Council wants to solve off-reserve problems

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Ray Desjardin, president of the newly formed Edmonton First Nation Council, says the city's existing Native organizations aren't filling the bill as far as off-reserve Indians are concerned.

That's why the former Sucker Creek resident, who has lived in Edmonton for the past 14 years, formed the council, along with a group of other dissatisfied Native people.

Desjardin estimates there are 30,000 Native people living in Edmonton, many of whom are not represented by any political organization. He hopes his new group will be able to secure treaty and social benefits for the city's Native population that are comparable to benefits available on the reserves.

"No one is doing it for us," he said at the council's first general meeting. "There's got to be some kind of deal between the federal and provincial government (to make sure Indians get these programs and services.)"

The Edmonton First Nations Council was struck late last year to address social and rights issues facing Indians living in Edmonton. Many of the contentious issues--lack of employment, poor education, poor housing and increased alcohol and drug addiction--are not being dealt with in Edmonton, Desjardin said.

The goals of the council, he explained, include establishing a network of programs and services for Indians and to promote Indian culture.

The council's formation received a critical response from many Edmonton-based Native leaders. And concerns have been raised about Desjardin's brash political style and frequent criticism of existing agencies.

But Desjardin said the Edmonton First Nations Council is not out to take power away from the city's political organizations. He said the group wants to work through existing organizations to make sure off-reserve concerns are dealt with in the city.

"Hopefully we could leave politics out of it. Bu6t our main goal is to work through our politicians," he said.

Desjardin said the group will be seeking financial support from the three levels

of government as well as through private donations and fundraising events.