Metis constitutional concerns outlined

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EDMONTON - Metis people must realize that the two most important things in their lives," to have the right to land to govern ourselves," are at stake in the constitutional

negotiations process, says Sam Sinclair, president of the Metis Association of Alberta.

Jobs, services and opportunites would be more open to the Metis upon the recognition of those two basis rights, says Sinclair.

"The Alberta government could be a real detriment to Aboriginal rights in Canada, by denying us our rights."

Metis leaders hope to convince Canada to recognize and protect Metis rights to self-government and land, at the upcoming first ministers talks on Aboriginal constitutional matters.

The First Ministers' Conference (FCM), will bring together the prime minister, 10 premiers, 2 territorial leaders and national Native leaders to discuss Aboriginal rights, on March 26 and 27 in Ottawa.

Metis people have taken the position that the explicit right to self-government must be entrenched in the Canadian Constitution, says Sinclair.

"We're going for the right to self-government and a land base, plus resources to run our own affairs," says Sinclair, who is also a co-spokesman for the Metis National Council (MNC), which represents Metis national interests.

Native leaders recently joined forces, at an Aboriginal summit, to pursue the recognition of the "inherent right" to self-government," reports Sinclair.

The four national Aboriginal organizations will push for inherent rights, rather than accept federal offers for "contingent" rights, because "contingent rights can be changed."

The four national bodies representing Native interests at the FMC, included the Native Council of Canada (NCC), representing non-status Indians' the Assembly of First Nations, representing Indians; the Inuit Committee on National Issues, speaking for the Inuit, and the MNC, talking for Metis people.

Since November, 1986, the MAA report that they have tried to no avail to work out a mutually accepted definition of Metis self-government with the federal government.

"Alberta does not believe in the Metis terms to self-government. Their ideas and ours are quite a bit different," says Sinclair.

"The Alberta government believes in delegating responsibilities for self-govern-ment. Horsman (Alberta minister for Native legal matters) never gave us an opportunity to discuss Metis self-government. But we are willing to sit with the province to discuss this matter," says Sinclair.

The MAA released their position paper on Metis self-government in November.

It outlined the principles and parameters for guiding the process of negotiating and giving legal protection to Metis self-governing bodies. A provincial body, called the Alberta Metis Authority and 7 Metis regional councils which would represent and be accountable to Metis people and communities is envisioned in the position paper.

Legal recognition should include the power of Metis political institutions to change their own internal constitution, states the position paper.

The document also calls for the adequate fiscal resourcing of Metis self-govern-ment so the Metis will have enough money to run their own affairs.

The Metis document also wants Alberta to guarantee at least three seats in the provincial legislature for Metis representatives. These Metis "MLAs" would be independent of Metis self-government institutions.