Reform reaches out

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Since allegations of corruption were laid against Stoney chief John Snow more than a year ago, First Nations in Alberta have been more vocal and organized in efforts to make chiefs and councils more accountable to their memberships.

Part of that effort is the involvement of political parties. In many cases the people are turning to Preston Manning and the Reform Party for support.

There are those, however, who believe that the policies of the Reform Party in regards to Aboriginal people go against assurances that the party has their best interests at heart.

"I know that at some point they want to assimilate Native people, that's the bottom line," said Scott McKenzie, an Aboriginal student at Calgary's Mount Royal Community College who's been watching the events unfold with skepticism.

McKenzie, an executive member of the college's Four Directions Lodge, said the majority of Aboriginal people who support Reform "don't know what they stand for."

In the Aboriginal Affairs section of the Reform Party's Blue Book, it states: "The Reform Party's ultimate goal is that all Aboriginal people be full and equal participants in Canadian citizenship, indistinguishable in law and treatment from other Canadians." The book also states that: "The Reform Party of Canada supports eliminating the tax exemption under the Indian Act of Canada."

At a party task force meeting with Aboriginal people in Airdrie on Aug. 19, Reform Indian Affairs critic Mike Scott said "the Reform Party doesn't say the reserves should be turned into municipalities," despite what people may think "abolishing tax exemption" and "full and equal participation," mean.

The relationship that Aboriginal people are in with the Reform Party doesn't mean that Aboriginal people must follow Reform policies, said Greg Twoyoungman, the founder of the Committee Against Injustice to Natives (CAIN) and Roy Littlechief, a former Siksika Nation chief and CAIN member.

Both have said that they understand the Reform Party's policies regarding Aboriginal people and working with them doesn't mean they support those policies. The only reason they say they have "Reformed" is because the party is the only one that listens to them.

But one member of the Blackfeet Nation in Montana who attended the meeting in Airdrie urged Native people to achieve accountability on their own.

He believes the Reform Party is no different than other political parties and will not behave any differently if they come to power. His warning was simple: Don't trust them.

"They are all into this business of power. They're of the same cloth. . . They're not into sharing wealth or power with us."

Siksika Nation Chief Darlene Yellow Old Woman is also concerned with the number of Aboriginal people who are turning to the Reform Party. She feels they are being used to advance the party's agenda.

"I question the motives why they are turning to the Reform Party," the chief said. "Do they realize exactly what the Reform Party is doing to First Nations?"

According to Reform policy, as outlined in the Blue Book and task force reports, the treaties will be interpreted literally without any considerations to "inherent rights." Literal interpretation for the First Nations who signed Treaty 7 it will mean that, among other items, each family will receive "two hoes, one spade, one scythe, and two hay forks, and for every three families, one plough and one harrow."

Although Manning and other party members insist that the party will honor all treaties, Yellow Old Woman is still concerned. She feels that the party's policy on equality for all Canadians will ultimately result in the final elimination of treaties and the distinct status of First Nations.

"We're concerned that they want to do away with the treaties, they want to do away with reserves, they want all First Nations to pay taxes," she said

The Airdrie meeting is the first of several cross-Canada meetings planned by the Reform Party. The meetings come just weeks ater Alberta Reform MP Leon Benoit released a report on the state of Aboriginal life in the province's northeast region. The report compiled testimonies of 300 Aboriginal people, painting a bleak picture of mistrust and lack of accountability between band leaders and membership. Benoit said it was a non-partisan report to assist the Native people. The report has been sent to Indian Affairs Minister Jane Stewart.