IAA plans workshop Penner Report main topic

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The President of the Indian Association of Alberta, (IAA) Wilfred McDougall, announced march 20 that the Canadian native Friendship Centre in Edmonton, and the IAA will be jointly sponsoring a workshop dealing with the recommendations of the Penner Report.

This two-day meeting will be held March 27 and 28 at the Friendship Centre. Lunch will be served to all participants.

It was in early November 1983, that MP Keith Penner, Chairman of the Parliamentary Special Committee on Indian Self-Government released their report. Since that time there have been extensive discussions between the Assembly of First Nations and various status Indian provincial organizations with Minister of Indian Affairs John Munro over the effects and implications of proposed new Indian government legislation.

The Indian Association of Alberta is concerned about the future status of treaty Indians who are living off-reserve, very often on a temporary basis. The IAA feels it is of great importance that off-reserve persons be familiar with any legislation that may have an impact on them in the future.

Keith Penner has been requested to attend the workshop to explain the concept of Indian self-government under consideration by the Government of Canada. Penner has shown strong support for the implementation of a system of Indian self-government that would give chiefs and councils more authority in conducting their own affairs than they have under the present Indian Act.

Since last November, the IAA has been holding information workshops on many Indian reserves across the province to help its members stay abreast of the numerous political, special and economic issues that relate to their survival as the First Citizens in Canada.