Alberta chiefs appeal for calm

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An Alberta AFN leader has appealed to the media, the Canadian public and religious denominations to lend a sympathetic ear to the grievances of Native people.

Speaking on behalf of Alberta chiefs at a news conference in Edmonton on Thursday, Lawrence Courtielle, vice-president of the Assembly of First Nations, appealed to Native people to remain calm "despite the racial tolerance against our people that is taking place."

The stand offs in Quebec have seen Native people harassed and attacked sending ripples across the nation.

"Hopefully non-Native people will assist us in bringing back the real issues - our concerns as first citizens of this country," said Courtielle.

He said because non-Native people are not aware of he history of Indian people, it gives the government a license to do whatever it wants with Indian people.

"It is not fair. We are not criminals, we're not terrorists or law breakers.

"The only law breaker in this country at this point in time is the prime minister and the government of Canada," Courtielle said.

Courtiells said Alberta chiefs are calling on the Canadian public to demand that Prime Minister Brian Mulroney resign "because this prime minister will bring disaster to this country and everyone will be insecure. It will not e a free country."

Indian Association of Alberta president Regena Crowchild said because of the grave circumstances surrounding Indian people across the country, the IAA has set up a 24-hour crisis center.

She said the crisis line (470-5751) will be made available to people of the first nations and the general public.

"If you call us, we will answer your questions and try and provide information you may require," said Crowchild, who also appealed to first nations people to remain calm.

She said the IAA and Alberta chiefs are not promoting any type of violence and would rather see a peaceful solution to the crisis now facing Indian people.

"We are after a peaceful solution and will pursue a democratic route. If that fails, then we will deal with that at that time," she said.

Asked if the Alberta chiefs support the Lone Fighters, a group of Peigan Indians who are presently diverting the Oldman River in southern Alberta away from the controversial Oldman Dam, Crowchild said they are still waiting for word from Peigan Chief Leonard Bastien.

However, Crowchild said the chiefs do support the efforts of the Blood tribe and Chief Roy Fox, who blockaded highway 2 at two junctions (Lethbridge to Stand Off and Lethbridge to Cardston) for 48 hours Aug. 30-31.

"We support the efforts of the Blood tribe. Chief Roy Fox has maintained contact with us and he indicated the blockade will end.

"And as far as we are concerned it is a peaceful blockade and is in co-operation with his people as well as with the RCMP," Crowchild said.

Blood Indian Dennis First Rider, who initiated the blockades, did it in hopes of drawing attention to a long-standing land claim.

In a written statement to the media. Alberta chiefs strongly rejected the use of the Canadian Armed Forces in the dispute involving the Mohawk Nation in Quebec. They also condemned the vigilante action by uncontrolled mobs against innocent first nations, elderly women and children.

The chiefs asked for immediate steps to be taken by religious denominations to help prevent armed hostilities from occuring at Oka and Kahnawake, Que.

They also issued a stern warning that Indian people will not stand idly by if the blood of Native people is shed anywhere in Canada.

"Nor will we guarantee any future blockades will or will not occur if situations deteriorate and tension escalate," the statement read.

Harold Cardinal, spokesman for Alberta chiefs, said Canadians have to insist they will not allow heir governments to use security forces against their own citizens.

He also said the chiefs have announced they will begin dealing with leaders in the Christian community, minority groups and civil liberty organizations.

Cardinal sid Canadians are approaching a very difficult political time and he appealed to the public to beware of racism.

"We are a very small minority and if you let racism overtake the affairs of this country and harm not only the interest and lives of Indian people, then what the hell are you going to do when racism begins to affect the relations between the French and English in this country?" asked Cardinal angrily.

The chiefs also issued an urgent call for Mulroney to reconvene Parliament.

"The only way to resolve these negative relations is for the government to come to the table to meet and resolve Native concerns through dialogue with the first nations of Canada," said the statement.