Respect for Aboriginal rights essential to change

Page 3

Aboriginals in Canada will be further alienated if steps to structure a new relationship with Ottawa are not undertaken, the Royal Commission on Aboriginal People's latest papers concluded.

Exploring the Options, the commission's third progress report, warned that many of the issues facing Indians will not be resolved without a change in attitude by both Natives and non-Natives.

The recognition and respect of Aboriginal rights required for a new relationship are mutual, the document stated.

"Non-Aboriginal people and governments must acknowledge the rights and concerns of Aboriginal people that have been ignored in he past. Aboriginal people in turn need to understand the concerns of the people and communities with whom they share the territory of Canada."

Tinkering with government programs or with the law would be insufficient to achieve real change in Canada, the report stated. The new relationship must be a partnership based on equality and mutual respect between Natives and non-Natives.

Commission co-chair Rene Dussault said that towns and municipalities must stop resisting First Nations self-government.

Fear of Native self-rule has led many municipal leaders to put off acting with Native, provincial and federal officials, the Quebec justice added. Getting involved in the process will prevent municipalities from having land-claim settlements thrust upon them.

Ottawa must also honor outstanding treaty and constitutional obligations that were agreed to with Aboriginal peoples but that have been "frequently ignored," the commission concluded.

Released in November, Exploring the Options summarizes the commission's fourth round of hearings and the opinions of more than 2,200 individuals and groups in 112 communities.

Commission co-chairs Dussault and George Erasmus have hosted round table discussions on issues such as justice, health, education and economic development.