Feds orchestrating self-government in secret, chiefs charge

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Native leaders across the country are accusing the federal government

of orchestrating future self-government policies to suit their own

agenda.

"(The government isn't) getting the appropriate response from the fact

finder forums," says Saul Terry, president of the Union of B.C. Indian

Chiefs.

"... so (Indian Affairs Minister Ron Irwin) is hitting the road to get

the appropriate response face-to-face with Native leaders. He's just

saying 'Come on, you Indians, this is what we'd like to see."

The Minster has repeatedly refused to open the draft document to public

scrutiny while it takes shape. This has led to comparisons with

backroom discussions held during the Meech Lake accord.

Indian, Metis and Inuit spokesmen have frowned on the minister's

"piecemeal" approach of gaining feedback on the draft document as he

travels from one Aboriginal community to another. They're waiting for a

response from the prime minister's office.

Terry says the B.C. chiefs haven't seen the document yet. "If we wish

to have a change, then we have to have full and informed consent," Terry

says.

As to the contents of the so-called secret paper, Terry says he can't

take it seriously until the government reserves its agenda of

"extinguishment," which calls for Natives to give up the majority of

their homelands in return for cash.

"For me extinguishment is at the heart of the federal policy."

"It's the old stuff being repackaged under the current minister. No

longer will we be able to point to our homelands as a legacy to our

children. What we'll be able to point to is already set aside lands,"

says Terry.

Irwin plans to have the self-government document ready for cabinet by

June. It's estimated to affect more than 500,000 Aboriginal people on

and off reserves.

Native leaders have already begun to comment on future flashpoints that

could erupt. The document allegedly makes no requirement for

constitutional amendment or international sovereignty. Federal and

provincial laws are not automatically displaced, it states, and may

continue or co-exist.

Law making within jurisdictions such as labor, administration of

justice, penitentiaries and parole, environmental protection, fisheries

co-management, gaming and taxation would have to remain consistent with

federal laws.

Under self-government as defined in the secret document, First Nations

will not govern national defence and security of national borders;

international treaty-making and trade including; national laws; and

health and safety protection.