Layton courts First Nations, eyes 'central role' in House
NDP Leader Jack Layton is getting a boost from women in Manitoba's aboriginal community. Two aboriginal leaders told a news conference in Winnipeg yesterday that Layton is the only federal party leader who can be trusted to advance aboriginal issues in Ottawa. "Aboriginal people support Jack Layton," Marilyn Courchene, who identified herself as a member of a grassroots aboriginal women's group, told reporters at Vimy Ridge Park on Portage Avenue. Courchene said Layton and the NDP "listen to us small people, people that count." Layton handed out pieces of pizza and spoke with supporters at the park, located in Winnipeg Centre --the riding where NDP incumbent Pat Martin is seeking re-election. He then watched a brief aboriginal drumming ceremony in the mosquito-infested park before vowing to invest in housing for aboriginals, as well as provide clean drinking water and proper sewage treatment facilities to First Nations. 'KEEP CANADA'S PROMISE' Layton also promised to settle outstanding land claims and expand aboriginal justice initiatives in the courts. "The NDP is going to bring integrity back to Parliament, whether it's as government or holding the balance of power or as a strong opposition," Layton said. "I believe we can keep Canada's promise to First Nations." Caroline Bruyere, an elder from Sagkeeng First Nation, said she's supporting Layton for vowing to tackle issues like homelessness and vowing to improve the health of aboriginal people. "I support Jack Layton 100%, if not more," Bruyere said at the event. Courchene conceded she could not speak for all First Nation people. Several Manitoba aboriginal leaders are publicly backing the Liberals, including Norway House Chief Ron Evans, who's running for the Grits in Churchill. Meanwhile, Layton yesterday sharpened his focus on the key role New Democrats could play in a minority government, pushing a new campaign theme that Canadians should give the left-wing party a "central role" in a split Parliament. While Layton declined to discuss which parties the NDP could work with in a minority situation, one of his MPs was less equivocal. "I'd rather not breathe the same air as Tories, never mind support them in a government," Pat Martin said. "So I mean it would be virtually impossible for me, but I leave that to others, really. I just want to win this seat."
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