Photo courtesy of abo-peoples.org
The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples got some special attention from the Prime Minister yesterday, but the group is in a fight with other Aboriginal organizations for a spot at the national bargaining table.
Congress Vice President, Kim Beaudin and President, Robert Bertrand, had a sit down with the Prime Minister and Indigenous Affairs Minister, Carolyn Bennett, in what will be yearly meetings.
Much of the talk was about last year’s Supreme Court ruling called the Daniels decision.
In it, the Supreme Court ruled Metis and non-status Indians have the same rights as status Indians, and should be recognized as such under the constitution. It was a case that was championed by the Congress.
Beaudin says it is not always been easy for the congress to get its voice heard.
“It has certainly been a struggle, there is no question about it,” he said. “But with our new leadership in place, Chief Bertrand and myself, I believe that things are going to change.”
Beaudin says one thing he would like to see change is the dissention within the ranks of groups representing Indigenous people.
He says the assembly of First Nations, the Metis National Council and the group representing Inuit, do not want the congress to be part of national discussions on Indigenous matters.
“Well, what we have figured out is the premiers are on board, they believe that CAP and the Native Women’s Association of Canada should be at the table and yet we have these three amigos — these three organizations that are saying we shouldn’t be there, so it’s going to be interesting.”
The congress will be holding a conference on the Daniels decision in March. The prime minister has an open invitation to attend.