Will the Pope's message fade with time . . .

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EDITORIAL

After Pope John Paul II endorsed Native self-government and fair land claim settlements, Aboriginal leaders felt they were much closer to seeing their dreams fulfilled. With the support from such an exalted source, they felt government might snap to attention and give them their rights. Divine intervention would pave the way to a better tomorrow.

Louis "Smokey" Bruyere, head of the Native Council of Canada, felt the Pope's speech was the best kind of publicity the self-government issue could receive. It was like a free Native rights television commercial viewed by 12 million people. He indicated that even if the speech didn't prompt immediate talks on self-government, at least people would start talking about the issue.

Bishops would take up the cause and priest would carry the message to Canada's many Catholic church-goers. But, can this enthusiasm about Native rights be sustained It's only a week after the Pope's visit and his words have already lost a little glow.

Prime Minister Mulroney hasn't jumped at the idea of renegotiating. Instead, he's adopted a "wait and see" approach and maintains the Meech Lake accord ratification must come first. Closer to home, Premier Getty has indicated he agrees in part with the Pope, but he continues to wonder what self-government really means. He wants a more specific definition.

So, it seems everyone agrees with the spirit of what the Pope said. They agree that in a just and good world Aboriginal people deserve better. On the other hand, the government continues to oppress the minority groups.

Just months ago, the right to post-secondary education was taken away from qualified status-Indians as drastic funding cutbacks were announced. Without education, how can Natives pull themselves up and gain a rightful place in society? The Pope's words were too sweepingly general, even though last minute changes to his pre-planned address made it stronger and more specific regarding Native rights.

The publicity was nice, but when it comes to brass tacks and specifics like education, land and the right to govern ? the government stands firm in its reluctance to give anything away and will likely continue to do so. Now that the Pope is back in Rome ? once more a lofty figurehead in a distant land, will his strong words fade into the past?

Most likely.