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~ lf87 ihe fecteral government's protection of native interests, pledged in treaty af- ter treaty, has been about as secure as a slab of Swiss cheese. And one of the biggest holes is na- tive land claims. · Six Nations is claiming a total of 4,~ acres in East Hawkesbury Town- ship, east of Ottawa, and Innisfil Town- ship, south of, Barrie. The Mississaugas of the ~ew Credit are negotiating com- pensation for 54 acres in Mississauga. The delay in settling the Six Na- tions' claim is "outrageous," said Phil ~onture, who researches and nego- tiates the band's claims. The way the government has treated New Credit is "patently unfair," said Harry La- Forme, ,the New Credit band's lawyer. "There isn't a perfect mechanism for settling claims, but surely it can be improved," Mr. Monture concluded. The first step is for the government· to follow its policy, they agree. /New Credit's claim is an example. The pol~cy states that if a band proves part of its reserve was taken without being surrendered - the official word for permitting the government to assume control of the land - the band will be compensated the un_improved value of the land. The government admitted no surren- der exists in this case, but it says it doubts the validity of the claim and will negotiate at only 50 per cent. Mr. LaForme, who has worked with bands across Canada. settling three claims and negotiating five more, has suggestions to improve the policy. , A way to settle disputes during ne- gotiation _is needed, he said. "The gov- ernm~nt 1s not only your adversary but your Judge. If they have an opinion an<! we have an opinion, they decide what's right. For them to function fairly, they need arbitration." Arbitration is not mentioned in the government's policy. Indian Affairs Minister William McKnig~t is aware of this concern, said . Specific Claims Director J. R. Goudie but "the government is not prepared to go into arbitration." The refusal to negotiate clain\s from circumstances that ed before Confederation is a m1ts- and it does in the Nc-.,~- claim - that-it erred before arid '!'P."CIP-di 1867, it is logical that it correct _ :rr-,c>r •.. , errors, not just one, he said. "If they did something unla--~ ..... .,,.,.,. they did something unlawful." Claims that Mr. LaFonne "morally improper" are not ...,. . ...,.. either. "Probably every band has he said, citing examples such as a judge deciding that part of a reserve' should not ~ave been designated a serve, land taken for the clergy~ timber qr just taken before the mmo0..;1W has voted on the issue. Worse than flaws in the policy· goyernment's attitude, Mr. Laf said. Officials negotiating claims been told: "We'll determine the v and we'll tell them, 'Take it or leave it,"' he said. "There are more claims being eel now," Mr. Goudie said, "so tbat dicates to me there is negotiation.!' Six claims were settled between 197 and 1976, the first three years of the po- licy. Nine claims were settled between 1984 and 1986 and four claims have been settled this year. The. will to settle claims does not ex- ist, Mr. LaForme insisted and that is obvious in both the gover~ment and the rest of Canadians. · Former Minister of Indian Affairs" David Crombie was "prepared to ~ and tried to understand" and was cm,. milted to fair settlements, Mr. La Forme believed. But the minister coulct not control his staff, which did not share his commitment, he said. Mr. McKnight is credited with ing and straightening the staff and being honest and direct, but he is "human" than his predecessor Ma:. Forme said. Indians can expect "notf. much positive and a Jot · ' from him, he said. The government is also a settlements in which bands l'l!l!eitlld',t~.: more than they deserved government's neg · poorly," Mr. LaF4 told him. "Tbei9re DUMlbecaw1e