Page 4

Major departures from the political scene in Indian Country this month, important people all and, interestingly enough, none of them Aboriginal.

Page 4

Roger Obonsawin had lots to say when he was contacted for comment on his Federal Court of Canada victory in the Schilling case.

He said he believes the Assembly of First Nations has lost sight of the fact that taking government money leaves them open to intimidation and political manipulation. He talked about his opinion that the Statement of Reconciliation was meaningless without a hard and binding promise from the government that it would change its approach to Indian Affairs.

Page 28

Jane Stewart, the first woman ever appointed to serve as the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, was sworn in early on June 11. She and the rest of the new cabinet immediately met to discuss strategy that Wednesday and again the next day. That Friday, the new minister checked out her new office for the first time and began calling Aboriginal leaders across the country to introduce herself. She says she plans to take advantage of Parliament's summer recess to travel and meet many of those leaders.

Page 28

Jane Stewart, the first woman ever appointed to serve as the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, was sworn in early on June 11. She and the rest of the new cabinet immediately met to discuss strategy that Wednesday and again the next day. That Friday, the new minister checked out her new office for the first time and began calling Aboriginal leaders across the country to introduce herself. She says she plans to take advantage of Parliament's summer recess to travel and meet many of those leaders.

Page 28

Jane Stewart, the first woman ever appointed to serve as the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, was sworn in early on June 11. She and the rest of the new cabinet immediately met to discuss strategy that Wednesday and again the next day. That Friday, the new minister checked out her new office for the first time and began calling Aboriginal leaders across the country to introduce herself. She says she plans to take advantage of Parliament's summer recess to travel and meet many of those leaders.

Page 25

A lawsuit filed early in June in the Ontario Court of Justice (provincial division) could lead to drastic changes in the way funding is directed to off-reserve Aboriginal people across Canada.

The statement of claim names the federal government as the defendant, but many observers fear the court will be asked to force band councils to pay more attention to members who live off-reserve, possibly reducing funding levels for reserve residents.

Page 25

A lawsuit filed early in June in the Ontario Court of Justice (provincial division) could lead to drastic changes in the way funding is directed to off-reserve Aboriginal people across Canada.

The statement of claim names the federal government as the defendant, but many observers fear the court will be asked to force band councils to pay more attention to members who live off-reserve, possibly reducing funding levels for reserve residents.

Page 25

A lawsuit filed early in June in the Ontario Court of Justice (provincial division) could lead to drastic changes in the way funding is directed to off-reserve Aboriginal people across Canada.

The statement of claim names the federal government as the defendant, but many observers fear the court will be asked to force band councils to pay more attention to members who live off-reserve, possibly reducing funding levels for reserve residents.

Page 23

Nunavut residents have rejected a legislative assembly that would guarantee an equal number of seats for men and women.

In a May 26 plebiscite, 57 per cent of voters rejected the proposal that would guarantee an equal number of men and women in the first legislative assembly of Nunavut - the new eastern territory that will be created when the Northwest Territories divide in 1999.

Page 23

Nunavut residents have rejected a legislative assembly that would guarantee an equal number of seats for men and women.

In a May 26 plebiscite, 57 per cent of voters rejected the proposal that would guarantee an equal number of men and women in the first legislative assembly of Nunavut - the new eastern territory that will be created when the Northwest Territories divide in 1999.