Unification of MAA doesn't look good

Page 6

EDITORIAL

As everyone stresses communication and unity as the only things that will keep the Metis Association together, last week's general assembly indicates this is exactly what's not going to happen.

Only about 800 people showed up at the Lac Cardinal for the assembly. This compares to about 4,000 to 6,000 that used to attend the event. The Assembly once stood as a forum for all members to network and discuss Metis issues ? now a lot of people nix the assembly because they are tired of the bickering.

So, is this the only reason for the attendance to swindle? There are a few factors as well ? one of which involves travel funding. Because there seemed to be so few dollars to offset members' expenses, and because they have to travel so far to get to the assembly, many people simple couldn't make it. Perhaps the MAA has to look at the travel budget for general assembly and priorize. If unity is the key, then more money should be put aside to allow people to meet at the general assembly to share ideas and to discuss problems.

Another factor is decentralization of government to regionalized locals. It seems more and more people are sticking to their own backyards and not bothering to get together at the general assembly.

A number of resolutions at this year's gatherings were tabled until next year; there may not even be a general assembly next year. So, this could mean that these resolutions will be made at the board level. Again, the electorate will be left out of the decision making process and their concerns may fall by the wayside. These final resolutions will not be an expression of what the Metis people thinks, but rather the ideas of a few politicians.

Unity should be at the top of every leader's list. It is the only thing that will see the Metis Association reach their goals of land ownership and equal opportunity, for example. The ideas of a few leaders cannot move the political machinery alone, there has to be the backing of the people if anything is to be gained.

The next two years are a turning point. They will bring either failure or success for the association. The old adage of 'everyone has to stick together' is more important than every. But, the possibility that annual assemblies may be a thing of the past does not look promising.