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In a surprise move, moments before the close of the Metis Association assembly, Paul Sinclair pulled out of the presidential race over what he calls the disrespectful treatment accorded to president, Sam Sinclair, and his fear that candidate Jo-Ann Daniels would win the presidency.

In an interview after the final day of the two-day assembly, Sinclair said because he feared his candidacy would split the vote allowing Daniels to walk away with the presidency, he had decided to stand down and throw his support behind Larry Desmeules.

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The applause and standing ovation which followed Sam Sinclair's farewell speed as president of the Metis Association of Alberta changed quickly to angry words and an attack on Sinclair's leadership when a resolution that $25,000 in severence pay be given to Sinclair was introduced to the assembly.

During a heated and at times emotional debate, MAA treasurer Paul Sinclair advised delegates to vote against the amendment because of the MAA deficit.

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Dissenting residents of the Paddle Prairie Metis Settlement, and government officials are tight-lipped over the recent election of two illiterate Settlement Council members.

Council called in the High Level RCP detachment after a sit-in at the Settlement administration offices by about 30 people took place Friday, August 14.

Gregg Calliou, council chairman charged that the demonstration was not a sit-in, but a deliberate break-and-enter by a few dissident members. Settlement records were stolen and a complaint has been filed said Calliou.

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FISHING LAKE - Musician, laborer, soldier, handyman, hardware salesman. Joe Daigneault has been them all.

Daigneault was born in St. Lina, Alberta, in 1917, on a homestead quarter that

was purchased by his father for $10. By the time he was 14, he was working for a living. "I worked for $1 a day," he said. "It wasn't much but it was enough to live on."

EDITORIAL

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There is no need to comment further on recent remarks by Jim Horsman, Alberta minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, regarding Native self-government. that has been done quite well enough on the next page and elsewhere in this newspaper.

What should be noted is that this is only the latest in a series of change and incidents relating to the Getty (and Lougheed before that) government's relationship with Native people.

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CALGARY - "Aboriginal Rights and the Constitution" was the theme of a February 27 forum held at Mount Royal College in Calgary. The forum, designed to increase public awareness and understanding of the issues that are to be the subject of Native constitutional talks at the First Ministers' Conference (FMC) in Ottawa later this month, attracted approximately 150 people, many of whom were Natives.

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Alberta's Metis leaders will again approach the First Ministers' Conference (FMC) (March 26 to 27) with hopes of establishing Aboriginal self-government in Canada.

"We have the support of many groups and organizations across Canada, including the major Christian churches, yet according to one of our senior ministers, we are no better than a bunch of separatists," stated Sam Sinclair, president of the Metis Association of Alberta, following recent statements made by Intergovernmental Affairs minister, Jim Horsman.

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CALGARY - The Prairie Treaty Nations Alliance (PTNA) is maintaining its tough stand against any involvement by provincial governments on Treaty matters, said Harold Cardinal speaking at the Aboriginal rights conference held February 28 at Mount Royal College here.

Cardinal, who was elaborating on the PTNA stand on the Aboriginal right to self-government, was joined by other Native leaders at the Conference panel.

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Last week you read the feature, "Guide says millions at stake." This is the second part of that story.

Last weekend the Fish and Game Association held its annual convention at the Edmonton Inn, while yet another group of outdoorsmen held a rally at the Kinsmen Fieldhouse. Some surprises were in store and the issues many.

"Oil and money," says Indian Association of Alberta (IAA) Treaty 8 Vice-President Lawrence Courtoreille, "are the priorities of the government in Alberta - not fish, wildlife or lands."

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Plans that may see the First Ministers' Conference open with a new prayer by Alberta's Metis people, endorsed by Pope John Paul II, were announced at a recent news conference.

As this issue comes off the press, Metis leaders are in Rome, in conference with His Holiness.

It is no secret that the major Christian churches in Canada endorse the Metis as they struggle in their attempt to secure self-government.