Canada not fulfilling constitutional promises

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Canada is not fulfilling its part of the1982 constitutional patriation bargain with the Crown where Natives are concerned, a British lord said.

Ottawa has reneged on issues such as self-government and treaty rights, said Lord Michael Morris of the British House of Lords.

"I'm very concerned that our understanding in 1982, in regards to changes in the Canada Bill is not being implemented with a will that we were assured of at the time,"he said.

Morris was in Manitoba for four days last month at the request of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, assembly spokesperson Bruce Spence said. The chiefs brought the

17-year veteran of the British House of Parliament to Manitoba to examine child welfare, social conditions, self-government, justice and land entitlements in the First Nations.

Canada's patriation was contingent upon the protection of inherent Native rights, said assembly Grand Chief Phil Fontaine. He hopes Morris will present an ...

"Eleven years have gone by," said Fontaine. "It is clear that every promise made by Canada to Great Britain has been shattered."

During negotiations in the early1980s, Morris was one of two members of Britain's House of Lords who visited Native communities in Manitoba. He later recommended to the British government that Canada honor 19th century treaties between Queen Victoria and the First Nations as a condition of constitutional patriation.

Aboriginal rights were embodied in the 1982 Constitution in Sections 25, 35 and 37. Section 25 was designed to protect Aboriginal rights from any adverse effects resulting from the Canadian Charter.

Section 35 constitutionally guaranteed Aboriginals and treaty rights of Indians.

Morris' visit to the community of Garden Hill April 30 to hear presentations by Elders, chiefs and band members about Native life in Canada was only one of a series of face-to-face meetings with First Nations people.

Peguis Chief Louis Stevenson issued a warning to Morris during meetings in Winnipeg. Stevenson said Aboriginal peoples would "rise up" unless their situations changed soon. Bull Bay Chief Oliver Poile told Morris at an earlier meeting in thunder

Bay the British government has an obligation to take some responsibility for the agreements outlined in the Constitution.

Morris expects his final report to have little impact on either the Canadian or British governments.

Any positive changes to the Third World living conditions faced by many Canadian Natives will be the result of pressure from the "jury of public opinion," he said.

Although he would not comment on his conclusions from the tour, Morris did say he was pleased with the growth in awareness of native issues in Canada.

"I've seen considerable changes since 1981, prior to the Canada Bill," Morris said. "The First Nations have become more organized since 1981. For so many people, if you don't know about the problem, it doesn't exist. There has been an immense increase in the coverage of Native issues."