Page 6

By the first week of May, there could be a dramatic new development in the history of the fight for international recognition of Indigenous rights.

Edmonton lawyer Willie Littlechild heads up a non-governmental organization that is recognized as a legitimate voice for Indigenous peoples at the United Nations. He returned from Geneva in late February after having participated in talks aimed at creating a permanent international forum for discussions of Indigenous rights issues at the UN.

Page 5

Canadians are among the most wasteful users of water in the world. The average citizen uses more than 300 litres per day, more than any country other than the US. In addition to withdrawals from major bodies of water, it is estimated that there are over 500,000 wells in Ontario alone drawing water, with 14,000 new wells being added each year.

Page 5

What good fortune that I found your web site! I wanted to send letters to editors across Canada on an issue that affects us all, but when I got to your site, I couldn't resist taking the test on Native history knowledge.

I'm too embarrassed to tell you the results. But then I probably would not score any higher on any other history test.

Page 5

Dear Editor:

Canadians, I beg of you. Stop this madness in Saskatchewan!

Police officers are trained to protect the whole of society, without consideration of racial background or national origin of [the people] they deal with. They are called in as peacekeeper whenever trouble breaks out. Canadians should have no cause to fear the police. That's why the activities of the Saskatchewan police department are so disturbing.

Page 4

Since coming to live on the West Coast, I have spent many hours talking with people who are involved in the so-called BC Treaty Process, and the overwhelming consensus is that this process has failed. A typical reaction comes from a disappointed community negotiator who recently told me that she had decided it was time to quit the negotiating table and get back to asserting their rights in a more real way.

Page 4

Page 3

When storm clouds gather over Tsawataineuk, you don't just put on your raincoat. You get yourself home, and fast.

Once or twice a year, after a good rain, this First Nations village on the British Columbia coast is flooded from one end to the other by two-and-a-half to three feet of water. Every home and building in Tsawataineuk sits on top of stilts.

"If it rains steady all day, the river would be coming up into the village by the evening," said Chief Willie Moon. "Sometimes it can be a matter of a few hours."

Page 3

The Crees of Quebec are threatening to rip up the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement, take "effective control" over their homeland and call in United Nations observers to monitor Quebec's legal system.

The moves come as a protest against a decision March 8 by Chief Justice Lyse Lemieux of Quebec Superior Court to replace a judge who presided over a $500-million Cree forestry lawsuit filed in 1998 and decided in favor of the Crees.

Page 3

New Post First Nation, located 10 miles southeast of the town of Cochrane in northeastern Ontario, signed an interim agreement March 8 with forestry company Tembec Inc. and the provincial Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) that may have interrupted an escalating dispute over clear-cut logging before it turned ugly.

Page 2

So you thought the Cold War was over and communism was dead. Not according to Canada's great right hope, the Canadian Alliance. The new right-wing party believes the red menace is lurking in First Nations communities across the land, and promises to stamp it out.

The Canadian Alliance, which unites Reformers and Conservatives and has set its sights on winning the next federal election, has a platform on Aboriginal issues that promises to bring relations with Native peoples to a boil.