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Every-day issues took a back seat to the debate of a Metis and non-Status Indian split at the AMNSIS annual assembly at Batoche.

The neglect of the assembly to address the gut issues of day-to-day problems drew stiff criticism from several delegates who urged the assembly to turn its attention to the people.

"Our people are tired of fighting. They are dying," said Maria Campbell.

Saskatoon's Metis local president, Nora Ritchie and Don Favel of Ile a la Cross joined Campbell and said issues such as alcoholism and unemployment need to be addressed.

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Jim Sinclair's position as president of the Association of Metis and Non-Status Indians of Saskatchewan (AMNSIS), which has come under fire repeatedly over the past years, is to be terminated.

The 20-year-leader for the society is classified as a Non-Status Indian and he must forfeit his position as AMNSIS disbands in May 1988.

What is to become of Sinclair, who has known only politics for a good part of his life?

Sinclair said recently that the future holds "very Little" for him at this point in time.

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An appeal court judgement upholding the conviction of an Indian hunter may finally lead to a Supreme Court of Canada ruling on treaty rights, says Lawrence Courtoreille of the Indian Association of Alberta and Russell White of the Aboriginal Trappers' Federation.

The Alberta Court of Appeal ruled recently that Bert Horseman's sale of a grizzly bear hide was unlawful because it was "not directly related to nourishment for himself or his family . . ."

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The 58-member Peyote Way Church of God are challenging Texas and federal law that bans the use of peyote except in the case of the Native American Church. Most of the Peyote Way Church's members are non-Indian and draw their principles from the Bible and Book of Mormon.

The Native American Church, which uses Peyote as a sacrament is helping the government oppose the use of peyote by non-Indians. The Native American Church has about 300,000 members nationwide.

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The Cross Lake Indian band, located 500 kilometres north of Winnipeg, is looking for financing to set up an internal system of justice. Chief Etienne Robinson says the provincial justice system doesn't serve the needs of band members. He said a committee has been appointed to examine ways for the band to establish a court and police force.

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The high rate of suicide among Indian and Eskimo youth is a result of the "profoundly negative effect on the Indian and Inuit people" of contact with European settlers in Canada over the past 450 years. Dr. Michael Moffat of the University of Manitoba told a conference of pediatricians. "Suicide rates for Indian and Inuit young people are extraordinarily high," said Moffat, adding "the young people tend to find themselves in a transitional phase between two cultures. They don't feel they belong in either."

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The Native Education Project is looking for Native teachers to go on the Network's Homework Hotline. The Hotline will aid Native students in their studies during the school months.

Judy Pelly, program head, says they need more Native input into the program so Native students will benefit from being able to talk to someone familiar.

Pelly says the number of teachers ACCESS will be using depends on how many apply for the positions.

"We need teachers of Native ancestry so more Native students will call in for help in their studies," says Pelly.

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New Metis members are being denied true representation and even membership itself by the Zone 4 executive charges Zone 2 vice-president August Collins who was cited in a Zone 4 law suit last week.

Collins, who with twelve other members of the association are being sued for almost $60,000 by the Zone 4 Regional Council for trying to sign up three new Locals within the zone to allegedly "increase the membership of the Plaintiff Society (Zone 4) with the intent of increasing the number of voters at the meeting held on May 23, 1987."

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Athabasca Native Development Co.

Fears that Native communities in northern Alberta would be left out in the cold by the tar sands refining industry has prompted the Athabasca Native Development Corporation (ANDC) to step in an d ensure Natives in this area are hired.

Representing 10 Native and Metis communities in the north eastern sector of the province, ANDC is close to signing a training and employment opportunities agreement with Syncrude, and the federal and provincial governments.

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The Old Sun College is in a crisis situation and cannot pay its utilities due to drastic funding cutbacks by the Department of Indian Affairs and other government agencies says the school's president.

"The cutbacks are much worse than was reported in the Calgary Herald," said Marion Cleery, president of the college based on the Blackfoot reserve, east of Calgary. "The cuts add up to about 20 percent. This is a dramatic cut. We are under a great deal of stress."