Self-government undermined by negative publicity

Page 5

Pikiskwe

The Charlottetown Accord has come and gone. Canadians across this country,

for whatever reasons, have clearly rejected the proposals. The debates are over, but the effects of the arguments will continue to be felt in this country for a long time.

What I found most disturbing about the debates was the lack of confidence some sectors of Native and non-Native society have in Native self-government.

Newspapers, television and radio carried some pretty strong messages against self-government.

One television commercial featured a Native couple. The first scene has the man walking in front of the woman. Then, after the commercial message, the man finds new respect for the woman, and is showing holding the door open for her.

National columnists took some pretty strong shots at Native provincial and national organizations for being primarily male-oriented.

Reform party supporters were asking questions about fiscal responsibilities for Native self-government.

About this time, newspapers across this country started carrying stories about

local band councils spending more money on race tracks instead of reserve programs. In Manitoba there were stories about band councils bankrupted by alleged over-spending or the travel budget. Last week, there were allegations about band council interferences in child sexual assault cases.

My question about all of these allegations include wondering about the whereabouts of the RCMP when all of these events were taking place. How long did it take them to move in and charge the wrong-doers? Are there even any charges laid? It does seem that we as Native people are not given the same protection under the law as our non-Native counterparts. Are they waiting for us to fail?

All across this country Native self-government is being slandered because of a few corrupt or inept individuals. I say the RCMP shouldn't sit on the borders of the reserve and shut their eyes. The courts should intervene where there are criminal actions and charges should be laid. Native self-government is a concept too important to allow a few individuals to undermine it.