NCC(A) still alive

Despite having an "out of service" telephone, the Native Council of Canada (Alberta), NCC(A), office is still open for business.

"The reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated," jokes president Doris Ronnenberg, quoting American writer Mark Twain.

Telephone services to the office were cut off by Edmonton Telephone about four weeks ago over an outstanding amount of $3,000 in third party long distance calls.

The calls, placed to Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories, were not authorized by the council and "we have no intention of paying," explains Ronnenberg.

Until the dispute is resolved the president says they are using an answering service. The new telephone number is 429-6003.

Ronnenberg says she may hold an annual assembly in August but adds it does not have to be held until October, when her term expires.

Ronnenberg is the first president of the organization, formed in August in 1984. The council receives funding from the Secretary of State and will receive $65,927 for this new fiscal year.

NCC(A) represent 15,000 non-status and general registry Indians in the province of Alberta.