And now:Ish <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
Date: Thu, 8 Apr 1999 18:31:00 -0700 (PDT)
From: John Shafer <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
X-Sender: wy430@vtn1
MANITOBA'S FILMON APOLOGIZES FOR VOTE-RIGGING
CBC News WebPosted Thu Apr 8 20:58:48 1999
WINNIPEG - Manitoba Premier Gary Filmon has apologized to aboriginals
in Manitoba for interference by some of his party members in the last
election.
Some Tories secretly funded aboriginal independent candidates during
the 1995 provincial election, in order to split the aboriginal vote.
At a meeting with chiefs and native leaders and the federal minister
of Indian Affairs Thursday, Filmon said he wished to extend the
apology he offered in the legislature, to native people.
Protesters who stormed the legislature on Tuesday had demanded an
apology from the premier. Eleven people were arrested during the
demonstration. About 500 people, mostly natives, crashed through
barricades at the legislature, prompting riot police to douse them
with pepper-spray.
In his apology, Filmon repeated once again that he had no knowledge
and no involvement in the vote-rigging scheme. He added such tactics
were completely contrary to his principles and values and those of his
party.
The Manitoba premier says his government will work on improving the
living conditions and opportunities for all Manitobans, including
First Nations.
Phil Fontaine, the Manitoba-born leader of the national Assembly of
First Nations, says he accepts the apology and is glad Filmon has
finally said sorry to natives in particular.
Now what Fontaine and other native leaders are expecting is a
commitment Filmon also made Thursday, for help in dealing with first
nations housing, unemployment and health problems.
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Tsonkwadiyonrat (We are ONE Spirit)
Unenh onhwa' Awayaton
http://www.tdi.net/ishgooda/
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