National Aboriginal groups getting phased out

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OTTAWA

Funding for the Aboriginal groups who attempted to negotiate the entrenchment of self-government at the recent First Ministers Conference is being curtailed. Representatives of the Inuit, Metis, and non-status Indians say they are at various stages of shutting down shop.

The Metis National Council has already closed its office. The staff of four at the Inuit Committee on National Issues will be laid off at the end of this month. The Native Council of Canada, who represent non-status Indians, say their staff will be cut in half after six staff members will be let go.

Only the Assembly of First Nations, representing status Indians, will be able to keep a staff of constitutional experts because it has legally assured funding.

Although Prime Minister Brian Mulroney says that negotiations on self-government are still possible, many say the wind down in funding was not expected and that it underlines where Native issues have slipped down on the prime minister's agenda.