Sat Jun 23, 11:16 AM
By Steve Lambert
Canadian Press
WINNIPEG (CP) - Canada's native leaders are walking a fine line as they plan a national day of protest on June 29.
They hope to be dramatic enough to draw attention to poverty on reserves, stalled land claims and other issues, yet most insist they aren't thinking blockades or confrontation.
"We don't want to cause a major disruption in the lives of Canadians, but at the same time, we also want to make sure they understand that this is a crisis," Phil Fontaine, national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, said in an interview this past week from Ottawa.
"First Nations poverty is not just a burden on our communities. It's a burden on the country."
The AFN and the RCMP renewed a long-standing protocol this week, with June 29 in mind, aimed at ensuring that protests are peaceful and laws are obeyed. But native leaders are aware that the news media, and Canadians in general, pay more attention to their concerns when there is conflict.
Fontaine himself recently pointed out that public sympathy for aboriginal concerns was highest during the Oka crisis in 1990.
Terrance Nelson, chief of the Roseau River reserve south of Winnipeg, made national headlines last month when his reserve announced plans to block rail lines on June 29. He withdrew the threat Wednesday in response to recent federal movement on his community's land claim - the transfer of a small parcel of land northwest of Winnipeg.
Nelson made a similar blockade threat last year, and also withdrew it. He has never been afraid to court controversy to make his point that aboriginals have been denied access to the wealth generated by forestry, mining, hydro development and other resource-based activities on their traditional land.
He wants June 29 to do more than raise awareness among Canadians.
"It was never really my goal," Nelson said. "I know that Phil Fontaine wants this educational kind of stuff happening.
"For me, it's pretty clear that the only real powers that be are the Americans under the NAFTA agreement."
Nelson said the day of action can be deemed a success only if it is strong enough to catch the attention of the U.S. corporations that buy Canadian resources and convince them to put pressure on the federal government.
"Industry must be forcing the government to the table," Nelson said. "If the indigenous people actually can pull off a significant warning on June 29, it (will be) a wake-up call. And if that happens, the Americans are going to be saying, 'Look, get this thing settled.'
"The greatest danger is that June 29 fizzles totally, and if that happens, Canadians will go into a false sense of security."
Nelson seems to be in the minority, however, as many native leaders say they want to gain public support and avoid disruptions.
"By and large, I think the vast majority of the First Nations and aboriginal people are committed to building support through establishing solidarity with many other socially responsible Canadians," said Grand Chief Stewart Philip of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, who plans to take part in a peaceful march in downtown Vancouver.
In Saskatchewan, which is home to more than 13 per cent of the country's aboriginal population, First Nations leaders say there will be non-disruptive marches, including a walk to the provincial legislature that will include Premier Lorne Calvert and other politicians.
"Rather than turn off people by blockades, blocking off highways, railroads and that type of thing, we want to give people a chance to work with us, walk with us and understand our plight," said Lawrence Joseph, chief of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations.
In New Brunswick, the group that represents aboriginals who live off reserve is not planning protests.
"We don't believe that it's the way to go, said Betty Ann Lavallee, president of the New Brunswick Aboriginal People's Council. "We believe that you can get more things done by discussions with the politicians."
Lavallee said the public does not "have the stomach" for aboriginal protests right now and pointed to the standoff in Caledonia, Ont. Aboriginal people there have occupied a former housing development since February 2006. Over the months, protesters have shut down a railway, blockaded the town's main thoroughfare and clashed with area residents.
The federal government has taken steps to address native concerns. Earlier this month, Ottawa promised to develop legislation in conjunction with native leaders that would speed up land-claim negotiations.
"We are making progress and we are delivering real tangible results that are improving the lives of First Nations citizens," said Indian Affairs Minister Jim Prentice, who also pointed to last year's approval of a $2-billion deal to compensate former students of residential schools.