One thing that won't change

Page 4

Has it really been five years?

Because it's been that long since the first AMMSA (Aboriginal Multi-Media Society of Alberta) newspaper was printed, this week was a good time to dust off those first issues and see what was making the headlines five years ago today.

Time marches on, but it's amazing how much versus how little can be accomplished in a five-year span. In an April 1983 issue, a report against oil companies drilling on their land. It was the beginning of years of meetings with the government, demonstrations and empty promises as they attempted to gain land they claimed was rightfully theirs. Just last wee, the governments finally offered the Lubicon's a partial settlement which the band may not even accept. Will it be another five years before the final settlement is made?

Reports on the first ministers conference in 1983 indicated entrenchment of Aboriginal rights in the constitution might be just over the horizon. But it was not to be so. Last month, Native leaders met in Ottawa to discuss starting up the process toward another first ministers conference again, this time adopting strategies they saw used in Meech Lake accord dealings.

There were also a lot of things that have really changed in the last years, some for the better and some not. Organizations have begun with a blaze and then burned out, great Native leaders have passed away and left younger ones to carry on their ideals, and government regulations, like Bill C-31, have altered the way we live.

With the change passing time brings, we all have a responsibility to adapt to it the best way we know how. At Windspeaker, we know all about change, having undergone a lot of it ourselves in the past five years. Though the headlines change weekly and the people making the news come and go, one thing that won't change is our commitment to continue bringing you the news, in the most balanced and honest way possible.