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Page 5, Tuesday, Octobér 27, 1992 NORTHERN INSIGHTS by Larry Sanders This is the last column in a series leading up to the October 26 referen- dum. I've already explained why I found the native self-government sec- tions of the Charlottetown Accord a strong reason to vote "yes." Later, I explained why the failure of the Accord to provide clear political repre- sentation to northern Ontario, or give constitutional status to municipalities, were possible reasons to vote "no." I've received quite a bit of response to this series, including one long letter from Bill Morrison in Fort Frances urg- ing me to say "no" because he didn't agree with the concept of recognizing the inherent right of First Nations to self-government. As I explained to Mr. Morrison in my reply to him, I do not accept his eurocentric vision of Canada where the English conquerors make the rules of government for everyone else. I've also received telephone calls and met with people who want to vote "no" as a way of getting back at Brian Mulroney for the GST, Free Trade and this dep/recession that just won't end. These people will get their chance soon, since we have to have a federal election in less than one year. The vote October 26 is not about Brian Mulroney or any other political leader. It's about our willing- ness as Canadians to redefine our gov- ering system--whoever's elected to run it. Others have argued for "'no" because they like Pierre Trudeau's vision of a strong central government that doesn't "cave in" to the provinces and regions. Trudeau and his supporters seem to for- get that centralized governments like the Soviet Union are disappearing, in part because humanity is seeking gov- emment systems more responsive to regional concems while simultaneously reaching out to strengthen global sys- tems of trade and peacekeeping. I've decided to vote "yes" because I accept the fact that the Accord is an imperfect compromise. Aboriginal leaders, competing provincial interests, the territories, and the corporate agenda of the federal Conservative government remarkably came to a consensus. If they had failed to reach this deal, Cana- dians outside Quebec would now be voting on just Brian Mulroney's ver- sion of a Canadian constitution, While Quebec voted on sovereignty. However imperfect this Accord might be, I'm glad we're voting under the present cir- cumstances instead of just on Brian Mulroney's visions of Canada. I've also decided to vote "yes" to the status quo, returning us to a state of constitutional gridlock where politi- cians at the federal and provincial lev- els use the uncertain definition of who does what as an excuse for either inac- tion of buck-passing. Saying "yes" means saying "ok" to the philosophy of compromise, to me at least, is a much preferred solution to confrontation. I'm also willing to accept the practical rec- ommendations in the Accord that provinces should gain control over things like forestry and mining. Saying "yes" also means accepting the principle of the inherent right of First Nations to self government. As I told Mr. Morrison, the Accord accepts the reality that aboriginal self-govern- ment has to be defined slightly differ- ently in different parts of the country by being negotiated on a regional basis. These regional agreements will have to go through a process of public consul- tation, such as the consultations already undertaken and planned for the future by Lakehead University President Bob Rosehart, Ontario's Chief Negotiator on self-government with the Nish- nawbe-Aski Nation. Such agreements would be the foun- dation of a new relationship between our original inhabitants and those of us who came later. I prefer such agree- ments to the situation of the United States, where "equality" means domi- nance by the conqueror of the con- quered. I want to live in a country where our first inhabitants have a con- Stitutional right to govern themselves, economically and politically, as part of the Canadian state. Aboriginal self- govemments, as defined in the Accord, will create the foundation for regional and local governments of native peo- ple, somewhat like the civic govern- ments non-native people have. Aborigi- nal governments will have to eventual- ly set up systems of taxation to pay for education, municipal services, and their own regional governments, just like non-native people. If we vote "no" October 26, we're saying we want to continue the Indian Act, thus perpetuat- ing the dominance of Ottawa over band councils, and continuing to set native people apart with special tax privileges. continued on page 7 FRAME AND GRILL AERO-TECH SIDE PANELS = SPECIAL SPORT STRIPING PACKAGE NO CHARGE SPORTS APPEARANCE PACKAGE = FORGED ALUMINUM WHEELS = HIGH GLOSS METALLIC BUMPERS = COLOUR-KEYED HEADLAMP = FRONT BUMPER VALANCE AND YOUR FORD 8 MERCURY. DEALERS INTRODUCE THE FAMILY SPORTS CAR FEATURES INCLUDE: # AIR CONDITIONING = AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION = 3.0 LITRE V6 ENGINE = DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG = CLOTH CAPTAIN'S CHAIRS @ REAR WHEEL ANTI-LOCK BRAKES = AM/FM STEREO = REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER/DEFROSTER *MSRP with cashback applied for 1993 Aerostar XL 5-passenger with Preferred Equipment Package 631A and Sports Appearance Package 552. Cashback and financing offers may not be combined. Excludes freight, license and applicable taxes. 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