Pan-Am games to be targeted

Page B9

The 1999 Pan Am Games: For athletes it's a time to compete. For civic and provincial politicians and local business people it's a time for the City of Winnipeg and the province to take the spotlight.

But for the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC), this summer is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to highlight First Nations' demands and conditions on an international stage.

That's the warning issued by AMC Grand Chief Rod Bushie who served notice late last year that the AMC would use the games to embarrass the province and the government of Canada if they didn't satisfy First Nations' concerns on fundamental bread-and-butter issues.

While observers dismissed the initial warnings as little more than a political ploy, Windspeaker has learned that the AMC has set up a formal committee to come up with strategies to highlight First Nations demands during formal games activities and events. It's called the "Disruption Committee" by some AMC insiders who say its mandate, goals and objectives are questionable to say the least.

"Yes we have a committee and are planning to develop a number of ideas to make our message known during the games," said Grand Chief Bill Traverse of the Southern Chief's Organization, one of two regional political bodies that comprise the AMC.

Bushie, Traverse, and MKO (Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakinak) Grand Chief Francis Flett, have been relentless over the last year in their attacks on the two levels of government for their failure to address the health, housing, economic, education, justice and policing needs of First Nations communities.

But they have found that their concerns are falling on deaf ears, according to Flett who spoke at a recent press conference announcing the three grand chiefs' intent to make their displeasure with the governments much more visible.

"We meet and meet and meet with ministers and officials, prepare extensive reports and analysis only for our issues to be ignored in the end," said Flett.

Bushie has threatened that First Nations protesters will be organized to block the Winnipeg International Airport, hold protest marches during the opening ceremonies of the Pan Am Games and during sporting events, and seek out the television cameras.

"Maybe they'll start to take our concerns seriously if the rest of the world sees what's going on," said Bushie.

But whether the groups will go through with their threats is still open to debate.

One AMC member chief, Margaret Swan of the Lake Manitoba First Nation, ridiculed the idea.

"It's counter productive to poke a stick in someone's eye while you're attempting to get them to listen to you and do something about the critical needs of First Nations," she said. "While I can sympathize with their frustrations you have to be very careful that you don't defeat your own purpose by alienating people, and most of the ideas I've heard so far aren't well thought out."

Equally critical, said Swan, is to ensure that such threats don't just become part of a long list of unrealized actions.

"We've heard a lot about things that will happen if this or that isn't done, but they don't follow up on it in the end and as a result no one takes us seriously."

Swan also noted that because Winnipeg is the site of the 2001 World Indigenous Games, First Nations organizations could be risking a public backlash if Native people disrupt the Pan Am Games.

But councillor Terry Nelson of the Rosseau First Nation is a strong advocate of in-your-face politics.

"Really it's the only time they (governments) have stopped to listen to us and that's when one of their showcase events threatens to become an embarrassment," he said.

"Quite frankly I don't think the AMC is going far enough with this idea. They should be blocking the highways and disrupting everything they can. You watch the politicians sit up and take notice. We've never gotten anything by being nice. Every time we have they (governments) have just rolled over us. Just look at our history."

Pan Am Games officias refused to comment on the issue, however one staff member, who requested anonymity, said the results of any First Nations protests during game ceremonies would be an international embarrassment for the city, the province and the country.

"It would give everyone involved a black eye and it won't accomplish anything."

As to what promises or actions from the governments the AMC is looking for, Grand Chief Traverse was vague.

"We are still determining our positions on this matter and I can't say more until after everyone involved has met and decided on a course of action."