Government Not Swayed by Treaty Rights Survey

Government Not Swayed by Treaty Rights Survey

Thursday, November 27, 2003 at 14:16

Saskatchewan’s Aboriginal Affairs minister says results from a poll about the public’s view of Aboriginal rights will not change the provincial government’s policy on that issue.

A report from the Centre for Research and Information on Canada says almost two-thirds of Saskatchewan people are not in favour of recognizing Aboriginal rights.

Across Canada, the percentage of people opposed to Aboriginal rights is at 42 per cent.

The report also found that Saskatchewan residents voiced the most opposition to native self-government and the settling of land claims, with 63 per cent of survey respondents expressing their disapproval.

But Maynard Sonntag says the results are not a signal to government to change public policy but, rather, to increase public education about issues like treaties.

Sonntag also says the province remains committed to negotiating self-government deals with the Meadow Lake Tribal Council and the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations.