CAP steps up for settlements

The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (CAP) and the Metis Settlements General Council (MSGC) have entered into a partnership agreement to work together to strengthen Aboriginal communities.
These two organizations signed the agreement on Jan. 13, which sets out arrangements to develop and deliver programs and services for Metis people in the areas of justice, children and family services, labour needs, health and economic development.

"This protocol is a step forward towards improving communications with our members about the many challenges faced by Aboriginal people," said Alden Armstrong, president of the MSGC.
The organization is the administrative body for the collective interests of the Metis settlements. It helps develop, implement and distribute programs and services to the eight Alberta settlements.
CAP National Chief Dwight Dorey said the agreement is of "mutual benefit to both our groups and that's what it boils down to."

Dorey explained that this protocol is more of a situation where the MSGC is not linked with or connected with any other national organizations, which is needed to strengthen Aboriginal communities.

"They've been indicating to us for some time that they don't get any direct means of participation into forums, such as the first ministers meeting, said Dorey. "They saw the benefit in entering into a protocol with the Congress so that they could have a direct link to that kind of process and hopefully an opportunity to participate when there is some dialogue going on in respect to the issues that would impact upon their communities."

Through this protocol agreement, both parties will assist and advocate to all levels of government to develop improved policies, programs and services to support and improve the quality of life for Aboriginal people.

"We are committed to keeping an open dialogue going between the two organizations," said Dorey. "For example, we have a situation right now to do some consultation meetings on health issues. Therefore, we are now saying that we should invite someone from the MSGC in the area of health to participate in that conference and that's an example of how things will work."

For 34 years now, CAP has been representing off-reserve Indians, Inuit and Metis people living in urban, rural and remote areas throughout Canada.

CAP purports to represent the interests of a large variety of Aboriginal peoples in terms of finding solutions to common problems, such as legal issues and the "ongoing struggle of Aboriginal peoples in Canada to negotiate fair terms of coexistence with other Canadians."

"The Powley case for Metis rights or the Corbiere case with respect to voting rights for First Nations people living off reserve are areas that have clearly demonstrated that there is an ongoing need for a strong voice and a strong organization. And, that's [up to] us at Congress to represent these people because the Assembly of First Nations, for example, doesn't generally take up the battle or struggle for those people," said Dwight Dorey.

"We are, in effect, trying to better serve the needs of our constituents and the people that we advocate for. Even though we do have areas where we don't have existing affiliated provincial organizations, we're reaching out to the community groups in those areas."

In fact, Dorey said he has engaged in discussions with groups in the Northwest Territories and Saskatchewan.

"We are going to continue doing that because I think it's extremely important as a leader that we make sure that all our people are being informed and have an opportunity to speak about the issues that are going to affect them. In this day and age there's no excuse for leaving people out."