MAA releases position paper

Metis self-government plan proposed

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"Metis Self-Government in Alberta - Principles and Parameters" is the title of

a new position paper released by the Metis Association of Alberta (MAA) at a press conference November 6.

(Detailed coverage of the paper will be featured in next weeks' issue of "Windspeaker" because it was released so close to the deadline for this week's issue.)

The paper is the MAA's response to Premier Don Getty's indication he is willing

to work out a mutually acceptable definition of Metis self-government before the final First Ministers Conference on Aboriginal Constitutional Matters next spring.

The MAA is seeking entrenchment of the Metis rights to self-government, including a land base and resources, in the Constitution.

"Once our rights are entrenched, then we can negotiate the details afterward,"

said MAA President Sam Sinclair. He said 10 or 20 years of negotiation may be required before Metis self-government becomes a reality.

The Metis proposal calls for the legal recognition of new Metis political institutions to be called the Alberta Metis Authority (which would absorb the MAA) and seven Metis Regional Authorities. It also provides for three Metis seats in the Legislature.

The new institutions "would serve as political representatives of the Alberta Metis in dealing with governments and would assume responsibility for providing programs and services to their constituents,"Sinclair said "The Metis membership in these governing bodies would have the power to set and amend their internal constitutions which would set out governing structures and procedures, including electoral agreements and membership criteria."