Native support group branching out

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"We've raised the level of awareness for Native issues in Edmonton. It's important those who don't belong to the Native community show their support," says one of the founders of Friends of First Nations. "We must show the government we're not going to be indifferent to the fate of aboriginal Canadians."

Leo Campos says that through the formation of the group, formerly known as Citizens Against Genocide, the federal government has been whom there are many Edmontonians who are sensitive to aboriginal rights.

"We can do something concrete on a local level to change the status quo that's been subjecting Natives and all Canadian minorities."

Campos says that both the federal and Alberta governments have no intention of allowing Native self-government to take place.

"The two levels of government will never dismantle the current system of dependence. The final decision will always rest with the minister of Indian affairs."

Economics is at the heart of most disputes between the government and Natives, says Campos. He says the interests of major corporations take priority over Native concerns for the government.

Campos, a former Chiliean, says it is time Canadians show national solidarity and that it is no longer necessary to look internationally to find injustice.

"We don't have to go to Nicaragua or South Africa to find unfairness and poverty. Just look at Canada's record of dealing with minorities, whether they be Natives, ethnics or woman. There's injustice in our own backyard."

Friends of the First Nations is an Edmonton-based working group which initially developed out of the Mohawks standoffs in Quebec. Campos says the group underwent a name change to reflect the shifting focus of the organization.

"Since the Mohawk crisis has settled down, the group will ply more of a supportive role to all Natives. We in no way speak for the bands, we try to help them."

Campos says the group came together the evening of Aug. 20 when he and three friends were discussing how they could respond to the Mohawk standoffs in Quebec.

"We gathered about 15 other Edmontonians who were also concerned about social justice. We met that night and formed Citizens Against Genocides."

Nine days after its formation the group organized a rally on the High Level Bridge.

Sixty people participated in handing out pamphlets to motorists during the busy drive home time.

On Sept. 1 after the Canadian Army moved in on the Mohawks, Citizens Against Genocide rallied again. This time 400 people showed up in front of Canada Place, where the federal Indian affairs office is located, to show disdain for the federal government's action.

The 35-member group, which consists mostly of non-Natives concerned about aboriginal rights, is in the midst of planning a series of workshops, films, art displays and musical performance as an educational package for non-Natives.

"The struggle is not limited to Natives. It's a struggle of all Canadians who respect and demand social justice.