A28 - Wednesday, May 2, 1984 - North Shore News ANSWERS TO YOUR UESTIONS ABOUT _ FIRST NATIONS’ SELF-GOVERNMENT . und tan eget a gh) 1 ye th Adin be her . aor oo of ack -eo toot Hest} ay Ue ; pec DLO PYRE ARE EOSS . ay ee OTE gen Ferenc? COTO “Facet i porate rie he abet Ronen! Oe the tall a cep not We are very encouraged that so many Canadians are expressing support for the right of First Nations’ peoples to govern our own affairs on our own lands. We have receivéd many requests for information following our recent newspaper statement and the First Ministers’ Conference on March 8 and 9. I hope you will find answers to vour questions here. If not, please write me. Ir David Ahenakew, National Chiet. Assembly of First Nations What is the distinction between the Assembly of First Nations and the three aboriginal organizations? The Assembly was formed in 1982 by the National Indian Brotherhood as the national voice for First Nations across Canada. The Inuit Committee on National Issues repre: sents a distinctive aboriginal people who have lived in the Arctic for many centuries. The Native Council of €anada and the Metis National Council are separate organizations repre- sentuung non-status Indians and people of mixed Indian and European ancestry. How does the Assembly of First Nations function? The Assembly expresses the belief in: democracy that has always been a First Nations’ tradition. “‘Vhe National Chief, Dr David Ahenakew, was clected by chiefs of First Nations across Canada He meets regularly with the chiets to ensure that their views are fully expressed What is the First Nations’ stand on the “issue” of sexual equality ” Although the problem has been described as das COIMIManOn aparist women. sexual equality as net the assue We have always believed an and practiced sexual equality Pnofact. women base more witha tie « thanmenan serie barst Natiaris societies whiuae ti are based? on the miateiliiedl tradition Ebi protleri cd dascrumanaton ayaiist barst Nations ebteated by the fedoras pan etiitie dit The proposed chanive toclitatiate disctaninrtiens WA eotb ire bi wn abe would ¢ PC ate tire protele tas tbat seady aes ae atoan. addresses one of the uaatiy and variceal probe ric confronting Barst Nations } tas as a conipde scatter maiwobviny reabissacs scehi as the carbit of vaekes ihe bourse Nouationis ter che te rrritiie thiear cra ta itis re bury thie presetvatbor ol thea sult ata der tates nd tba Pip ht foc were tse edb were tiie, The majority of © anadians say COVES’ Co these vital aspects of Parse Nations’ Sc}f- Government Lhe Assenubty ot bai Noatie ccttitias Co araediaees thea het hae ee. I. vectye sd a Wa attaey bora betd vat NMonhd bare N ot tase atte he cebeporin " atom Pestana the reece tars ot ard pas cA, eres ES arta a Ae cebeer ati ft vem cdl cared on herr pre pos Nealth : \ ' it hie What ts meant by First Nations’ self-government? Does it mean separating from Canada? Definitely not. We fully believe ino a strong and umited Canada. But we cannot continue to be treated as if we were Shird-class ciuzens in our own land. - As self-government comes into effect, we will make the decisions affecting our own lives and the future of our children — rather than having those decisions imposed on us by others who cannot really understand our needs. Self-governing First: Nations look forward to positive and productive relauionships wath the federal povernment and those provincial govern: ments which are prepared to work together with us tor the benefit of Canada and all her people Self-povernment means self-ftulfillment. So we are very puzzled when some people compare it to apartheid which demies self-fulfillment to native people in South Afra No comparison could be further trom the truth bortunatedy, most Canadians understand the logac and yusticcot barst Nations’ self government as indi vated by the public opinion survey summarized below How will self-governing First Nations work with the federal and provincial governments? We would expect ta tetate tacather lewels of poser poets the provinetab ane fede rab powerminents mow pe Late another Weare Comlident that poodw ill oath dead foo attanenients threat ber di booth sacdes edi wall to hast odo tive aticd micituralls beers tie ral Weare aise sonmfidert that political beaders wall tabs Te eh re supper ira: berry ex pressedt by se totes pee pode ani all pearts ot Canna LE yeu strane he Meaetoar barst Nations selh vrowerirnae nit ¢ APEens bar Sashes to Vout chee bed repre se iba tin es How and when will self-government come tnto effect? Pte pees trom der way wall tiraxe forward thiteaageh commbatitaitip odaseue SAS sottied Lodi wath Leable rs ats fev cf yrauwe tratbvedal pope od thie se die re thic Pbatee bore eorah ae ay Pearap lenient thee psd for se db gress preel A ysatty Cubbadbaatten oof ann i cr | ae boast ‘ doc tede thas (bdiibae red Sorwoated thas sear boa: Sha, Pybert apoyo besg porte hae viaed bev premssabatinn ef yen ANNUEED IG Vitec bee poy bat Plaghap tho aes te dba sede a! AT cattied yer a soa be rtordsats porns ry hy ats ‘ boy cove When will self-government bring economic self-sufficiency? The rate of progress toward self-suthhoiency will vary frem one First Nation to another —depending on their economic resources and opportunines., It is encouraging to note that some First Nations are already moving towards financial indepen- dence. In addition to traditional activities such as fishing and trapping, some First Nations are oper- ating hotels, transportanion services, manufacturing plants and financial institutions. When. self: vovernment restores the mght to make our own/ decisions, there will be many more opportunities ¢ develop our economic potential. We look tor exploring joint venture opportunities, as well aSfait and reasonable development arrangements tor natu ral resources on First Nations’ lands How will First Nations’ schools prepare our children for a more fulfilling future? We recogmze that education is vital to the fulfill ment of our future as self-poverning First Nations The very serous drop-out rate will be a thing ot the past when we exercise our right to determine ouroown curriculum development and evaluation Only then wall our children feel comtortable an schools which reflect our own traditions aod values The educational propram will also pive them thie OpPpPoOrvuniars to prepare tor post secondly Studies whether thes Choose toattend an rastitiatior sae bas the Suaskatehewan Tondiaa bederated © olleve on other university or college Tri the Satme was) self poverrenie ct that health care. hild weltare COMMITTEE Y Serves ALUN wall ctisuite brouistrig tad thier wall respuorid tills tect trad tions atid needs “bor More Difortiatien Woar. Le (ava Ahenakew Notional © biiet Assert. ot by JO) One Street oth ble 'trawa RIP OV Y dnsrsvevecsensyney Anseeennansesenay Sneneenen rOneEy AP PORAROES | ASSEMBLY Ot FIRST NATIONS