Aboriginal land to stay in Canada

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Aboriginals in Quebec should have no fear of being stranded by the federal government if the province decides to separate, said Indian Affairs Minister Ron Irwin.

Native people - with their territory - have the option to remain a part of Canada if they don't want to be included as part of an independent Quebec, he said.

Irwin made the remarks in Quebec City, May 18 at a meeting of federal, provincial and territorial ministers and Aboriginal leaders gathered to discuss the implementation of self-government.

Native leaders were told Ottawa intends to live up to its fiduciary responsibilities and protect Aboriginal interests in the event of Quebec sovereignty.

Kanesatake Chief Jerry Peltier said Quebec has no right to take Native land with them if it separates. He said it was unclear how Canada would protect Native jurisdiction, but suggested political force and economic sanctions should be considered.

Inuit communities are also concerned with the possible separation, and are adamant about maintaining their sovereignty as well.

"Inuit in Quebec and the Inuit of Canada have the right to choose our own political future," said newly re-elected Inuit of Canada president Rosemarie Kuptana, in a recent interview. "The future of Quebec is an issue that affects all Inuit of Canada."

Native leaders are applauding Irwin's stance, but the days comments had Parti Quebecois leaders seeing red. PQ leader Jacques Parizeau said Ottawa turned its back

on its fiduciary responsibilities for Natives in Quebec when it endorsed the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement in 1975. Irwin flatly refuted Parizeau's comment.

"There was never agreement that Quebec could take that territory and form a separate government. I don't think that was ever the agreement the Aboriginal peoples thought they were getting into - never in a 1,000 years," Irwin told reporters outside the closed meeting.

"The separatists say that they have a right to decide. Then why don't the Aboriginal people, who have been here 20 times as long, have the same right? It only seems logical to me," he added.

Quebec has a serious problem, said Ovide Mercredi, Grand Chief of the Assembly of First Nations. Quebec's hostility toward Indians has left the province with little hope in convincing Natives to separate with them, he said.