclair. people must realize that the could be a real detriment to "We're going for the right The four national two most important things Aboriginal in rights Canada, to self -government and a Aboriginal organizations in their lives, "to have the by denying us our rights." land base, plus resources to will push for inherent rights, right to land and to govern Metis leaders hope to run our own affairs," says rather than accept federal ourselves," are at stake in convince Canada to Sinclair, who is also a co- offers for "contingent" the constitutional negotia- recognize and protect spokesman fdr the Metis rights, because "contingent tion process, says Sam Metis rights to self - National Council (MNC), rights can be changed." Sinclair, president of the government and land, at which represents Metis The four national bodies Metis Association of Alberta. the upcoming first ministers bring together the prime on March 26 and 27 in national interests. representing Native interests Jobs, services and talks on Aboriginal constitu- minister, 10 premiers, 2 Ottawa. Native leaders recently at the FMC, include the- opportunities would be tional matters. territorial leaders and Metis people have taken joined forces, at an Native Council of Canada more open to the Metis The First Minister's national Native leaders to the position that the explicit Aboriginal summit, to upon the recognition of Conference (FMC), will discuss Aboriginal rights, right to self -government pursue the recognition of Continued Page 3 Boycott defended IGuider says millions at stake By Albert Crier Treaty Six area have refused all along to be The refusal to participate involved in the whole FMC By John Copley my life. I was compelled to three main things in the remove the transferability in first ministers talks on process that is dominated file a complaint with the new guide /outfitting policy clause, they can't sell it for Aboriginal self- government, by provincial governments, "Millions of dollars are at RCMP because I knew they proposals," said Steinwand. personal gain. The final by a number of Indian First said Houle. stake here," claims Norman meant it." "These areas are the step would be the revision Nations, is an indication "We have never agreed Steinwand, president of the Steinwand was referring allotments, the transfer- of the allocations. that Canada is failing it's that it (Treaty issues) was a Alberta Alliance of to an incident which ability or saleability clause "If these three things Treaty obligations that domestic problem," said Independent Guides,. occurred in May of 1985. and a chdAge in the alloca- were removed from the were inherited from British Houle. Outfitters (AAIGO). He said he had spoken of tion structure. proposal, all of us, Native Treaty commitments made He related the history of "These guys who want making `waves' and `raising "If you eliminate the and non -Native Albertan's in 1876, said Chief Eugene treaty relations between the new proposals passed unwanted issues' shortly allotments, like they have in alike, would have no Houle of the Saddle Lake are serious. So serious in before the threat occurred. the sheep industry, they First Nation. Continued Page 2 fact, that they threatened "We are opposed to have nothing to sell. If you Continued Page 5 The united stand on several First Nations within the Treaty Six area is based on the principles of Treaty rights and Treaty respon- sibilities. It is a return to tribal customs and a revival of a participatory democracy within First Nations, said Houle. Houle was talking about the action by a number of tribal councils who refused to take part in the First Ministers Conference (FMC) on Constitutional matters, scheduled to be held March 26 and 27 in Ottawa. Many of the First Nations (Indian bands) within the ARTS OPENING /BIRTHDAY The Aboriginal Radio and Television Society (ARTS) combined the celebration of the first year of its Native Perspective program with the official opening of its Lac La Biche studios. Among the special guests was Athabasca MP Jack Shields (right), shown here being interviewed by ARTS Director Ray Fox. (See special section, Pages 11 to 18) - Photo by T.J. Woodward A NEW DAWN IN ABORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS PAGE 6, Febrasry $7;1687 WprogpgAtciat 1 National Houle defends FMC boycott people, because they were From Page 1 created under the Societies Act, said Houle. Indian people and govern- "The governments of ment in Canada. Great Indian nations get their Britain did recognize the authority from their people," sovereign nation status of said Houle, adding that Indian tribes by making Treaty Six First Nations will treaties with them, said not allow other organiza- Houle. to represent their Later, when Canada tions interests at FMC talks. wanted control over its governments of Indian First Treaty provisions toward Treaty Six forums have constitution, Britain directed Nations is the problem Indians are payments for included the participation live up to the facing Indian people. the sharing of land. "We Canada to Alberta government's Treaty "We have been telling gave up certain things in of most of the 33 bands and 17 Saskatchewan responsibilities, as a the govemments of Canada, return for other things," bands in the Treaty Six condition to bringing the but they are not agreeing. said Houle. Canadian constitution They say no, to nation An example he gave, is in :area, reported Houle. Most of the reserve back to Canada, in 1980, status, only what we will the area of treaty health communities in the Meadow explained Houle. give to you," said Houle. provisions, that address the treaty "We can not have our responsibilities of the Lake, North Battleford and "It's all tied to the districts of it is not an treaty put in that position," government to assist Shellbrook process, and the administration problem per added Houle. Indians who are affected by Saskatchewan Tribal Chiefs Association in se. What we still retain is The interpretation of diseases brought from CHIEF EUGENE HOULE our right to govern treaty provisions has all too Europe, by the whiteman. northeastern Alberta are ...wants return to tribal custom involved, added Houle. ourselves," said Houle. often favoréd the non - Organizations like the Treaty Six forums are a other mutual interests, "Britain can not wash it's Houle maintains that the Native, said Houle. Indian Association of Nations to explained Houle. hands of treaty respon- failure of successive "The treaty rights of the Alberta, the Federation of meeting of discuss the differences A Treaty Six delegation sibilities," said Houle. He Canadian governments to white man have never been Saskatchewan Indians and between the Indian Act is going to Geneva, pointed to the post- treaty recognize and respect the questioned, such as the Assembly of First the Society Act Switzerland soon, "to negotiations presently sovereign nation status, interrupted use of shared Nations, are not fully legislation, among remind other world nations underway between Britain and authority of the land," said Houle. representative of Indian and Indian treaties, that we want to be dealt and China on the future of with as nations," said Hong Kong after 1997, as Houle. an example of British treaty when their major demand -- the need for lands and The British House of responsibility. resources -- was included. The Inuit joined the common Lords will also be lobbied International support front but only after they were forced to back away from by representatives of and awareness will be a position they had taken just a week earlier. The Inuit Treaty Six to remind sought by Treaty Six First had written the premiers to tell them they were willing, Britain that "to dissolve a Nations, said Houle. "We OTTAWA essentially, to accept the government proposal. treaty, requires the consent will tell the world of our When this week's meeting ended, there were of both parties of the nation's stand, and if so, we REPORT expressions of Native unity all around. The Native Treaty," said Houle. are prepared to go it alone." leaders have since told the premiers that they will settle By Owenadeka for nothing less than the right to self-government -- with no string attached. Since they have failed to budge the government side The First Minister's Conference on Aboriginal rights in almost two years of talks, it's unlikely the Native OUR APOLOGIES is just a few weeks away and things don't look good. leaders will be able to convince Ottawa or the provinces To Jim Boucher and the people of the Fort McKay The Native groups and the governments are locked in a to change their stand before the conference begins. Band, WINDSPEAKER extends it apologies for the stalemate. If no one breaks the logjam, there's a good The Native groups have been unable to break the made in our February 13 edition. chance the conference will end in failure. deadlock by themselves and their last- minute hope is error story "Dangers of pesticide spraying The stalemate became official this week when the that their friends can help turn the tide. They recently The revealed" read that Jim Brisebois, a consultant at the four national Native groups agreed to take a joint staged an impressive demonstration of high -profile Fort McKay Indian Band, said they never received position to the conference.