ND said Native ally

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"Native people of Alberta will find a willing listener and possible political ally in the Alberta Legislature, with the New Democrat Official Opposition," said Leo Piquette, MLA for Athabasca-Lac La Biche and Native Affairs critic for the New Democrats. "The provincial government is not working co-operatively with Native people. Alberta is getting a bad reputation in the way it is treating its Aboriginal people," said Piquette in an interview with Windspeaker on July 14.

Piquette sees his priority as official Native Affairs critic is to have a greater consultation with Native people of the province.

"Natives can use the official opposition as an effective tool to get public discussion on Native issues. It is to the government's advantage to keep things quiet," said Piquette.

Piquette has already met with the Metis Association of Albert aon the issue of regionalization of the association.

He has been invited and says he will attend the MAA annual meeting scheduled for August 22, 23 and 24.

Piquette hopes he can meet soon with Indian communities and organizations of Alberta, to see how the official opposition can act on their concerns.

Piquette voiced his opinion on the current issues affecting Aboriginal people of Alberta, including the Lubicon Land claim, the activities of the oil and gas industry in northern Alberta and the regionalization at the Metis Association.

"The Lubicon Lake Band's request is quite reasonable," said Piquette, referring

to the Lubicon lake land claim in northern Alberta.

Lubicon Lake land claim "should have been settled by the Province a long time ago. There are so many thousands of acres of crown land available," said Piquette.

"The provincial offer of 25 square miles is not sufficient," added Piquette.

Piquette suggested that an independent compensation board be set up to compensate the value lost to northern Native communities and Native trappers where the oil and gas industry is presently active.

"It should be fairly simple for the oil companies to settle the value lost to trappers," said Piquette.

"The rights of trappers have to be respected" said Piquette as he questioned the slashing and burning of woodlands by oil companies, and the cutting of survey lines on crown lands in the northern parts of the province.

The provincial government is not moving on the issue of regionalization funding for Metis communities, according to Piquette.

There is nothing in the government budget estimates and there has been no announcement by the government on regionalization research funds for the development of self-government at the regional level."

Piquette believes it is important for both the government and the official opposition to be well informed on Native issues and concerns.

"I welcome any contact from Native people on their concerns," said Piquette.