Museum urged to 'lean' on gov't

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A quick end to the Lubicon dispute could be possible if OCO, and the Glenbow Museum board of directors used their economic and political clout to bring about negotiations, said Joan Ryan, a University of Calgary anthropologist.

"They could lean on the government and get this resolved in a week, but they're not interested, said Ryan at the monthly meeting of the Aboriginal Urban Affairs Committee, Sept. 2.

Ryan, along with members of the Committee Against Racism, were at the meeting urging for support from the committee in helping the Lubicon issue become better understood.

"The average person doesn't know an Indian, doesn't know where they live and doesn't care," said Ryan. She also asked that the mayor take a more active part in the boycott situation.

"It's a difficult situation. He (Ralph Klein) doesn't want his parade rained on."

The committee did pass a motion recommending city council hear a presentation from Lubicon chief Bernard Ominiyak, his representative, or Ryan.

They also agreed to send a letter urging for quicker negotiations between federal and provincial levels of government. The letter, expressing concern over the museum boycott, will be sent to Prime Minister Mulroney, Premier Getty, Indian Affairs and opposition leaders.