Metis gets top post

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Rumors swirling throughout Manitoba for last few months about the political future of Yves Dumont were confirmed when the Metis leader was appointed lieutenant-governor.

Prime Minister Brian Mulroney handed the post to the Manitoba Metis Federation president last week. The lieutenant-governor is the Queen's representative in a province and the ceremonial head of the provincial government.

"I am certainly excited at the opportunity that I'm going to have to be able to prove to the rest of Canadians that Metis people are committed to Canada," said the

42-year-old, self-employed general contractor from St. Laurent.

Dumont replaces George Johnson, who has held the post since 1986 but has been

in failing health. The two will meet this week to make plans for a swearing-in ceremony.

The Metis leader, who rose to national prominence last year as a key supporter

of the Charlottetown accord, is currently involved in a land rights court battle with the federal government.

Dumont, along with the Metis federation and several individuals, are suing Ottawa for lands they say were promised to their ancestors 120 years ago.

The 10-year-old suit alleges the government backed out of commitments to turn over 500,000 hectares of land in the Red River Valley in the 1870s. The land includes much of downtown Winnipeg and its worth has been estimated at $5 billion.

Dumont said he does not plan to give up the legal fight even though he now is a Crown official.

"I wouldn't have accepted the position if I thought I was going to have to give up a fight on behalf of the Metis people to which I have devoted years of my life."

Meanwhile, Alberta Metis leader Larry Desmeules is being touted as a top candidate to become Alberta's next senator. The president of the Metis Nation of Alberta and strong provincial Tory supporter is making no secrets about his desire for the job.

"It's the only job I've ever wanted," Desmeules said, adding that he doesn't know who else is on the candidate list. "I don't know who that is. They never tell you these things."

Mulroney is expected to make a series of Senate appointments over the next few weeks. The last round of Senate appointments occurred in September of 1990, when the prime minister put eight conservative supporters in the upper chamber to help pass the goods and services tax.