FMC fast approaching: Erasmus optimistic about meeting

Page

Zero hour is fast closing in on the coming First Ministers' Conference (FMC) in Ottawa. As Canada's four major Native groups prepare to sit down at the tables, it remains anybody's guess as to what the outcome of those discussions will be.

The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) President, Georges Erasmus, has been providing all Native communications groups with updates, this one being the second prior to negotiations that are to transpire in Ottawa March 26-27.

When questioned about how the conference might begin, Erasmus says they expect "the prime minister to put forth a proposal . . . it's (own) version of an amendment" to the constitution. He says that Native groups, despite a boycott by some Indian bands, are united and unwilling to compromise their position.

The key to a constitutional amendment which would entrench the Aboriginal right to self-government, says Erasmus, is to receive the support of the Canadian and provincial governments.

An immediate problem that Erasmus points to is the fact that Quebec's Premier Bourrasa, has stated that he will not have Quebec represented at the FMC.

Quebec represents about 25 percent of the Canadian population and that province or the province of Ontario, along with six other provinces, will be needed to sway a vote favourable to Native aspirations. The reason that Quebec is staying out of the amendment process if because "they're not happy with the deal they have with Canada at the moment," says Erasmus.

Therefore, says Erasmus, Ontario could become a main factor. They seem to have softened their position in favor of the Aboriginal groups and seem to be taking a more progressive stand and that is "significant," he adds.

"We also heard rumors that the attorney general, Ian Scott, actually had a meeting with the premier who more or less told him to soften his tone . . . to strike a deal rather than (be) pounding away at us," says Erasmus.

As for the western provinces, they are not a real factor says Erasmus. He asserts that they don't come into play until there's something for them to strike down or otherwise." In the past, he says, the three western provinces have not been the problem.

"The federal government and Ontario have been the problem," he explains.

"It's absolutely key that the feds and Ontario come on board." If they do, the west couldn't block any decision they might make even if they wanted to, he adds.

Erasmus says that the approach being taken by the AFN is to maintain their traditional stance . . ." that our sovereignty has not been extinguished. . . . that we have the right to self-government." He expressed grave disappointment with federal minister Ray Hnatyshyn.

Hnatyshyn, says Erasmus, "is probably the smartest and most potential" justice minister they have had to deal with but, "he hasn't really tried to find agreement even in places where he could." Erasmus accuses him of possibly trying to bluff Natives into giving in to the government, "to accept provincial powers, provincial veto and acquired, delegated authority."

The AFN has no intentions of wavering from their position even if it should lead to a lack of agreement at the FMC says Erasmus. There is no room for compromise on our part he says and if the talks fail, "life will go on, we'll continue the struggle."