Prepare for self-gov't: McKenzie

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If the government handed self-government over to the Metis people of Alberta it would do them no good anyway because they are not prepared to manage themselves, said Saskatchewan Metis vice-president Wayne McKenzie.

"We can't just ask for self-government," he said. "We have to do our homework."

McKenzie was addressing a recent workshop of Metis Zone 3 members on the topic of self-government.

"Do we have social workers, teachers or stock brokers," he questioned. "Do we have the necessary facilities? What are we going to do with the land? Are we going to have Native universities?

McKenzie told the group of 30 people that the homework has to begin with the general membership.

"We shouldn't elect our friends to the executive," said McKenzie. "We should elect our better people, the people who are qualified."

McKenzie stressed the need for higher education for Metis so that they can start to take over projects in their own communities. He also told the group that Metis need to become more business-minded and should start to work together.

McKenzie gave the example of northern Metis supplying the southern Metis with fish to sell. And the company that trucks the fish down south should be Metis-owned and run. McKenzie also said it was necessary for the Metis to better define themselves. "What constitutes a Metis?" He questioned. "No darker than him? No lighter than him?"

While McKenzie's humor helped to lighten the topic, he stressed the serious need for recognition.

"They (the governments) know who's responsible for rats and dogs," said McKenzie. "But they don't know who's responsible for Metis."

McKenzie also likened the Metis to the Palestinians. "In half the countries in the world we would be termed economic and political prisoners, and that's illegal in most countries in the world, except Canada."

McKenzie said self-government was a long way away for the Metis, but added this could be an advantage in allowing them to better prepare for it when it does finally come.