Saddle Lake Band declares self-government

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The Saddle Lake Indian band has rejected Bill C-31 and has declared they will achieve Indian self-government within three years.

In a statement this week, Chief Eugene Steinhauer explained his band is upholding their treaty rights, saying the amendment to the Indian Act had been applied "as a legal instrument to destroy our special status as Treaty Indians and ensure our people . . . will be fully assimilated into white society."

Steinhauer charges that the government has failed to honor its constitutional commitment through the first ministers process and the Meech Lake accord.

"These forums were nothing more than political and legal strategy . . . to make sure the Native people in this country will fall into line," said Steinhauer.

In an interview Nov. 12 Steinhauer said plans for the Saddle Lake First Nation's self-government are going ahead.

"We will have our own constitution and legislation to determine who should be in our community," he said. "Self-government will mean a third level of government ? Indian self-government."

The Saddle Lake band met in a general meeting recently where a decision was made to cut off royalty cheques to all Saddle Lake band members because Ottawa insists Bill C-31 members should also be paid.

The band agreed that the royalty payments, which range from about $25 to $40 will be placed in a trust fund where "at least we will be getting interest," added Steinhauer.

In earlier statements, the Department of Indian Affairs said they will not object to the band's decision not to pay the royalties.

"Our position is that if they are going to make a per capita distribution they have to make it to all members," said Gerry Throndsen, Indian Affairs director of lands, revenues and trusts.

Bill C-31 amended the Indian Act in 1985 to allow Indian women who lost status when marrying non-Indian men to regain both status and band membership.

Members of the Saddle Lake band and other bands throughout Alberta along with the Indian Association of Alberta plan to hold a march and rally on the Meech Lake accord.

The Meech Lake accord is an agreement to amend the constitution and allow the province of Quebec to enter Confederation. The accord gives sweeping powers, including a veto to the province which many Native leaders say could preclude any Native self-government agreement.