Part 1 of 2
July 2, 1991, Lubicon Indian Nation mail-out on Ovide Mercredi
election
Enclosed for your information is a copy of a newspaper article on
election of Ovide Mercredi as National Chief of the Assembly of
First Nations.
In his remarks Chief Mercredi specifically cited Lubicon Lake as a
case where all institutional redress has been exhausted and civil
disobedience is consequently justified.
re-printed without permission from THE WINDSPEAKER, June 21, 1991
MILITANTS WON'T SET AGENDA, VOWS ASSEMBLY'S NEW CHIEF
By Amy Santoro
Windspeaker Staff Writer
OTTAWA
Canada's newly-elected top Indian chief says he won't allow
militant factions to take control of the national agenda.
Ovide Mercredi, a Manitoba Cree elected grand chief of the Assembly
of First Nations June 12, said he "won't be involved in a campaign
for civil disobedience so troublemakers can control it -- I don't
trust troublemakers."
Mercredi stressed he doesn't advocate violence as a means for
Natives to fight for their rights but rather he supports civil
disobedience that's "morally justified".
Civil disobedience can't involve the threat or use of violence or
the destruction of property and it must be controlled by the chief
and council, Mercredi told WINDSPEAKER.
If disruptive behavior meets Mercredi's "program of civil
disobedience", then "I'll be there with them".
Mercredi, who gained national recognition last year during the Oka
crisis and the death of the Meech Lake accord, cited the situation
of the Lubicon Lake Indian band in Northern Alberta as a struggle
he considers morally justified.
The Lubicons have struggled for over 50 years for a land-claim
settlement.
Part 2 of 2
July 2, 1991, Lubicon Indian Nation mail-out on Ovide Mercredi
election
"When all democratic means to get attention or justice have been
exhausted and government won't listen, then people have two
choices. They can keep fighting for their rights or give up and
let government ignore them. It's my view there's too much pain in
our lives already to give up. It's better to stand up and fight
for our rights but the way we do it is important. Civil
disobedience just to get television attention to my mind is going
to be destructive."
The six-way race to succeed Georges Erasmus was tough. After
candidates Bill Wilson and Neil Sterritt threw their support behind
Mercredi he came out in front of Phil Fontaine to capture victory.
Mercredi said his leadership will focus on solutions because "I
don't have to raise anybody's awareness of the problems. Georges
(Erasmus) has done that for me. Now I have to take that next step
to find solutions to our needs."
A "fundamental priority" for Mercredi is "to find a way of creating
a better balance in our relationship with Canadian governments.
That means implementation of treaty rights, constitutional reform,
recognition of the right to self-government and the protection of
our distinct society," said Mercredi.
In order for the AFN to build more credibility, said Mercredi, it
must deal with people's issues "not for them but with them so
communities better organize around issues important to them."
Mercredi, an advocate of the abolition of the Indian Act and the
department of Indian Affairs, said he has a "simple message" for
Indian Affairs Minister Tom Siddon: "Do not interfere in Indian
unity. Mind your own business and do the best job you can do for
us."
The AFN represents Canada's 500,000 status Indians.
--- FD 1.99c
* Origin: Lubicon News Station: Edmonton, Alberta Canada (89:701/432)
--
Terri Kelly - via IMEx node 89:681/1
Terri.Kelly@f432.n701.z89.onebdos.UUCP