Metis claim support at FMC

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Alberta's Metis leaders will again approach the First Ministers' Conference (FMC) (March 26 to 27) with hopes of establishing Aboriginal self-government in Canada.

"We have the support of many groups and organizations across Canada, including the major Christian churches, yet according to one of our senior ministers, we are no better than a bunch of separatists," stated Sam Sinclair, president of the Metis Association of Alberta, following recent statements made by Intergovernmental Affairs minister, Jim Horsman.

Horsman, who took over responsibility for Native legal issues following the departure of Alberta's previous Native Affairs minister, Milt Pahl, claims that it would be incredible to believe that such a proposal would ever find its way into the Canadian Constitution without first being clearly defined in advance.

In his statement, Horsman said "in the long run, it (Aboriginal self-government) would have an extremely destructive affect on Canada as a nation. I think it would tear Canada apart. "There is no way we are going to lie down to the statements made by Horsman," exclaims the Metis association president.

"We have always taken the position that we must work within the Canadian Confederation. We want to be a part of it. We want our future to be self-determined and we want the land and the resources that go with it.

"We are willing to negotiate with the government once this first step has been taken. "We are totally against any type of separatism and certainly didn't deserve the remarks spat out by Mr. Horsman," Sinclair concluded.

The words that stung the Metis leader the most was the inference that "economic and social disaster" would result should Aboriginal self-government be entrenched into the Constitution.

"I can't imagine," said Sam Sinclair, "what social and economic disaster could be worse than the way we have been handled in the past 100 years." Jim Sinclair, co-chairman of the Metis National Council, said that the proposal by the Metis people was fair and workable. He said that a fair position would be presented at the constitutional table.

"It will not force anyone to say, no," claims Jim Sinclair.

"It will be one that ensures a solid foundation that will secure a viable economic and a viable people.

"We are only seeking a system that is economically and socially reliable - a system where, through our own taxation and monies, we can build the institutions and other areas of needs we must have in order to care for our own people."

Saskatchewan Premier Grant Divine recently said that it was not likely to be any easier to get a deal on self-government than it was last year.

He blamed the worry of money as the biggest obstacle.

"Everyone's short of money," he said," and worried about the financial implications of virtually everything they do."

The Saskatchewan Metis have also been calling for amendments to the constitution.

Devine said that he was willing to strike provincial accords on self-government with the Metis of Saskatchewan.