Bruce,
Thanks for that - I hope it works.
The meeting is certainly an opportunity.
Time will tell if it will be focused on needed steps to resolve the most pressing issues first, without losing track on the many others that have piled up through the many years.

In previous careers, I worked in the field of community development, and worked with underprivlidged groups and communities and with primary producing groups, often helping them move their priorities forward with government. So, I understand the frustration with what seems to be a lack of progress, that can be interpreted differently by different people.

Personally, I am encouraged by the resulting growth in the maturity of the aboriginal movement. Considering the current climate, I did not anticipate this meeting occuring so soon, but have breathed a sigh of relief that it is happening.

Let's keep our hopes up, (and heads high), thet this is a true opportunity for progress that all Canadians can be proud to be a part of, in moving many of these issues forward to resolution.

M