Alberta releases Aboriginal policy framework

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Four-and-a-half months of meetings have produced a provincial government document that makes a lot of promises to Aboriginal people.

Strengthening Relationships: The Government of Alberta's Aboriginal Policy Framework was released by the Aboriginal Affairs section of the International and Intergovernmental Relations department last month. It's a 24-page report that reveals the basic positions held by the Klein government in the realm of Aboriginal Affairs.

"The Aboriginal Policy Framework, including its commitments to action, proposes a path along which the government of Alberta, First Nation, Metis and other Aboriginal communities, other governments and stakeholders can move together to address important challenges," Associate Aboriginal Affairs Minister Pearl Calahasen wrote in the document's foreword. She said these challenges include socio-economic disparities between Aboriginal and other Alberta households and communities and the need for clarity around provincial, federal and Aboriginal government roles and responsibilities.

In addition to attempting to clarify jurisdictional limitations and working to include Aboriginal people and communities in the province's economic mainstream, the report also promises that all provincial ministries will now track their activities in areas that can contribute to keeping the government's promises.

"Under the framework, Alberta government ministries and agencies will include Aboriginal initiatives in their business plans and will record progress made, in their annual reports," a government press release states.

The policy framework was finalized after extensive consultations with "Aboriginal communities, industry, other governments and interested Albertans," the press release said. First Nation, Metis, Inuit and non-status Aboriginal people were consulted by Calahasen and her staff during the 52 sessions that took place in various locations between Sept. 14, 1999 and Feb. 1.

Several pages of promises were included in the report, under the heading, "the government of Alberta will . . . ."

Seventeen promises - or commitments to action - were made in total. The promises ranged from a pledge to look for ways to "enhance community and individual well-being" to creating a youth advisory panel to advise the Youth Secretariat to promoting cross-cultural awareness.

The government affirmed that it is committed to "meeting all of its treaty, constitutional and legal obligations respecting the use of public lands."

All provincial ministries will review their policies and programs to ensure that the spirit of the policy framework becomes part of the day-to-day functioning of the Alberta government, the document states.