Dene will craft response in Fort Providence
Terry Halifax & Dave Sullivan
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (May 07/01) - Northern Aboriginal leaders will decide later this month what they think of Indian Affairs minister Robert Nault's proposal to revamp the Indian Act.
Bill Erasmus and other Dene leaders will meet May 28 to June 1 in Fort Providence to "look at the implications and talk about whether we want the changes once we have all the chiefs in a room."
Erasmus noted that nine of ten NWT Dene communities are not reserves, "but policy and funding which affect us are still directly derived from the Indian Act.
"Some people want amendments and some want to do away with it outright. Depending where you are in the country, the Indian Act affects you differently," he said.
Nault's recently announced intention to update the act through consultations with natives is at the top of the agenda for an Assembly of First Nations gathering in Vancouver next week.
Nault said last month that the changes would "strip power and authorities bestowed on the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs under the archaic Indian Act."
"I want to put them where they rightfully belong-with your elected band governments for more effective and accountable governance,"he said.
He said the federal government is currently involved in 200 court cases that Nault says could be better-dealt with at the negotiating table and amendments in the legislation.
He says the new act should be written by the people who are served by it.
"First Nations governance is about what you think we need to do together to help band governments meet the needs of members and make your communities work better -- not just what the Government of Canada or Bob Nault-thinks we should do."
To gather input, DIAND will use videos, TV and print media to raise awareness of the proposal, as well as a 1-800 number at Heiltsuk First Nation in British Columbia to hear what individual band members have to say.
He's says he's also very excited about a new internet initiative offered by the department to monitor emails and a chat room where people can share ideas.
"Don't be surprised if you log on to the site one night to join in the discussion, and find the Minister of Indian Affairs on the other end," Nault said. "I promise you, I will be there, listening and sharing my views."
While the chat room is not yet operational look for the new web site at: http://www.aboriginalcanada.gc.ca/
