QUOTABLE QUOTE "People are not treated with the proper respect and dignity. A funeral in a Native setting is a lot different than one in a non -Native setting." - Edgar Ahenakew. See Page 14. - May 23 June S, 1994 Canada's National Aboriginal News Publication Volume 12 No. S $1.0 plus G.S.T. where applicable Leaders wrangling on self- government QUEBEC CITY, Que. determine sovereignty issues. The onlyprâctical waytoestablishnew Ovide Mercredi, Grand Chief political relationships and imple- of the Assembly of First Nations ment self- government is through has gone on record as being clearly negotiations, Irwin said. Seeking opposed to any self- government answers from the courts would plans on a national -provincial ba- not be a fruitful approach, he said. sis. 'We cannot expect the courts Withoutconstitutional protec- to write out self -government tion there willbe no guarantee any agreements for us: that is our job, deals on self- government will and we cannot simply pass the stand up in court, he warned. buck to the courts on such a critical Mercredi took part in meet- task." ings in Quebec City involving fed- Anne McLellan, interlocutor eral, provincial and Native lead - for theMetisand Non - Status Indi- ers who gathered May 17and 18 to ans, said court -imposed solutions discuss the implementationof self- are high risk and expensive for all government. concerned. Indian Affairs Minister Ron "At the end of the day, the Irwin told the group there must be courtswouldlikelyurgeustowork legal certainty over the agreements out a fair and reasonable accom- reached on self- government, so he modation, inevitably through ne- is considering protecting such gotiations," she added. agreements as new section 35 trea- McLellan told the assembly ties. The federal government pro- the time has come to move ahead ceeded with self- government on and to seek practical results. the basis that the inherent right is "The only way in which we an existing right within section 35 will make progress is if we are oftheConstitutionAct,1982.These committed to work in partnership new treaties would be in addition and in an open and co- operative to the existing treaties or made a fashion," she said. part of land claim agreements, said Still, there are hold -outs for Irwin. the constitutional approach. "Such an approach would be a Konrad Sioui, former Debora Locky head of the continuation of the historic rela- Assembly of First Nations of Que- Drumming in the future tionship between Aboriginal peo- bec and Labrador, is hopeful the Elder Shepherd Felix, makes the room reverberate with the sound of his ple and the Crown which has been Ottawa /Quebec wrangling over largely nuvialuit drum. The traditional drum maker was taking part of a welcoming ceremony f based on treaty- making Native territories will renew de- embers of the Inuvialuit Development Corporation, Canadian North and Air Akiak. processes," said Irwin. bate on constitutional recognition ore on that story, see Page 3. Irwi n cauti oned Native groups of the inherent right to self-gov- against relying on the courts to ernment. r 1 To receive Windspeaker in your mailbox every two weeks, just Aboriginal lands to stay in Canada send your cheque or money order in the amount of $28 (G.S.T. QUEBEC CITY, Que. included) to: James Bay and Northern Que- "The separatists say that they have a right bec Agreement in 1975. Irwin _n Aboriginals in Quebec flatly refuted Parizeau's com- to decide. Then why don't the N UE should have no fear of being Aboriginal ment. El 31 RTA stranded by the federal gov- people, whohavebeen here20 times as long, There was never agreement emmentif the province decides have the same right? It only seems logical- that Quebec could take that ter- to separate, said Indian Affairs ritory and form a separate gov- NA to me." Minister Ron Irwin. - ernment. I don't think that was Native people - with their ever the agreement the Abo- territory - have the option to - Ron Irwin, Indian Affairs Minister riginal peoples thought they AD, remain a part of Canada if they were getting into - never in a don't want to be included as 1,000 years,' Irwin told report- part of an independent Que- ers outside the closed meeting. C1T bec, he said. Peltier said Quebec has no right to choose our own political fu- -- "The separatists say that Irwin made the remarks in to take Native land with them if ture," said newly re- elected they-have a right to decide. Then Quebec City, May 18 at a meet- it separates. He said it was un- Inuit of Canada president why don't the Aboriginal peo- ing of federal,provincial and clear how Canada would pro - Rosemarie Kuptana, in a recent - ple, 20 POS who have been here territorial ministers and Abo- tect Native jurisdiction, but sug- interview. "The future of Que- times as long, have the same riginal leaders gathered to dis- gested political force and eco- bec is an issue that affects all right? It only seems logical to cuss the implementation of self - nomic sanctions should be con- Inuit in Canada." me," he added. all government. sidered. Native leaders are applaud- Quebec has a serious prob- Native leaders were told Inuit communities are also ing Irwin s stance, but the days lem, said Ovide Mercredi, $40 tions Ottawa intends to live up to its concerned with the possible comments had Parti Quebecois Grand Chief of the Assembly of fiduciary .#uaiue sanada responsibilities and separation, and are adamant leaders seeing red. PQ leader First Nations. Quebec's hostil- protect Aboriginal interests in about maintaining their sover- Jacques Parizeau said Ottawa ity toward Indians has left the May 23194 the event of Quebec sover- eignty as well. turned its back on its fiduciary province with little hope in con- L r J eignty. 'Inuit in Quebec and the responsibility for Natives in vincing Natives to separate with PUBLICATION MAIL REGISTRATION #2177 Kanesatake Chief Jerry Inuit of Canada have the right Quebec when it endorsed the them, he said. PAGE 2, MAY 23 - JUNE 5, 1994, WINDSPEAKER News Cree call for Arts & Entertainment Manitoba confederation R3 By Debora Lockyer hosted in Opaskwayak, will set There are approximately 500 ing," quotes a mission statement Windspeaker Staff Writer the stage for the development of a different bands which are Cree, developed by the . Opaskwayak Economic Development Cree Confederacy. This confed- and an invitation to attend the Cree Nation for the event. A more eracy will be instrumental in ad- Gathering goes out to all, from likely way to ensure the Cree na- 7 -14 THE PAS, Manitoba vancing the assorted causes of Cree Labrador to B.C. and into the tions' interests are protected is with people in North America, he said. United States, Smith said. He is a United Cree Voice, continues the Careers 15 The time has come for all the This would be an association, hoping to have at least 250 of the statement. Crees of North America to join and of sorts, said Smith. The confed- individual Creebands represented TheGatheringincludesapow- worktogetherasconfederates,said eracy would promote the good of at the July meeting. "It has be- wow on Friday, Saturd ay and Sun- News 1 -3, R1, R7 -8 Opaskwayak Cree Nation general the membership, revive and pro- come increasingly evident that the day, and political meetings of the manager, Jim Smith on announc- mote Cree culture, and act as an Cree must act accordingly to pro- chiefs on Wednesday Thursday ing a conference to that end. advocate for member nations in vide better protection for our sov- and Friday. On the lighter side, a Sports R4 -5 Smith is hoping The Gather- their negotiations with federal gov- ereign way of life, including our $50,000 Monster Bingo has also ing, planned for July 18 to 24 and ernments. inherent rights to be self-govern- been planned. Your Opinion 5 Cigarette smugglers fined $54,000 TOURISM BOOM By Debora Lockyer the treaty which would exempt "Indians have agreed to obey and abide by our law and First Nations of British Windspeaker Staff Writer Indians from complying with the Columbia have just what therefore are bound by all Canadian and provincial laws provisions of the Customs and Excise Act, the are unless they conflict with the treaty." judgement noted. today's travellers PEEPEEKISIS, Sask. The judge was fair and al- looking for -a real life lowed Elders, historians and mem- taste of their own unique The case was an interesting Federal Judge Ronald Barclay, on sentencing the bers of the community to act as cultural traditions and one said the judge. But then he Poitras brothers. witnesses, said George. Bu t B arclay heritage. The interest in found the two treaty Indians on didn't have much choice but to tourism ventures has trial guilty of selling tax-free U.S. Federal Judge Ronald Barclay everything." find the brothers guilty, said cigarettes and the May 6court pro- fined James $43,000 on two counts But the judge dismissed the George. The whole system of jus- sparked a a 133 -per -cent ceeding became a little frightening of smuggling. George was fined argument brought forward by the tice in Canada would have taken a increase in the number as well. $11,000. There was no jail term, or two men. step backwards if he would have of Native owned and op- "When he said guilty, I didn't default term set out for the men, so "Indians have agreed to obey decided in favor of the Poitras, he erated tourism enter- know what to expect after that," in practical terms, the fine cannot and abide by our law and there - said.