Western premiers block self-government process

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Metis self-government is being thwarted by Canada's three western premiers, says a director of the Metis National Council (MNC).

Although the federal government and the MNC agree to the concept of self-government, the only way to legislate it is through a provincial agreements. If this agreement is not forthcoming neither is self-government, says Yvon Dumont, director of the MNC and president of the Manitoba Metis Federation.

The western premiers: Bill Vander Zalm of British Columbia, Alberta's Don Gettty, and Saskatchewan's Grant Devine have refused to yield.

"Politicians are still using the excuse that it's still not clear enough," says Dumont.

In Manitoba, Premier Howard Pawley has been responsive to the concept of self-government and that, says Dumont, is the key.

Canada is willing to enter into tripartite negotiations "providing the provincial government takes the leading role," he explains. If the provinces do not agree "then the feds are not going to get involved."

"If the politicians are serious about being effective in our communities, they'll give us the control," he says. This would be an investment that would benefit all concerned, he adds.

As with other major Native organizations, the MNC has suffered cutbacks in their self-government budget, receiving 25% of the funding they got during the multilateral process he says.

But their quest for self-government, explains Dumont, is not really a financial problem for the MNC, as a recent letter from Ottawa illustrates the government's intent and commitment to "consider proving a contribution to assist the participation of Aboriginal organizations . . .up to an amount equivalent to that provided by the provincial government for this purpose."

Dumont hopes Manitoba's progress in tripartite negotiations may help to stimulate the other western premiers into formulating negotiation processes.

Alberta and Saskatchewan are interested in entering into tripartite negotiations says Dumont, but they cannot seem to convince their respective provincial governments. Any negotiations will likely require discussions with other Aboriginal groups, the prime minister, the Minister of Justice and the premiers.

To speed up the process, the MNC has requested they be allowed to make representation before the joint senate-commons committee at Meech Lake. The committee has agreed but confirmation has yet to come from the senate committee.