Sinclair urges opinions

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The Metis Association of Alberta (MAA) President Sam Sinclair's opening remarks urged Metis people from all over the province to work together over the next two days, to insure that the MAA's 58th annual assembly, held March 14 and 15 in Edmonton, would be successful.

"This is a business meeting and is part of our political process. I would like to see meaningful things discussed that will benefit the Metis Association and its members. I do not want to see valuable time wated on bickering and personality attacks on anybody," said Sinclair.

Sinclair briefly touched on a few of the issues that were going to be talked about at the assembly. One of these issues dealt with the Metis Urban Housing program. He said that they had some trouble with the program when it was first started.

Sinclair said that the staff at the urban housing office weren't adequately trained in the area and that was the cause for the deficit over the past year. He says that they now have training programs and that the housing program will be more efficient in the future.

Sinclair also talked about self-government. He said that the MAA has make good progress with the provincial government towards self-government.

"We have started a process with regional councils that could lead to self-determination," said Sinclair.

The grass roots people were urged to speak at the assembly and not to be afraid to voice their opinion.

"I want to see the grass roots people here speak out, speak out without fear.

If you feel the MAA or your elected zone representatives are not doing what think should be done, speak out with the suggestions and questions, not with personality attacks," Sinclair urged.

Sinclair announced to the assembly that he was stepping down from his position at the end of the term which is in August. He said that he wasn't going to stop pushing for self-government.

"I've got five and a half months to push this self-determination process with the provincial government and to push your elected representatives, the board members, to get benefits and responsibilities out into the communities," explained Sinclair.

Sinclair said that, Premiere Getty, has assured him that if the Metis don't succeed in achieving self-government, that Getty "is committed to continuing along the path now set."

Sinclair continued to say, "he (Getty) has assured me that his office will support the building of Metis local government involvement."

In his closing statements, Sinclair made the people aware of their responsibilities at the assembly.

"Each of you have a personal responsibility to show your neighbor and your elected representatives that you want to see business conducted in a reasonable way-we are here to progress and grow, to build and not to tear down."

CORRECTION

Inside Windspeaker's March 20 edition, a story on Page 13, with the title: "Sinclair urges opinions", stated that issues the Metis Association of Alberta President Sam Sinclair would look into, particularly the Metis Urban Housing program, for the past assembly were incorrect.

The story says that this program had some trouble when it first started and that the staff at the Urban Housing office were not adequately trained in the area, which was the cause for the deficit over the past year.

A call from the program director of the Metis Urban Housing program, Larry Desmeules, says the writer had his facts all wrong.

The problems of the deficit did not arrive from the Metis Urban Housing program, but from other programs such as the Summer Temporary Employment Program (STEP).

Both Sam Sinclair and Larry Lesmeules were concerned over the incorrect information and Windspeaker apologizes for this.

"Metis Urban Housing has been running smoothly for years and our books are always open if you want to do a story," commented Desmeules.