Metis to pursue new directions

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The Metis Association of Alberta (MAA) and the Manitoba Metis Federation (MMF) announced at a press conference held in Edmonton, November mber 13, a new direction in the preparations leading up to the First Ministers Conference on Aboriginal Rights scheduled for April, 1987.

The new direction is that the two organizations have jointly confirmed the participation of constitutional experts to provide the Metis National Council with the best advice possible during the constitutional process.

According to their joint statement, MMF President Yvon Dumont and MAA President Sam Sinclair, confirm that as co-spokespersons for the MNC, that they have long felt the most important ingredient for success at the First Minister's Conference is the commitment of both the federal and provincial governments to seek an amendment to the Constitution that would further define Aboriginal rights.

Both the MAA and MMF say they are concerned that in spite of the stated commitment by the federal government to achieve an amendment, the potential for success depends on a similar commitment from the provincial premiers and attorneys-general.

They believe that to achieve this provincial commitment will require skilled negotiations, knowledgeable in constitutional law and theory, and that they like the suggestions made by leaders of other MNC member associations, that they attempt to secure the expert advice of the people familiar with the process.

According to Dumont, leaders of other member organizations have thrown names around such as Jean Cretien, Pierre Trudeau and Bill Davis.

"Bill Davis has shown a willingness toward entrenchment in the past. He is now out of the process as he is no longer premier of Ontario, and certainly he would be one

of the people we would approach.

"There are others that we have contacted already and who are considering seriously becoming involved but until they make a commitment, we are not at liberty to use their names."

"I guess one of the things that has be understood is the federal, both Liberal and Conservative parties, have wanted to settle with the Aboriginal people. It's the provinces who we are having trouble with, mainly Alberta. British Columbia has been an obstacle but I now understand the premier of B.C. is a possibility that he may speak with us," said Sinclair, while voicing his opinion for the need of expert advice.

The MAA and MMF believe that this new phase in the strategy of constitutional negotiations involving the active participation of various constitutional experts in the negotiation process, will indicate the seriousness which the MNA attaches to the process. In addition, they believe that this new approach, when coupled with the personal commitment of both the prime minister and the minister of justice, as again expressed to the MNC at a recent meeting in Saskatoon with the Honourable Roy Hnatyshyn, will enable all parties to undertake a concerted effort over the final six months to achieve agreement on an amendment.

When asked why constitutional experts were not thought of earlier, and why now, with less than six months before the first minister's conference, Sinclair responded by saying the MAA have been negotiating all along in regards to the upcoming constitutional talks, and that it is the provincal government that has not co-operated.

"The provincial government has not co-operated on the tripartite monies. They have not given us a dime towards our negotiations with both governments. There has always been a working process going on.

"One thing - and in all fairness to communities - you can't deal with the communities unless you have entrenchment of lands and self-government. Then you can go to the communities and start negotiating at a provincial level. What kinds of lands are we after, how many acres are we talking about and if it is self-government, who is going to supply the resources to run our own self-government? Is it federal, provincial or both?

"All of this i in the grey area right now, but certainly it will be up front when we sit down with the ministers," commented Sinclair.

Sinclair further stated that they are considering all the information that they have and he hopes by January or February of next year, they will be meeting with the Prime Minister of Canada, Brian Mulroney, in a preliminary meeting prior to the First Ministers' Conference.

"There are other ministers' meetings scheduled also before the main one, and we want to work it so that when we go to the constitutional talks that we don't dicker. Instead, when we go there we should be ready to make an agreement and that is what we are hoping for," Sinclair said.

According to Dumont, Metis National Council monies may have to be redirected in order to come up with the constitutional experts needed for the April meeting, but he is positive it can be worked out.

"We may have to cut back in some areas and save money to redirect it to this approach, but we are fairly sure we can come up with a solution to this problem."

Action is now taking place to contact these individuals to solicit their advice and to explore their possible participation in the actual negotiations for a constitutional amendment on Aboriginal rights.