Native leaders score high with Canadians

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The credibility of Native leaders ranks high with Canadians, according to an Angus Reid poll.

When the poll, conducted during the final week of the Oka crisis, asked Canadians who had credibility in dealing with Native issues, Native leaders scored a whopping 70 per cent compared to the federal government's 42 per cent. Prime Minister Brian Mulroney fared the worst - only 21 per cent said he had credibility on Native issues.

The poll, which surveyed 1,735 Canadians, found Canadians are willing to give Natives more than one-fifth of Canada to settle outstanding land claims.

Canadians estimated Natives are asking for 30 per cent of their province's land. When asked how much land they would give up, the average answer was 21 per cent of the province.

University of Alberta political science professor Paul Johnston says the percentage willing to trade away that amount of land "goes down tremendously if the trades were made more specific.

"It's easy to agree to something in the abstract but if you ask n Albertan if he's willing to give away a good chunk of Ponoka or St. Albert to Natives - when you phrase the question that way - you'll find the percentage drops considerably."

Natives have made land claims on about 53 per cent of Canada, estimates an Indian affairs spokesman.

A spokesman for Angus Rid in Vancouver says the "project was the most extensive the company has ever fielded." Michael McKenzie says the poll showed "Canadians have very positive feelings toward Natives."

McKenzie says Canadians are "optimistic the situation for Natives will improve in the long-term." He says he was surprised by the extent of the positive attitudes reflected by Canadians.

"I guess canadians have developed a more complex notion of aboriginal issues that I thought existed, " he says.

Johnston, a specialist in political attitudes and behaviors, says most people have not "given that much thought to the issues.

"Basically what we have is a strong and pervasive cynicism in the country focused not only on politicians but on all leaders. There's a deep alienation not just with leaders but with institutions and that's greatly reflected in the poll."

Larry Desmeules, president of the Metis Nation of Alberta, says most Canadians want an end to the long-standing disputes Natives have had with the federal government. But, says Desmeules, most Canadians in general "do not understand Native issues. They're just aware a problem exists.

"Natives are in a desperate situation because their is a lack of opportunity. You can give us an education, but with no opportunity what are we going to do with it? This shows the double standard Canadians have when dealing with aboriginals."

But Desmeules says the poll gives Native leaders more ammunition to deal with the government. "It'll be a great bargaining tool for us."

Johnston agrees, saying polls have become "great political weapons." He suspects the federal government will do a follow-up study to contradict the poll. Regena Crowchild, president of the Indian Association of Alberta, could not be reached for comment.