Unity: Bulletin of the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs -- Vol. 1 No. 3 (February - March 1971) · UBCIC Periodicals

Unity: Bulletin of the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs -- Vol. 1 No. 3 (February - March 1971)

Edit item

Title

Unity: Bulletin of the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs -- Vol. 1 No. 3 (February - March 1971)

Is Part Of

1.06-01.01 Unity: Bulletin of the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs

1.06.-01 Newsletters and bulletins sub-series

Date

February 1971

Subject

volume

issue

Language

Identifier

1.06-01.01-02.01

topic

Contributor

Type

periodical

extracted text

UNITY

BULLETIN OF THE UNION OF BRITISH COLUMBIA INDIAN CHIEFS VOLUME 1 NUMBER 3 FEBRUARY — MARCH, 1971

MEMBERS
OF THE
CHIEFS

COUNCIL

REPRESENTATIVES

LILLOOET

YOUR AREA

Victor ADOLPH
Box 70/
LILLOOET, B.C.
256-7290

Alternate

Jim SCOTCHMAN
Box 391
LILLOOET, B.C.

FT. ST. JOHN

George BEHN

Box 325

FORT NELSON, B.C.
Muskwa — 2501

Alternate

Harry DICKIE
Box 449
FORT NELSON, B.C.

NORTH COAST

John CLIFTON
Box 236

PRINCE RUPERT, B.C.

628-9918
Alternate

Prince Rupert radio
“Kwatsu”’

KWAKGEWLTH

Bill SCOW
Box 177
ALERT BAY, B.C.

Alternate
Lawrence LEWIS

Box 42
QUATHIASKI, B.C.

WILLIAMS LAKE

SOUTH ISLAND

Douglas HANCE
Anaham Band
ALEXIS CREEK, B.C.
394-4378

Alternate

George ABBY
Box 1

WILLIAMS LAKE
C/o D. Hance

NORTH WEST ISLAND

Philip LOUIE
Ahousat, B.C.

Alternate

George WATTS

Box 1057

N. PT. ALBERNI, B.C.

KOOTENAY — OKANAGAN

Jim STELKIA

Box 765

OLIVER, B.C.
495-6267 493-0647

Alternate

Kathy TENEESE
General Delivery
WINDEMERE, B.C.

BABINE

Howard WALE
Hazelton Bank
HAZELTON, B.C.
842-5356

Alternate
Alvin WEGET
R.R. No. 1
KISPIOX, B.C.

FRASER

Delbert GUERIN
4077 Stautlo Ave.
VANCOUVER 13, B.C.

Alternate

Ed KELLY Jr.
R.R. No.3
SARDIS, B.C.

TERRACE

Heber MAITLAND
Box 194
KITIMAT, B.C.
632-6077

Alternate

Bill MCKAY
Greenville P.O.
TERRACE, B.C.

Phitio PAUL

Box 174

BRENTWOOD BAY, B.C.
Home: 652-2319

Office: 592-1211-Local 230

Alternate

Doug WHITE
554 Centre St.,
NANAIMO, B.C.
753-4269

THOMPSON RIVER

Forrest WALKEM
Cook's Ferry Band
SPENCES BRIDGE, B.C.
458-2266

Alternate

Clarence JULES
R.R. No. 3
KAMLOOPS, B.C.
372-9107

LAKES DISTRICT

Ron SEYMOUR
Apt. No. 13

901 Ahbau St.
PRINCE GEORGE

BELLA BELLA

Cecil REID
Box 68
BELLA BELLA

Office:
IR R.W. Large
Memorial Hospital

Home:
Radio “Telco-Bella’
via CAMPBELL RIVER

UNITY

Editor: Donna TYNDAL
6390 Crown Street
Vancouver 13, B.C.
266-8321

MESSAGE
FROM THE
EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR

It is with a great deal of pleasure that |
write this message from the executive
director. | have personally been involv-
ed in the Indian movement for many
years.

When | returned from overseas after
the Second World War, | was saddened
to learn that Canada still treated the
Indian people in the same unjust way
she always had. This, even though the
country’s Indian people had left many
of their sons in foreign soils. This was
the reason for my first decision to
become “involved.”

since that time | have seen the organi-
zations come and go. When the North
American Indian Brotherhood, the
B.C. Homemakers and the Southern
Vancouver Island Tribal Federation
got together and formed the planning
committee which resulted in the
Union, | was a member of that com-
mittee. | had seen the Unity Pact, |
had seen the Confederation, 1 had seen
the organizations try to unite the
Indian people of B.C., and | had seen
the result. It was then, with some
doubt, but with some hope, that |
viewed the proposed Union and the
planning committee of which | was a
member. My doubts proved unfound-
ed when in Kamloops | saw the forma-
tion of an organization that went far
and away beyond the whiteman’‘s form
of government with which we had
been so familiar. | saw, as the Indian
people of this province saw, the forma-
tion of an organization that used the
government familiar to Indian people.
For the first time, the 188 chiefs in
the province were given the status they
deserve and were united in one

province-wide governing body. | saw .

this natural development of the system
of government that had existed long
before the arrival of the white man. |
saw and was involved in the develop-
ment of the Union of British Columbia
Indian Chiefs. | saw Don Moses and
the struggle he faced in trying to get
the new organization off the ground; |
saw Bill Wilson and his attempt to
place Indians in the public eye; | saw
Bill Guerin trying to make the organi-
zation strong and _ financially — self-
sufficient. | saw and profited from the
efforts of these talented Indians, and
now | find myself as the Executive
Director of the most outstanding
Indian organization in Canada. |,
therefore, say again, that it is with a
great deal of pleasure that | address
you as the new Executive Director. |
accepted the job under what may have
seemed for some unusual circum-
stances. But | accepted the job under
those circumstances because | realized
that the Union could not stand the
discontinuity of the past. We have had
three executive directors and_ this,
despite their talents, can only lend a
bad light to this Union. | have been
given a mandate unanimously approv-
ed by the Chiefs’ Council, to proceed
with the policies of the Union and |
will do this, | realize that we face
many problems because of growing
pains but at the same time, | feel that
because of the dedication and talent of
the staff | have been fortunate enough
to have around me, | am sure we can
proceed with our sole purpose — the
advancement of Indian people in
British Columbia.

The Union and the united effort that
it makes for, bring to mind another
aspect of the Indian struggle.

{t has been said, and quite rightfully
so, that the indian people as a minor-
ity group are excluded from the
political processes. We are too small a
minority scattered over too wide an
area to exercise any political strength.
We do not have any economic might,
as do certain other minorities, to
influence political decisions and_ it
would seem that we are completely
excluded from the political process.
But what Is not understood by the
majority of the Indian people is that if
we exercise the political power given
to us by the vote, then we can
participate in the political process. To
begin with, al! eligible Indians can
vote, and in certain ridings where the
vote is close we can determine the
outcome of an election. Politics is not
the Union's field but it is my opinion
that we cannot forever depend on the
“goodwill” of white legislators. We,
through the limited numbers we have,
can bring pressure to bear on non-
Indian politicians. It is my hope and
the hope of my staff to show how
Indians may participate in the political
processes of this province and this
country. With this in mind, | intend to
present, in this space, articles dealing
with Indians and their possible involve-
ment in politics. It is not our desire to
teil anyone how to vote. Our Consti-
tution forbids this. It is, however, our
desire to show you how the Indian
vote may be used for the betterment
of the Indian people. | would ask you
to look forward to articles by myself
and by my staff in this regard.

Again, | express my pleasure at addres-
sing you as Executive Director.

Sincerest regards,
—~ ROSS MODESTE.

GUEST
EDITORIAL

“UNITY DEFINED
IN INDIAN’

By Mrs. Sharon Charles

Unity will mean different things to
different people, but it should have a
specific meaning to Indian people.

“It means the difference between pre-
servation and deterioration.”

‘It means the difference between
knowledgeable independence as
Indians or being drawn into the grey
fringes of a society, ignorant of the
Indian and his culture.”

“It means the difference between
demanding with the dignity of our
heritage, our rights or meekly accept-
ing the appeasement of those who seek
to rob us of our heritage.”

“It means the difference between
security for our children and grand-
children or leaving their futures in the
hands of a grasping society that would
trade a human life as cheap payment
for a plot of land.”

These may be four rather strong state-
ments but not one of them isn't
relevant. We must admit that the white
society has the strength of power and
progress. True, their progress is
measured by white values, but when
the white society is the majority and
has the power, then those vaiues effect
everyone, and that includes every re-
serve and every Indian, no matter how
isolated your position may be. So
these values are worth taking notice
of, simply because they are part of the
things that effect and govern your life.

Their progress and values might be
divided into two categories — dollars
and cents. He is easily followed by the
destruction that clearly marks his path
and as he continues his progress it
becomes more apparent that he
measures the value of human life in
nickels and dimes and if you're an
Indian then he probab!y measures
your value in pennies.

What chance have we, who live on
reserves, who have low income, who
haven't the education, to stand up to a
society who have all the benefits we
lack? Indian people divided, offer no
obstacie at all and are in a position to
offer little resistance; United we have a
solid voice and offer the resistance of
fifty thousand people united in

common goals with the determination
of a nation of people behind them.

The time to formulate plans and to
take action is now — time waits for no
one — and progression in the hands of
other is ruthless and pays jittle heed to
human tives, especially if they are ina
minority. This is why the Union of
B.C. Indian Chiefs is the most valuable
organization the Indian people have.
Their staff is made up of Indian people
willing to work for the Indian causes,
many of them have the benefits of
education and all have job experience
behind them and would have little
problem acquiring jobs elsewhere. Yet
they stand with their people and their
dedication is unquestionable, and is
exemplified in the willingness of every
staff member to work for nothing ina
time when the Union did not have the
funds to continue operation, let atone
pay salaries. Each and every one volun-
teered their services until some means
of income could be found for the
Union, and it should be remembered
that these people have families to
support and yet were willing to give up
their only means of livelihood to work
for the Indian people. They have
earned your support and should have
it from all the bands in the province.

How can you as an individual support
them?

Whether you are a chief or a band
member, keep in touch with what the
Union is doing, make it your business
to be aware, subscribe to the “Unity”
or when they are in your area go and
listen to what they have to say. Ask
your chiefs and councillors for reports,
for they are your representatives and
should know what is going on. When
you hear their statements, ask them if
they have something better? Ask them
if they have the quatified Indian staff
or the dedication, and whether they
are Indian or otherwise be sure of their
motives. Are they really interested in
the good of the people or in building
up their own ego.

if your band has not made a contribu-
tion yet to the Union, have them make
one, for the Union does not have
unlimited funds, in fact, at the present
time they have the finances to operate
only until the end of April, if even
that long. Asking for funds from non-
Indian organizations seems a bit ridicu-
lous in light of the fact that we do not
have the financial support from all the
bands. The Union is not asking each
band for a thousand dollars, but each
band should contribute whatever they
can afford, be it big or smali.

it is too late to start reorganizing and
forming new organizations; it’s hope-
less to look for a single Indian leader
to save us all, for no man could cope
with the problems and pressures of the
times without the experience or help
of others.

“We must stand and support the
Union.”

“We must be tolerant and mature
enough to realize that mistakes may he
made, but that we wil! only learn by
experience, and if error is not
measured against good, then it is not
an adequate judge of anything.”

‘We must communicate with our
chiefs for they are our official voice in
the Union, and it is from the chiefs
that we receive our direction.”

“The chiefs work for their bands and
the Union works for all the bands, so
let's get it all together from the grass-
roots level, the Union needs the
support of every Indian in the
province, not just the chiefs and coun-
cillors, the Indian people of the pro-
vince need the Union.”

“GIVING IS A TWO WAY THING:
THEY GIVE THEIR BEST — YOU
GIVE YOUR SUPPORT.”

CHIEF CLIFF HAMILTON

The UBCIC staff wishes to
express their deep sorrow
over the sudden passing of

C. Hamilton, member from
the Chiefs’ Council.

His loss is immeasurable to
his family, to his area, to
the UBCIC and to all the
Indian people of B.C. This
loss will be felt throughout
the province for many years
to come.

Cliff was a good man. He
spent his life in efforts to
better the lives of his
people.

We send our condolences to
the Hamilton family. We
share their loss.

NATIVE COURT WORKER

It is an unfortunate fact that too many
of our people stand before the courts
of this province with very little know-
ledge or understanding of what is
happening to them. The law is a
formidable creature. The complexities
of court procedures can overwhelm
anyone. “‘Legalise’’ can be a foreign
language to anyone and can often lead
to such confusion that the Indian
person in the dock will plead guilty
rather than prolong the agony. And
this is our tragedy — the shocking
statistics telling of the numbers of
inmates of indian ancestry in jails
throughout our tand. It is an indict-
ment of indifference, neglect and
apathy. How can our society imprison
and punish persons who have not had
the chance to properly defend them-
selves due to ignorance of their own
rights and their opportunities for
defense? Why, too, must the Indian
people be deprived of so much vatu-
able manpower and tafent? How much
of our Indian talent lies hidden to
shrivel or grow distorted behind bars?

One person with a definite plan for
easing this problem is Jake Thomas,
Native Court Worker. Jake works out
of the John Howard office at 435 West
Broadway, in Vancouver. His telephone
number is 872-5651.

Jake sees the Indian in prison awaiting
trial or the lucky few who “make
ball.’’ If it is their wish, he can advise
them as to the ramifications of their
charges; their rights, and the availabil-
ity of legal counsel through the Legal
Aid system. Jake also compiles back-
grounds on the person concerned
which will aid his and the court's
pre-sentence understanding.

The major weight of Jake’s work over
the past year has been in the Vancou-
ver area. However, he had travelled to
other parts of the province in his
work, Jake is the first to admit that
this province should have at least
twelve Native Court Workers at this
time. He has handled approximately
800 cases by himself this past year.
When one considers the time which

must be involved in interviewing the
person, accompanying him to court,
and often, travelling time involved, it
is very plain for all to see that Jake
Thomas has spent an exhausting year.
Those who have seen him in court will
tell you, that “he’s almost a lawyer,”
so much has he learned of court
procedure! In fact, Jake’s future plans
are to study for a law degree. Even at
the present time he is taking night
courses at Simon Fraser University.

Jake Thomas put his original Court
Worker programme before the All-
Chief’s Conference in Kamloops in
November, 1969. This assembly failed
to support the plan. However, he went
ahead and through the auspices mainly
of the John Howard Society of B.C.,
he was able to start his one-man
campaign to aid Indian people who

find themselves facing charges in the
B.C. courts. His plan and his work
must be continued, as its worth is
unquestionable, It is the sincere hope
of the “Unity,” that the Union of B.C.
Indian Chiefs will recognize their
mistake and wholeheartedly back an
expanded Court Worker programme.
We know that Jake Thomas will not
fet his work die.

The Indian organizations of the pro-
vinces of Nova Scotia and New Bruns-
wick are working at this time to set up
Native Court Worker programmes. The
Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs has refer-
red their requests for information to
Jake Thomas, who has expressed a
willingness to assist them. Only here in
B.C., where a beautiful plan was
begun, does there appear to be a
disheartening lack of support! Why?

Position — Director of Research
Salary — Up to $14,000
Responsibilities:

— To head the B.C. Treaty and
Aboriginal Rights.

— To direct investigation and
research in the areas of Treaty
and Aboriginal rights as they
affect and pertain to B.C. In-
dians.

— To direct compilation and in-
dexing of all research material.

— To direct the analysis and
assessment of all data to enable
the Union to best determine its
position on these matters.

— To prepare submissions on
these matters to the Nationa!
Committee on Treaty and Abori-
ginal Rights for co-ordination
into national policies and pre-
sentations.

— Further duties may be assign-
ed as the Union progresses and
develops.

Qualifications:

— Successful applicant must
have a good understanding of
the legal and constitutional
status of B.C. Indians.

— Successful applicant must be
very famtliar with the problems
facing B.C. Indians.

—~ Successful applicant must
have work experience with
Indian people on the above mat-
ters.

UNION OF
B.C. INDIAN CHIEFS

— Successful applicants must
possess the administrative talent
and experience needed to carry
out the above duties.

— Successful applicant must dis-
play much initiative in carrying
out his duties but will be respon-
sible to the Executive Director
of the Union.

Education:

— University graduate preferred
due to the nature of work (re-
search, complication).

— We will be considering candi-
dates on a combined education
work experience basis and not
solely on academic background.

The Director will have his head-
quarters at the Union office in
Vancouver, but will travel exten-
sively in British Columbia as well
as outside the province.

Applications:

— Must be received in writing at
the Union office before January
31st, 1971:

Personnel Committee,
6390 Crown Street,
Vancouver 13, B.C.

— All applications will be re-
viewed and assessed by Person-
nel Committee and the
Executive Director.

— Interviews may be arranged if
necessary. All applicants will be
notified once selection is made.

DIALOGUE

Dear Miss Tyndall:

This is to acknowledge your letter of
October 29, 1970 in which you say
that the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs is
gravely concerned about the proposed
Bulkley Valley Forest Industries
Limited pulp mill at Houston, B.C. |
am too. | have had several discussions
with the management of the company
concerning its plans and | have also
contacted the Honourable Ray Wil-
liston, Minister of Lands, Forests and
Water Resources in Victoria in this
connection.

My main concern is about the low and
extremely variable fiow of the river
and the heavy burden which a large
new forest industry complex could
place on this stream. Under the Fed-
eral Fisheries Act my department is
responsible for the preservation of this
river for fisheries purposes and you
can be sure that we will do our utmost
to make sure that the salmon runs
continue to be healthy in that area.

| have been informed by Bulkley
Valley Forest Industries Limited that
they are prepared to not only meet

our Fisheries standards but also install
four times the normal hold up capa-
city in their effluent treatment
lagoons. Wells will also be sunk so that
they can use groundwater during
periods of low flow.

Nevertheless, we will have to keep a
very close eye on this development as
this is a poor place to locate a pulp
mill particularly from a fisheries point
of view.

Finally | would like to refer to your
“yelling’’ for answers. This all seers a
bit childish. Yours is the first letter
which | have received from the Union
of B.C. Indian Chiefs and | hope it
isn’t the last. But, when people yell at
me | have a tendency to deafness.

Yours sincerely,
— JACK DAVIS.

November 13, 1970

Honourable Jack Davis,

Minister of Fisheries and Forestry,
Parliament Buildings,

Ottawa, Ontario.

Dear Mr. Davis:

Thank you for your letter replying to
our inquiries regarding the proposed
pulp mill in Houston, B.C.

We are pleased to learn of your con-
cern on this matter. However, since
you are only too well aware of the
grave dangers involved in the construc-
tion of this mill, we feel that your
present stand is quite unrealistic. The
only realistic and sane move would be
to have this construction halted and
the mill put up somewhere else.

As an Indian from the West Coast who
comes from along line of fisher folk, |
can honestly say that your tendency
towards deafness has been noted
before. This tendency has seemed to
be fairly common throughout your
Department, especially when Indian
people give voice to their problems.
We hope that this impression will be
changed through continued communi-
cation between your offices and the
Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs.

Yours sincerely,

UNION OF B.C. INDIAN CHIEFS
Donna Tyndall,

Publications Director.

Dear Miss Tyndall:

With reference to your letter of
November 13, 1970 regarding the pro-
posed pulp mill in Houston, 8.C., | am
enclosing a location map of B.C. show-
ing the Sustained Yield Units
purchased by Bulkley Valley Forest

Industries to supply wood to their
Houston operation.

It is evident that the location of the
mill at Houston gives the following
advantages:

1. located on Highway 16, the main
east-west highway connecting
Prince George and Prince Rupert,
B.C

2. located on the C.N.R. railway;

3. located virtually in the middle of
the S.Y.U. area for lowest cost
hauting of wood supply; and

4, large fiat area available for waste
treatment.

The only site that may have had some
advantage over the Houston site from
a water pollution point of view would
have been Hazelton where the effluent
could have been discharged to the
Skeena River. However, for the follow-
ing reasons we suspect Hazelton was
rejected:

1. distance to transport wood furnish;

2. poorer quality water supply from
either the Bulkley or the Skeena
from a silt point of view;

3. possible higher cost of land; and

4. poor access to river from any site.

While thereis no doubt in our minds
that a Skeena River site would not be
so critical from a water pollution
control viewpoint, at the time when
the decision to locate the mills at
Houston was made, our Department
had no say in the site selection. This
decision was made by the Honourable
R. G. Williston of the Department of
Lands, Forests and Water Resources
and we have had to make the best out
of the situation. As a consequence, we
have obtained commitments from the
Company to provide a very high
degree of biological treatment, solids
removal and also a very high degree ot
inplant re-use of contaminated
streams. If these facilities are operated
conscientiously, which we must and
will ensure, we do not expect any
untoward effects upon the fisheries
resources in the Bulkley River. There
is no doubt, however, that we owuld
feel more comfortable if we had a
higher dilution factor available to us in
the event of complete protracted treat-
ment failures during low flow periods.

It is my hope that the above satisfac-
torily answers the points raised in your
letter.

Yours sincerely,
— JACK DAVIS.

THE HOUSTON PULP MILL

by JOE L’ORSA

What may well be a crucial chapter in
the lives of the people of Moricetown
and the Bulkley Valley is now being
written in North Central B.C. Bulkley
Valley Forest Industries Ltd. (BFl)
plan to build a large pulp and paper
mill on the Morice River at Houston,
just upstream from where the Morice
and Bulkley Rivers meet. Due to the
small size of the rivers involved, the
local weather conditions, and the cur-
rent lack of control of pulp mill
discharges, this putp mill may have
serious effects on the entire area.

If the fish runs of the Bulkley-Morice
River system are damaged or destroy-
ed by the pulp mill effluent, the
traditional food source of the people
of Moricetown will be reduced or
wiped out. As the Bulkley is an im-
portant tributary of the Skeena River,
those fishing in the Skeena, and also
the commercial fishermen fishing out
of Prince Rupert, will be affected as
well.

In addition, the Bulkley River is the
source of drinking water for thousands
of people living downstream from
Houston; the presence of large quanti-
ties of pulp mill effluent poses a direct
heaith hazard.

A further threat to the well-being of
Bulkley Vatley residents is the fact
that temperature inversions are com-
mon to the area. This means that smog
containing poisonous, irritating, and
stinking gases from the pulp mill will
remain trapped in the valteys, making
life miserable for all. Is this, then, the
Good Life?

In May, 1969, a number of concerned
people from the Bulkley Valley area
joined together in a group calling itself

Citizens Against Pollution. One of the
main objectives of the group was to
combat the threat from the proposed
pulp mill: either strict, foolproof air
and water pollution controls should be
enforced, or the mill should not be
built. Officials of BVFI and. their
pollution control consultants, T.. W
Beak and Associates, had given vague
and flowery assurances that the Morice
and Bulkley Rivers would not be
polluted. However, later events had
cast serious doubts on the validity of
the company’s word. In March, 1969,
at the time of the construction of the
present lumber mill at Houston, a
small sewage treatment plant known as
a “‘Aerobic Digester’ was used to treat
camp sewage. Highly publicized state-
ments by the company declared that
the effluent from the digester would
be “‘odorless, clear, and chlorinated. It
is harmless to fish and human beings.”’
Representatives of the Houston Cham-
ber of Commerce visited the site and,
after being photographed in well-
publicized pictues, one of which
showed the Chamber secretary, cup in
hand, supposedly drinking the efflu-
ent, expressed the opinion that the
effluent was indeed odorless, colour-
less, clear and chlorinated. However, in
June, 1969, after the unit had been in
use for little more than two months by
approximately 150 men, investigation
proved that the effluent was actually
stinking, scummy, dark green guck.
Upon being questioned, the mainten-
ance engineer explained that, in BVFI
terminology, ‘‘colourless’’ described
anything other than light brown, dark
brown, or black; ‘‘odourless’’ describ-
ed anything other than earthy, greasy,
or dishwater smell. Therefore, the
effluent was indeed colourless and
odorless! If this is an example of
pollution control as practised by
Bulkley Valley Forest Industries Ltd.,
what will happen to the Morice and
Bulkley Rivers when their pulp mill
commences operation?

In October, 1969, BVFI announced
that detailed planning had commenced
for the first phases of the pulp and
paper development. Citizens Against
Pollution immediately checked with
the Pollution Control Branch, and it
was determined that no application for
a Pollution Permit had been made.
Yet, the company's plans to build a
pulp mill are proceeding; construction
is slated to start this year, with com-
pletion in 1973. It appears obvious
that the company is confident of
getting their permit to pollute, no
matter what the pollution problems

may be. With one Provincial Govern-
ment department — Lands, Forests,
and Water Resources, and one man —
the Honourable Ray Williston, respon-
sible for 7. issuing the Pulp Harvesting
License, 2. setting the deadline for
construction of the pulp mill (Dec. 31,
1973), and 3. issuing the permit to
pollute, this is hardly surprising.

In. 1970 Citizens Against Pollution
initiated correspondence with BVFI,
the Pollution Contro! Branch, Ray
Wiiliston, the Federal Department of
Fisheries, and others concerning the
planned pulp mill. The position of the
company was then (and still is today)
that plans for the pulp mill and for
pollution control were in the early
stages and too incomplete to be discus-
sed. in May, 1970, Citizens Against
Pollution joined the Canadian Scienti-
fic Pollution and Environmental
Control Society and became SPEC
Smithers. During the same month, the
group asked both Mr. Williston and
BVFI to undertake an _ ecological
survey to see how the area would be
affected by the proposed pulp mill.
The survey was to be done jointly by
government, company, and SPEC per-
sonnel, with the results to be made
public. The proposal was turned down
by both company and government.
The reason given tn each case was
basically the same: that enough in-
formation was already available and an
ecological survey would not be neces-
sary. SPEC Smithers then asked for
access to this information but the
request was ignored by both Mr. Wil-
liston and Bulkley Valley Forest
Industries Ltd.

Meanwhile, it was learned from the
Federal Department of Fisheries and
Forestry that the lowest recorded fiow
of the combined Buikley and Morice
Rivers at a point approximately
twenty miles downstream from the
millsite is only 370 cubic feet per
second. BVF I (under the original name
of Bulkley Valley Pulp and Timber
Co.) has a valid application pending
for 12 cubic feet per second from the
Morice River, This means that if the
river flow again drops to a similar
level, more than one third of the river
may be used and returned as effiuent!
Will salmon be able to survive such a
concentration?

On August 13, 1970, the huge BVFI
lumber mill at Houston was officially
opened. As many high-level members
of industry and government {including
Premier Bennett and his cabinet)
attended, SPEC Smithers utilized the

occasion by distributing informative
leaflets. This was done in order to
demonstrate our concern to industry
and government, to inform the public,
and to draw attention to the situation.
Two days later an open house was held
by the company, and SPEC members
from Hazelton, Moricetown, and
Smithers again passed out hundreds of
leaflets to the visitors.

in September, BVFI commenced to
deal with the group by way of the
Public Relations Department. Since
that time, endless correspondence and
two personal meetings with the
company public relations man have
yielded no results. The company stand
remains the same: plans are not final-
ized and absolutely no information
about anything — the size of the mill,
the product, pollution control plans,
environmental data, wil! be released to
the public. Yet, construction is to start
this year. The Pollution Control
Branch itself admitted in October
1970 that insufficient data is available
concerning the Bulkley Valiey-
Houston area. Yet, Mr. Williston
remains silent and a comprehensive
ecological survey wil! not be made.
The Skeena Union Board of Health,
concerned about the problem, has
submitted to BVFI a proposal that the
effluent be sorayed on farmland rather
than discharged into the river. As yet,
the company has not commented on
the proposal.

The Federal Department of Fisheries
and Forestry says that negotiations
with industry are kept private, and
that the company has requested that
the discussions be kept confidential
until waste treatment plans have been
finalized and approved. Public obiec-
tions have been made, however, by
Fisheries Minister Jack Davis. Speaking
in Vancouver in May, 1970, Mr. Davis
stated that ‘The ability of this
modest freshwater stream to absorb
the vast amount of pulp mil! waste is
very limited indeed. A single failure in
the proposed mill complex’s treatment
facilities could destroy incubating
steelhead and salmon eggs in spawning
areas downstream. Several spills of this
character could wipe out the whole
salmon fishery on the Bulkley River
and might even threaten part of the
Skeena.”’ After a meeting with Derek
Currie, President of Bulkley Valley
Forest Industries Ltd. in early June,
1970, Mr. Davis expressed optimism
that the problems could be worked
out. However, in a letter to the Union

of British Columbia Indian Chiefs on
November 9, 1970, he was still of the
opinion that the proposed mill was in
a bad place from a Fisheries point of
view, despite the fact that he was
familiar with BVEFI‘s proposals for
effluent treatment. Could it be that no
practical system of pollution control
would be adequate at the proposed
site?

The situation is made even more
serious by the fact that Alcan has
water rights to the Nanika River, an
important tributary of the Morice. If a
proposed dam ts constructed on the
Nanika and the water diverted by
tunne! to Tahtsa Lake and Kemano,
the flow of the Morice, already low,
will be cut by 30-40%, leaving the river
with even less water to diluate the
pulp mill effluent. The effect to the
Bulkley and Morice Rivers could be
truly disastrous.

To sum up, the situation at this time is
as follows: the company stitl claims
that plans for the mitt and the treat-
ment systems are not yet finished —
that they still don’t even know what
product they will be making, and as
they don’t know themselves, they can-
not tell the public! Ray Wrhiliston
echoes those claims, as does MLA
Cyril Shelford, Minister of Agriculture,
in whose riding the mill is to be
situated. Dudley Little, MLA for
Skeena, has not answered two requests
for information and assistance. The
Federal Department of Fisheries and
Forestry can supply no information,
because the discussions are secret. The
Pollution Control Branch states that
no information is available from them
because BVFI has not yet made an
application for a Pollution Permit.
Many questions, no answers, and yet
construction is to start this year! The
only chance of fair play is for the
public to become angry enough and
put enough pressure on the politicians
responsible — Bennett, Williston, Shel-
ford, and Little. If pollution controls
available today are not good enough,
why not postpone construction? It is
in the power of Mr. Williston and Mr.
Bennett to do so. If, on the other
hand, the quality of life and a source
of food is destroyed by the mill, they,
as individuals, are directly responsible.

SPEC Smithers has prepared a brief
explaining the problem in detail. It
may be received free of charge by
writing to SPEC Smithers, Box 806,
Smithers, B.C. Do it now.

Bulkiey Valley Forest Industries Ltd.
places expensive full page advertise-
ments in many magazines, praising
their operation, their town, and the
Bulkley Valley as a place to live: ‘The
air is crystal clear. The waters clean
and sparkling.’ While this method of
pollution control by public relations is
being practised, the critical question
remains: Will the air still be crystal
clear, will the waters still be clean and
sparkling, will the people of Morice-
town stil be able to catch their
winter’s food in the Bulkley River, as
they have done for uncounted genera-
tions, after 1973? Bulkley Valley
Forest Industries Ltd. isn’t saying.

N.1.B.
LETTERHEAD CONTEST

The National Indian Brother-
hood wishes to announce a
competition for the design of a
letterhead for the organization's
stationery. Competitors must be
of native background between
the ages of 12 and 18. Awards
will be given in the form of
books by contemporary !ndian
authors and/or prize money. The
design should depict national
native unity. Remember, the
National Indian Brotherhood is
your organization.

Address entries and enquiries to:

The National Indian Brotherhood
7th Floor, 71 Bank Street,
Ottawa 4, Ontario

Ail entries will be accepted until
April 15, 1971, at which time
the best designs will be selected.

SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

“Subscribe to the ‘“Unity’’ bul-

letin today... Send your name
_.and address plus three dollars
88, 00) to:

Unity, | 7
6390 Crown St,
‘Vancouver, 43; B.C,

ie Also. send. local items of inter-
_ est from your: area, your points

HAPPENINGS

ALL-CHIEFS’ CONFERENCE
Prince George
March 23rd, 24th, 25th
& 26th, 1971

Three papers, vital to the Indian move-
ment in British Columbia, were
accepted in principte at the Chiefs’
Conference in Vancouver in Novem-
ber. The chiefs asked for additional!
time to discuss these papers with their
people on the reserves and also
another round of consultation meet-
ings with the Union staff to further
“iron out’ any problems remaining,
remove or replace parts of the papers,
and to make additions where they may
be needed.

Therefore, another All-Chiefs’ Confer-
ence will be held for the purpose of
ratifying these papers in Prince George
during the fourth week of March.

These papers are:

1. The Constitution and By-Laws of
the UBCIC:

An organization must have a consti-
tution to become a society under
the Societies Act. This is important
as it legaily sanctions the operation
and gives guidelines which can be
followed.

2. The B.C. Indian Position Paper:

if we are to speak to the Govern-
ment of Canada, we must have a
“olatform’ from which to speak.
We must show a clearly-defined
stand of our rights, Our aspirations,
our needs, immediate and future.
This is our Position Paper and this
is why it should be ratified and
presented as soon as possible. This
summer, as B.C. celebrates 100
years within the Canadian Confed-
eracy, would be a most appropriate
time for B.C. First Citizens to stand
up and demand a share in the “Just
Society” and the ‘‘Good Life.”

3. B.C, Land Claim Paper:

This land is our land. It has always
been our land. We are not a de-
feated nation. We never signed a
treaty or any concession that our
land be taken over. But it has been
taken over, When are we going to
be compensated for all the land, the
wealth and the beauty that is
British Columbia? Many great
feaders of our people have iived

their lives fighting for this cause.
And today we are still fighting. We
must unite and demand what Is
rightfully, morally and legally ours.

So, Indian chieftains of B.C., come to
Prince George prepared to decide im-
portant issues. The lives of all the
Indian people of B.C. and their child-
ren is in your hands.

FREDERICTON, New Brunswick —
March 2, 3, 4, 5 — 1971. National
Indian Brotherhood Assembly.

The National Indian Brotherhood is
the affiliation of the official Indian
organizations of each of Canada’s
provinces (excepting Newfoundland)
and the Yukon and Northwest Terri-
tories.

The aims of this* organization include:
... To assist the Provincial and Terrt-
torial Organizations and to work
towards a solution of problems facing
the Indian people ... To operate as
the national body to represent the

Provincial and Territorial Organiza-
tions In consultation with the
Provincial and Territorial Organiza-

tions; to act on matters of national
scope and importance ... To endea-
vour to secure the enforcement and
fulfillment of all Indian Treaties,
aboriginal rights and all other rights
generally ... To further the aims and
objectives of Indian peopie.

The National Indian Brotherhood is
the realization of the beautiful dream
of Unity of ail the Indian nations from
coast to coast.

One of the main items of discussion
and debate at the Fredericton meeting
was a brief prepared by James O'Reilly
as a preliminary working paper for an
eventual presentation to the Joint
Committee on the Constitution.

In a moving speech, Fred Plain, presi-
dent of the Union of Ontario Indians,
urged a strong presentation for Con-
stitutional changes as regards our
people. He said that we will only
obtain our rights and justice by consti-
tutional guarantees; for we will
continually be defeated by changing
legislation and by the nation’s judicial
system.

The delegates unanimously passed a
motion stating that each province pre-
pare briefs on desired constitutional
change and that these be submitted to
the Brotherhood offices by April 15th.
These views will then be compiled and
eventually a national paper will be
ready for presentation.

The Federation of Saskatchewan

Indians and the Union of Ontario
Indians have atready prepared and
presented briefs to the Senate commit-
tee. The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs
began preparing a paper based mainly
on the “B.C. Declaration of Indian
Rights” in January of this year. This
brief wilf soon be ready.

Another paper proposing a ‘‘Negotiat-
ing Council” by which the National
Indian Brotherhood could meet with
Government at the Cabinet level, was
again tabled for future research and
re-evaluation. Both the Alberta and
Manitoba delegations presented posi-
tions varying in ways from this paper.
The major concern lies with the actual
responsibility for policy-making and
decisions.

A proposal for a national Indian news-
paper was prepared and read by Doug
Cuthand, editor of the “Indian
People.” The proposed paper would
eventually operate from offices in
Edmonton and Toronto. Such a news-
paper would certainly become a
valuable and satisfying weapon for the
nation’s Indian people... “the pen ts
mightier than the sword...”

Premier Hatfield of New Brunswick
was the host at a banquet for the
delegates. The Indians of New Bruns-
wick honoured the premier by making
him a chief of their people, the
Micmac and the Maliseet, and bestow-
ing on him the name “Chief Rolling
Thunder.’’ The new chief replied in
kind, with words pledging future
mutual efforts and understanding
between himself, his government, and
all New Brunswick‘’s people, Indian
and non-Indian.

The spirit of hospitality displayed at
the banquet was very much the key-
note of the entire week in Fredericton.
Upon arrival, ail delegates were met at
the airport by members of the Union
of New Brunswick Indians and this
wonderful personaf touch was evi-
denced throughout the Assembly. In
fact, three B.C. delegates arriving on
NMlonday night, were surprised and
pleased to be met by five cars. Talk
about down-east hospitality!

All B.C. delegates would like to
express again, their appreciation to the
New Brunswick people — very es-
pecially Alex Dedam, Anthony
Francis, Charlie Paul, Andrew Nicho-
las, and Darryl Nicholas.

Severai of us are immensely proud of
another thing. We are proud to have
become genuine, registered card-
carrying members of the Union of
New Brunswick Indians!

HAPPENINGS CONT'D

Former Executive Director, Mr. Bill
Guerin, was honored by the Union
Staff at a surprise Farewell Dinner. It
was a small way in which the staff
could show their appreciation, and we
would like to include here an open
letter to Bill on behalf of all the staff.

February 24th, 1971.
Dear Bill:

We would like to take this opportunity
in this open jetter to tell you how
much we appreciated your work as
executive director and our association
with you as a warm sincere friend.

Your good humor and understanding
never went unnoticed nor your drive
and determination for the good of the
Indian people. We sympathized with
your frustrations and uncertainty in
working under the pressures of an
organization, that unfortunately did
not offer you and your family the
security that every family needs.

We know that those who work for you
now must share the confidence that
we had in your leadership and we wish
you success and happiness in your new
endeavours.

Sincerely yours,
— THE STAFF.

PRINCE GEORGE
COLLEGE REPORT

By Sharon Charles

It often seems to be the nature of man
to despise or degrade that or those
which he does not understand. Ignor-
ance is personified in fear; fear of
change; the fear to explore or under-
stand; fear of what may lie behind the
walls they‘ve built.

Ignorance and fear from lack of under-
standing was commonplace in the 17th
and 18th centuries, as was the idea
that the Indian was ignorant and
unruly and needed to be controlled
and disciplined by a heavy white hand.
This makes it difficult to understand
why it is still so persistent in the year
1971. Is not the age of rockets and
world wide communication at the
touch of a dial? Have we not vast
institutions for learning and training
the populations of the world? Then
should not our educators be amongst
the finest in the world?

Perhaps the answer to all of these
would be yes, unless of course you
were an Indian student attending
Prince George College. Then you
might have a hard time recognizing the

institution or the educators as being
either advanced or even aware that it is
the year 1971.

The school is owned by the Oblates
under the direction of Father O'Grady
and the largest percentage of the staff
and board of governors are over the
age of fifty, which hardly guarantees
an understanding of a new generation.
The school’s financial situation is in
questionable order. They received four
hundred thousand dollars from Indian
Affairs when they first opened, but
because they have refused to allow the
school inspectors from Indian Affairs
to inspect the school, their request for
a further grant has been denied by the
department.

The UBCIC has received a number of
complaints regarding the school, so
one of the staff was sent up to
investigate. He was met with a barrage
of complaints from the students and
other individuals. The Student Asso-
ciation President submitted a list of
complaints on behalf of the students.

They complained that the rules and
regulations were strict beyond reason
and that the principal of the school,
Sister Gonzaga, ‘is unapproachable.”’
They stated that the supervisors have
no understanding of the Indian stu-
dents and at the present time they do
not have a counsellor, for the fired the
previous counsellor, Mr. Mick Knott.
The students feel that he was dis-
missed because he was abie to
communicate with the students and
was well liked by them. The admini-
stration states that he was_ fired
because they did not agree with the
way he counselled the students, which
makes one think that he was fired
because he did not do things their
way, rather than that he was incom-
petent for two other counsellors
resigned in support of Mr. Knott and
Mr. Knott must have been able to
communicate, for the students
thought very highly of him. Mr.
Meuller, the former principal and
administrator, for whom the students
had respect, quit when Sister Gonzaga
was put in the position of supervisor.
He felt that she did not listen to the
staff and ruled the school with an
unnecessarily iron hand. Since the
beginning of September a total of
eight staff members have quit, which
strongly suggests that some inquiry
and action is necessary. The students
went on to complain that food served
to them is often three days old and
smells. This should definitely be acted
upon immediately and health inspec-

tors sent in to investigate. The union
has made such a request.

We also received a complaint from one
of the chiefs who was a member of the
board of directors, that he was resign-
ing because he felt that he was just
being used as a token Indian.

The Union feels that there is sufficient
evidence to warrant a full investigation
and we support wholeheartedly the
resolution of the Doh Day-De Claa
Ciub as reprinted below and will offer
any assistance that we can in helping
them implement it.

Read over telephone by Miss Winnie
Marcellais:

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS there is a definite lack of
activity participation of Indian parents
with the education of their children.

BE tT RESOLVED that all schools in
B.C. that have a significant number of
Indian students have a proportionate
representation of elected Indian
people on School Boards for Advisory
Committees particularly Prince George
College, and the present administra-
tion be restructured in this manner.

BE IT RESOLVED that a strong
attempt be made of hiring Indian staff
in all positions tn schools of B.C. with
a high Indian enrollment, particularly
Prince George College.

WHEREAS the Doh Day-De Claa Club
members feel the great need to revise
their Indian culture.

BE IT RESOLVED that all B.C.
schools with a significant number of
Indian students hire Indian teachers to
teach courses in Indian culture.

WHEREAS there is a definite disposi-
tion among some Indian students and
some of the staff with the administra-
tion of Prince George College.

BE IT RESOLVED that a thorough
investigation be conducted in the
administration of Prince George
College. The investigation to include
the financial administration, the staff,
the counselling of Indian students and
all other relevant matters.

The investigation to be conducted by a
committee of three. One person ap-
pointed to the Administration of
Prince George College, the second
person to be elected or appointed for
the representation sampling of Indian
students of Indian parents, and the
third person is one merely agreed by
the other two. Such an investigation to
be completed by March 31, 1971.

-—~INBRITISH
% GOLUMBIA

Mr. Laurie Wallace,

General Chairman,

B.C. Centennial *71 Committee,
Victoria, B.C.

Dear Mr. Wallace:

Your publication entitted, ‘lt Happen-
ed in B.C.” — a pictorial review 1871
to 1971, has come to our attention.

As native Indian people of the pro-
vince we were surprised to learn that
we are not part of the history of our
province. Apparently, history in B.C.
started when Simon Fraser ‘‘discover-
ed”’ this province.

For many years, Indians have worked
and hoped for changes in the history
books. Especial concern is felt about
the school texts from which Indian
children have to tearn their lessons.
Indian people wonder why their con-
tribution to history has always been
ignored. How would = Alexander
MacKenzie or Simon Fraser have fared
without the ready hospitality, the
kindness and the guidance of the
Indian people? From these men’s own
diaries, it is cleay that without the aid
of our ancestors, their journeys would
have probably come to abrupt endings
long before any ocean was reached.
Why is this valuable contribution
ignored in history’s pages? Why is the
official celebration of B.C.’s entry into
Confederation ignoring the First
Citizens again in their commemorative
book ?

if we are to be ignored in this obvious
and insulting way, why then do Cen-
tennial Committees across the
province call upon Indian people to
add “colour” to their celebrations? We
have seen the white society try its very
hardest to stamp out the last remain-
ing vestiges of our culture and our
pride in ourselves as Indian people.
That we have managed to survive, and
keep our culture alive also, is some-
thing for which we should be most
highly commended. Yet we are still
ignored except when we can help the
white society in their various money-
making schemes — including the one
called Centennial Celebration 1971.

How is your committee prepared, Mr.

Wallace, to make amends for years for
neglect, indifference, and apathy?
How are you going to make Centenniat
‘71 meaningful to our people? How
indeed, are you going to give us some-
thing to come out and sing and dance
about?

Yours sincerely,
UNION OF B.C. INDIAN CHIEFS,

— Donna Tyndall,
Publications Director.

“Listen” Brothers and Sisters

And you will hear day break

Because it ts usually darkest
before the dawn

Take care to heed this dark hour

For our dawn is soon coming

The dark hour has passed.

— Ronald M. Coombes

OUR PEOPLE
iN MATSQUI

The Indian population within the walls
of Canada’s prisons is of a shockingly
high percentage. Economic, social,
educational and cultural deprivation
wifi continue to put more and more of
our people there. These problems are
so great that these situations will be a
long, long time in the correction.
Every person who is subjected to the
inhuman humiliation of being locked
up in a cage (and, | will never believe
that this does anyone any good, but
rather further harm) loses — their
identity and almost all their dignity.
When this happens to an Indian
person, it is only further proof that he
is indeed a person with no value —
nowhere to go.

This ts why it ts so heartening to see
Indian inmates joining together to
form clubs within the confines of
penal institutes. When a group of
indians come together anywhere there
is a strong feeling of brotherhood.
They can recognize their worth and
their very definite identity. With this
feeling, shattered pride beings to
mend. We are all Indians and together
we can do much to help one another.

The following story was written by the
president of the Indian club in Matsqui
Institute. It is a brief presentation of
an idea born out of despair and out of
hope. Please read of their hope and ask
yourself what you can do to help these
men.

— EDITOR.

UNITED NATIVE CLUB'S
PROPOSED HALFWAY FARM

The basic idea of starting a halfway
farm or commune for Native Indian
inmates released on parole or expira-
tion of sentence, was originated in
1969, but not until! September, 1970,
did-the actual planning begin,

Since this area is the centre of approxi-
mately six surrounding penal institu-
tions, both federal and provincial, it
was felt, by all club members, that the
location would be a perfect setting for
the proposed halfway farm. The main
purpose which necessitates the estab-
lishment of a halfway farm is the basic
problem an ex-inmate is confronted
with in re-adjusting to society, if he
has been incarcerated for any length of
time.

OUR PEOPLE IN MATSQUI — Cont.

The program that will eventually come
into being as part of the halfway
farm’s policy will deal in ali areas for
the reformation of our native Indian
inmates after release from penal in-
stitutions. We hope to instill better
communication between society and
the residents of the farm by creating a
mutual understanding of problems
incurred by maladjustment. The
program will also cover guidance and
leadership training, community — tn-
volvement, employment, education
and/or vocational training. And most
important, the primary step to estab-
lish our identity as native Indians is in
learning the importance of our cultural
heritage. We will accomplish this by
assisting each other on an individual
basis and by working as a group to
promote our cultural heritage in native
Indian arts and crafts and by involving
ourselves with other native Indian
organizations and with the general
native Indian population in the area.

We have remained apathetic too long
already and we want to prove to the
pessimists that we are quite capable of
helping ourselves as individuals and as
a group. We have been a forgotten
phase of our people since the Canadian
Penal system came into being, forgot-
ten by our own people and native
Indian organizations. We have become
aware of what is happening and we
will not jet you forget any longer. All
that we do ask is your support in
establishing our goal. Our goal — a
halfway farm or commune — will be
registered as the Circle Society (Cana-
dian indian Reformation Cultural,
Leadership and Educational Society).
— RONALD M. COOMBES,

President,

for all members,

United Native Club,

Matsqui Institution.

FRED CLARK
RETURNS TO SASKATCHEWAN

“Agent Man... think ‘um walkum’
five sunrise to Saskatchewan?”

THERE ARE NO RULES
AT AIMS HOUSE

By RENE THOMPSON

Dorothy Bell was born and raised on
an Indian reserve at Kingcome Infet,
200 miles up coast from Vancouver.

When she reached Grade 8 she was
sent to a residential high school in
Victoria.

But for a girl who had spent her life 50
miles from the nearest town, adjust-
ment to city life was hard.

Two years later she went home for
Christmas and never returned to
school.

Dorothy got married. She was separ-
ated four years ago and since then has
travelled a rough road on her second
attempt to live in a big city, this time
Vancouver.

“t couldn’t get work and without a
husband or any means of support, it’s
hard to live on welfare,’’ she said.

“That’s when the problems started.’

So Dorothy started drinking to escape
from her problems. She ended up on
Skid Road, unable to hold down a
full-time job, and separated from her
daughter, Lorelei.

She spent some time at X-Kalay where
she met Bob MacDonald, an ex-convict
and an Indian.

On Christmas Eve Dorothy called Bob
asking for help and now she is living at
AIMS house with no daughter but
among Indians with problems similar
to her own and, for the first time in
years, with hope for the future.

The house, at 3457 East Twenty-
seventh, opened three months ago. It
is being run by MacDonald, executive
director of the Allied Indian Metis
Society, and is aimed primarily at
helping Indians released from B.C.
prisons.

Most of the 10 adult occupants have
tried X-Kalay. Many have tried other
rehabilitation homes or centres but
rejected them because they were too
“institutionalized.”’

There are no rules at AIMS house and
the residents are encouraged to set
their own standards and make their
own decisions.

“Everybody knows they should not
stagger in here half-drunk or on dope,”’
said MacDonald.

“This is a commitment they make to
themselves. If they do drink or use
dope, we tell them that if they want a
flop-house to go out and find one, or
else we find them a babysitter to keep
an eye on them for a week.

“We try and teach them responsibility.
t believe rules are why people are so
mixed up. They have had too many
rutes.

“Everywhere people like us (fndians)
have been, people have said they will
help us, but that is not depending on
yourself.

“We have to decide things for our-
selves.”

MacDonald knows what it is like to be
in prison, to be a drunk, a loser.

“| have drunk everything | could put
in my mouth,” he said. “Il am a
three-time penitentiary loser.

“| was a boss-con. | knew how to steal
and survive but when | decided to go
straight | didn’t know how to live in
society.”

MacDonald spent 19 months with
X-Kalay where he says he
“straightened out a bit.”

He walked out of there with $1.25 in
his pocket and the words — ‘You area
failure. We can’t help you any more”
ringing in his ears.

But he didn’t believe the wards. With
the financial help of a friend and the
support of AIMS, he rented the house
and furnished it with donations from
businesses and the local church.

Since then tndians in distress have
called him or just turned up and
moved in. He has aiso received about
30 letters from prison inmates wanting
to join him on their release.

On moving in, residents are put on
welfare and this pays the rent.

Any other income is put into a joint
bank account and if the owner wants
it, MacDonald writes out a cheque.

“It gives people the idea of putting
money into a bank,’ he explained.
“But if a guy spends $20 on drink and
comes back for more, | tell him he has
shown me he doesn’t know how to
handie money and don’t give nim any
more.”

The Indians hold public speaking even-
ings and therapy sessions. They are
planning to enrol in a janitoring course
to give them a means of earning
money.

“One of the responsibilities of life is
learning how to make money,” said
MacDonald.

“The Indian has got to learn how to be
a provider. This is something which
has been taken away from Rim.

“Indians want all the good things the
white man has but they don't know
how to get them.”

MacDonald is hoping to bridge the gap
between Indian and white people by
getting Indians to use facilities at
community centres.

“Then the white kids would find out
the indian quy is not so different from
them,” he said.

The emphasis at AIMS house is very
much on “doing one’s own thing’ —
sorting things out in each person’s own
way and not according to the stand-
ards of MacDonald or anyone else.

\f on parole, an Indian is supposed to
remain at the house for 30 days but
whether he does is up to him.

“If they want to leave, they can. | am
not a parole officer,” said MacDonald.

“| won't tell anyone to stay here if he
doesn’t like it. Like X-Kalay, it will
work for some but not for others.”

Jimmy Anatole was told by his parole
officer that he either stayed at AIMS
house or went back to prison. He has
decided to stay at the house.

“| don't want to go back there,” he
said.

Anatole heard about the house while
he was in Oakalla Correction Centre
and he moved in a month ago, with a
prison record and a drinking problem.

Anatole was raised on a reserve at Fort
St. James and left in 1962 — to servea
five-year prison sentence.

“| decided to take up my schooling
while in the pen. What | have got up
here they can’t take away,” he said,
tapping his head.

Now Anatole is doing what he enjoys
to do — helping the Indian people.

“| don’t get any money but | am not
interested in it,’’ he said. ‘All my life |
have been iold what to do.

“Institutions have told me when to
wash, when to eat and when to go to
sleep, | was not my own boss.

“| came here to clean up my life and
by helping someone else, | am helping
myself.

“‘ have made a commitment to myself
not to drink. | know | will have to stay
in this environment for a long time but
it is a situation where a person can
develop his abilities.

“He can find out what he wants to do
with his life.”

Freddy Smith arrived at AIMS house
on Christmas Day with his wife and
18-month-old son Gregory.

“As soon as | walked in here | could
see it was not an institution,’’ he said.

“It had a homey atmosphere about it
and | feel really comfortable here.”’

“t have been looking at myself and
becoming aware of my problems and
trying to work them out.”

Smith was adopted into a white family
with his brother when he was four.

When he got spanked for misbehaving,
he ran away.

“| left when | was 13 and then |
started getting into trouble,” he re-
cailed.

“Stealing cars was my specialty and |
broke into places and drank as well.

“t ran away from every institution |
was put in, until | went to the B.C.
Penitentiary and | couldn’t run away.

“| guess that’s when | stopped run-
ning.”’

Smith went to X-Kalay for four
months and he tried several homes
similar to AIMS.

Before coming to Vancouver, Smith
was in Duncan working part-time at
baking, logging and fire fighting. .

He plans to take a bakery course at
Vancouver Vocational Institute in
March and move into an apartment
with his wife and son.

“But I'll be back here every day,”’ he
said.

MacDonald is tired of people asking
what is the tndian problem. The fact
that they ask such a question is the
problem, he says.

‘We are not just one person but a lot
of individuals who are people and
happen to be Indians too.”

— Reprinted from “The VANCOU-
VER SUN,” Friday, January 15th,
1977.

CO-ORDINATOR
APPOINTED

Co-Ordinator: Mike Leach
Mike is from Lillooet Reserve and isa
graduate of Lillooet High School. He
recently completed one year of
Accounting at Vancouver City College.
He plans to return to school in
September, 1971.

On January 4th, 1971, Mike was
appointed Co-Ordinator of the Union's
Fire Prevention Programme. The
programme involves organizing a
course which will be effective in edu-
cating people about fire prevention on
the reserves.

On February 15th, a six-page report
briefly explaining the content of the
course and the necessity of it was sent
to al! Chiefs in B.C. The report’s major
topic concerned obtaining names of
individuals who wish to attend this
course.

Co-operation of readers in sending in
names of interested people would be
very much appreciated. Send replies to
the UBCIC offices here in Vancouver,
6390 Crown Street, Vancouver 13,
B.C.

SUBJECT: Fire Prevention Course.

In the past and at the present time,
many children, young adults and older
people from reserves throughout Brit-
ish Columbia have lost their lives
because of fires in the homes. Statis-
tics show that these fires were caused
through household carelessness (e.g.
children playing with matches). The
fault, however, not only lies with the
people themseives, but also the lack of
knowledge of household fire hazards.

To correct these hazards a course is
being constructed and will run for
about three to four days. The program
will involve such things as Group
Discussions, films and demonstrations
of household fire Kazards. Upon con-
clusion of the course, certificates will
be issued, allowing people to return to
the reserve and re-teach the knowledge
he/she has gained while attending the
course.

After talking with Mr. Prince, head of
the Fire Safety Programme throughout
Canada, the following agreement was
made:

That a qualified staff will be provided
to teach interested Indian people
about household fire hazards.

The problem now is to find out who is
interested in taking the course. You
can help me by filling out the attached
form, or by passing a Band Resoijution
and sending it back as soon as possible.
The forms will be used for estimating
the total expenses, catering services,
and accommodation for those taking
the course, it will also be useful in
determining the course location. (See
Form A}.

The introduction of the Union’s new
program has now been made. | am
looking forward to hearing from you.
Please return the form with the list of
people interested in taking this course
to:

Mr. Mike Leach,

Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs,

6390 Crown Street,

VANCOUVER 13, B.C.

Thank you.

Yours sincerely,
— MIKE LEACH,
Fire Prevention Co-ordinator.

CHIEF DAN GEORGE DAY
By Len Maracle

Thursday, March 11th, 1971 was Chief
Dan George Day in Vancouver. This
was the day chosen by the Union of
B.C. Indian Chiefs to officially recog-
nize the contributions made by Chief
Dan George in changing the public
image of the Indian people. He has
been instrumental in showing that the
Indian, too often portrayed as either a
blood-thirsty savage or a dirty drunk,
is a man; with all the strengths, weak-
nesses, emotions and feelings of other
men. A man who has become almost a
stranger in the land he once owned.

A near-capacity crowd, including
British Columbia‘’s Lieutenant
Governor and all of the Vancouver
area Mayors, watched as Chief Dan
George was presented with an honor-
ary life-time membership in the Chiefs
Executive Council, the governing body
of the Union of B.C, Indian Chiefs.
Vancouver's Capitol Theatre rang with
applause as Chief Dan received a stand-
ing ovation following his recital of the
legend of the peace pipe. Earlier in the
day he had received a similar welcome
at a special showing of the movie
“Little Big Man,’’ free to all Indians,
which had been sponsored by the
Union of B.C, Indian Chiefs.

Chief Dan George, a Squamish Indian
and a life-long resident of the Burrard
Indian Reserve in North Vancouver

has been remarkably unaffected by the
many honors heaped upon him for his
outstanding work in his chosen field.
He continues to work for the day
when the other members of his race
will claim their rightful place in our
society. Truly an outstanding Indian
and a remarkable man.

INDIAN CENTENNIAL SONG
Chief Dan George

How fong have | known you, Oh
Canada? A hundred years? Yes, a
hundred years. And many many years
more. And today, when you celebrate
your hundred years Canada, | am sad
for all the Indian people throughout
the land. For | have known you when
your forests were mine; when they
gave me my meat and my clothing. |
have known you and the freedom of
your winds. And my spirit, like the
winds, once roamed your good lands.
But in the long hundred years since
the white man came, | have seen my
freedom disappear like the salmon
going mysteriously out to sea. The
white man’s strange customs which |
could not understand, pressed down
upon me until | could no longer
breathe. When | fought to protect my
land and my home, | was called a
savage. When ! neither understood nor
welcomed this way of life, | was called
lazy. When | tried to rule my people, |
was stripped of my authority. My
nation was ignored in your history
textbooks; they were a little less
important in the history of Canada
than the buffalo that ranged the
plains. | was ridiculed in their plays
and motion pictures, and when | drank
their fire-water, | got drunk — very,
very drunk, and | forgot. Oh Canada,
how can | celebrate with you this
Centennary, this hundred years? Shall
| thank you for the reserves that are
left me of my beautiful forests? For
the canned fish of my river? For the
loss of my pride and authority, even

among my own people? For the lack
of my will to fight back? No! | must
forget what’s past and gone. Oh, God
in Heaven! Give me back the courage
of the olden Chiefs. Let me wrestle
with my surroundings. Let me once
again, as in the days of old, dominate
my environment. Let me humbly
accept this new culture and through it
rise up and go on. Oh God! Like the
thunderbird of old | shall rise again
out of the sea; | shall grab the instru-
ments of the white man’s success — his
education, his skills, With these new
tools | shall build my race into the
proudest segment of your society.
Before | follow the great Chiefs who
have gone before, Oh Canada, | shall
see these things come to pass. | shall
see our young braves and our chiefs
sitting in the houses of law and govern-
ment, ruling and being ruled by the
knowledge and freedoms of our great
land. So shall we shatter the barriers of
our isolation, So shall the next
hundred years be the greatest in the
proud history of our tribes and
nations.

“STANDING TALL”

| look to the fading forest
Once standing tall

Aged by a century

Now growing small

| look to the [Indian
Once standing tall
Aged by a century
Just learning to crawl

| look to the growing forest
Now growing small

Seeing a century ahead

To make them again so tall

| look to the once proud Indian
And see a century ahead

As a beginning for brothers all
To stand again so proud and tall

Once again with forest tall

Little Indian baby in cradle

Wilt rock but never fall

With a mighty forest standing tall

Once again, brothers, hear the call

Of the mighty Indian warrior standing
tall

And hand in hand, we as brothers
walk,

Big and strong as the mighty mountain
rock

— Ronald M. Coombes

Hermes ‘3000 (semi-office
machine) incorporates rugged-
ness, dependability and features
found only on office models.
It’s simple operation makes it
ideal for the beginner or profes-
sional alike.

SALE —

RENT —
RENT-TO-OWN

€*, * A ‘
4, '
4, ;
6 '
B | CALL 684-4411

oe @FFICE OUTFITTERS Lub.

6
me wach 1075 HOWE STREET VANCOUVER 1, B.C.

Me Darko Nova teitia

DUNBAR AND 41ST AVENUE BRANCH

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA

CANADA

Manager: J.B. SPARKS

Bell & Melville,

319 West Pender Street,
Vancouver, B.C.

Ph. 685-7637

WE PRINT!

INSTANT
OFFICE

New from Office Specialty

An incredibly simple way to buy office furniture.
Your order is ready to ship within 24 hours.

Instant Office It's desks. Chairs. Filing And there’s one basic style for every
cabinets. And accessories. Purchased office. In contemporary designs and finishes.
individually or as.a complete office. Instant Office is always in stock. Ready for
A beautiful selection of office furniture. you when you're ready to order. From
Pre-selected and colour-co-ordinated to any of our branches across the country.
save you hours of decision-making. We think you'll agree—Instant Office is the
It's all ready to go: And it couldn't simple, sensible way to buy office furniture.
be easier. Instant Office—-We are ready to ship
Each unif has one simple code number. within 24 hours.

Instant Office is described in detail in our full colour brochure.
Call today for your free copy, or visit your local Office Specialty Branch.

938 Howe Street—Tel: 685-5274

Other offices in key cities across Canada.

Files

Cancel

Union of BC Indian Chiefs Historic Newsletters