Fort Providence (Feb 20/04) - The head of the Fort Providence Metis Association says he's encouraged by the Feb. 2, throne speech and hopes the federal government is sincere in its commitment to addressing Metis issues.

"I think it's been about 20 years since the Metis were last mentioned in a throne speech, so that's an extremely positive sign," said Albert Lafferty.

During the first throne speech under Paul Martin's regime, Governor General Adrienne Clarkson promised, "to engage other levels of government and the Metis on the place of the Metis in its policies."

Despite the somewhat vague nature of the promise, it is a step in the right direction, said Lafferty.

"Throne speeches are typically general," he said. "But It seems like the federal government has made more of a commitment to dealing with long-standing problem areas."

Lafferty was particularly pleased with the government's admission that many aboriginals are living in "shameful" conditions.

"(It ends) centuries worth of denial. Finally, we can begin to address some of the fundamental wrongs (perpetrated) by the government," he said.

The federal government also promised to create a Centre for First Nations Government, which would help aboriginal groups with self determination issues.

The promise included extra funding for existing programs -- money Lafferty hopes isn't swallowed up by bureaucracy.

"It's imperative that funding be concentrated on programs at the ground level," said Lafferty.

In the future, Lafferty wants to see Metis, both inside and outside the NWT, included in negotiations with federal, provincial and territorial governments.

"Aboriginal groups contributed to building Canada, a fact that is often overlooked by Canadian society at large."