"Natives Wants Siddon to Remain"

OHSWEKEN - Six Nations Chief Coun. Bill Montour was one of about a dozen chiefs who lobbied to keep Tom Siddon as federal Indian affairs minister before a cabinet shuffle last month.

The elected chief said Mr. Siddon is just beginning to understand many native issues and he is starting to make some important changes.

"I know (Mr.) Siddon is not the be-all and ell-all in terms of ministers, but at least he's showing some movement."

Chief Coun. Montour said recent announcements about changes to the land claims policy, such as accepting pre-Confederation claims and creating a body to deal with grievances which arise from the process, address many of the concerns of the Six Nations community.

"That's the stuff we've been looking for for a long time."

Two chiefs who asked for Mr. Siddon to stay on - Chief Coun. Montour and B.C. chief Neil Sterritt - are running for the leadership of the Assembly of First Nations.

Chief Coun. Montour said the appointment of a new minister might jeopardize the work that has begun on land claims and self-government. He said native leaders spend too much time educating new ministers, who then move on to new portfolios.

Coun. Sandy Porter said he would like, for the first time, to see a native person as Indian affairs minister.

"If a native person was in there, maybe things would change," said Mr. Porter. "I don't think it would be a risk on their part, I think, if anything, it will help the relationship" between native communities and the government.