Survey reveals what Canadians think about us

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OTTAWA - In a study conducted by the University of Calgary's Research Unit for Public Policy, Canadians were found to be more concerned about "improving the social and economic situation of Canada's Native people," than about a free-trade agreement with

the United States.

"The message to the governments of Canada and the provinces from this study should be very clear," says Georges Erasmus, national chief of the Assembly of First Nations.

"It is important to most Canadians that the First Nations and other Native peoples of Canada be treated justly and equitably."

Forty-five per cent of the 1,834 people polled thought that governments should put more effort into protecting the rights of Native people. Similarly, 44% thought that what Native people need the most are more Constitutional rights, and 41% agreed that

the Constitution should specifically protect Aboriginal rights. Over a third of respondents, selected from the 10 provinces, believed that provincial premiers who opposed Constitutional protection of Aboriginal rights are harming Native people.

Erasmus went on to say that "it is obvious that the lack of political will on the part of some provincial governments, to agree to constitutional protection of self-government and other Aboriginal rights, shows them to be out of touch with the opinions and wishes of a majority of their constituents. The data from this study give the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) some timely educational material to use in the days and weeks before the First Ministers' Conference this spring. Be assured we will make good use of this information."