Author hopeful relations between Liberals, Micmac will help speed problem-solving

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Dan Paul, executive director of the Conferdacy of Mainland Micmacs, said he suspects Micmacs will work out a lot of problems with the new Liberal government in Nova Scotia.

The relationship betweee Micmacs and the new Liberal govenment "is on a very good keel at this point in time," Paul said at a recent book launch for We Were Not the Savages, his account of the history of confrontations between Micmacs and Europeans.

Paul said he hopes to see agreements in a lot of areas over the next three-and-a-half years of the Liberals's mandate.

"We have an Aboriginal claim to this area that's never been settled and has to be negotiated sometime," he said.

But it takes time to negotiate things that go bck over centuries, said Paul, who reprsents about 4,000 status Micmacs from six reserves in Mainland Nova Scotia.

"I think the Premier, John Savage, has a real commitment, a real desire to right some of the wrongs of the past," he said.

Savage, who is also provincial minister responsible for Aborignal Affairs, said his governmetn accepts a "nation-to-nation" relationship with Micmacs and recognizes Micmac treaties, particularly the Treaty of 1752.

"This government recognizes that Micmacs have the inherent right to self-government. We are committed to working together to achieve a common goal," he said.

Savage said current government negotiations with Micmacs over issues like taxation are burrs under the saddles of both Micmacs and government.

"My government's goals are peaceful, negotiated settlements on many vexing issues. We will not use force, we will negotiate," he said.

Savage and his government came under fire last July after RCMP raided Micmac reserves an seized alleged contraband tobbaco. He has since apologizec to Micmacs for what happened.

Micmacs say the Treaty of 1752, signed by their ancestors and the British Crown, guarantees them a full tax exemptio for all goods and the right to sell tax-free tobacco on reseres. They also say the treaty gives them the right to fish and hunt for food.

Currently, Nova Scotia Micmacs must pay provincial taxes on most goods purchased off-reserve. Toabbo is not taxed, but it is restricted by quotas.

In 1985, the Supreme Court of Canada upheld hunting and fishing rights for Micmacs, but they continue to fight provincial regulations restricting hunting and fishing.