Treaty Women want their concerns heard

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Alberta's treaty women of Alberta believe their concerns were ignored at the recent Indian Association of Alberta assembly, says he President of the Advisory Council of Treaty

Women.

Helen Gladue said poor communication from both the federal and provincial governments, and lack of written reports from various leaders are of great concern to the organization.

"Without proper communication it is difficult for the organization to meet its mandate, which is to inform treaty women on the issues that affect them," she said.

The treaty women presented the IAA with a summery report on their involvement with treaty Indian concerns and problems that they encounter on a daily basis.

Gladue encourages the treaty women to keep up their fight for equality.

"When treaty Indians get he runaround from Social Services, we advocate on their behalf. There is a big problem in the area of social services," Gladue said.

"The lack of interpretation of the provincial and federal regulations contribute to some of the problems that treaty Indians encounter with social services.

"We have submitted recommendations to the executive of IAA, to develop a task force for the purpose of reviewing the welfare manual," Gladue said.

Gladue urges Native leaders to be more dedicated to the cause of treaty rights.

Other areas of concern Gladue would like to see addressed by the chiefs an council are:

Treaty Indian veteran's rights including a policy pertaining to widows.

The lack of reactions by chief and council to government movement on treaty rights.

Treaty rights incorporated into agriculture, hunting, fishing, trapping and Indian Health Care Commission.

Child care cases.

Gladue recently received a certificate of merit in recognition for her work with Natives in their struggle for self determination and dedication to the IAA.

Gladue says she has been involved with the Indian movement for 23 years.

During that time she has never missed an annual assembly.

She recalls having to hitchhike to a few of the assemblies, because she was strapped for cash.