By Don sandberg

A three-day conference on economic development for first nations was recently held at The Pas.

The Southeast Resource Development Council and MKO came together at the Kikiwak Inn.

The theme of the conference "Collective vision - Economic Development"

Four main themes emerged from this conference, human resource development, access to funding, business opportunities, and organization and structure.

There were several business areas that were identified as possibilities to pursue; they were tourism, transportation, natural resources, construction, education and retail.

Mathew Coon Come, the National Chief, came to the conference with a strong message, urging unity among the first nations. And Coon Come also repeated the message "you can easily break one stick". "But hold a bundle of sticks together and they are very difficult to break." He urged a united front, and mentioned the confidence he has always had in our people. He also mentioned that he had less confidence in the federal ministers " who think they know what's best for us" together we can be dangerous, he said.

AMC, Grand Chief Dennis Whitebird echoed Coon Come by saying first nations have to work collectively to take advantage of the opportunities presenting themselves.

Whitebird also said, The spirit of intent (treaties) was to never to accept the level of poverty we have in our communities; we have been denied for so long in access to our land and our resources.

The delegates attending this conference were upset that the Federal Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs, Robert Nault did not show up as was expected for the final day of the conference. Robert Nault's office explained that the minister wasn't in a position to be there that day.

National Chief Coon Come said "On one hand it is bad that he did not show up" adding " maybe it is just as well he did not" MKO Grand Chief Francis Flett said the no show was a sign of the ministers commitment to Manitoba's first nations. Whitebird said, " I am somewhat disappointed that the minister was unable to be here after the commitment he has made," other delegates had stronger feelings regarding the absence of the federal minister.

The feeling among the delegates was that Nault's absence had something to do with Coon Come attending the conference.

First nations do not have a very good history of being able to work with one another; hopefully this conference is a step in the right direction and will yield positive results.


OSCAR TO RUN AGAIN

The NDP held their nomination meeting recently in the Pas, as was expected current MLA and Minister for Aboriginal and Northern Affairs Oscar Lathlin put his name forward and went uncontested at the nomination meeting. He will represent the NDP again in the next Provincial election, which is expected to be called this June.

The local rumor mill is that Mosakahiken Cree Nation Chief Philip Buck may seek the nomination to represent the provincial Liberal Party for the Pas riding.

Buck, a long time liberal supporter may be able to give Lathlin a run for the aboriginal vote. There are currently four First Nations located within the Pas riding, OCN, Chief Buck's Mosakahiken Cree Nation, Cross Lake First Nation and Norway House Cree Nation. These four first nations are among the largest population wise in Manitoba.

Liberal support in the Pas riding has not been very high, although that may change with a high profile candidate.

Since the NDP came to power in 1999 the north has seen considerable investment, this after many years of neglect by the former governing Tories. The NDP invested 2 million dollars to upgrade the water system in the valley located near the Pas and to build a new pumping station to for flood control was built at the Pas. Road improvements are scheduled to start this spring near OCN with the expanding #10 highway to ease traffic problems that have plagued this area for many years. Recently $10 million has been year-marked to provide training at Nelson House for upcoming jobs with the Wuskitum hydro dam project. The NDP has to date invested between $30 to $40 million within the Pas riding on other projects.

Recent announcements say that the long put off Conawapa hydro dam project may now go ahead. The NDP armed with all this may prove to be hard to beat in what is already considered a NDP stronghold. Lathlins handling of the Clearwater Park situation when at the time OCN sought to have part of the park set aside for their own use under the TLE land selection agreement, created what many say were bitter feelings on both sides of the debate. Lathlin was the Minister of Conservation at this time.

So far there has been little word on who the next Tory candidate may be, will Alfred McDonald make another run to represent the Pas?

Looking forward to the possible Federal election call expected next year sometime the word is that Chief Ron Evans will represent the Liberal Party for the Churchill Riding. The Norway House Cree Nation is rumoured to have already contributed funds to the Liberal Party. People are already predicting that his chances of winning will be slim. Evans is seen as wish-washy politically, this has been repeated over and over again by political pundits. This after Evans unsuccessful attempt as a Conservative candidate in the 1999 Provincial election. Evans still has problems at home, refusing to include the three new council candidates elected in last springs Band election, on the important issues that effect the Band. Important contracts have been negotiated and signed without the three new councilors input. Contracts only show one line for the Chief to sign and three lines for council to sign yet there are six council members. The three new council members are still being restricted from receiving all the
Bands financial statements, leaving people to wonder what is being hidden.

In an up-coming issue.

"WAS A LIBERAL CONSTITUENCY RIDING OFFICE HIJACKED BY A SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP"