Constitutional conference low profile 'seems strange'

EDITORIAL

Page 6

It is little more than two months until the First Ministers' Conference on Aboriginal Rights in Ottawa - the last guaranteed opportunity for Native leaders to present their case for self government, land settlement and other rights settlements for entrenchment in the Canadian Constitution.

Considering the critical importance of that conference, it seems strange that there is so little news available about the preparations for the conference being made by Native leaders and organizations.

On the other hand, maybe that's a good sign.,

In the past, there was so much publicity about Native positions and strategies, and government reactions were so predictable, that the actual First Ministers' Conference were almost an anti-climax.

In the past, too, a great deal of the attention was devoted to the differences between the various categories of Native people and the organizations that represented them, and the conflicts resulting from those differences. Unfortunately, some of those conflicts undermined the negotiating power of the Aboriginal representatives.

There is good reason to believe that Native leaders and their organizations are much better prepared for this conference, that they will be in less conflict with each other and that they will be able to more effectively represent their people this time around.

But while that is a step in the right direction, the power still lies with the federal and provincal governments, for they make the final decision on constitutional matters. While there is some indication of government support for Native initiatives there are certainly no guarantees.

At this late date there is little more that can be done. If it hasn't been done already, it's probably too late for that important March conference. But whatever the outcome, that conference will not settle every issue affecting Native people once and for all.

Whatever happens, lawyers can look forward to a healthy future ahead as these issues are interpreted and tested before the courts.