MAA plans for changes

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It may take 10 or 20 years to implement the self-government plan proposed by the Metis Association of Alberta (MAA) says MAA President Sam Sinclair.

And there are a number of hurdles to clear before there is even an opportunity to do that.

First, the MAA must convince the Alberta government to support the plan.

Then, the right to negotiate the plan must be entrenched at the First Ministers Conference on Aboriginal Rights next spring. That will require the support of seven provinces including Ontario, since those provinces in favour must represent more than 50 per cent of Canada's population.

The first step may be the hardest.

Up to now, Sinclair says, the MAA hasn't even been able to get a response to requests for short-term funding for regional activities.

"We've been put off week by week for six weeks," Sinclair says. "We're sick and tired of trying to do a job for our people with not enough help."

The key to the plan is the entrenchment in the Constitution of the Metis right to self-government, with land base and resources.

The Metis would then negotiate for unoccupied Crown land. "We don't want to kick any people off land."

The MAA is also negotiating with the Federation of Metis Settlements to see how the existing eight settlements would fit into the proposal.

"In all fairness, not all Metis want to live on settlements. They have room for some, but they (the Settlements) have rules that don't necessarily agree."

Sinclair said they are dealing with the Federation to work out differences. "We're sure not going to give the government ammunition to keep us apart further."

He noted that there were once 12 Metis settlements and now there are only eight. "We want entrenchment so they can't take away what they've given us."

As for the personnel to effectively run self-government, Sinclair says "we know we have qualified people. If we had resources, we'd have something to offer them. They'll come out and be part of the changes."