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In a moving speech to about 5,000 people gathered in Fort Simpson on the banks of the McKenzie River, Pope John Paul II told his Native followers they are entitled to self-government.

The Pope reconfirmed his earlier statements made in his last visit to Canada in 1984 when he fully endorsed Aboriginal rights.

"I pray with you that a new round of conferences will benefit and that, with God's guidance and help, a path to a just agreement will be found to crown all the efforts being made," said the Pope.

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EDITOR'S NOTEBOOK

The example of Fort Simpson a less to us all

It is midnight. The yellow and red flares that crisscross the starswept sky seem to reflect the quick sharp beat of the hand drum. Dancers pack together in the teadance ? their faces shining and lit by a fire. The dancers move as one to the beat of an ancient Dogrib song.

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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.

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The city of Calgary has no jurisdiction in the Lubicon Indian's land dispute and is washing its hands of the entire issue, it was decided at the Sept. 15 council meeting.

City council heard a recommendation from another city committee, the Aboriginal Urban Affairs Committee (AUAC), to hear a representation from Lubicon Chief Bernard Ominayak, his representative or University of Calgary anthropologist, Joan Ryan.

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The Metis people may be close to achieving a permanent land settlement with the Alberta government that could form the model for future Aboriginal land agreements right across the country.

Alberta Metis may be given ownership of 1.25 million acres of land and win some form of self-government by next spring, says Premier Don Getty.

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Zone 4 former vice-president and director, Ben Courtrille and Ron LaRocque were removed as members of the Metis Association of Alberta during the first board meeting after the general election Sept. 12.

According to president Larry Desmeules the unsuccessful candidates were removed from the membership list after alleged "financial" irregularities in the records of the Zone 4 office were discovered by newly elected vice-president, Dan Martell.

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The Metis Association general election is being disputed by three candidates, one of whom is newly elected president Larry Desmeules.

Unsuccessful Zone 4 director candidate, Ron LaRocque filed his protest with the Chief Electoral Officer, John Sinclair Sept. 21 and unsuccessful presidential candidate, JoAnn Daniels says she is set to file her protest also. They are joined with Desmeules, who says he is unhappy about the irregularities in the Owl River local.

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Members of three northern Indian bands, who will be voting for their community leaders within the next few weeks, will follow different rules.

The Saddle Lake First Nation has scheduled the election of nine tribal councillors for Sept. 24, while the nearby Goodfish Lake band will hold elections for four councillors Oct. 6. The Whitefish Lake band, near High Prairie, will hold a by-election for two vacant councillor positions, Sept. 30.

Page 2

The third annual International Child Conference will be hosted at the Convention Centre in Calgary on Oct. 7 ? 10 this year.

The conference objectives are "to present ways and means that will enable Aboriginal people to utilize their community and cultural resources in assisting the development of a positive future for our children."

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The Canadian Association of University Teachers ? is protesting the drastic education funding cutbacks to status Indians announced by the federal government last spring.

According to Associate executive secretary Vic Sims, a letter has been set to the appropriate ministers, including Bill McKnight of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, asking for a policy amendment.