MAA wants gov't to help rural Metis

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Conklin, AB

The Metis Association of Alberta wants the provincial government to fund a comprehensive program to address the needs of rural Metis in the province.

MAA president Larry Desmeules told a gathering of Metis at a regional meeting in Conklin last week that such a program would help address the needs of Metis living within

improvement districts in Alberta.

Improvement districts are rural areas, outside of towns and cities, that are controlled by local councils which make decisions on roads, housing and sewage problems among

other responsibilities falling under their jurisdiction.

At the Zone 2 Regional MAA meeting, an official with the provincial government said he saw no problem with looking at a plan that would improve the relationship between

Metis people and improvement districts.

"I don't have any problem with that, to the extent that I have the authority to say that," said Pieter de Vos, a director with Improvement Districts and Alberta Municipal Affair's

Native Services division.

De Vos, one of the speakers on a panel to address the needs of improvement districts spoke to a group of 40 people. The panel discussion was part of the second annual

Zone 2 assembly, which is composed of an area in northeastern Alberta from Caslan Lake to Fort McMurray.

Clifford Supernault, executive director of Alberta's Native Services Unit, explained that such a plan would have to demonstrate community support.

As well, he said, it must address the issue of where funds can be found to fund such a program.

De Vos added that what is needed is a chance to simply sit down and talk out the issue.

Zone 4 MAA vice-president Joe Blyan, who is also chairman of the association's local government and municipal affairs sub-committee says a large number of association

members live within improvement districts.

"Indians and Metis should sit down as a community to address issues," said Blyan.

He said both groups comprise a single community and should deal with their problems jointly instead of separately, as has happened often in the past.

Blyan's subcommittee is one of six which will operate as a key part of the new framework agreement which was signed between the MAA and the Alberta government last

December.

One of the major aims of the agreement is aimed at improving government programming for Metis people.

Blyan rejected the possibility of guaranteed seats on improvement district councils for Metis people, a question posed by one delegate.

"I totally disagree. I don't want any handouts," he said.

Blyan said councillors be elected on their own merit, not on the color of their skin.

"We have to get rid of this cowboy/Indian mentality," he urged.