by Richard Gleeson
Northern News Services

NNSL (Jan 12/98) - The federal government's unveiling of its plans for improved relations with aboriginal people of Canada is being met with cautious optimism from aboriginal leaders.

The framework for the government's new approach was unveiled in two parts at a press conference in Ottawa Wednesday.

Minister of Indian Affairs Jane Stewart read from an overview of what changes the government is proposing and a statement of reconciliation for past mistreatment of aboriginal peoples.

"The minister's statement of reconciliation is something I've been waiting for for 40 years," said Peter Ernerk, a Nunavut implementation commissioner and former student of the Chesterfield Inlet residential school.

Felix Lockhart, grand chief of the Akaitcho Territory Tribal Council, said the way Stewart delivered the statement, in itself, gave him reason for optimism.

"We've been made a lot of promises in the past," said Lockhart. "But this was a little different. There was a special ceremony. There were opening prayers that related to our spiritual life that recognized our relation with our Mother Earth, our creator that have meaning for our people."

"I think (Stewart) is sincere," said Lockhart, who is also vice-chief of the Dene Nation. "I don't think it's a show."

Ernerk said the people of Canada have a right to know the history of the treatment Inuit and other aboriginal people had at the hands of the government.

Of particular concern to Ernerk is the forced cultural assimilation he and others underwent at government-run schools.

"I was 11 years old," he recalled of his introduction to residential school. "And the night before I left my home in Repulse Bay, some day in 1958, my father put me to sleep telling me an Inuit legend. A few days later, in a classroom in Chesterfield Inlet, I started learning about Dick and Jane and Spot."

Ernerk said he has been speaking to the Inuit Tapirisat of Canada about reuniting a group, known as Survivors Tasiuqtut (holding hands) to help heal the wounds of residential schools.

The group began that process by getting a formal apology from the Catholic Church for its role in the abuses of the Chesterfield Inlet school. The apology was delivered by Bishop Roleau in Igloolik Feb. 27, 1996.

Ernerk reserved judgment on the government's action plan for healing. "Right now, the offer of $350 million is only words. What we have to do is see how they and we can make it into action."

Metis Nation vice-president Mike Paulette agreed.

"That will show if the federal government is serious about this -- when we work out the details of the process and what influence they will have with the provincial governments," said Paulette.

Asked what the statement of reconciliation meant to the Metis Nation, Paulette replied, "There's really no apology. We have 150 years of oppression of aboriginal people in this country and to turn around and suggest things are going to be smooth from here on in, that's really not going to be the case."

Lockhart agreed the expression of regret the government made came up short. He said that any apology to aboriginal peoples must come from the prime minister and be delivered in the House of Commons.