Indian nationhood denied, Cardinal tells conference

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LETHBRIDGE - The federal government has never recognized the nationship of Indian First Nations and is continuing to dilute the rights of Indian people, says former IAA president Harold Cardinal.

Speaking to about 400 people gathered at the Lethbridge Indian provincial government conference April 23, Cardinal said the federal government can even be compared with the racist government of South Africa.

"The pass-laws we hear about in South Africa have been in existence here because Indians had no mobility rights without the permission of the Indian Agent," he said.

This attitude continues today as the government still denies nationhood and Indianness, said Cardinal.

"Today we have the term Aboriginal people and to thoroughly mix up the dialogue, the federal government insists on dealing with these so-called Aborigjnal groups as if they have similar rights."

Therefore, the issues and concerns affecting Indian people cannot be addressed adequately because these concerns are not the same as those Inuit, Metis, and Non-Status people, he said.

"The Metis and non-Status people accept that any level of government will have to be delegates from either or both levels of government, but there has never been any real discussion on what Indian self-government should be.

"The government has difficulty with the notion of a third level of government in this country...It's not for governments to decide on self-government...it's for us to decide."

Cardinal pointed out that the federal government sees sovereignty flowing from the Crown and the Queen and is not prepared to see sovereignty in any other form.

"But Indian sovereignty does exist; it flows from Indian title and occupation and this government has not wiped out Indian sovereignty."

The position of Indian people has been strengthened by their participation in the Constitution and also by rulings from the Supreme Court, said Cardinal.

"Indians have to consider whether they wish to be involved in the process that defines their special rights and powers that are already recognized by the Constitution."

However, Cardinal warned that there are many obstacles ahead, not the least of which is the Neilsen Task Force Paper which attempted to lump "all Aborigjnal groups." "It will be a challenge to disentangle the web weaved by Neilsen," he said.

Cardinal also noted that every time the federal government found itself in financial difficulties, Indian rights and benefits were first on the chopping block.

"Remember," he said, "every time the white fathers find a new god they wish to worship, the first offering they bring to the table is Indian rights."