Saskatchewan hunger strike abandoned

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Kevin Daniels was there presenting the opening address on national television when the first Ministers' Conferences (FMC) on Aboriginal rights began four years ago. With the last FMC looming on the horizon, the 25-year-old activist is so worried Saskatchewan Metis and non-Status Indians will get nothing from the process he says his recently abandoned hunger strike will probably be resumed on Parliament hill.

Daniels gained province-wide notoriety when he appeared on the front steps of the provincial Legislature February 11th to protest the government's lack of response to our right to land and self-government, and having it entrenched in the Canadian Constitution." He announced he would remain at the Legislature and not eat until he died, or got some kind of guarantee from the Devine government.

But after six nights of camping beneath a pile of blankets, Daniels had a meeting with provincial Native Affairs Minister Grant Schmidt (PC-Melville) after the NDP allowed Danils the use of their caucus room. He decided to quit his hunger strike later that day, saying he needed his support committee and meet with people in the community.

Daniels kept up a mainly solitary vigil during that week, which was unusually warm for mid-February. He did get some support, with individuals coming out to stay with him for a few hours. "New Breed" Editor Jean-Paul Claude emerged as his staunchest supporter and was chairman of Daniels' support committee. Daniels was not surprised that representatives of the mainstream Native organizations did little to help.

"Our people have accepted the government programs that have been handed out and basically those government programs only support a few of those people who are elected to look after these programs. The only way you can get a job with those programs is if you're close buddies with these people," he said in a February 27 interview.

Daniels says the provincial government is only willing to discuss self-government but has remained steadfastly silent on the issue of land for Metis and non-status Indians. A spokesman in Schmidt's office told "Windspeaker" there was no hard and fast position going into the March 26 FMC. Schmidt was unavailable for comment. Premier Grant Devine's Cabinet was holding closed door meetings in preparations for the provincial budget speech to be presented when the legislature's spring session opens. Whether or the province is willing to commit some of its crown land to Metis and non-Status Indians is not known.

Daniels had announced to the press he would resume his hunger strike Sunday, March 1, but later said he might pitch a tent at the old Territorial Government House where the trial of Louis Riel was held, he might go to a provincial summit meeting of the Association of Metis and non-Status Indians of Saskatchewan (AMNSIS) this month in Prince Albert, or he might take his hunger strike to Ottawa and take part in a demonstration to be held there March 11. AT last report he was in Ottawa.

But Daniels says he remains committed to the idea of land and self-government for his people. He says if he doesn't get what he wants, stronger tactics than just a solitary protestor could be used.

"The economics and the resources from that land base can then look after our people, our social problems, our economic needs, our cultural and recreational needs as well. Land is important to us and we're prepared to go all out to obtain it," he warned.