Bill C-31 Aboriginals find a political voice

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Aboriginals reinstated under Bill C-31 will have a political voice to negotiate their rights in the near future.

The Bill C-31 Association of Alberta is an ambitious project created to represent the interests of Aboriginals falling through the cracks of the three major political organizations in Alberta, says founder Russel White.

The Indian Association of Alberta represents people on reserves, the Metis

Nations serve the Metis, and the Native Council of Canada represents non-status Natives. Because of their mandates, Bill C-31 status Indians are often excluded.

"We're asking to be part of the system, but with our own people doing the work," White said.

A former politician with the Calgary Metis Association, White, whose mother married a non-Indian, was reinstated in 1985 to the Alexander Band. He's not interested in moving back to the reserve and he believes many reinstated Aboriginals feel the same.

"Why should I be forced to live on a reserve. I'm 52 years old and I've lived in an urban setting all my life," said White.

White would like to see the establishment of urban reserves and new land bases to accommodate the younger generation. To accomplish this, he proposes creating new bands, such as family, community or urban bands, regional or ancestral bands.

White's first priority is to establish a membership of Bill C-31 Aboriginals. The association needs 1,500 members to be recognized as a representative voice.

For more information on the Bill C-31 Association of Alberta, contact Russel White at (403) 476-7959. Or write to him at 12713 - 88 Street, Edmonton, AB T5E 3G9.