Ontario regional Chief Charles Fox led a strong advocacy campaign on Parliament Hill this week to convince MPs not to pass Bills C-6 and C-19. He and several Ontario Chiefs interrupted a special-all Ontario Chiefs meeting in Ottawa to meet MPs and press them to respect the vast majority of First Nations' opposition to these bills. The Government had been threatening to resume debate and make progress on Bill C-6, the Specific Claims Resolution Act, and/or C-19, the First Nations Fiscal and Statistical Management Act. Bill C-6 was the first to be debated from 10-11 a.m., Oct. 31. The Government realized quickly that the Canadian Alliance (CA) supported the other opposition parties in giving its unjust bill a very rough ride. The CA speaker. MP Maurice Vellacott from Saskatoon, Sask., spoke for 45 minutes thereby running out the clock on the C-6 debate for Oct. 31. He may speak much longer when debate resumes, possibly Nov. 3, and many other opposition speakers are lined up to delay the bill.

The success the First Nations have realized in getting opposition parties to put much energy and time into opposing these bills is a direct result of face to face advocacy by Chiefs in Ottawa on Parliament Hill, as well as letters faxes and emails. The challenge remains to maintain that opposition commitment and energy level. For example, a small but well government-funded minority of First Nations is lobbying to pass C-19. Their presence should motivate the majority of First Nations which oppose C-19 to mobilize to ensure our majority view overwhelms their minority position.

Besides demanding your MP support your position, insist that he/she to speak to the issue in the House . Speaking to the issue as long as possible delays the progress of the bill and helps use up House debating time.

The direct presence on the Hill, day in and day out recently, has been crucial . On Oct. 30, a busload of concerned people from Six Nations sat in the public galleries of the House of Commons to support the Chiefs' message that the First Nations are concerned and we are watching them to hold them accountable.

The most intense period of political activity required is coming up the week of Nov. 3-7 . Parliament will either recess for a period of time and resume debate on the bills later or it may prorogue on Nov. 7, which means it will clear its agenda of all bills and start over the next time the House is convened.

A strong First Nations' presence in Ottawa on the Hill is required for Monday, Nov. 3, Tuesday, Nov. 4, and Wednesday Nov. 6 . We will know later if a First Nations' presence is also needed in Ottawa on Nov. 6 and 7. It is important to be in Ottawa whether the bills are formally on the debating schedule or not because the government can and has changed the schedule frequently and on short notice.

Another key message to keep repeating to the Hon. Paul Martin , the Prime Minister-in- waiting, is that he can and should act now to prevent his inheritance of the big problems with First Nations the Chretien administration is trying to place on him as he is about to start his tenure. His MPs can, if they are so directed, act to cause delay and otherwise place the bills lower on the priority list.

Bill C-19, meanwhile, awaits its turn for debate at report stage. It is usually scheduled immediately after the C-6 debate. The opposition parties have proposed many amendments to C-19, which means the Government can expect a long and drawn out debate that will take up precious House of Commons debating time. In turn, such debate results in other Government priority bills being delayed.

Please call Kimberly Whetung, assistant to the Ontario Regional Chief, to indicate your availability to participate in the advocacy campaign in Ottawa the week of Nov. 3-7. Kim's cell phone number is 705- 875-5576. The Chiefs of Ontario will have a temporary office set up at Albert at Bay Suite Hotel in Ottawa from Nov. 3 to Nov. 7 for briefings and strategy sessions. Don't forget to lobby your local MP, both in Ottawa and in you riding.

In summary, come to Ottawa to show Parliamentarians we are serious and concerned about our children's and grand children's futures and to tell it to stop these bills. If you can't come to Ottawa, keep emailing, faxing and mailing your letters to the Government, Liberal MPs and opposition Parliamentarians. It really does make a difference.