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NEWS
BRIEFS
By FP staff
B.C. Throne speech expresses regret
Victoria, B.C.-The Gordon Campbell Liberal government says it expresses
regret for the "mistakes" of past provincial governments
and announced a renewed commitment to negotiations with first nations
on issues ranging from the treaty process, resource sharing agreements
and economic development in its latest throne speech.
Reaction from the First Nations Summit was guardedly optimistic.
"The history of the denial of our rights and marginalization
in our lands cannot be erased by a statement of regret. But government
in true partnership with first nations can shape a renewed first
nation-Crown relationship.
"The natural resources opportunities and economic funds announced
by the government has many strings attached. We will examine these
carefully and make our decisions ion due course," read a First
Nations press release.
Saskatchewan site yields artifact bonanza
Saskatoon, Sask.-Over 4,000 artifacts, including spear points, tools
and campfire stones are being analyzed in a Saskatoon lab after
being uncovered at bridge building site near the small town of St.
Louis.
An archaeological crew conducting a routine heritage survey at the
construction site unearthed bison bones and other artifacts that
they believe come from a bison hunting site at least 8,000 years
old.
The find has first nations leaders in the area cautioning against
any exploitation of the tourist potential of the find without analyzing
the sacredness of the site.
"We have to determine the cultural and religious importance
of the site before we would agree to any plan to develop the area,
" said Chief Austin Bear of the Muskody First Nation.
M'kmaq groups fight for recognition
Two of Newfoundland's M'kmaq bands, Bay St.George on the west coast
of the island, and St. Alban's on the south say they are talking
the federal government to court to force it to recognize them under
the Indian Act.
The bands have been denied such recognition since Newfoundland entered
Confederation in 1949 when under the terms of that agreement spelled
out that the federal government didn't take responsibility for aboriginal
people in the new province.
As a result the bands say Ottawa abandoned their legal and constitutional
obligations by denying them access to direct federal funding and
services.
The only M'kmaq band in the province currently recognized by the
federal government is the Conne River Band , which recently worked
out a deal with the feds.
Museum of Civilization caught in tug of war with Alonquins
Ottawa Ont.-Some bones stored in the Museum of Civilization are
being claimed by members of Canada's Algonquin first nations, who
say the artifacts belong to their ancestors and should be turned
over to them for proper burial.
Members of the Kitigan Zibi Band in western Quebec visited the museum
last year to view the skeletal remains retrieved from their geographic
area and say the experience left them disturbed.
A band council resolution was passed after their return from the
museum that calls upon the museum to return all Algonquin remains
found on their traditional territories.
However, the identity of the artifacts is not clear cut, according
to museum officials, who say the age of the artifacts are 6,000
years old and pre-date modern Algonquin history.
A decision on the request for repatriation will be made on the basis
of first nations concerns and scientific research integrity, added
the museum official.
Report calls for direct payment of treaty money to natives.
Ottawa Ont.-A CD Howe Institute study says treaty money Ottawa currently
pays to first nations should be paid directly to individuals to
assist those who have moved off-reserve.
The report's author, Jane Richards, says this method would address
concerns over band council accountability and restore some of the
benefits and rights of off-reserve first nations people.
By First Perspective Staff
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