Blackbear

************************************************** ******
This Message Is Reprinted Under The Fair Use
Doctrine of International Copyright Law:
http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.html
************************************************** ******

FROM: THE GLOBE AND MAIL NEWSPAPER

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servl...tives27/BNStor
y/National/

Native Groups Hopeful About Cabinet Meeting

Next week's retreat is likely to focus more on continuing talks and less on
cash

By BILL CURRY

Friday, May 27, 2005 Updated at 4:50 AM EDT

From Friday's Globe and Mail

Ottawa — Government announcements for next week's cabinet retreat on
aboriginal issues will be high on process and low on cash, but officials with the
three main aboriginal groups are nonetheless optimistic the meeting will lead to
major improvements down the line.

The federal government will sign detailed "relationship" agreements Tuesday
with the Assembly of First Nations, the Métis National Council and the Inuit
Tapiriit Kanatami that will outline how Ottawa intends to involve them in
addressing their main concerns in areas such as land claims, housing and education.

Less-detailed policy accords will also be signed with the Congress of
Aboriginal Peoples and the Native Women's Association.

The Métis and Inuit groups are especially happy, as both have struggled to
get the government to focus on aboriginal issues other than first nations living
on reserve.

Rather than announcing a host of firm policies Tuesday, as Indian Affairs
Minister Andy Scott had once promised, sources say the focus will be on
continuing policy discussions that will culminate in announcements and funds at a first
ministers meeting on aboriginal issues this fall.

Talks are ongoing on the details of Tuesday's meeting, including the
possibility of an announcement related to a settlement on the issue of residential
schools.

Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine has suggested his
organization would withdraw from the general policy discussions if there is no
firm resolution on residential schools. Sources say the government is more likely
to spell out a pledge to continue negotiations.

Deputy Prime Minister Anne McLellan, who has led detailed talks with the AFN
in recent weeks, appears to have bought the government some time.

Mr. Fontaine said in an interview he is satisfied with the progress on the
issue and believes a deal will soon be reached, although likely not by Tuesday.

"Why we're prepared to engage in further discussions is to make sure we get
it right," he said. He noted the file is complex, given that former students
are fighting for compensation on several fronts, including class-action
lawsuits.

Prime Minister Paul Martin and over 20 of his ministers are expected to meet
with representatives from the five aboriginal groups at Tuesday's gathering in
Ottawa.

Officials are concerned the ministers may have to leave the meeting to vote
in the House of Commons because the Conservatives have an opposition day on
Tuesday, and could move a motion of no-confidence or attempt to embarrass the
government in some way.

The closed-door meeting is the culmination of over a year of "round table"
discussions between Ottawa and aboriginal groups on six areas: accountability,
economic opportunities, health, lifelong learning, negotiations and housing.

In a recent interview, Mr. Scott insisted the round-table process will
produce major changes, but suggested large funding announcements will not come until
a first ministers' meeting of the Prime Minister and premiers this fall.

"I believe we are going to turn a page," Mr. Scott said. "I believe the
retreat will cause the national aboriginal organizations and the government of
Canada to make decisions and agreements and share a vision that will, from a
relationship point of view, be historic. The retreat is a first step in that
relationship. This isn't an end."

Mr. Scott said real change must involve the provinces since they are involved
in "practically everything you can think of," such as housing, education and
health care.

Russell Diabo, an Ottawa-based native policy adviser, said the government
appears to be placating aboriginal groups with commitments to continue or
increase funding, but that most aboriginals will see little change.

"Unless there's some real, fundamental changes in policy and fundamental
increases in funding, I can't see them changing things on the ground," he said.

Mr. Diabo said it also appears Ottawa is moving to shift some of its
traditional responsibilities for aboriginals to the provinces.

Clement Chartier, president of the Métis National Council, said the framework
deals will soon produce results because they commit federal officials to sit
down and negotiate detailed programs and policies to address existing needs.
"It's a significant step forward," he said.

__________________
Don't worry that it's not good enough for anyone else to hear... just sing, sing a song.