Page 2

Fear of the unknown may have led the community of Kanawake to reject a proposal for a casino on the Mohawk reserve in Quebec, said Grand Chief Joe Norton.

Fear that the social costs to the community may outweigh the economic benefits is what caused the people to say 'No' in a referendum held July 2, Norton said. A total of 1,353 votes were cast in the referendum. The No-vote won by 97 votes with a total of 724 ballots; 627 voted yes. Two ballots were spoiled.

Page 2

Fear of the unknown may have led the community of Kanawake to reject a proposal for a casino on the Mohawk reserve in Quebec, said Grand Chief Joe Norton.

Fear that the social costs to the community may outweigh the economic benefits is what caused the people to say 'No' in a referendum held July 2, Norton said. A total of 1,353 votes were cast in the referendum. The No-vote won by 97 votes with a total of 724 ballots; 627 voted yes. Two ballots were spoiled.

Page 2

The Indian Claims Commission's first annual report includes a list of six recommendations for the federal government to help speed up the process for the settlement of specific claims.

So far the government has not made any formal response to any of the five inquiries into disputed land claims the commission has concluded, said co-chair Jim Prentice.

"There is frustration on the part of some of the commissioners," said Prentice.

Page 2

The Indian Claims Commission's first annual report includes a list of six recommendations for the federal government to help speed up the process for the settlement of specific claims.

So far the government has not made any formal response to any of the five inquiries into disputed land claims the commission has concluded, said co-chair Jim Prentice.

"There is frustration on the part of some of the commissioners," said Prentice.

Page 1

The election of a leader was all the business some chiefs were prepared to do at the Assembly of First Nations' convention July 5-7. Their lack of interest in a session where 21 policy resolutions were set to be discussed led to an early end to the three-day assembly.

Where as many as 460 chiefs gathered earlier that day to elect a national chief, only 130 showed up for the business end of the proceedings. Without a quorum, a large enough group to official form a decision-making body, the resolutions couldn't be formally discussed.

Page 1

The election of a leader was all the business some chiefs were prepared to do at the Assembly of First Nations' convention July 5-7. Their lack of interest in a session where 21 policy resolutions were set to be discussed led to an early end to the three-day assembly.

Where as many as 460 chiefs gathered earlier that day to elect a national chief, only 130 showed up for the business end of the proceedings. Without a quorum, a large enough group to official form a decision-making body, the resolutions couldn't be formally discussed.

Page 1

It wasn't the easiest won election battle in history by any means. The 60 per cent voter support needed to name the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations seemed elusive, much to the frustration of incumbent Ovide Mercredi.

By the first ballot he had almost conquered the benchmark with 54 per cent support and by the end of the third ballot had only just surpassed it with 60.8 per cent.

Page 1

It wasn't the easiest won election battle in history by any means. The 60 per cent voter support needed to name the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations seemed elusive, much to the frustration of incumbent Ovide Mercredi.

By the first ballot he had almost conquered the benchmark with 54 per cent support and by the end of the third ballot had only just surpassed it with 60.8 per cent.

Page 17

The move to self-government initiated between the Minister of Indian Affairs and the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs has some Indian people in Manitoba upset, said Athabasca Reform MP David Chatters.

In response, four Reform MPs travelled to Manitoba on an "Indian Self-Government Fact Finding" trip where they met with the concerned individuals, he said.

The group expressed the need for a system that would allow an "opposition" voice at the Band level to prevent some chiefs and councils from excercising too much power, Chatters said.

Page 17

The move to self-government initiated between the Minister of Indian Affairs and the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs has some Indian people in Manitoba upset, said Athabasca Reform MP David Chatters.

In response, four Reform MPs travelled to Manitoba on an "Indian Self-Government Fact Finding" trip where they met with the concerned individuals, he said.

The group expressed the need for a system that would allow an "opposition" voice at the Band level to prevent some chiefs and councils from excercising too much power, Chatters said.