Consultations on dismantling DIAND begin

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At a two-day public meeting held at the Freight House Community Centre in Winnipeg, the Winnipeg Council of First Nations began the process of consulting people at the community level regarding the dismantling of Indian Affairs Canada.

"The process we are about to embark upon is about reclaiming our past," Manitoba Assembly of Chiefs Grand Chief Phil Fontaine told the audience of approximately 40 people during the Aug. 23-24 meeting. "It's more than replacing one bureaucracy with another. It's about jurisdictional control over our children, our land, our natural resources.

"This process must express the will of the people - you will guide and direct the chiefs of this province in the decisions that have been taken.

"Are we ready for it? What will happen? Who will look after us?" Fontaine continued.

"The answer is very simple. We will. We have a tremendous opportunity to bring about fundamental change that will affect every First Nations member whether he or she is living in an urban or rural environment."

On Tuesday, after a pipe ceremony and prayer, Fontaine made opening remarks and fielded questions from the audience. That afternoon and Wednesday morning, people joined thematic discussion groups designed to get people to talk about any recommendations and fears they had about the dismantling of Indian Affairs.

An elderly man wanted to know who was going to finance self-government and what would happen if the federal government decided to start taxing First Nations people.

While many of the fears are valid and, no doubt, many more will come to the fore, some of the questions will go unanswered until the year-long process of negotiations has run its course.

Caroline Andersen, a First Nations member from Fairford Reserve now living in Winnipeg, expressed concerns about land claims and the need for a community feeling in urban centres.

Frank Wesley, Elder and WCFN board member, said the relatively new WCFN, which represents status Natives in urban centres across Canada, already marks a major improvement for urban Natives.

"We can now work intimately with citizens who are status people in urban centres," Wesley said.

"They will now have their own chief and council (in Winnipeg) for the first time in their lives," he said.

Wesley stressed the importance of communication not only among chiefs but at the local level. He added that the purpose of the public meeting was to break ground and to get input from people at the grass roots level.

"You have to hear from everyone - Elders, women, youth - the people of the future, the community, and this is just the beginning."

Grand Chief Phil Fontaine also expressed fears for the process regarding budget cuts and taking on past liabilities. But his main fear is that the spirit and intent guiding principle in treaty interpretation will go unrecognized.

Fontaine sat among a panel of WCFN board members which also included Thelma Meade, Nelson James, Victor Pierre, Norm McQuill, Charles Scribe and Frank Wesley.