Batoche talks split

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Every-day issues took a back seat to the debate of a Metis and non-Status Indian split at the AMNSIS annual assembly at Batoche.

The neglect of the assembly to address the gut issues of day-to-day problems drew stiff criticism from several delegates who urged the assembly to turn its attention to the people.

"Our people are tired of fighting. They are dying," said Maria Campbell.

Saskatoon's Metis local president, Nora Ritchie and Don Favel of Ile a la Cross joined Campbell and said issues such as alcoholism and unemployment need to be addressed.

Rose Boyer of Saskatoon said the delegates had been "cheated" because they had been unable to bring these problems to the floor and had instead concentrated on the separation question. That, she said, was at the expense of real life issues.

The regular reports of the president, treasurer were dealt with on the first day and the separation issue dominated the rest of the proceedings. A motion to split the organization and related deliberations lasted from the middle of the first day until the close of the assembly.