Despite Pope's strong words feds still skirt the issue

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The fact that the Prime Minister has turned down the Pope's plea for the resumption of the first minister's conference, while at the same time reiterating his government's support of Aboriginal rights, does not surprise the Indian Association of Alberta.

"It's all rhetoric," says Association president, Gregg Smith. "We figured the feds (federal government) would skirt around the issue."

However, despite the negative reaction of the prime minister, Smith says he was pleased with the Pope's endorsement of Aboriginal rights and felt the issue of Native self-government might now receive public recognition. "Let me say I am cautiously optimistic," he added.

The prime minister was replying to questions posed by opposition parties in the House of Commons Sept. 21 over the Pope's speech. He said he welcomed the idea of re-opening the First Ministers' talks but refused to make a definite decision.

Instead, the prime minister said he would take a "wait and see" approach, indicating that once the Meech Lake accord is ratified and Quebec signs into the constitution, the chances of Native self-government would improve.

"I think it would be evident to anyone concerned about the well-being of the Aboriginal peoples that one of the principle reasons for Canada's failure in this regard at federal-provincial conferences was the fact Quebec, wasn't part of the process," Mulroney said in the Commons recently.