Economic assimilation may be inevitable

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Economic assimilation and self-government may go hand-in-hand whether First Nations' leaders like it or not.

Native communities will have to assimilate with the non-Native business world if the First Nations want to create a strong base for self-government, said Ovide Mercredi, Grand Chief of the Assembly of First Nations.

"In certain areas, we have to assimilate. There's just no way out of it. I don't see any way of becoming self-reliant unless we become part of the economic system."

If Native leaders concentrate solely on Indian rights, nothing is going to improve, he said.

"The recognition of the rights by themselves will not create self-reliance in our communities. It's important that we balance the demands in terms of rights and also addressing the practical needs of the people."

Reluctance to go into partnerships between Native and non-Native businesses is more often found among Aboriginals, who of them see it as assimilation.

Assimilation only becomes a problem when it involves the loss of Native philosophy, ideas, culture, language and spirituality, he added. If they give up their language, Natives will lose the fundamentals they need to remain a distinct people.

"(But) getting involved in an economic enterprise, you have to assimilate to the economic system. You can't avoid it."

Mercredi was speaking to a breakfast gathering of university students in Edmonton Nov. 3 during a promotional tour of his new book, In The Rapids, which he wrote in conjunction with Native rights advocate Mary Ellen Turpel as a way to reiterate the First Nations viewpoint.

The AFN will also begin to work together with the New Liberal government to progress on the implementation of the Indian treaties, the inherent right to self-government and social and economic needs in the Indian community, Mercredi said.

Proceeds from the sales of In The Rapids will also serve as a means of generating money for programs aimed at reducing solvent abuse and suicides in First Nations communities. Those funds will likely find their way to communities Like Davis Inlet

in Labrador, where solvent and alcohol abuse amongst the 550 people is rampant.

Davis Inlet Chief Katie Rich recently resigned after months of struggling with the federal and Newfoundland officials to bring much-needed relief to her impoverished community 330 kilmetres north of Goose Bay.

"I feel sorry for Katie," Mercredi said. "A lot of times, you have no power to make changes because the change has to be made by the other side, which is the federal government and provincial governments. I know that she'd tried very hard to create a better life for the people in Davis Inlet. But the resistance is always there and there's been very little progress made in the last few months. I think she's very discouraged."