"Hurdles Cleared to Native Government"

VANCOUVER - Some major hurdles were cleared Monday toward a constitutional deal on native self-government.

The powers that native governments would exercise still have to be worked out but constitutional negotiators agreed that native communities will join the federal government and the provinces as a third level of government.

As well, the contentious issue of the Charter of Rights has been settled, Wildman said.

Native governments would have the same power as Parliament and provincial legislatures to override the charter.

As well, a clause would be added to the Constitution that guarantees that the charter would not take away native rights or violate their traditions.

Native groups have made the charter issue a key demand, worrying that traditional forms of government might be negated by charter rulings.

The right to inherent self-government in the Constitution would be set out in such a way that it would make it clear that natives were not gaining any powers that might imply sovereignty.

Mercredi's proposal says natives would have the power to pass laws to safeguard and develop native "languages, economies, identities, institutions and traditions."

Mercredi said earlier that natives would not compromise on any attempt to limit native powers.

"They've taken our land, they've taken our language, they've taken our pride. What is there left for them to take from us, our political will? Well, they can't have it."