Periodical
Nesika: The Voice of B.C. Indians -- Vol. 2 No. 3 (March 1973)
- Title
- Nesika: The Voice of B.C. Indians -- Vol. 2 No. 3 (March 1973)
- Is Part Of
- 1.06-01.02 Nesika: The Voice of BC Indians
- 1.06.-01 Newsletters and bulletins sub-series
- Date
- March 1973
- volume
- 2
- issue
- 3
- Language
- english
- Identifier
- 1.06-01.02-02.04
- pages
- 16
- Contributor
- Lou Demerais
- Gloria Cranmer Webster
- Edgar A Greene
- G McKevitt
- Roberta Sam
- Perlas Sabino
- Gail Sparrow
- Juanita Underwood
- Cindy Wilson
- Lia McGookin
- Phyllis L Hanna
- George Povey
- Roger Adolf
- Type
- periodical
- Transcription (Hover to view)
-
‘Page Two
GEORGE MANUEL, president of the National In
dian Brotherhood,
presides over the first of a series of meetings planned by Indian leaders
_ of Canada. The first meeting held at the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs
offices in Vancouver explored the needs for the just settlements of land
claims and aboriginal rights. Present at the meeting were the heads and
representatives of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, Indians of Quebec
Association, Yukon Native Brotherhood, Union of New. Brunswick
Indians, and observers from Indian people of Alberta. L-R:. Chief
Andrew. Delisle of Quebec, Bill Mussell (partly hidden) of the UBCIC,
Manuel, and Percy Gladstone of the UBCIC. (Staff Photo),
A UNITED INDIAN FRONT
Leaders start —
series of
VANCOUVER (Staff) — Though
leaders. of Indian and Innuit
organizations of areas not under
treaty with the federal government
have shared ideas. and generally
supported each other in the past, a
more - unified . front to.- get
recognition of their land: claims
and aboriginal rights has begun.
At a meeting held here recently
in. March,. Indian leaders. from
B.C., Quebec, the Yukon and New
Brunswick discussed. the. issues
associated with land claims as they
- apply to areas not covered by
treaties.
Philip Paul, chairman, UBCIC ~
executive committee, said after
the meeting that a positive feeling _
was apparent during the meeting,
and despite the. fact that Indians
who are under treaty were not
represented, they will ultimately
be. favourably affected by
whatever settlements —
obtained. sane ee, See
All of the organizations present
at the meeting; except the Union of
New Brunswick Indians, are now
currently seeking settlements in
one form or another. :
Within the past year, Indians in
B.C. and the: Yukon have made
land claim presentations ‘to the
federal government, while, the
Quebec. association is currently
trying to stop the James Bay
hydro-electric development, and
claiming title to the land.
Indian people of B.C. will discuss
their land claims, along. with
possible changes in the Indian Act,
during the special general
assembly called by the Union of
B.C. Indian Chiefs...
.The assembly.to be held on April
2, 3,°4 in Penticton is another step
taken. by B.C.) Indians. -in their
continuing fight for justice over the
takeover of their lands.
are
meetings
leaders, the first of several
planned, was described -.as
exploratory by a spokesman.
The principal. aim is _ to -
eventually get settlements with the
federal’ government said the
spokesman. : eur ;
The leaders. also- recognized ‘the
need for an all-out effort toward
the. following: ‘2s
~-Educate the Canadian - public
‘ about the issues and questions of
land claims and aboriginal
rights;
—Ensure that each organization is
fully informed of: all
developments which have a
bearing on matters of mutual
interests and concern, and
—Identify the best means of
assessing needs as they apply to
land claims.
‘We have always talked in terms
of.a just settlement which, for our
purposes, can-:be guided. by a
formula: or ‘a similar. mechanism
agreed upon by our respective
organizations,”’
Delisle, president of the Indians of
‘Quebec Association.
“But because. of regional
circumstances in a cultural,
historical, and political sense, for
example, this mechanism must
make provisions for . additional
requirements as they are identified
by the native people,” said Delisle.
The leader from the. Quebec
Indians commented, after. the
meeting, that all leaders. present
are seriously concerned about the
ecology of the lands occupied by
their members.
Delisle mentioned the . James
Bay Projeet, which, if allowed. to
go on, will result in thousands of
acres being flooded and. many
Indian and Eskimo | people .‘no.
longer. having a
environment in which to live.
The . meeting: of -the Iidian
~ Three Children Die In Fire
PORT ALBERNI (Staff) — A
fire completely destroyed .the
home of ‘Mr. and Mrs.’ Alex
Sutherland late in March, leaving
them homeless. - /
Two of the Sutherland’s. four
children and another child who
they were looking after,’ were
killed when the blaze gutted their
rented home. A third Sutherland
child was rushed to the Royal
Jubilee Hospital in Victoria where
he is in serious condition.
Mrs. Sutherland is in hospital
being treated for severe burns and
the couple’s fourth child escaped
with minor injuries. a
Since the -family lost ‘all
household goods in the blaze, the
Port Alberni.Friendship Centre is
asking for donations of any kind —
money, clothes, furniture, etc.
’ If you have. something to donate,
please get in touch with Bob Dennis
at the Port Alberni Friendship
Centre, 121—2nd Avenue North,
Port Alberni, B.C. Phone: 723-8281.
said Andrew .
natural
will have,” the
N ES | K A
March, 1973
“Frustration rising” — P. Paul
(Continued from Page 1]
is political gamesmanship,”’ said
Marchand.
When Marchand stood.up for the
first to leave the committee, Erik
Nielsen (PC-Yukon) called after
him: ‘Are you going to take your
marbles with.you?”
“You bet!.And my arrows,” the
Indian MP replied.
But. he stayed a few minutes’
“more. before marching out and
leaving only Florian Cote (Lib-
Richelieu) behind out of the eight
Liberal members.
' Cote had objected on voting on
the resolution saying that he does
not speak English and should have
time to study it after the NIB
position paper has been translated
into French.
INDIANS ALSO BILINGUAL
Chief Philip Paul, executive
committee chairman of the Union
.of B.C. Indian Chiefs, who was
testifying . before: the : House
committee, observed that Indians
in Canada have had to become
_ bilingual. too..
Interviewed on CBC-TV
afterward; Chief Paul warned the
government of a “fact of life’ and
pointed out that the ‘frustration
level” of young Indians is rising.
MP Nielsen referred to the same
frustration apparently when he
observed that Indians appearing
before the committee will be
discouraged if they leave Ottawa
knowing that the question will
continue to be “bogged down in an
interminable discussion of the
fictional effort to define aboriginal
rights.” /
Frank. Oberle (PC-Prince
George-Peace River) declared
angrily, . “‘Let’s draw the battle
lines now. so
STOP. INFRINGEMENTS °*-
He said that it. is time the
infringement of native rights’ in
-Canada, which has gone on for 100
years, should stop adding that he is
including .the James ~ Bay
Development in northern Quebec.
Frank Howard (NDP-Skeena),
who had first surprised the
government with the motion that
set up the House committee on
Indian affairs, suggested that the
recommedation to take im-
mediate steps. to. negotiate
directly with Indian people on the
implementation of aboriginal
rights.
George Manuel, NIB president,
said his organization feels it is
desirable now that the concept of
aboriginal title be accepted, and
details of implementation could be
worked out later.
~ Centre Moves Into High Gear
KAMLOOPS (Staff) — “We're
not wasting any time,’’ was how
Charon Spinks,
secretary of the Interior Indian
Friendship Society, summed up
the Society’s progress in the past
few months.
And right she is. Since the
Society opened a friendship centre
last October, it has grown from an
empty apartment to. a_ well-
furnished place with.a staff of nine.
While the centre started. with
volunteer staff and donations of
furniture and money ‘to pay the
“rent, it received a Local Initiatives
Grant of $14,128 in January.
With this money, the society has
hired a co-ordinator, two court
workers and six project workers.
Mrs. Spinks, who is also a project
worker at the centre, explained
that the centre will serve the 25
bands in the Thompson River
District by providing a place to
wait for appointments and rides
when Indian people from outlying
reserves come into Kamloops on
business or medical appointments.
Activities planned for the centre
include a newsletter, weekly
activities in arts and crafts, sports,
education, courses on.such matters.
as grooming, personal life and
health services. oo
Right now the project workers
" are’scouting around Kamloops and’
~. outlying areas — when Tides are
available — to collect information
on services available, what people
want. and what activities are
already taking place. ;
- Proposal
~ Union
[Continued from Page 1]
information on howto do: action
research, and many others.
Though. the Union’s priorities
have been land claims and the
Indian Act, these other services
have become necessary and
important. :
For this reason the training and
resource centre has been identified
as being a major part of the
proposal on Coqualeetza.
Employees working. in the
service or resource unit will be
able to focus all energies on
helping Union members: to get
information, acquire skills and
resources to enable them to handle
these matters on their own.
TEACHING IS ESSENTIAL
The teaching function is
essential. : .
“As more and “more of our
members learn to get information,
learn ‘to apply it to their own
problems and tasks: — which are
numerous — the more power they
Union Director
observed. i
Thosé~ working within’ ‘the
resource’ unit: will ‘not have to
worry “about negotiations with
various government and private
agencies because the Chiefs
Council and its staff are equipped
to do that work.” dh
The priorities set by the Chiefs
Council for its staff can be worked
on in an intensive way once the
resource unit is established and is
fulfilling this service function. -
The Council’s current staff will
then be able to spend its time on
The Interior Indian Friendship
will aid
/ a .
matter of policy, legislation, and so
on, especially as they apply to land
claims and the Indian Act.
FINDING FROM BANDS
The proposal for Coqualeetza,
which was submitted to Dept. of
National Health & Welfare was
developed from findings of a
trained native interviewing team
who met with many people at the
band level.
The findings and recommenda-
tions of the team then were
reviewed by a committee of 20
band leaders in the three closest
Union districts. ]
The committee’s discussions re-
sulted in the same findings and
proposals. as those of the survey
team.
The Chiefs Council. then duly
ratified the proposal.. ~
GOVERNMENT WILL REPLY
The proposal was well received.
in Ottawa by federal authorities,
and an official-reply to the brief
will come from the government
within a month.
Much work and thought went into
the proposal. vee
The ideas for the use of the Coq-
ualeetza facilities and property are
based on information and direction
given to the Union by its members
at the band level.
The people who did the survey
and composed the planning.
committee for studying the
proposal are all Union members.
The central theme of the
‘proposal is the need to develop
“Indian ‘solutions. toe Indian
problems.”
recording |
Society, which is. the group in
‘charge of running the centre at 141
Victoria Street, held its first
general meeting in early March’
and elected a board of directors
and ratified the constitution.
The Board consists of the —
following.’ members:. Judy
Swakum, president; Joan Spinks,
vice president; David Wyse,
secretary; Robert Simons,
treasurer; Charon Spinks, Mel
Burke, Blair Harvey, Martina -
Jack, George Leonard, Bill
Mercer, Barbara Paul, Karen
Simons and Rhoda Spinks.
The hoard is presently meeting
every Tuesday to discuss: sources
of funding for the centre so that the
centre can stay open after the LIP
grant runs out at the end of May.
' Funds for friendship centres are
available from the department of
the Secretary of State, but the
centre must raise .$100
membership fee and join the
national association of friendship
centres before it is eligible for
grants from the secretary of state.
According to Charon Spinks
another possible source of funding
is the provincial First Citizens’
Fund, , ;
Membership in the society is-
open to any registered Indian
person or anyone having at least
‘one-quarter Indian or Eskimo
blood and the annual” dues:are
$1.00. ae :
Car runs out
of gas, trio
stop at motel
[Continued from Page 1]
were available, and even though
the woman answering: the night
bell said ‘that. there were rooms
open, she would not rent to Indians.
“T ‘eouldn’t believe it,” said
Adolph later,-‘‘so I asked her to
repeat what she had just said:”
Mrs. Harold Hedges, manager of
the motel, repeated her refusal to
rent accommodation to Indians;
apparently because of incidents in
_ the past.
According to Adolph, an
argument ensued during. which
times Mrs. Hedges. attempted to
close the door. Adolph stuck his
foot in the door and Mrs. Hedges
then attempted to have the family
dog frighten Adolph off.
However, the family pet did not
respond to its master when Adolph
failed to be intimidated.
At this time Adolph was
convinced by his two companions
to return to his car, and Mrs.
- Hedges’ husband appeared. Mrs.
Hedges then called the RCMP.
- According to Adolph, he elected
to sit in his car and wait for the -
RCMP officers to arrive, and upon
their arrival gave the officers an
explanation as to what- had «taken
place... ; we
_ Although one of the RCMP .
officers admitted that a bad case of
discrimination between white
‘people and Indians existed in the
town, he said he could not force
Mrs. Hedges to rent the ‘trio ac-
commodation. :
“Instead, Adolph and ‘his
companions decided to take the
officer up on his'offer to get.a. gas
‘station attendant out of bed to sell
them gas.
Adolph is awaiting word on the
case from the Human Rights Act
director.
The Official Monthly Publication of the
Union of B.C, Indian Chiefs
2140 West 12th Ave., Vancouver 9, B.C.
Telephone — 736-6751
The official voice of the Union of B.C. Indian
Chiefs, this publication is intended for the- use
and pleasure of all native people in this
province. While the Union encourages all
contributions such as reports, viewpoints
(letters to the Editor), poetry, etc., we reserve
the right to edit all contributions, Letters to the
Editor must bear signature of the writer, and
viewpoints expressed therein are not necessarily
those of the Union.
- FREE TO ALL REGISTERED B.C.
NATIVE INDIANS
OTHERS $5.00 PER YEAR
STAFF: Lou Demerais — Editor
Perlas Sabino, Cindy Wilson — Reporters
Correspondents:
652-3148; Margaret Woods, Terrace; Edgar Charlie,
Ahousat; PhyHis Hanna, Port Alberni; N. C, Derriksan,
Westbank; Arnold Eart, Roberta Sam, Lytton.
G. McKevitt, Brentwood Bay, Tel.
| EDITORIAL — 7
Indian Control Needed Now
Within the last two weeks, two submissions have been made to the
federal government in Ottawa by Indian people from British Columbia.
First, the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs presented | Health and Welfare
minister Mare Lalonde with a brief proposing that the Coqualeetza
Complex near Chilliwack be turned over to the province’s First Citizens
'— in effect making the former residential school and TB sanitorium into ‘
the Indian capital of B.C.
In its brief, the Union proposes to establish its official headquarters at
Coqualeetza as well as set up a multi-purpose centre for training and
development, and a centre from which the Stalo Bands of the Fraser
Valley could collectively operate. j
The second submission was made by the Williams Lake District
- Council to. Jean Chretien, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern
Development, asking that the Fish Lake Centre be reopened as a special
training centre for Indian people within the area.
Everything from leadership and band management courses to
training in vocational. fields such as carpentry, logging, mechanics,
welding, etc., will be offered at Fish Lake, as well as general school
upgrading, if the District Council gets Mr. Chretien’s green light.
Although it will be some time before the Union and the Indian leaders
_ in the Cariboo hear Ottawa’s. answers on their bids, there can be no doubt
as to the significance of both proposals.
In both cases it is clearly stressed that our members want complete
control and there is no way this can be overlooked.
Indeed, considering the age-old attitude we have always heard about
Ottawa eventually wanting Indians to control their own destiny, along
with the quality of the proposals, it is wondered how the government can
argue against either of them.
Indian people began realizing some time ago that their problems will
not be solved by non-Indians and at long last they will be given a chance,
hopefully, to prove this.
The Fish Lake Centre was formerly the site of the Chilcotin Forest
Indian Training Centre, operating from late 1966 to April of 1970. However
well-intended the Department of Indian Affairs was in opening the
training centre, there can be no doubt that the high dropout rate was
directly related to the lack of a properly created atmosphere.
In short, it was an institution for Indians — but it was operated by non-
Indians. The evidence of its success is that the property and buildings
now sit in the middle of the Williams Lake District — no longer being
occupied or utilized.
As government officials in Ottawa study the proposals left with them it
should not take them too long to realize that “eventually” to the Indian
people in B.C. means ‘‘now.”
And, there are other Coqualeetzas and Fish Lakes.
Squamish Band has own Scout Troop
North Vancouver Squamish philosophies, Scout leaders have
Indian Band formed the first
native Indian Boy Scout Cub Pack
_in the Vancouver Region in 1970.
Today, they’re still going strong
with an enrollment of 12 Cubs and
six Scouts.
Discovering | that Scout
philosophies are similar to Indian
-found that band elders can. act as
special resource persons at
meetings.
This year’s objectives of the Boy
Scout Troop are to have weekend
camping trips on reserve lands
near Squamish and to teach the
boys various outdoors and survival
techniques.
- Page ‘Three
Co el
“Grow date... ..
Why 77!!!
ON INDIAN AND WHITE MUSEUMS
Hiawatha ts a false image
EDITOR’S NOTE: This a rebuttal
to an article that appeared in
‘February, 1973 issue of. NESIKA,
That article questioned why funds
were not available apparently for
museums run by Indian people
although large amounts are
available for museums in the
cities. The article appeared-with a
news story on the refusal of the
Department of Indian Affairs of a
_request for funds for the Hesquait
Band Cultural Centre because of
limitation of funds and of the
Centre. being an individual band
effort.
By GLORIA
CRANMER WEBSTER —
Nimpkish Indian Band
Alert Bay, B.C...
Dear Hesquiat Band~ Member:
Normally, I don’t react to
anonymously : written articles.
However, the statements you made
are so curiously un-Indian, so
incredibly negative and, for the
most part, so grossly inaccurate,
that some kind of response seemed
in order.
Please understand that this
letter is being written by a member
of one band to a member of
another. I speak only for myself, as
I would not presume to represent
my band, any organization or
institution.
First of all, a word of advice
from one Indian to another — there
are laws in this country which
deals with libel and slander. Some
of your shrill accusations about
‘“‘stolen heritage’’ might be
interpreted as either libelous or
slanderous.
ENOUGH PROBLEMS
Not being a legal expert, I
don’t know which, so I will only
say, ‘If you can’t prove it, don’t
say it.” We Indians have. enough
problems as if is.
I was surprised that you were
- critical of the fact that the original
owners of objects in museums are
‘not identified, nor are the prices
paid for. the objects made. public.
Surely, as an Indian, you. are
aware of instances in which Indian
owners prefer to remain
unidentified, when they sell pieces
to museums. Also, as an Indian,
you. must appreciate that the
reason has to do with pride.
Imagine that you are an Indian
person of some status in your
community and find yourself in
financial difficulties, © which
necessitate selling a valuable
object. Would you really want your
neighbours to know of this?
REQUEST FOR ANONYMITY >
Some Indians don’t, and
museums have a responsibility to
abide by this request for
anonymity.
However, I am not here to defend
museums, as they are perfectly
capable of defending themselves. I
am speaking simply. as a member
cases?”
of one band toa member of another
band, although I would ‘feel a lot
more comfortable about knowing
who you are.
Your question, “‘Whoever asked
for permission to remove. our
heritage and place it in glass
struck me as. rather
pointless and shows a distinct lack
of respect for our older people.
Surely, you. as an Indian child,
were taught. the importance of
respecting one’s elders.
VOLUNTARY SALE
If you didn’t have such a strong
hatred .of white museums,- you
might find that.in ‘many cases,
Indian people solehtanly sold their
“heritage.”
They didn't confuse, as you
obviously have, objects with the
important concepts that those
objects symbolize.
Objects or things can be
destroyed, lost, stolen or sold; the
right to own those objects does not
disappear when the objects
disappear.
You refer to whiteman’s cities
and how ‘‘we”’ don’t feel. at home in
smoke. and noise, etc. .
plank houses that your people and
mine traditionally lived in must
have got pretty noisy and smokey
at times, don’t you think?)
According to Indian Affairs
Branch statistics for 1971, 246 of 266
(The cedar.
Hesquiat’ band members were
living off-reserve.
CITY MUSEUMS ACCESSIBLE
-If IAB figures are correct, one
might assume that city museums
might be more accessible to more
members of your band. One might
also assume, on the ‘basis of those
figures, that 246 Hesquiat band
members were managing to
tolerate all that dreadful smoke
and noise in whiteman’s cities.
Incidentally, where do you live?
I personally do not subscribe to
the -Hiawatha theory about
Indians, i.e., that Indians lived in
untainted splendour, until the
white man can and corrupted the
scene. -
Do you really believe that
Indians -never stole from each
other? If so, I resent that because it
implies that my ancestors were .
somehow less than human; that
they did not share the same faults
and weaknesses of all other human
beings.
PURE FANTASY
It is pure fantasy to suggest that
we never committed crimes
against each other. Have you
heard any good myths or legends
lately? These often refer to theft
and other nasty things sulaite people
don’t invent.
[Continued on Page 5]
See NOTHING
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Some Indians have
“white minds’
General Delivery
Vanderhoof, B.C.
March 27, 1973
The Editor
NESIKA
Dear Sir:
I have become a very intent
reader of your paper and take
great pleasure to put my feelings
into writing.
The letter to the editor in your
February issue, ‘Indians have
their differences too,” is in fact
timely and it brings out the plain
truth about Indian people, no
matter where — in the Yukon, or
the Queen Charlottes, or across
Canada in Halifax.
But some Indians have, or think
they have white: minds. This is
because of the brainwashing
received in residential schools
such as Coqualeetza, Alberni,
‘Kamloops, and Lejac. There is
where, in my opinion, the ‘‘holier
than thou” attitude stems from;
then co-operation among Band
members ceases in most cases.
Another letter, on women’s
status by Chief Kenneth Luggi of
Stellaquo Reserve, has a very good
point in my way of thinking.
I know from. self-inflicted
experience what can happen when
a marriage goes amiss. the
wandering wife looks for greener
pastures and, alas! in some case,
becomes impregnated and
discarded by a whiteman.
Then she has no alternative but
to return to her place of origin. So,
I ask why not let her stay and be
treated as an individual instead of
an unwanted soul?
Thope I’ve not taken up too much
of your time reading my
scribbling, but I just wanted to
express my feelings.
So, in closing, may I say with
heartfeld siricerity — I personally
wish that all ten and 11-year-olds in
every one of. our proud Indian
Reserves could devote their. spare
time to artistry like Albert Paul,
and to carving totems, instead f
vandalism, smoking pot, and
juvenile delinquency.
My motto is still Vestigia nulla
restrorsum — No Backward Step.
Keep up the good work.
A friend in all sincerity,
EDGAR A. GREENE
Page Four
NESIKA
March, 1973
The New Day Care. ,
Effective April 1st, the new day care pro-
gram means no child will be denied the benefits
of day care because of lack of family funds.
The program has been expanded to include |
nursery schools, private kindergartens (where
no public ones exist) and out-of school care.
Families can now shop around for the service
that best suits. their needs. In addition, more
families will be eligible for government-paid
contributions whether the parents are working
or not. /
Any family participating in the day care
program can tell you the benefits . . . reliable
(and if need be — special) care for your chil-
dren, more resources available to the family,
as well as a wider choice of day care services.
The cost is calculated on the number of
persons in the family “group” and the total
- family “take home pay” plus income from. any
other sources.
The Provincial Government will subsi-
dize the cost of day care to families on a simple
sliding scale. (See the chart below.) .For. ex-.
ample, in a three person family, (two parents
_and 1 child or. 1 parent and 2 children) if the
SIZE OF
FAMILY
, FAMILY
_ THREE PERSONS
FAMILY PAYS
FOUR PERSONS
FAMILY PAYS
FIVE PERSONS.
FAMILY-PAYS | °
SIX PERSONS
FAMILY PAYS
SEVEN PERSONS
FAMILY PAYS
FIGHT PERSONS
OR MORE, FAMILY
PAYS
total take home pay is $460, the chart shows
that that family group would pay a total $5 a
month for’day care for the children and the
government would pay the balance of up to
~ $100.00 per. child. The DECLARATION OF
INCOME FORM (for. those who qualify on-the®: i era i OM SERS
“873-3767, 873-3768, 873-3769: In Victoria’
write the Family and Childrens Service at
chart) must be completed in order to qualify
for Provincial Government contributions, and
..is available: from the Day Care Information
Centre in each area. It is processed by mail,
so no interview will be necessary.
FAMILY NET INCOME PER MONTH
400 420 440 460 480 500 520 540-560 580 600 620 680
5 15.25 35. 45 55 65 75 85 95 105 115 125 135 145 155
720° 740-760 800
People who are: not eligible for govern-
ment contributions according to the chart, but
will still have difficulty meeting the cost of
day care, may request the APPLICATION
FOR ASSISTANCE WITH DAY.CARE FEES
from the local Day Care Information Centre
or district office of the Department of Re-
habilitation and Social Improvement.
The day care information centres are set
up by the Provincial Government to provide
information to parents looking for. care for
their children, about where day care centres
exist in the different areas, and to help new
' centres with licensing regulations. The infor-
-Mation centres will also try to help families de-
termine their eligibility for government paid
contributions.
Write the Day Care Information Centre
in Vancouver:at 45*West 8th Avenue‘or phone
1627 Fort Street or phone 362-5121. In other
areas contact the district office of the Depart:
~ ment of Rehabilitation and Social lmprovement.
840 860 880-900
15 25 35 45 55 65.75 85 95 105 115 125 135 145 155 165 175 185 195 205 215 225
5.15 25 35 45 55 65 75 85
95 105 115 125 135 145 155 165 175 185 195
5 15° 25 35°45 55 65 75 85 95 105 115 125 135 145 155 165
5 15 25
35 45 55 65 75
85 95 105 115 125 135
5 15 25 35 45 55 65 75 85 95 105
5 15 25 35 45 55 65 -75
If you have any difficulty with the chart please phone the Day Care Information Centre.
Because society tomorrow starts with children today.
The Government of British Columbia
Department of Rehabilitation and Social Improvement
RSI 73-506
Page Six
N ES | K A
March, 1973
PREMIER BARRETT, CABINET MEET B.C. CHIEFS
PREMIER DAVE BARRETT gestures to stress a
point to delegation from the Union of B.C. Indian
Chiefs; and the Sechelt Indian Band and the Powell
River Indian Band. L-R: Education Minister Eileen
Dailly (back to camera), Barrett, Provincial Secre-
tary Ernie Hall,
MLA Bill Hartley, and Human
Resources Minister Norman Levi. At extreme right
is UBCIC ’ Chiefs *Council member Ed Kelly who
starts line of B.C. Indian representatives facing the
premier and his cabinet in a caucus. The meeting
held in the Parliament building, March 22, explored
subjects that Indian people and the provincial
government can face. together, including housing,
taxation, and services. Philip Paul of the UBCIC
executive committee was later interviewed on TV
about the discussions with the provincial govern-
ment, (Staff Phatgh: .
Resolutions: citizenship to fishing
By G. McKEVITT
PRINCE RUPERT In ‘25
resolutions presented and carried
at the 39th annual convention of the
Native Brotherhood of B.C. the
delegates deal with everything
from Native citizenship to the
continuance. of the Indian
Fisherman’s Assistance Program.
One resolution. recommended
that, since the IFAP..has been
beneficial to the Native fisherman
than the DIA it be urged to
continue the program for five more
-years.
Since the termination date for
the program was March 31, it was
also recommended that
necessary money be made
available by April 1 to ensure that
all will be ready for the 1973
season. os:
It was also recommended, in
regard’ to the program, that the
ceilings on grants to. Native
fishermen be removed.
The ceiling now stands at 45% of
the -value of the boat or $220,000
whichever is lower. :
ANOTHER NATIVE. MEMBER
It. was also recommended that
the present board in cha-ge of
IFAP be expanded to include
another Native representative.
Another assistance program
came. under scrutiny in a
resolution dealing with the Special
ARDA Agreement that was signed
jointly, recently by the Federal
and Provincial Governments. to
create employment for B.C.
Natives.
Improvements suggested for the
program ‘included:
Equity in shares and representa-
tion on the Board of Directors of
any ARDA funded project in.direct
ratio to the size of the grant;
That the Native Brotherhood be:
recognized..as the bargaining/hir---
ing agent for food processing
plants in an ARDA funded project;
That housing for workers be
" established;
‘That Reserves be eligible for
grants; .
That day-care’ centres be
provided where a percentage of the
workers are Indian mothers.
SPECIALIZATION OF
BROTHERHOOD 2
In keeping with the
Brotherhood’s intention | of
increased specialization in eco-
nomic development, a resolution
was carried in the ope of eliminat-
ing the overlapping of interests
with the Union of B.C. Indian
Chiefs.
It was resolved that all matters
brought to the brotherhood | not
the.
specifically dealing with economic
development and in particular,
fishing, would be sent to the UBCIC
for action.
..It was also requested that the
UBCIC honor this commitment and
refer to the Native Brotherhood
any matters that came under its
stated interest.
One resolution that the brother-
hood plans to forward to the UBCIC
deals with promoting. of Indian
culture and language: -
It was suggested that. with the
help of local elders in individual
areas, curricula could be set up to
teach these subjects.
This was particularly relevant,
the resolution stated, with the
growing interest among the
younger people in their heritage.
RIGHT TO GET FOOD :
Another concern of _ the
convention was the right of Native
people of B.C.:to traditional food
gathering.
Resolutions called for:
Lifting the daily bag limit of 24 -
clams per person along the Strait
of Georgia for. Indian people as.this
was denying a traditional staple in
the Native diet.
. Control: of fisheries along the
coast by the Department of the En-
vironment to ensure the supply of
traditional seafoods such as ‘‘sea
urchins, herring roe, crab etc.’’ for
home consumption and that there
should be no restrictions on the
method of fishing.
That Native Indians should have
the right to hunt for game out of
season on “unoccupied territory”
within B.C.
COURT DECISION
This latter resolution cited as
justification the case of Regina vs.
White and Bob in the B.C. Court of
Appeal which established the right.
to hunt for game on the “ancient
tribal territories of the Indian land
or lands to which they belong.”
A longhouse proposal. was
pushed along a little further again
this year. The lease for the site in
Prince Rupert was originally
awarded in 1966 by the Federal
Government and has stood. empty
since then.
It was proposed at the
convention that a feasibility study
be conducted by five elected
delegates in order to expedite its
construction.
Finally, the convention went to
the aid of Table Officer Jimmy
Sewid.
It seems that letters from both
Indian Affairs and the Provincial
Government were not sufficient to
convince passport officials that
Sewid is a Canadian citizen and
eligible for a passport.
LATELY KNOWN
It was resolved that since Native
Indians have lived for time
immemorial in what has only
lately become known as Canada,
and many do not have. birth
certificates, it should not be
necessary for a native: person. to
apply for citizenship before y
receiving a passport.
Northern University?
PRINCE GEORGE The
proposal put forward by Daisy
Webster,
South that the College of New
Caledonia be made into a northern.
university catering to the native
population of B.C. met with
enthusiasm from local Indian
people and skepticism from college
officials here.
Bob Sebastion, director of Prince
George’s Indian Friendship House
welcomed the idea, but said that
Indian people would have to be
involved in setting up the
curriculum of programs designed
-for native people.
He suggested that Carrier, the
Indian language most used by
central Indian bands and native
history would be good ideas for
courses.
College chairman Galt Wilson
called such a plan ‘‘a return to the
igioo syndrome,” and said he
would oppose a move to have it
specialize in Indian programs.
Wilson also said that the college
would. offer courses for native
Indians, if requested to do so by
native people. >
As few as ten people would be
necessary to start a course, he
added, and classes would not have
to be held on the Prince George:
» Campus.
The chairman did agree with
Mrs. Webster and Bob Sebastion
that Indian people would have
difficulty in adjusting to university
life, but suggested that all students
from small communities have this
problem.
“A student from McBride would
find it just as hard,” he said.
Sebastion had suggested special
dormitories for native Indian
people to overcome the cultural
shock involved in’ moving from
reserve life to urban, university
life.
Between 12 and 20 Indian
students are presently enrolled. in
the College of New . Caledonia,
according to Sebastion.
MLA for Vancouver.
Herring count sharply lessened
(Continued from Page 5]
Second Vice-President; Jimmy
Sewid, Third Vice-President; Billy
Cook, Secretary-Treasurer.
High priority of interest was
given to discussion of the Indian
Fisherman’s Assistance Program
initiated.in 1968 by the Department
of Indian Affairs in co-operation
with the Fisheries Department.
The program is a system of-
grants and loans designed to
enable the Indian- fisherman to
acquire up-to-date equipment and
boats.
SECOND DAY
Director of LFAP, Tom Rothery,
fielded questions from _ the
delegates for a good portion of the
second day.
Rothery revealed at that time
that he was recommending the
extension of the Program,
officially ended on-March 31, for
another five-year period with
increased funding.
When initiated in 1968, the
Program was allotted $4.6 million
which was increased halfway
through to $5.8 million.
In the next five-year period it is
proposed, he said, to ask for $8.3 _
million. /
CHANGES IN PROGRAM
Rothery said that basically the
Program. has . not changed.
However they were proposing to
lower the eligibility to 19 years of *
age, and allocating some of the
money asked for toward adminis-
tration, which up till now. has had
no funding from the Program at
all.
Rothery told the delegates he felt
the. Program needed to be
extended but certainly not forever.
James Gosnell, a member of the
five-man, board. of directors of
IFAP, warned the delegates of the
danger of getting in over their
‘heads in their fishing investments..
Gosnell ‘said that; alt ough: the:
: payment on the loan may look easy ©
to handle at the beginning of the
season, it must be remembered
that combined with maintenance
and other’ expenses the money
outlay in the end is. usually
doubled. |
BOARD MEANS BUSINESS
Gosnell said the Indian must
realize that the board means
business and has no choice but to
repossess if payments are not
forthcoming.
He said, however, that to date
the paybacks had been very
successful with only a seven per
cent loss, representing only
$100,000 out of a-total of nearly $5
_ million.
Also present at the convention
was the Director of Regional
Department of. Fisheries, T.
Hurston.
Hurston brought the delegates up
to date on the latest fish counts,
and explained the reasons behind
some Fisheries restrictions in
force this season.
According to Hurston, the chum
salmon run this year was the
largest since 1964, while the
Sockeye was about average.
COHO RUN LOWEST
The Coho run, he said, was the
lowest in some time. -
Hurston also reminded the
delegates that the deadline for
licence certification was May 31
and it was imperative that they get "
their boats in shape by that time.
He also said that last year there
were about 30 native licences not
renewed and therefore lost.
Hurston explained the current
restrictions on herring, _par-
ticularly in the Northern Coastal
region. ©
HERRING COUNT- 1s LOW
Apparently in the mid-sixties, a
sharp decline forced the closure of
‘ herring fishing, and the count has
not yet risen adequately to allow
open fishing, said Hurston.
The herring issue was present
throughout the three-day
conference, as the season was
opening in March.
Senator Williams, in. his
introductory speech, revealed that
he had not yet signed the
agreement with United Fishermen
and Allied workers Union on
herring.
The senator said he wished to
confer with the brotherhood before
doing so.
An in-camera meeting resulted
in a resolution to change the
traditional agreement.
HIRING RESTRICTED
The section in the agreement
that was causing the problem
restricted the herring vessel
owners from hiring other Native
vessel owners as crew members
during the season.
The Union: wished. them to hire
: only from UFAWU: crew members.
The brotherhood resolved to
have this portion of the agreement
removed before signing. ;
It was also suggested that in
future the brotherhood should
consider negotiating its. own prices
independent from the UFAWU.
. LIFE MEMBERSHIP |. AWARDS
= : .
Among the lighter duties the
convention had to deal with was the
awarding of Honorary Life
Memberships to four of its older
members.
Peter Williams, cpsdibly the
oldest delegate present, received a
kiss and a membership button
from the youngest: Cindy Cook,
Alert Bay.
Charlie Peters, Cape Mudge,
received his in the same fashion
from the secretary for the
Northern Office: Andrea Bedard.
George Jeffries received in
absentia the Life Membership for
William Jeffries, as did Bill McKay
for Eli Gosnell.
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Page Eight
N E S$ I K A
March, 1973 ~
Review — There is My People
Sleeping by Sarain Stump
By PERLAS SABINO :
It has been said of the Shoshone poet and artist that his works are of
the ‘highest calibre.”
What that means — judging from this book — is that everyone can
enjoy Mr. Stump’s works.
The highest measure of the calibre of art, of course, is simplicity.
Simplicity, however, is not simple, and to succeed with it is the art.
THERE IS MY PEOPLE SLEEPING is an experience in the depth
and breadth of human feelings, feelings so often reduced in the grind of
living, but which are brought back to us in their largeness by the gift of
people like Mr. Stump.
The title of this collection of ‘‘poem-drawings” comes from the first
line of a poem expressing anguish over hopelessness and injustice: -
And there is my people sleeping
since a long time
But aren’t just dreams
the old cars without engine
parking in front of the house
or angry words ordering peace of mind
or who. steals from you for your good
and doesn’t wanna remember what he owes you
Sometimes I’d like to fall asleep too,
close my eyes on everything
But-I can’t
T can’t
That Mr. Stump is everyone’s poet — and a very endearing one — is
further confirmed by his poems about love: ‘
I heard them talking about her
with love in their minds
I have seen them start their dances
to call her out
Great names I heard in the dark of the night
but a name can’t steal the bear’s child
To the homeless man
nobody sews his moccasins
all he had was a cedar flute
who could guess that with that one
he’d call her
and she’d run to him?
Now he’s a bear
and the little bears of spring
call him ‘Father’
Mr. Stump’s works can be bought by writing to him, P.O. Box 1269,
c/o Don Garland, Gray’s Publishing Company, Sydney, B.C.
Mission Student Band
Needs Funds for Trip
MISSION — About $4,000 has-
been raised of the $9,000 needed by
the drum and bugle corps of St.
Mary’s Student Residence for their
trip to Disneyland.
The trip in June will be made by
60 students, including 15 trained in
Indian dancing. ;
The dancers were trained by a
teacher from. the Cheam Reserve
in Rosedale, Joe Aleck.
A graduate of St. Mary’s, Aleck
is -in. training at the former
residential school for his takeover
‘as residence administrator. next
year. :
The present administrator, Fr.
H. F. Dunlop, OMI, said that the
students have been. working hard
raising. money for quite a while
now.
FUND RAISERS
Members of the drum and bugle
corp, most of whom are girls, have
been washing cars, selling home
baking, conducting bottle drives,
selling candy, passing the hat at
band performances, and, lately,
carrying on — letter-writing
campaigns. ‘
A letter-writing campaign to
doctors in Vancouver raised more
than $1,500. . é
Fr. Dunlop said that the corps
has travelled throughout B.C. and _
has had performances at the
Calgary Stampede, the Edmonton
Klondike Days, and‘on Parliament
Hill in Ottawa.
On top of many cups and trophies
[Continued on Page 9]
See BAND]
Two Heavens —
Several years ago there went a
priest to the Blackfoot Crossing. to
teach the Blackfeet the way of life.
As he was doing so, there
appeared upon the scene a
Blackfoot Indian. . . he said that
some time ago a Kootenay chief
had died, and his spirit went to
heaven. He -had. accepted . the
Christian religion, and accordingly
he went to the white man’s heaven.
When he had: knocked. at the
door, seeking admission, a
messenger inquired his name, and
then informed him that he was not
a. white man, and could not,
therefore, be admitted.
He retraced his steps, proceeded
to the heaven of the Indians; and
besought the doorkeeper to grant
him an entrance.
On learning his name the person
informed him that he was not an
Indian, but had an Indian skin,
with the religion of the white man.
As he had departed from the faith
of his father, he could not be
allowed to enter.
There were two religions given -
by the Great Spirit, one in a book.
for the guidance of the white men,
who, by following its teachings,
will reach the white man’s heaven;
the other is in the heads of the
Indians, in the sky, rocks, rivers
and mountains. And the red men
who listed to God in nature will
~ hear his voice, and find at last the
heaven beyond. . :
When the Kootenay chief found
that he could not get a resting
place, but must be left out in the
cold, he was puzzled to know what
to do.
The attendant, taking compas-
sion upon him, said that one more
chance would be given him, and
that he would be permitted to
return to earth on condition that he
told all the Indians to retain their
own religion, and not. listen to
instructions of the white men.
“Now,’’. said the Blackfoot
prophet, “‘the old Kooteenay chief
has returned from the dead, and he
is living at the Kooteenay village,
and he says that all the Indians are
to keep their own religion, or they
will not reach the Indian’s
heaven.”’
Beginning Drama — Some ideas for
_ Teaching Drama to Young Children
“T personally feel that the great
strength of drama games - and
open-ended plays is that they can
accommodate a frank. and
powerful exchange of viewpoints
and experience, which can give
deep-seated hostilities and feelings
an expression and perspective.”
And believing that, Barry
Friesen, former teacher and CBC
freelance writer, together with
other interested people from the
Oliver Creative -Arts Workshop
have put together < booklet called
“Beginning Drama.”
This booklet, written for school
teachers and: others interested in
teaching children drama, offers a
variety of simple and easily
adaptable method of ‘“‘incorpor-
ating some drama into regular
routines.”
Much of the booklet is devoted to
developing children’s awareness of
others, themselves and the world
around them.
Included in the booklet are
simple instructions on how to
encourage a child’s imaginative
powers by simple exercises in
sense awareness; encouraging
creative writing by children on
real and imagined situations; and
using music to enhance movement, -
dramatic skits, etc.
DRAMA GAMES
Drama games are outlined in
which children learn to work co-
operatively and assume different
roles and react to unexpected
circumstances.
A list of plays by student
playwrights is included as well as
some short plays with rehearsal
notes. These plays range from
simple ‘‘mini-rituals’’ which “turn
common attitudes into simple
rituals” for young students to a
much more demanding un-
structured play.
UNDERSTANDING OTHERS
The-last section of the booklet,
called “Growing Together’ by
Anne Avery, is aimed at “helping
people understand others’
behavior, and at having them
inter-react with others in a
growing capacity.”
Included in this section are
exercises designed to improve
children’s understanding of non-
verbal communication and to
teach them to use their bodies as a
means of self-expression.
Other aspects of _ social
interaction explored in this section
are behavioral indications of status
and how. to work co-operatively
with other people.
Barry Friesen, along with the
other contributors to this booklet,
Anne Avery and Renee Silver, are
anxious to hear from any who are
interested in ‘Beginning Drama’”’
and will send out a copy of the
booklet to those who write for it.
Although the booklet is free,
small donations to cover mailing
and printing costs would be
welcomed. Write to: Barry
Friesen, R.R. 2, Oliver, B.C.
POETRY
Eagle She
See her in the sky so high
Look how she does fly
And how proud her cry
For she sees her people nearby.
She's proud of her Indian race
She looks down at her people
with a smiling face.
' Asshe soars above her people
So high she flys
and lets out a proud cry. /
PEGGY TERRY, Age 13
Penticton
In Time. Great Grandfather
It was a long time ago,
My great grandfather said,
We were alone, my child,
Alone as one great nation
Then they came:
Learnt our ways:
They used them, and in time
We lost pride, courage
And ... in time, our nation.
“Now my child,” he said,
“You will win it back
And in time... again
We will be first.”
“Yes, great grandfather, | will.
| will! We will fight.
We are young, strong
And in time, we will say
“Here, great grandfather, you are free:
Let your spirit rest.’
In time we will...
We are young, great grandfather. .
DEBORAH FORTIER, Age 16 |
North Thompson Indian Band
The Whiteman’s Bar
Indian in the whiteman’s bar
Indian whether you drink or not
Indian you won't go far
For drinking is all you're taught
Drunken Indian‘s hands shake so badly
As he brings the wine bottle to his lips
His bloodshot eyes squint so sadly
Tilting the bottle with his fingertips
On his wrinkled face the hardships show
All his smiles have turned to tears
He’s been so lonely with nowhere to go
Remembering only the many long care-torn years.
Drunken Indian has nothing to live for
So in the whiteman’s bar he'll stay
Holding his wine bottle fiercely
And for his wine bottle he'll always pray. .
—GAIL SPARROW
Look, My Son
Take a look around, my son : “
Look at your Indian race
Be proud you're an Indian
Don’t turn your back
Don’t hang your head
Never be ashamed. :
Take care of your brothers ‘and sisters, my son
Make them all proud :
Please don’t give up
Stand up for them and yourself, my son
Keep on fighting for your race
Give them a helping hand
Show them where they stand
Just keep on climbing
Until you get right out on the Top.
Make your Forefathers proud, too, my son
Reach out, touch their hearts
Make them all happy
Don't let them down
Go, do as | say
Now you're on your own
So long for now, my son.
—GAIL SPARROW
Page Ten
NES IK A
March, 1973
EARL SMITH.AND RAY DERRICKSON look happy at the com-
pletion of their project — setting up the Rainbow Accounting System —.
commissioned by the. Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs for Indian band
administrations. They are now waiting for more comments before going
on toa final printing bf the accounting. manual. iSieet Photo).
‘Accounting Manual Now Ready
After Two Years’ Work —
VANCOUVER (Staff) — ‘I think
we have. filled a void,” said Earl
Smith upon. completion of his
team’s two-year-work on’setting up
a manual of accounting at the band .
level.
-There’s ~ ‘nothing new in the
- Rainbow Accounting System
developed, said Smith.
“We ‘just used 4 system that’s
been effective in industry. —
mainly the color-code. system’ of
Ford Motor -Company —. and
‘adapted it’ to’ Indian Band
accounting,”’ he explained;
Procedures covered: in’ ihe
manual are:
1. Vouchers
-2. Journals
-3. Totalling and Balancing
‘4. Posting to Ledgers :
5: Preparation of Trial Balances
6. Preparation of Monthly or
- Yearly Financial Statements.
Smith said his team aimed: to
teach " basic “accounting in the
manual.
Because of this, what is learned
is transferabie; a band accountant
should be able to work as an
accountant elsewhere.
‘The other member of Smith’s
team, Ray Derrickson, noted that
for thé last ten years bands have
been handling money- without
experience or training.
. “This system will make reserves
. more efficient,” Derrickson said.
Smith and Derrickson are now
working: on a change from
considering only band ' revenue
funds.
From comments on the manual.
— generally satisfactory — it was
suggested that the accounting
system should deal with all funds.
Smith said that his. team is
waiting for more comments that
might lead to more changes in the
manual.
' bank account and .handle
efficiently with their: books of Z
The blind of the manual will
take a month. and it will -be
distributed: to any band which ‘asks
for a copy, he said. : ;
» The manual will be given to 33°
bands now using the system. These
bands had worked with the Smith
team and had a lot of input into the
manual :
Among * these bands, the
Musqueam Indian Band was first
to use the Rainbow Accounting’
‘System — RAS — on test.
The band, at the time, needed an
~" aecounting system that will cover
all funds related to band
administration-and has continuity. ~
RAS has enabled the Musqueam
Band to put all their funds in one
accounts. .- :
Both Smith: and. Derrickson are
taking -the Certified ‘General
Accountant course at UBC; Smith
is on second year, Derrickson on.
his first.
Smith worked in a logging camp
after graduation from high school.
In 1969 he enrolled in the
accounting program of Vancouver
City College.
He joined the Union in 1971, when
he started on the project to develop
an accounting system for Indian
Bands.
Derrickson. studied accounting
for two years at Langara College.
Before he joined the. Union,
Derrickson worked for a time with
the Department of Indian Affairs
and the Chilliwack Area Indian
Council.
The. Council includes 21
Reserves; Derrickson — .as
accountant used RAS. even then.
The preparation of the manual
used. the resources of the
accounting department of the
Business Education Centre of
Langara College.
. Accountant
oOo fF WN
available on request..
Apply to:
STAFF NEEDED
1. Technical Services Officer
. Band Management
. Econoric Development Co- ordinator
. Education Co-ordinator
Salaries and conditions to be negotiated. Zippileation fosin’
WEST COAST DISTRICT COUNCIL
317-B Argyle
Port Alberni, B.C.
it’:
CHIEFS COUNCIL PROFILES
Sharing is important — Watts
By CINDY WILSON
A belief that. a person must be as
self-sufficient as possible and yet
be involved in community life and
recognize his or her responsibility
toward the rest of the community
characterize George Watt’s
approach to life and: his job.
George Watt, who ‘represents
West Coast District on the Chief’s
" Council and describes himself as
an “ordinary member” of the
Tseshaht band says that one of the
most important steps for Indian
people to make is “to destroy the
state of dependency which we find
ourselves in. We will never feel
romforiable 9 with ourselves until
then.”’..
And he has directed his energies
in this direction by. helping to
organize the West Coast district
into:,.one’ ‘united voice and
encouraging band members. -to
provide for. their own needs where,
possible.
Watts, who is band manager for
the Tseshaht band in Port Alberni,
feels that the Union could help in
this’ direction by making all
~ possible resources: available to~
individual bands so that they can
become efficient self- -governing
communities.
Aman who is very”: much
involved; Watts ‘takes great pride
in the-fact- “that our youth
involvement has grown
‘DIA drops out
‘PRINCE RUPERT The
Department of Indian Affairs has
‘announced that it. will no longer
pay the tuition: fees..of Indian.
students transferring into the Fort
*. Edward: School:
In a letter to School District 52,
DIA said that such a practise was
not in keeping with the master
‘agreement with the provincial
department of education.
According to the agreement, the
federal department is not required.
to pay tuition for Indian students
living off-reserve on taxable land.
At the start of each year’s fishing
season, students from outlying
villages move into. Port Edwards
with their parents and up until
now, DIA ‘has been paying their
_ tuition fees while the: Indian
students were in Port Edward.
The letter noted that few
students were enrolling in the
school during the fishing season
and no disruption of classes was
caused by the incoming students.
The School board is’ passing the
letter on to-Eileen Dailly, Minister
of Education, for comment.
tremendously over the past year,”
and considers it ‘‘an honor to be
able to help the elderly people on
our reserve.”
In addition to his duties as band
manager ‘and council member,
George is chairman of the West
Coast District Council, member of
the ARDA Committee, ‘chairman of
the Union’s Grants to Bands
Committee, as. well as being a
member of the centre council for
the B.C. Native Indian Teachers’
Association.
But despite the fact that he is a
member of the BCNITA and is,
himself, a very well educated man
with university training. in
engineering and education, this
busy man from Port Alberni feels
that “Indian people are missing
the boat when they fight. for. their
children to have equal education .
Popertynities as the general
public.’’
“T consider the public education
system to be a: training ground
“which has very little to do wae
education. ”
“We should be looking for a new .
approach. so that our young people
can better face this world rather
than melt into it.”’
Honesty, in George’s opinion, not
only a high desirable ' personal
trait, but is also'a very necessary
ingredient for the progress of
Indian people.
Other important matters facing
Indian people ‘today,. George feels,
are to “avoid being. caught up in
the money trip and to retain or
revive our culture.’’
‘Away from: the business end of
things, George enjoys listening ‘to
modern music; plays for thé local
basketball team during the winter
and likes’ taking -children on
camping trips during the summer
~ months.
Tom Dooley, an American naval
officer who. was’ regarded as. a
great humanitarian for his medical
work in the-Far East, is one of
George Watts’ personal heroes.
‘When I was in high. school I
read all of Dr. Tom Dooley’s books
and I think my life has been
influenced by them.”
Other than working with Indian
people, the Tseshaht band
manager is also interested in
working with prisoners, or working
and living in. an underdeveloped
country, or ‘‘starting a campaign
to convince: the Canadian public
that they are going to have to open
their eyes to the rest of the world
and possibly accept a lower
standard of living.”
“T have always felt that there
NORTHWEST INDIAN
Meeting set
NORTH WEST INDIAN
CULTURAL SOCIETY . nee
By LIA McGOOKIN
_ Recording Secretary
~ SPRING — Abhh isn’t it-lovely!
For some of.us it is an inspiration,
for others it is a. time to get the
fever and lie under the cherry
blossoms thinking ~ luxurious
thoughts. ;
We sincerely hope that you be
able to attend the annual General
meeting on April 14 in the
Fisherman’s Hall at 138 E.
Cordova St.
Unfortunately, Professor Wilson
Duff will not be able to attend, so
we have invited Bill Lightbown to
be our guest speaker.
Mr. Lightbown spent last year
setting up the central marketing
services for Indian Crafts of
Ontario.
Also, Mr. Rubin Ware from the
CULTURAL SOCIETY
for April 14
Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs will
address the meeting on the B.C.
land issue. °°.
We are seriously campaigning to
put a stop to the non-Indian art
reproductions which are flooding
the market and would appreciate
your help. If you know of anyone
involved in this type of operation,
let us know.
In order to have a solid case for
Indian artists, we need all
available facts and figures. to
present -to the government for
action.
Reproductions are necessary as
not everyone can afford an
original, but the work should be
done and controlled by native
people.
Grants are available to research
the problem, but. we need people
willing to follow this through to its
conclusion.
‘land question in this province,’
was no reason why we should have
poor people on this earth,” George
says. “‘I was brought up in a family
of 11 children and: I learned the
concept of sharing at a very early
age.”
Subsidy to Trappers
‘PRINCE ALBERT,. Sask.
Speaking .at the annual .trappers
convention recently held here, the
- “president: of the. Federation of
“Saskatchewan: Indians .said that
governments want to. dole out:
welfare more than help a man earn... .
his: living.
Dave Ahenakew, the federation’s
head, told Indian trappers _ to
decides on what they want am insist
on it.
As to laws of conservation, he
said Indian people do not need such
laws. because they BANE lived
conservation.
Although prices are rising
trappers have been hampered by
decreasing pelts harvests due to
bad: winter weather, conservation
policies, and competition from
hunters. :
Chief Appointed
_KAMLOOPS. — Chief Charles;
Draney » of ‘the Deadman Creek:
Indian Band has been appointed by
the provincial government to sit on
the Cariboo College Council.
The ten-member council is the
governing body of the College in
both financial and academic
matters.
Chief Draney is the third Indian
person appointed to governing
bodies of post-secondary educa-
tional institutions.
Recently, Philip Paul was
appointed to the University of
Victoria senate and Mrs. Hattie
Fergusson to the Vancouver City
College Council.
DIA man
speaks out
VANCOUVER A
representative of the Department
of Indian. Affairs has. called for
land settlement terms for B.C.
Indian people equal to those
promised the Yukon native people
by the Prime Minister.
Speaking toa Kiwanis meeting in
February, G.: David Sparks, :
superintendent of. economic
development for. Fraser District,
called the B.C. Land Claims issue
“one of the sore points resulting in
constant irritation between federal
and provincial governments and
the Indians.”
“The prime. minister is. now
going to consider the Yukon Indian
claims, and this sort of thing has to
be done in B.C.,” Spraks said.
Referring to the Supreme Court
decision on the Nishga case, he
said that land issues should have
political settlements instead of
actions through the courts. :
“There is a definite obligation on
the part of British Columbia and
probably all of Canada to settle the
’ the
federal government officer said.
“When this is done, many other
problems of the Indian minority -
group may be ready for solution,’”
Spraks added. :
Page Fourteen
ALL NATIVE. BASKETBALL TOURNEY: The |
Prince Rupert Chiefs battle the. Kitimaat Haisla
Braves for title. In the toss-up above are. Godfrey
‘Wilson of the Chiefs (white uniform) and Wayne
Smith of the Braves. Team mates watching are Glen
Smith (12), James Young (20), Art Helin (13), an
PRINCE RUPERT EVENT SECOND LARGEST IN CANADA
March, 1973
unidentified Chiefs’ player, Herbie Ent (11),. and
Kelly Williams (15). (Photo by G. McKevitt).
‘Record Crowd Watches All-Native Basketball
By G. McKEVITT
_ PRINCE RUPERT — A record-
breaking crowd of .over 1,500
turned out to see the Prince Rupert
NBA Chiefs retain their title in the
Senior Division of the All-Native
Basketball Tournament held here
last month. The Chiefs downed the
Kitimaat Haisla Braves, 73-65.
In the Intermediate Division,
however, the Kitimaat junior team
came out with a decisive win, 69-36,
over last year’s title holders: the
Port Simpson Junior Braves.
The tournament, held from
February 17 to 24, is in its 14th year
and is recognized as the second
largest All-Native event of its kind
in Canada, next only to the All-
Native Winter Games.
In actuality, however, this highly
successful _tournament was the
apex of a long rough growth that
had its beginnings over 25 years
ago.
TOURNEY BEGAN IN 1947,
On March 12, 1947, the Prince
“Rupert Basketball Association
made the first formal try to. bring
together local native talent into one
tournament. .
Seven teams and 400 fans turned
out for this three-day affair which
saw Kincolith down Aiyansh, 55-40,
to become the first winners of the
now coveted B.C. Packers Trophy.
The tournaments.continued to
. grow in popularity for the next four
years, attracting more fans and
teams from all over the area.
_ In 1952, however, interest began
to lag, and this, combined with
poor accommodations caused the
stoppage in the years following.
It was not until 1960 that interest
was again revived to hold another
tournament in the spirit and scope
of these first.
MORE PUBLIC SUPPORT -
With improved accommodations
for both players and fans, stronger
public support and better
organization, the tournament
attracted ten senior and five
intermediate teams to give a solid
beginning to a series that has been
gaining strength every year.
This year the tournament was
again organized by the Prince
Rupert Basketball Association
under the direction of John Lambie
and committee members Russell
Gamble,
Clifton.
The majority of the financing
came through a $11,000 grant from
the First Citizens Fund to the
committee. From this money,
travelling expenses of $12 a day per
player, was allotted for the five-
day tournament. -
Allan Hall. and John
According to John: Clifton,
because of an over-all loss at the
box office last year, the
tournament needed a base fund to
operate from to get going this year.
The First Citizens Fund provided
this needed money.
Due to the success in ticket sales
this year, however, basic operating
money will be more available for
the next tournament.
APPLY FOR FUNDS
As to travelling expenses, Clifton
suggested that next year the
individual teams should apply to
First Citizens for money needed-
instead of a blanket grant to the
tournament association.
‘Local press coverage was
excellent, with the local radio and
television covering many of the
important games.
Local...businesses sponsored a
special daily full-page writeup in
the Prince Rupert paper that ran
the full length of the tournament
reflecting the importance of the
games not just for the native
community but for the general
community of the Prince Rupert
area,
According ‘to John Clifton,
however, there. was one small
misunderstanding when the Prince
Rupert Tourist Bureau balked at
their agreed financing of the
Program: Booklet.
Apparently the costs were much
higher than they had anticipated
when the tournament association
completed the printing.
RAVEN FACILITIES ,
Next - year, Mr. — Clifton
suggested, the tournament should
utilize the facilities of RAVEN in
Qualicum Beach to reduce these
costs.
“Another expense incurred, but in
this instance considered worth-
while by all, was the bringing
in of two professional referees to
officiate over the games.
Provincial basketball coach and
former Prince Rupert resident
John Olsen, and, a top-rated -
referee from Vancouver, Terry
Garrett, along with three local
officials, provided solid unbiased
officiating that contributed much
to the high level of spirit
throughout the tournament.
Olsen and Garrett also
conducted a clinic at the beginning
of the games to familiarize the
players with their style of
officiating and what to expect in
the Provincial finals in Alberni.
The two top senior teams, the
NBA Chiefs and the Kitamaat
Braves represented the North
Coast District at the Provincial
finals.
21 TEAMS COMPETED
In all, 21 teams took part in this
year’s tournament: ten in the
intermediate division and eleven in
the senior, including: Metlakatla,
Alaska; Kincolith, Aiyansh, Port
Simpson, Skidegate, Masset,
Hartley Bay, Bella Bella, Kitkatla,
Port Edward, Prince Rupert,
Kitimaat and Kispiox.
The games were organized as a
double-knockout: affair with the
losers of the first games being
relegated to the loser’s bracket
where they get a second chance.
The final championship was
between the over-all winners from
the two brackets.
The NBA Chiefs, in winning the
championship for the second time,
experienced little difficulty and no-
defeat.
Last year, in contrast, they came
through the ‘“‘back door,”’ coming
up from the loser’s bracket to gain
the title.
A SPIRITED TEAM
A team of particular note,
although they did not place in the
finals, was the contingent for the
Senior Division from Hartley Bay.
Although outsized by nearly every
other team their spirited play and
determination took them as far as
the semi-finals and won them the
award as the most Sportsmanlike
team.
Their drive was spearheaded by
the two Bolton brothers: Maurice
and Chris, who won the senior high
scorer award and senior most
inspirational player award,
respectively.
Maurice Bolton, in his five
games, scored a total of 172 points;
in one game he set a possible
record in tournament history with
40 points.
Other awards in the Senior
Division include the most valuable
player, Clarence Innes, — of
Kitkatla, and the first and second
all star teams.
The all-stars are: Vern Brown, of
Prince Rupert;.Ken Humperville, ,
Prince Rupert; Morris Bolton,
Hartley ‘Bay; Marty Hall,
Kitamaat; and Clarence Innes, of .--
Kitkatla.
The secorid all stars are: Chris
Bolton, Hartley Bay; Ted Dundas;
Paul Newman, Bella Bella; Albert
Robinson, Kitimaat and Sheldon
Milton, Metlakatla.
INTERMEDIATE DIVISION
In the Intermediate - Division,
‘Kitimaat was awarded the honor of
the most sportsmanlike team while
Marvin Collinson, Skidegate,
garnered the high scorer title with
145 points in six games.
Medric Robinson; Kitimaat, was
elected as the most inspirational
player for that division.
The first all star team included:
Basil Grant, Kitimaat; John Helin,
Port Simpson; Medric Robinson,
Kitimaat; Marvin Collinson,
Skidegate ‘and Daryl PeGrs, Bella
Bella. -
The second team included?
Morris Amos, Kitimaat; Robbie
Hughes, Port Simpson; Mel
Tolmie, Kitkatla; Calvin Barton,
Kincolith; and Brian Brooks,
Skidegate.
A special award was added this
year with an eye. to further
promoting the level of basketball
skill in the North Coast area.
NEW INDIVIDUAL AWARD |
The new Crosby Smith Award
was presented to Mel Tolmie,
Kitkatla, as the Intermediate
player showing the most_potential
for development.
Along with the award went an
all-expense-paid trip this summer
to a basketball clinic to be decided
-in the near future.
[Continued on Page 15]
See PRINCE RUPERT
“Page Sixteen
DON TE Se PO KOA
INDIAN LEADERS MEET ON LAND CLAIMS
UBCIC’s PHILIP PAUL speaks during first of a series of meeting of foramen right, partly shown is Chief Elijah Smith, i Preskient of the
Yukon Native Brotherhood. (Staff Photo).
Indian leaders of Cariada, while other members of Chiefs’ Council
present listen. At Paul’s right, Harry Dickie and Howard Wale. In
LIP Grants May Benefit B.C. Indian Groups
VANCOUVER — More projects
under the. Local | Initiatives
Program,. in addition to’ the 70
projects listed in NESIKA (Jan.
1973 issue), have been approved for
Indian: Bands.
These projects are:
Hesquiat Cultural Project — To ~
establish a new social and cultural
facility for the Hesquiat area —
$13,823 (7 jobs).
Squamish Indian Housing
Project — To upgrade community
facilities on the reserve in North
Vancouver — $13,923 (7 jobs).
Cowichan Indian Band
Renovation Project — To carry out
general community improvements
on reserve land at Duncan =
$22,127 (12 jobs).
Okanagan Indian Band
Improvement Project To
improve community facilities and
services on reserve near Vernon —
$9,126 (4. jobs).
Spallumcheen Indian Band Im-
provement Project — To carry out
general community improvements
on reserve land in the Enderby
area — $20,592 8 jobs).
Takla Indian Band Community
Recreation Centre —To establish a
new recreation and social facility
at Takla Landing — $11,700 (10
jobs).
Ksan Campground — To revive
native culture by restoring historic
and traditional buildings and
structures in the Hazelton area —
$19,890 (10 jobs). ~
Mount Currie Band Council — To
carryout community improve-
_-ments on-reserve land — $22,011
(23 jobs).
~ Nooaitch Indian Band — To im-
prove community facilities and
recreational services on reserve
. near Merrit — $12,870 (5 jobs).
Coldwater Indian Band — To up-'
grade services in the reserve near
Merritt — $22,113 (9 jobs).
Bridge River Indian Band —
General improvement of utilities
and recreation facilities on reserve
land in the Lillooet area — $11,934
(6 jobs).
Deadman’s ‘Creek Indian Band
— To carry out community
improvements on reserve
including development of a
summer park, construction of
rodeo facilities, fencing, clearing
and general clean-up, in the
Savona area — $20,592 (8 jobs).
Nazko Indian Band — Commun-
' upgrading
_premises,
ity fdiprovenehts and social
services extension on reserve land
in the Quesnel area including
repairs upgrading -of pensioners’
homes, ‘construction of adminis-
tration building, sanitary facilities,
and fencing — $18,018 (7 jobs).
Kitsumkalum Village — To
improve the community water
system in the village near
Terrace; includes construction of
protective sheds for fire hydrants,
clearing of pipeline right-of-way
access road, and drainage ditches
— $7,020 (5 jobs).
Bella Coola Indian Band — To
earry out general community
improvements on reserve land;
includes clearing of log jams and-
debris from the Bella Coola River
and Tatsquam Creek, and
construction of a warehouse —
$22,464 (12 jobs).
Kitasoo Band Council — To carry
out general community improve-
ments on reserve land in. the
Klemtu area; this includes
clearing for new housing sites,
repairs to pensioners’ homes,
of kindergarten
community buildings,
and church — $19,305 (11 jobs).
LIP projects for non-status
Indian people have also been
approved through the sponsorship
of the B.C. Association of Non-
Status Indians.
A “‘winter-warmth”’ project was
approved in early January for im-
proving housing conditions. The
$199,719 .grant.is for emergency
repairs and renovations and
provides 66 jobs.
BCANSI is also sponsoring LIP
projects setting up information
centres. The Native Information
Centre in Vancouver received a
$45,630 grant for rehabilitation of
native Indians. on skid road. This
will provide 15 jobs.
The All Native Information
Centre in Burns Lake will provide
a new social service in the area.
The project was approved with a
grant of $9,945, and it provides for
five jobs.
FRIENDSHIP CENTRES
Other projects approved include
friendship centres and those aimed
at assisting Indian communities,
like the following:
The Indian Culture Project in
Chase was approved for a grant of
$12,402, providing six jobs, to
expand educational resources in
elementary schools.
This includes hiring ~ teacher
aides to help teachers, to gather
and prepare local Indian culture
for inclusion in the curriculum.
The University of B.C. project,
Today’s Ancestors, was approved
with a grant of $17,798. The project
provides for eight jobs and. will
make photographic documentation
of, native population in B.C.
The Quesnel Tillicum Society is
‘sponsoring the. Native,,Friendship
Centre project to provide a tiew
social service for native Indians in
the area: The project will provide
for four jobs with a grant of $7,956.
Sponsored’ by the Cariboo
Friendship Society, a project was
approved with a grant of $14,018 to
expand a new social service
facility that emphasizes assistance
to native Indians in the Williams
Lake area. The project provides
for nine jobs.
$27 Million Development
for Quebec Indian Reserve
SEPT-ILES The Sept-Des
Indian Band - has’ reached
agreement with. a Quebec
commercial development
corporation allowing for a $27
million commercial and
residential centre to be built on
reserve lands. —
In return, the Indian band will
receive a guaranteed annual in-
come and a percentage of the gross
revenue of the development,
according a news released issued
in January by the Department of
Indian Affairs.
The development in this mining
town located 350. miles north of
Quebec City will include a
residential area of duplex,
townhouse, sihgle and multiple
family dwellings and a
commercial centre of department
stores, supermarket, variety shops
and related service outlets.
Covering an area of nearly four
million square feet. on a main
street, the complex is one of the
largest such developments on
reserve land in Canada.
Application Forms Available
[Continued from Page 13]
Canada Manpower office,.or Post
Office.
All applications or cor-
respondence about this competi-
tion should be addressed to:
Personnel Administration Branch,
Department of the Secretary of
State, 130 Slater St.,
Ontario 11A OM5.
Competition number 73-SEC-0-1
must be quoted on all inquiries.
Ottawa,
‘being
Construction on the project will
begin this spring and is expected to
be completed in five years.
Band members will be employed
during construction and later in
management and maintenance
stages of the operation.
Program Short.
Of Funds
(Continued from Page 11]
While the committee members -
were not pleased with the results of
the meeting, they felt there was
little else they could do in view of
the upcoming meeting. But they
did decide to send a telegram to’
Jean Chretian to ask for help.
Mrs. Evelyn Paul of Richmond,
who attended the meeting at the
request of the committee
members, commented “It sounded
Jike the old divide and conquer
tactic.”
Curiosity Corner
QUESTION: In connection with
the death of an Indian man in
Chilliwack, please. give further
- details about spirit dancing.
ANSWER: In former times
Indian. dances were partly
religious rituals. This religious
nature has mostly dimmed except
with Coast and Interior Salish
spirit dances.
Spirit dancing survives not only
as a way of discovering and
asserting Indian identity, but also
as a means of emotional release.
The spirit dancer experiences deep
religious feelings.
A new dancer was initiated so
that he can have supernatural
powers. This power is believed to
confer distinctions on the dancer
regarding: his song, dance,
costume, and pattern of facial :
painting.
Older dancers initiated the new
dancers by staging a mock
‘abduction of the initiated, and then
breathed the power into the latter.
The new dancer livéd in. the
dance: house for a period as he
undergoes’ special rituals and
observes certain restrictions..
Reserves with many - initiated
dancers held dances and often used
the occasions to display family-
owned -rituals and dances. The
dances were also used for other
social ceremonies.
Up .to a hundred dances
performed, and each dancer
became ‘‘possessed’” so that they
had to be helped back to their
seats. (Based on The Indian
History of British Columbia by
Wilson Duff, Volume I)
The light Indian bark canoes
were made from spruce, birch,
white pine or balsam bark,
depending on the Indian tribes that
made them.
Asingle piece of bark was used if
possible, otherwise pieces were
sewn together with root and sealed
with moss and pitch (a semi-liquid
resinous substance when hot; hard
when cold.)
James Bay Legal Costs High |
{Continued from Page 13]
and legal fees are high, the Quebec
Association is desperately in need
of additional funds.
In an effort to obtain these much-
needed funds, all sorts of schemes
are under way at the present time,
with the overall drive for money
co-ordinated by the
Association. -
It was for this purpose that the
Quebec Indian leaders have
approached all provincial and
territorial organizations of the
National Indian Brotherhood. And,
while the drive amongst Indian
people in Canada goes on,
concerned non-Indians have also
been donating.. =
But, while some money has been
raised, more will be needed if the
Indians and Eskimos in Quebec are
to win their fight.
People wishing to contribute to
the cause should send their
donations to the SAVE THE
JAMES BAY AREA, c/o Indians of
Quebec’ Association, P.O. Box aaa
Caughnawaga, Quebec.
Appointment Made
Kathryn Teneese of the
Columbia Lake band has been
appointed community develop-
ment ‘worker for the Kootenay
bands :
Ms. Teneese, who was appointed
by the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs,
takes over from Ed Morigeau of St.
_Mary’s Band.
She will be working with the
Shuswap, Columbia Lake, St.
Mary’s, Tobacco Plains and Lower
Columbia bands.
Before taking the new job, Ms.
Teneese was band manager of the
Columbia Lake band and alternate
member for the Kootenay-Okana-
gan District on the Union’s Chiefs
Council.
Part of Nesika: The Voice of B.C. Indians -- Vol. 2 No. 3 (March 1973)