As the gov't reports come out over year, are we any further?

Page 6

EDITORIAL

In the beginning . . . there was the White Paper in 1968, which proposed to blend Indians into society and ultimately do away with reserves.

Then there was the Red Paper ? in it Indians rejected the White Paper, maintaining they were citizens "plus" and the government owed them certain compensations.

The 70's looked progressive as the government mumbled about putting control of Indian's affairs into their own hands. But, today, with the emergence of the Neilsen Task Force policy and the more recent "corporate management plan", just se tin stone in April, one wonders if any ground's been covered at all?

Another government game is at hand regarding control of Indian Affairs. The Neilsen Task policy has suggested doing away with the Department of Indian Affairs and hading duties over to appropriate federal or provincial departments, or to give it to bands under a "municipal affairs" type of government, wherein the bands act as government arms in administration.

The "corporate management plan" is here to ensure again, and once and for all, that Indians will remain as "rubber stampers". All management mechanisms remain within the DIA.

Generally, the corporate plan states that the DIA is being downsized and this will be done as Indians gain increased control over delivery of services. This will "greatly enhance the aspirations of Indian people."

It will do no such thing. The downsizing that will be done is only in the administration end of things. There will be less people to make the telephone calls and carry out day to day tasks which currently "deliver" Indian services and programs.

But, at the decision-making level, things are possibly bleaker now than ever regarding Native input.

A three-member "steering committee on organization" has been designated to oversee the transfer of activities, downsizing and reorganization. They control the decision-making process and purse strings. And, knowing the track records of the individuals involved here, Indian leaders are saying the committee's main purpose is to serve the needs of bureaucracy ? not those of the first nations.

Also, government offered no forum for Indian leaders to oppose the plan. Whispers of the plan's development were heard, but it's difficult to protest rumours.

A good working relationship and balanced fiscal arrangement which allows Indians authority over their own livelihood is what's needed, but it seems a long way off. All of this may be even more tightly and rigidly controlled by this little committee. Far from "greatly enhancing the aspirations of Indian people" the new plan only wraps a little more binder twine around their hands.