Treaty Six on FMC

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The federal government failed to ease out of treaty responsibilities at the First Ministers Conference, FMC, on Aboriginal Constitutional Matters and in that sense, the FMC is not a failure for the protection of Treaty rights, said Chief Eugene Houle.

Chief Houle of the Saddle Lake First Nations, who was a participant at the Treaty Six forum, which was held on the same days as the FMC meeting, commented on the FMC outcome, in a telephone interview with Windspeaker on April 1.

"We were not involved in the FMC process. We don't see the FMC as a failure, in that it recognized that Treaty Indians have no business in that process. I think the provinces helped in that respect," said Chief Houle.

Houle believes that "everyone is trying to ride on the backs of Treaty Indians. The Metis tried to get under the Treaty umbrella an dthey failed in that attempt," said Chief Houle.

The Treaty Six forums held at Red Pheasant, Saskatchewan, on March 25, 26 and 27, reaffirmed the bilateral process, between Treaty Indians and the federal government, reported Chjef Houle.

The United First Nations of Treaty Six continue to insist on resolving the issue of self-government within the framework of the Treaties, which were made between Great Britain and sovereign Indian Nations, said Chief Houle.

The Treaty Six area encompasses about 50 Indian bands in an area including central Alberta and Saskatchewan. Participants at Treaty Six forums have consistently declared that they do not belong with or want the Assembly or First Nations (AFN) or the Prairie Treaty Nations Alliance (PTNA) to speak on their behalf.

"We don't expect to become an organization. Each Indian nation speaks for itself," explained Chief Houle.

Options that the Treaty Six Nations will pursue in gaining recognition if their forms of self-government in Canada, include a wide ranging educational campaign, reaching national and international audiences, which would be aimed at gaining support of the affirmation of Treaty rights.

"We plan to set up an office that would spread information and help facilitate Treaty Six forums. We also will lobby around the world," said Chief Houle.

"Treaty obligations come first, before talks can begin on land claims, self-government, etc. Treaties have to deal with on a separate basis, the government's intent is to eliminate the treaties," said Chief Houle.