New president for CAP

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Delegates from across Canada converged on Ottawa for the annual general assembly of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (CAP) on April 28 and to elected Dwight Dorey as their new president, replacing Harry Danials.

CAP's stated goal is to promote and protect the interests of all Aboriginal people - on and off reserve. The organization claims a membership of 600,000 member's on-reserve and 800,000 off.

Dorey is a Mi'kmaq born on reserve who has been promoting human rights throughout his career. He was involved in the drafting of the International Declaration of Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Geneva, 1993.

He began his political career as the vice president of the Native Council of Nova Scotia, a posititon held from 1977 to 1982. He later served as president for the organization from 1989 to 1997. Dorey held that position during the struggle to have Aboriginal peoples included in the 1982 Constitution Act with guaranteed collective Aboriginal rights. He was also in office when Bill C-31 became legislation.

In a pre-election interview, Dorey was frank about his concerns. What CAP is up against, he said, is that the federal government - by policy - tends to be dividing Native communities and families with respect to the Indian Act legislation, while minimizing the Supreme Court decisions wherever they impact Aboriginal people and their rights.

He said there seems to be an effort on the part of the federal government and Justice to narrowly interpret that court's decisions. On the one hand, the Supreme Court has been saying there should be a broad and liberal interpretation of Aboriginal and treaty rights, he said, citing the pre-Confederation treaty rights that allows the Mi'kmaq to hunt, fish and trade as an example. But the people are not getting that recognition from the system, he concluded.

Dorey also has concerns about federal fiduciary responsibilities that have also been narrowly interpreted by including only Indians on lands reserved for Indians. It dates back to the British North America Act [section 91 (24)], said Dorey. When consulted, the BNA refers to responsibility for Indians and lands reserved for Indians. It does not say Indians on reserved lands, Dorey said.

Sections 25 and 35 of the Constitution (1982) acknowledges existing Aboriginal and treaty rights. But the government takes a narrow interpretation of that, and tries to pass that fiduciary responsibility to the provincial governments, he said, a position CAP does not accept.

Other matters deliberated at the general meeting included changes to CAP's constitution, as well as approval of the affiliation of a new group: the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples of Saskatchewan. Also scheduled was a session to discuss a Metis court challenge of Article 91 (24) of the BNA.

Henry Wetelainen, vice president of the Ontario Metis Association, was elected chair. He conducted the meetings briskly, reminding the group that each such annual gathering costs about $500,000. The financial report was presented and approved, but not until pertinent questions had been raised and dealt with. The French speaking delegation from Quebec hoped that documents coming from CAP would be translated into French.

"Money is being given by the federal government for translation," said Jim Sinclair of Saskatchewan. "If no translation is taking place, the money is being spent somewhere else."

New vice president, Jason Knockwood, stressed the need for "a strong political and financial base to meet the needs of our people." He stressed the need for solidarity and mutual support in the struggle to maintain land. The time has come, he said for CAP to begin a new era. A new generation has arrived, he said.

CAP will build on the success of the past to create a new nation where all its people can live in harmony and work together for the well being of all, Knockwood said.

He alluded to the problem areas to be confronted: family violence, suicide, especially among the young, and addtions. He indicated it was not enough to blame others for the present problems.