Erasmus says take the fight for rights to court

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Georges Erasmus, grand chief of the Assembly of First Nations has suggested the formation of an agency, independent of government support, to assist Native people fighting in court battles over issues such as land and treaty rights.

"We've tried to work it out peacefully, but it hasn't worked," said Erasmus, referring to the last First Ministers Conference where the AFN failed to reach a deal with Ottawa on self-government.

He added that placing Native law as a priority over government law may get some people arrested, but "that would make the courts decide who has the rights and who has the jurisdiction."