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VANCOUVER - Twenty-one Native communications groups gathered at a founding conference here recently to solidify the formulation of a national Aboriginal communications society.

At the four-day founding conference, Native communications administrators, news editors, radio and television producers and journalists, witnessed an historic occasion. The atmosphere was one of accomplishment and jubilation. A dream of many Native journalists and radio and television broadcasters became a reality after nine years of constant struggle.

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Muriel Stanley-Venne as been asked to resign from the board of the Native Economic Development Program (NEDP).

The phone call from NEDP chairman Ken Thomas, asking for her resignation was received by Venne only two days before her election bid as a candidate for the New Democratic Party in the Meadowlark riding in the May 8 provincial election.

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The Alberta New Democrats have declared their recognition of Indian and Metis claims to land and economic activity in the province. In a campaign position paper entitled "Aboriginal People in Alberta," the ND party has committed itself to "policies and measures which offer fair choices to Alberta's Aboriginals."

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(Research by Albert Crier)

Although only the Alberta New Democrats have developed a policy paper on Native self-government and land claims, members of two parties have joined it in condemning the Progressive Conservative handling of Alberta's Metis and Indian population.

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As the 1986 provincial election day May 8 draws closer, will Native people stand back and watch, as another Alberta government is elected or will they use their right to vote for the candidate or party of their choice?

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Provincial New Democrat leader, Ray Martin, has promised that his party can settle the Lubicon land claims within 100 days.

"I am convinced that a provincial government which approached the problem im a straightforward way and with honest goodwill could reach a settlement with the Lubicon Band within 100 days of taking office. Our party will take such an approach," said Martin after meeting April 29, with Lubicon Chief, Bernard Ominayak.

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Ahneen, hello and how are you? So how have things been in your neck of the woods or in your neighbourhood these days?

From where I am sitting, gobs of snow swivel down from a pale gray sky. Those gobs turn to drops on budding trees and greening grass, though, so not to worry. The rodeo, powwow and surfing seasons are just a clear patch of sky away.

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You have the right to vote on who will represent you in the Alberta Legislature when election day rolls around May 8.

That is an important right.

There are many "Windspeaker" readers who will remember a time when that right was denied Indians - and women, too, for that matter.

There are still millions of people in other countries who have no say whatever in choosing who will govern them, who will make the important decisions affecting their lives.

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Yet another Indian self-government conference was held in Lethbridge this week and although it was attended by big names such as Bruce Rawson, the deputy minister of Indian Affairs and Keith Penner, of Penner Report fame, many Native people continue to express confusion and concern over exactly what the government means by Indian self-government.

Currently the only example of Indian self-government in Canada is the Sechelt Band in British Columbia whose government package is scheduled to receive third reading within the next few weeks.

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LETHBRIDGE - The federal government has never recognized the nationship of Indian First Nations and is continuing to dilute the rights of Indian people, says former IAA president Harold Cardinal.

Speaking to about 400 people gathered at the Lethbridge Indian provincial government conference April 23, Cardinal said the federal government can even be compared with the racist government of South Africa.