Periodical
Nesika: The Voice of B.C. Indians -- Vol. 2 No. 4 (April 1973)
- Title
- Nesika: The Voice of B.C. Indians -- Vol. 2 No. 4 (April 1973)
- Is Part Of
- 1.06-01.02 Nesika: The Voice of BC Indians
- 1.06.-01 Newsletters and bulletins sub-series
- Date
- April 1973
- volume
- 2
- issue
- 4
- Language
- english
- Identifier
- 1.06-01.02-02.05
- pages
- 16
- Contributor
- Chief NC Derriksan
- Cindy Wilson
- Pearle Pearson
- Margaret Woods
- Phyllis L Hanna
- Lia McGookin
- George Povey
- Skyros Bruce
- Type
- periodical
- Transcription (Hover to view)
-
Page’ Two.”
NESIKA
April, 1973
(Continued from Page 1)
. Proposal developed at
workshop on March 24-25.
BELLA COOLA-WILLIAMS LAKE
The Bella Coola-Williams Lake
group, through Ivan Tallio,
reported the following results of
their discussions: _
_ Settlement — The group wants
administration by Indian people,
and does not want the kind of
settlement set out in the Yukon
Brotherhood’s paper; that
financial compensation be asked
on perpetual basis, compensation
be asked for all resources in B.C.,
compensation be asked for the loss
of use of the land for the past 100
years, future compensation . be
asked for revenues derived from
exploitation of natural resources.
Others — Special status be
retained, reserves to remain and
even enlarged.
Individual and general claims —
Bands to present their own
grievances for a claim settlement,
for unity Land Claims should be as
one in B.C, :
The Bella Coola-Williams Lake
group also declared: ‘“‘Because we
the
are claiming all of B.C. we decide.
~ PROPOSALS ON LAND CLAIMS SETTLEMENT
Delegates split into smaller groups
what. lands the white people can
use.”
BABINE-TERRACE GROUP
Heber Maitland reported that the
Babine-Terrace group
recommends as part of
compensation, $250,000 and 200
acres per capita, plus 15% from all
royalties from natural resources.
The Babine-Terrace group also
made the following suggestions:
That reserve land be extended by
purchase of Crown land of Indian
people’s choice.
That all tribal rights — hunting,
fishing, trapping, etc. be retained.
That all expropriated lands be
returned.
That Indian people should have
first opportunity to do logging
when areas with traplines are
going to be logged.
The Babine-Terrace group
declared that claim for
compensation be based on today’s
standard, and that a revolving loan
fund be set up through
compensation to be operated by
Indian people. :
THOMPSON-KWAWKEWLTH
The
Kwawkewlth group, 5
Forrest Walkem echoed the Bella
Thompson/Nicola- |
though |
Manuel says people must support
leaders when ‘chips’ are down
(Continued from Page 1)
presentation to the Privy Council
in England.
“We can appreciate what the
government had in mind at the
time: the thinking of the
government was'it could not settle
land claims. in B.C. beyond what
the government had already
acceded to give to treaty areas,”
said Manuel. .
TOUGH GOING AHEAD
_“That’s why there’s tough
negotiations ahead — the
mentality of the government at the
present time is that it cannot go
beyond the treaties,’ Manuel
continued. ‘‘I think this is a reality -
that we have to accept.”
Because of the difficulty that lies
ahead, the national leader of
Indian people; stressed to
Assembly delegates the need for
people at community level to be
“basically part and parcel with
leaders at identifying what
aboriginal rights: mean to them, to
keep everybody in tune through a
chain ‘of communications from
band members, band councils,
district councils, to the chiefs
council and to the national level.’”’
Manuel observed: that leaders
“quite often struggle on their own”
as he warned delegates of the
consequence when the people are
not informed of what’s going on.
SUPPORT FOR LEADERS
On the other hand, the NIB head
said, “‘when the chips are down,
when the struggle gets. tough, when
decisions are tkaen in relation to
political strategy, grass roots
awareness ensure that the
community .will be ready and
willing to support their leaders.”
Saying that Indian people have a
lot of support in Canada and
abroad, and that Canadians now
have a minority government,
Manuel told Assembly delegates:
“There is no question in my
_ mind, as leader of the national
organization, that this is the best
time to do it — the opportunity of .
pressing for a settlement that is
satisfactory is best right.’ ‘
“T think it is extremely urgent —
_ extremely, extremely urgent —
that we try to deal with this
question, discuss it, debate it, try
' to get it down to our people, and try
to get their position as quickly as
possible.”
ANSWER IS DIFFICULT
The NIB head told of his
experiences as head of the national
organization when he is asked what
Indian people really want: “I find
it difficult to answer; I’ve nev3r
been told what you want.”
Though he warned of ‘“‘hard. and
tough negotiations” ahead, Manuel
pointed out that, “It deesn’t mean
that we cannot win on the price, on
the. conditions that- we will lay
down in. the negotiations for
settlement.”
He cited the slowing down of
government action by Indian
‘people since 1970, and the change
from the then sweeping powers of a
‘Liberal government with a strong
majority, to a minority
government now prepared to listen
provided. Indian’ people have a
positive approach.
Among the factors that had
significantly put the pressure on
the government, Manuel named
the UBCIC Land Claims paper, the
James Bay Project being
successfully opposed by Indians of
Quebec, and the Supreme Court
split decision on the Nishga Case.
A FEW MINUTES LULL gives a chance for NIB President George Chiefs Vic
Coola-Williams Lake group in
declaring ‘‘We should lease our
Province to white people and
obtain compensation for past
usage’’ and ‘“‘There should be an
economic development fund
governed by Indian people; not a
government department.”
An elderly member suggested, in
fact, more militant pursuit of land
claims. :
This group also was the only one
to consider. Indian status, stating
“We should decide who is .an
Indian, and what percentage of
Indian blood . should be
recognized.”
Other recommendations of the
‘Thompson/Nicola-Kwawkewlth
group are:
Hunting and fishing rights should
be protected, Indian ‘people should
have exclusive rights in fishing.
areas, foreshore rights should be
settled. .
Land should be part of
compensation; if there is a cash
settlement, a percentage of it
should be put in a trust fund and a
percentage distributed for the
present generation.
A percentage of royalties
collected on natural. resources be
obtained.
. The government should provide -
funds for all services if the
settlement is inadequate.
The group -also recommended
getting free time on television and
‘radio to educate the public and
Indian people on land claims.
_ KOOTENAY-OKANAGAN
Adam Eneas reported that
because of insufficient time the
Kootenay-Okanagan group did not
have specific recommendations
‘but. brought: out. the. following
points: ~ “
Compensation should be held in
trust for the use of all Bands.
Compensation reaching the Band
level should be under the authority
of the Band Council:
Legislation is needed to protect
Indian people’s lands.
' The land claims should include
“cut-off lands.”
With regard to non-status
Indians, the Kootenay-Okanagan is
‘one of three discussion groups to
consider the issue with the
declaration that benefits to former
Band members are to be
determined at the Band level.
~The Kootenay-Okanagan group
posed a question to the Assembly:
What do we do about individual
locatees when additional land is
Manual to report, apparently, about the possibility of his going on diet.
Chiefs Ron Seymour and Tom Greene are intent on something else, while
acquired as compensation and if a
development fund is set up?
SOUTH ISLAND GROUP
South Island, as reported by Tom
Sampson, also discussed non-
status Indians by suggesting that
the issue be further considered.
The South Island group warned
the Assembly that monetary
returns are not secure because of
value fluctuation.
The group rejected termination
and said that present services by
the government must be
maintained, improved and
updated. . ,
Sampson also reported that his
group suggested that
compensation for all lands once
used traditionally must be sought,
that expropriated lands and cut-off
lands be exchanged to get lands of
equal value. :
In addition, the group suggested
that foreshore rights must be
obtained and the idea of a Land
Commission be considered.
LILLOOET-NORTH COAST
The Lillooet/Lytton-North Coast
group report included, as in the
South Island group- report,
rejection of termination.
Reporting for the group, Clarke
Smith said that. people to benefit
from the Land Claims settlement,
especially those who are’no longer
Band members, should be
identified by the bands concerned.
Stressing a united effort, the
group declared that ‘‘no one Indian
Band” should. begin their own
settlement without involving the
Union, and that the Chiefs Council
continue to pursue the land claims.
As with the Fraser West-East
group, the Lillooet/Lytton-North
Coast'-group, recommended that
the...government.. should. be
pressured to. recognize Indian
people as aboriginal people.
In discussing Philip Paul’s
appointment as spokesman for
Indian people of B.C..and director
of land claims research; Smith
reported that his group suggested
securing more Parliament.seats by
Indi$n peopl3. = = = + —
- With regard to compensation,
the group recommended including
royalties derived from natural
resources; that when foreshore
rights are considered the
_ownership of lakes should be kept
in mind.
LAKES-ST. JOHN
As reported by Ron Seymour, the
Lakes-Fort St. John | dis¢ussion
group. declared that the
~ Government should keep providing
hearing.
social services and improve these.
With regard to compensation,
the group suggested that as
hunting, fishing and trapping are
the mainstay of Indian life these
rights must be retained, and
compensation is needed for the loss
of these resources. :
The group agreed that land must
be added where needed in addition
to other forms of compensations
and royalties.
The Lakes-Fort St. John group
also stressed unity and said that
compensation should be sought for
the benefit of all Bands.
WEST. COAST GROUP
The report from the West Coast
discussion group took an entirely
different direction from the other
groups.
George Watts, on behalf of his
group, said that delegates to the
Assembly can’t and should not be
answering questions on the land
claims; the questions should be
answered by Band members.
Following this strong stand for
grassroots participation, Watts
said that his group had
recommended that the opinions
and views. of Band members can
best be obtained by secret ballot.
All registered Band members of
the age of 16 and over will vote. |
The ballot will contain
information on issues and should
be circulated not later than 12
weeks before the ballot week.
“After the discussion groups
reports, members’ of the Chiefs
Council clarified certain
recommendations with the groups’
spokesmen.
RESEARCH PROPOSAL
The Assembly. adopted the Land
Claim Action Research Proposal, :
as revised by a committee made up
of Victor “Adolph, as chairman,
Heber Maitland and George Watts,
on the third day of its sessions.
The revision involved having two
approaches for an over-all Land
Claims: one general claims to be
developed by the Union with the
establishment of a . Central-
Research facility to coordinate the
provincial claim; another — for
individual band claims — to be
developed by Band Land
Committees.
The general and individual band
claims will then be gathered into
one final report with two parts.
The Assembly then considered
also the brief presented by the
Sechelt Band to the B.C.
government on February 21, 1973.
Adolph, Philip Paul and Adam Eneas give Manuel a good
[Staff Photo]
April, 1973
: Page ‘Three’
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EDITORIAL
No growth in B.C. leadership
[EDITOR’S NOTE: After . the
Union’s Special General Assembly
in Penticton earlier this month,.N.
C. Derriksan, Chief of the
Westbank Band, submitted the
following guest ‘editorial to
Nesika.]
‘By Chief N.C: DERRIKSAN
: .Kootenay-Okanagan
Correspondent .
After having had to send a
“delegate to the last. two Union
conferences in Victoria and. Prince
Rupert, being too busy at band
level to personally attend, I was
excited at the prospect of the
Special General Assembly in
Penticton.
Anticipation and optimism in our
people and their leadership was the
cause of my excitement. I was
most disappointed . and
disillusioned and frustrated by the
end of the three-day assembly, for
nothing had ehaweet: the people
are the same.
I didn’t see the growth in
leadership I expected to see. I
didn’t witness the evolvement. in
ideas I thought would manifest. I
saw the same faces I saw at the -
conference in Vancouver two years
before. The same so-called leaders
sitting silently, saying nothing for
three whole days — a tremendous
feat when-you consider it!
SAME SPEAKERS
I heard the same speakers give
the same dramatic and theatrical,
ego-bujlding speeches about unity,
the grass roots people, our future
generations, and having no idea or
comprehension of what they were
really saving, while everyone was
forced to sit in embarrassment and
endure the performance.
Never does it cease to amaze me
why the chairman doesn’t rule this
sort of act out of order, for they are
always totally off the subjects
being debated on the floor.
In fact, I actually expected one
or two of these speakers to actually
fall to the floor at any moment, for
they seemed to have the
remarkable ability to appear
under the influence of liquor during
the entire assembly; though it
must be my imagination. None of
our leaders.would act this way. . .
NEVER! Our leaders are too
proud and dignified a peaple to act
in such a manner!
WASTED TIME
The time wasted by speakers of
this sort, expounding on irrelevant
issues, block the true purpose of
the assembly, wasting ~ precious:
time that our organization can’t
afford to have wasted.
Indian time seems to have been
officially adopted by the Union,
and the delegates, for nothing
started or ended on time — not
even the coffe breaks, though lunch
seemed an exception.
The attitude of the Union and the
delegates must change in _this -
regard in order to have productive
gatherings, and the example must
begin and come from the executive
council; it is one of its
responsibilities.
WEAK CHAIR
A weak chair is, and always has
been, one of the major factors of a
disorganized, time-wasting
fruitless meeting. The chairman,
as usual, was informal, so informal
that there was absolutely no-
control of the meeting by any reach .
of the imagination, not even to the
extent of keeping the subject being
discussed on the floor.
It was obvious that the chairman
lacked the experience to handie the
-assembly in an orderly fashion.
The introductions of*the executive
council and the delegates would
have taken up the entire first day
had the chairman been allowed to.
introduce each delegate
individually as he started out to do.
There was an agenda, though I
suspect it had omissions in it, for
issues were exhaustively and
laboriously. discussed, even though
they weren’t anywhere on: the
agenda. I witnessed many a
delegate with a look of confusion on
his face at varying times during
the sessions, and I felt sympathy
for his- bewilderment. .
EXPECTANT AIR
The first day’s morning working
session set the trend for the entire
assembly’s three days. The
atmosphere was expectant and
silent, but no one seemed anxious
(Continued on Page 5)
See WHO
Valley,
~ EDITORIAL. L REPRINT
cA matter of special privileges and rights.
From The
Kamloops Daily Sentinel
April 2, 1973
Two. questions arise from
Municipal | Affairs Minister
Lorimer’s arbitrary decision to
include Indian lands in the new city
of Kamloops.
The first is, why did he choose to
ignore the rights of the Indians to
determine their future, upset the
federal Indian Affairs department,
and. deliberately challenge the
federal government on a matter
that traditionally has been within
federal jurisdiction alone?
- The second is, if it ultimately is
determined the reserve will not be
included despite Mr.
should Rayleigh and Heffley Creek
be included in the amalgamated
city?
Mr. Lorimer represents a
government which professed to
desire better relations with Ottawa
than had been the case under the
previous regime. Yet he took
action, in including reserve lands
within the new city, without even
discussing the matter with the
Indians or the federal government,
let alone asking permission.
He has: infringed on a long-
standing Indian right and on the
right of federal responsibility for
Indian affairs. He has not done so
as a matter of last resort but as a
first action. In effect, it becomes a
deliberate affront rather than a co-
operative action.
. Itis not a matter of whether ‘they
should have a vote on
amalgamation as those in some
outlying urban areas want. It is a
matter of special privileges and
rights historically. and legally
granted to Indian people. :
Amalgamation could . have
proceeded without inclusion of the ©
reserve. and negotiations been
opened to determine whether the
reserve would have been included ,
Amalgamation
may face test
KAMLOOPS As amal-
gamation day, May i,. neared,
Prime Minister’ Trudeau has
advised the Kamloops Band
members to go to court to test the
forced inclusion of Reserve lands.
Len Marchand (Kamloops-
Cariboo), parliamentary secretary
to Chretian, had intimated before
that he may suggest to the Minister
to take court action:
Reports, meanwhile, have been
‘circulating that some members of «
the Kamloops Indian Band are
planning a blockade or a
demonstration against
inclusion of Reserve land.
The part of the Reserve.‘that is
set for inlcusion in the expanded
city contains an industrial area
where more. than 30 non-Indian
businesses are operated.
B.C..Municipal Affairs Minister
Lorimer had argued that the
amalgamation will not affect
zoning on the Reserve.
Lorimer is also reported to have
said that there is no question of
levying taxes.on Indians who live
on the Reserve. | .
Lorimer said, further, that he
saw no conflict with a B.C. Court of
_-Appeal ruling that municipalities
. have no, control over zoning on
Indian lands. .
Arctic land freeze
YELLOWKNIFE, NWT — A land
freeze has been imposed on 400,000
square miles of Arctic lands
involved in Indian land claims.
The area includes the Mackenzie
the Great -Slave Lake
region, and the oil-rich western
Arctic.
The freeze took the form of a
temporary restraining order
issued on April 3, when Justice
William Morrow adjourned to May
15 an application for caveat by the
chiefs and councils of 7,000 treaty
Indians. ,
Lorimer, -
the —
later. Certainly, it is preferable to
have the reserve within the city so
proper planning is applied to
developments there and so Indians
have a voice in deciding policy
within a city that affects them so
intimately. But there are proper
channels through which the matter
should have travelled.
When the matter was discussed
last week, the point was made that,
if reserve land was excluded from
the new city, there would be no
direct connection between
Kamloops and Rayleigh and
Heffley Creek. The argument put
forward was those two
communities should, therefore, be
excluded from the new city.
It is hard to argue the point. The -
‘two places would tend to be:
overlooked in most matters and to
have development retarded
because of a lengthy gap between
them and the rest of the city.
On the other hand, if they. were
excluded the very real danger of
satellite towns would emerge, with
people moving there to have the
advantages of the city without the
disadvantages.
There would not be sufficient
control on development, leaving it
unplanned and uncoordinated. The
two centres might face pressures
which they would not be able to
cope with and the problems now
facing the urban core would again
emerge, only further away.
CHEMAINUS — Members of the
Penelakut Band have approved the
proposed 400 summer-house
subdivision on their Kuper Island
“Over my dead body!”
VICTORIA
Chabot, Social. Credit MLA for
Columbia River suggested that the
provincial government has a
responsibility to set up a full-scale
cabinet -department of Indians,
Frank Calder replied, ‘‘It would be
established over my dead body.’
“We have one bureaucracy now,
which in my mind has been a
failure all these years. We don’t
want another,’’ continued the
Indian MLA.
The exchange came about when
the legislature was discussing
budget estimates for Calder’s’
office as minister without portfolio.
The minister stated that he hopes
to get federal agreement shortly on
a proposal to extend all current
provincial public services to Indian
reserves. .
He added that he hopes to visit
When James.
Calder
Ottawa after the house is re-called
from the Easter recess to work out
details of the agreement.
One of his main tasks, Calder
said, is convincing Indian leaders
that . their reserves should be
turned into autonomous
municipalities so that the native
people can receive legitimate
returns from their tax dollars. _
The way it is now, B.C.’s first
Indian cabinet minister said,
Indians must ‘‘get. down on their
knees and beg to the east’’ for any
improvements on reserves.
One matter he did agree with
Chabot on was that the federal
Indian Act needs revising.
“It’s obsolete,”’ Calder said.
During the brief debate on his
salary, Calder received praise for
the work he has done in the past six
months.
NEEDED IMMEDIATELY
of Grade
' preferable.
12:
‘inmates.
SALARIES: Up to
qualifications.
NATIVE LIAISON
SERVICE OFFICERS
(Department of the Solicitor-General
Canadian Penitentiary Service)
QUALIFICATIONS: Must have a minimum
University degree
DUTIES: To act as officers in charge of
native Indian groups in institutions;
To. act as community workers as liaison
with native Indian organizations; and
To help.supervise parolees as well as carry
out other duties concerning native Indian
(including expenses) depending on
APPLICATION FORMS can be picked up at
any post office (PFC 367-401 [REV3711]
7540-21857-7534), and should be sent to:
Mr. Earl Allard —
Native Consultant
P.O. Box 10063
Pacific Centre
Vancouver I, B.C.
$1,000 per month
Page Four
April, 1973
Indians of Quebec interested
in ideas from British Columbia
(Continued from Page 1)
rights. I would say that this could
be one phase.
INTERESTED IN IDEAS
“We are interested in getting
your ideas on two other phases:
“Finding the province’s stand
within the province, not only on the
question of aboriginal title but also
all other questions. /
“For example, what does the
B.C.” government plan for the
future of the province? Where do
they expect to get the capital for
development? How much do they
intend to make for themselves, if
they proceed with the
development?
“We too, should have a program
where: we can work parallel with
them, or at least do the same thing
they are doing, and find out what
potential our province has.
EVALUATION TEAM
“The reason any government
would develop an area is because
of the money. Therefore, in order
for us to make a justifiable claim
according to the government —
we must have a team to evaluate
the province, not only based on
what Indian value is but also based
on white man’s values:
“This is where we can work
logether.’”
Delisle described research work
on the James Bay Project: “We |
have a Task Force, and, hopefully,
by July we could expand the force
to include research of the whole —
province. Then we might also be
able to include your ideas on the
different avenues of approach.”
The Quebec Indian leader said
that this is the purpose of the series
Indians get
home grant
VICTORIA The Home
Acquisitions Grant Act was
amended early in April to include
native Indian people living on
reserve land.
Since its inception in 1966, the
Act — which gives people buying
homes grants of $1,000 for new
homes, $500 for older homes or
second mortgages of $5,000 and
$2,500, respectively — did not
apply to Indian people living on
reserve lands. . .
The Sechelt Band had petitioned
the provincial government to
change this, pointing out that
Indian people living on reserve
land were. the only exceptions to
the Act, that even non-Indian
lessees on reserve lands were
entitled to the grants.
When Premier Barrett
introduced the amendment, he
called the Act as it previously stood
' “sheer discrimination’’.
During second reading of. the
amendment, Barrett indicated that
the government was prepared to
“bend the rules”’ of the Act to allow
Indian people to use their backlog
payments in bulk.
. That is, is all. band members
affected by the change agreed, a
band could take the money in one
lump sum to acquire additional
land or home furnishings or
improvements.
Both the Liberals and the
Conservatives supported the
amendments. Liberal MLA Garde
Gardom suggested that Indian
people be exempted from the 5%
' sales tax on all items purchased for
use on the reserves.
Gardom also suggested that the
provincial per capita grant paid to
municipalities should also be made
available to the self-governing
Indian ‘bands in the province.
Barrett rejected the sales tax
of meetings Indian
organizations.
SHARING WEALTH j
“We want to coordinate ideas
and share ‘the wealth across the
country,’ said Delisle. /
‘Explaining the need to evaluate
on the basis of both Indian and non-
Indian values, Delisle cited the
expropriation of the St. Lawrence
Seaway from the Caughnawaga
Band,
. ‘For 11 years,” Delisle recalled,
“we were told that we had no
claim.”
So,
among
the Quebec Indians
undertook to give some idea of
what are Indian values.
COUNTING METHOD
Delisle described their method:
“We counted practically every tree
that was cut down that could have
been used by Indian people to
make souvenirs to sell to white
people; counted every ton of rock
that was moved, every gallon of
water that was diverted and
estimated how many fish would be
in that water that could have been
used; calculated how much wine
could havé been made with the
grapes.”
When they were told that wine
could not be made from the grapes,
Delisle said: ‘‘We brought them a
bottle!”
On needed proofs for claims,
Delisle commented: “In the
Nishga Case and in the James Bay
case, Indian people have to prove
that they inhabited the land at one
time. :
“The funny thing in the James
Bay case is that we received some
official records — from the Bay,
some missionaries, churches — the
court would not accept the written
records. é
BISHOPS CAME
“The bishops had to‘come, but’at -
the last. minute they were not
: required to appear before. the
judge.
ie Instead the bishops appeared
before the lawyers — ours and
theirs. The bishops, .at least,
admitted that there were people
there before 1850.”
“Delisle then stressed the need to
find ways of proving residence..,
“There are a lot of reports from
anthropologists,” he. noted.
On producing a native
dictionary, Delisle said: ‘‘We tried
CHIEF
Indians of Quebec Association.
{Staff Photo]
that in Quebec. The reason it
wasn’t officially accepted is there
was no one who had a doctorate
degree from university who was
qualified to say whether the
dictionary was accurate or
inaccurate. .
“First you have to educate an
Indian in linguistics to say that it is
official!” :
No decision
on cannery
VICTORIA :— Human Resources .
Minister Norman Levi -has
announced in legislature that the
final decision on the -proposed
Indian fish cannery at Port
Simpson will be delayed.
Levi had explained that the
government does not have enough
time to make the final decision
now.
The cannery fig been the subject
of much debate, particularly
during the last B. C. elections that
saw the NDP overwhelm the Social
Credit government.
The ‘previous government? had,
‘during. the last days of its tenure,
approved the establishment of, the
cannery by setting aside” an
amount to aid its development.
The Northcoast District Council
had made a feasibility study of the
cannery and has been urging the
establishment of the cannery for
some time.
_ It was the Council’s hope that the
establishment of the cannery
would greatly benefit the Indian
community and :the~ native
fishermen. ‘
ANDREW. DELISLE of |
oe
Paul also to work with Quebec
group to draft
(Continued from Page 1)
. appointed as the Director of
B.C. Indian Land: Claim, to
research and coordinate the
settlement on behalf of all the
Indian people of B.C.; and
“WHEREAS, a _. comparable
contract of remuneration must
be paid for this position, as
equivalent of Philip Paul’s
previous position.
“BE IT THEREFORE
RESOLVED
THAT the remuneration and the
conditions for this position be as
follows:
Salary by contract — $18,000.00
per annum.
Increments. to be: negotiated by
the Chiefs’ Council Executive.
Expenses relative to the position
to be a plus. item.
Tenure — five years.
. Holidays — one month evely 12-
month period.
. Fringe benefits — Medical Plan,
ete.
. Office — to be set up in
Victoria immediately with
necessary support staff (until
such time as the Union of B.C.
Indian Chiefs has adequate
facilities to accommodate this
program wherever the Union of
Heber Maitland
resigns post
KITIMAT — The former chief of
the Kitimat band, Heber Maitland,
has resigned from the Kitimat
School Board.
In a letter to the board, he
expressed his regret and said that
due to his position on the executive
committee of the Union of B.C.
Indian Chiefs, he would be away
from home too often to do justice to
his’ position as school trustee.
Since the Union is “stepping up
its programming” for a land
claims settlement, Maitland
explained that“. . . this means I’ll
be away from home more often.”
_
be
an
a
~
CULTUS LAKE — The annual
Cultus Lake Indian Festival will be
held on June 2 and 3 this year.
This two-day event features
canoe races, a Native Princess
Pageant, children’s sports, native
dancing among other events.
working accord
B.C. Indian Chiefs’
location may be.
8. An adequate budget must be
sought after, immediately, to
pursue. the Land Claim
Settlement and to carry out the
job.”
A WORKING AGREEMENT
Regarding land claims, Council
central
‘also made Philip Paul the Union’s
representative in making a draft of
a working agreement between the
Union and the Indians of Quebec
Association.
Earlier, Council had approved a
motion for the Union to meet the
Quebec Indians to work out an
agreement for a unified approach
to land claim settlement.
The drafting of guidelines for a
closer working relation between
the Union. and the IQA was
proposed by Andrew Delisle. (See
story in this issue.)
Council also adopted the move to
get the RAVEN Society to produce
- a film based on Claim Based on
Native Title.
NON-STATUS’ PART :
Council considered non-status
Indians’ involvement in. land
claims and agreed that a report be
made to Council on a meeting
between the executive bodies of the
Union and the B.C. Association. of
Non-Status Indians to be arranged.
Bill Mussell, UBCIC executive
director, reported to Council: that
George Watts had obtained
$2,350,000 for the Grants-to-Bands
Program.
Council directed that the first
quarter be distributed now, and
that the Union give George Watts a
vote of confidence for his work.
Council also approved the
following motions:
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES
That a letter of support be sent to
the Provincial Secretary asking
that the application for additional
funds for the Archaeological Sites
Board be approved; that it be.
included in the letter that
individual bands nearby the -
diggings be directly involved or the
Union will withdraw its support;
and \
That the Union and the North
Coast District Council get more
information on the Prince Rupert
Development in relation to Indian
burial grounds, and that they
report their findings at the next
meeting of the Chiefs Council.
.
British Columbia is more than just your Province.
Its yourhome.
exemption, calling it “a reverse
form of discrimination.”
All citizens should pay taxes
equally and receive benefits
equally regardless of race, creed
or color, he said.
Seeit this Summer.
on long beaches.
into the sea.
A land of highways
today’s way of life.
To be proud of.
Your land. .
For more travel information, visit any British Columbia Information Centre, or write:
British Columbia Department of Travel Industry, 1019 Wharf Street, Victoria, B.C.
e
A land where waves pound down.
A land of deep green forests filled with fish
and game. And silence.
A land of mountains that disappear
A land of clean cities and clear air.
A land of valleys full of friendly faces
and warm handshakes. A land where
fresh fruit ripens in warm summer sun.
and backroads that beckon.
A land where history still lives with
A land that offers to those fortunate —
to live here, the qualities of life that
tourists travel miles to experience.
In a world that’s being civilized out of it’s
senses, come back to yours this summer.
Take the time to look around you.
At a land to love. To be part of.
- British Columbia.
OT 73-506-D
Page Six
NES 1 KA
BAND MEMBERS ENTHUSIASTIC |
— Skwah recreation project impressive
By CINDY WILSON
The Skwah reserve has to be one
of the prettiest: spots around
Chilliwack, a lush green three acre
piece of land framed by misty blue
mountains on the far side of the
Fraser and with a good balance of
trees and open green fields.
In the middle of this reserve, the
band is building a multii-purpose
sports recreation area with the:
help of an Local Initiatives Grant.
“This project, when finished will
include a black-topped lacrosse
box which can also be used for
volleyball, tennis, basketball,
handball, badminton, floor hockey
and when the weather permits, ice
hockey. A small concrete block
building has been constructed
adjacent to the lacrosse box and
will house two changing rooms
with showers, public washrooms
and a concession stand.
Next to this multi-purpose out-
door sports arena, the band has
built a adventure playground for
use by the younger band members.
This playground which was
completely designed by band
members and all facilities on it are
constructed from wooden poles and
logs. .
PLAYGROUND FACILITIES
Facilities include swings, teeter-
totters, a firemen’s pole slide, a
jungle ladder, rope swings, a
pulley-operated rope slide and
numerous other playground
features. Stairs made of logs, a
tire-climb plus a sandbox and
“cars’’ roughly shaped from logs
with moveable steering wheels and
wooden wheels.
Many of the slides and climbs
were designed not just as things to
keep small children busy but also
to develop the children’s arm and
leg. muscles according “to Cindy
Mussell,. the secretary for the
project. .
On the day I was out there, the
men employed on the project were
busy cleaning and levelling an
adjoining field which will -be
planted in grass for softball.
The main idea behind the
project, according to Jack Mussell,
supervisor of the project and chief
of the Band, was to build
something that would not only add
to the community and. its
appearance but that would also
bring benefit to band members in
the form of. valuable work
‘experience and regenerate a sense
of community spirit.
And, Jack feels that the project
has more than accomplished these
objectives.
Both Jack and his wife, Cindy,
were pleased with the progress of
the project and said that band
members, both young and old were
enthusiastic
about the new
facilities.
“TOO SUCCESSFUL”
“The adventure playground was
almost too successful,” Cindy said,
“On the day that the firemen’s pole
was built, Jack and I drove by
around eight in the evening. Even
though it was dark, kids were lined
up, waiting for their turn to slide
down!
“We had to install a light and
hire a playground supervisor
because parents were getting upset
when their children wouldn’t leave
the playground at night time,” she
added. “
To build the out-door sports
arena, or lacrosse box, it was
necessary to first dismantle an old
school building and salvage all re-
usable material.
The land then had to be filled in
and levelled. Gravel used in filling
in the field came from reserve
lands and a cat was hired to level
the area off. :
Foundations for the small
buildings were then poured and the
building was constructed, using
concrete blocks and salvaged
material from the old school.
COMPLETELY SERVICED
The building is completely
serviced with electrical and
plumbing systems.
All work involved in designing
and constructing the building and
area was done by band members
with the exception of the wire fence
and the laying of the blacktop.
A parking lot has been levelled
and gravelled, and bleachers were
built and painted.
When construction of the
recreational facilities were held up
‘by contractors or materials not
being on hand, the 13 men
employed under the LIP grant
were busy making minor repairs to
substandard homes on the reserve.
Many homes were painted and
many more band members were
motivated to paint and clean up
their own homes and yards.
NOT FINISHED YET
Work on the lacrosse box is
presently being held up by the
company contracted to string the
fence, but according to Cindy this
hasn’t stopped Band members
from using it.
“Even though the lacrosse box
isn’t finished, the men are getting
out every night to practise,” she
said.
Both Cindy and her husband
noted that the rest of the band had
showed keen interest in the project
and that some members
volunteered their own time and
labour.
While the facilities are primarily
for use by band members, the City
of Chilliwack has been interested
in the project all along, since the
city has no lacrosse box of its own.
And, according to the Band chief,
use of the facilities. by the larger.
community will be encouraged.
Jack is hoping that the lacrosse
box will be finished in time to host
a lacrosse match on May 19..
The 13 men employed on the
project, all Skwah band members,
began work on February 1 and
hope to be finished in the middle of
May.
More militant stand possible
in B.C. land Claims: settlement
PENTICTON (Staff) — Recent
events at Wounded Knee, S.D.,
were apparently much in. the
minds of delegates to the Special
General Assembly some of whom
voiced ‘‘militancy”’ in pursuing the
land claims question in B.C.
‘During the discussions of the
Thompson / Nicola-Kwawkewlth
group, an elder delegate, Bill
Roberts, said that Indian people
should be more militant ‘‘to show
the people just what we are really
after.” .
Chief Joe Manuel of the
Neskainlith Band, asked the Chiefs
Council if militancy is-part of the
strategy of claims settlement.
Bill Roberts then asked for
Philip Paul’s comments.
Chief Paul conceded that “‘if you
are going tod negotiate through the
proper channels, and you are going
to continuously get. a negative
response — not even a fair hearing
— these raise the frustration level
of the people, and, definitely, other
action is the end result. of these
kinds of things.”’
But Chief Paul warned that
“violence creates more violence
and does not really answer the
question.”
As to the possibility of violence,
the chairman of the UBCIC
executive committee said:
“Tf, we, as
cannot satisfy
membership of
Indian
the
our
leaders,
general
Indian
population, we will not have any
control over what happens, and I
have no control over people’ who
will not be satisfied with the results
of our dealings. with the federal
government.”
MICHAEL TAKES TIME OUT from playing to smile
for photographer. He is ‘‘driving”’ one of the two cars
on the adventure playground..These cars were made
facilities...
for the pre-schoolers on the reserve whe are not big or
strong enough to play on the other playground
- [Staff Photo]
April, 1973
s
YOUNG SKWAH RESIDENTS demonstrate use of the firemen’s pole
- slide for photographer. The slide is just one of the many features of the
-adventure playground built by the Skwah band under a local initiatives
grant.
[Staff Photo]
Williams Lake Elementary
School holds
WILLIAMS LAKE — A display
of Indian Dancing by the Cariboo
Indian. dancers . highlighted
“Indian Day”’ at Crescent Heights
Elementary School on April 6.
Dorothy Jeff, one of four Indian
teacher aides in the Williams Lake
school district, organized. the
program for the day which
featured displays of Indian history,
crafts, art, and food.
Members of the dance team
which included Dorothy and
Margaret Gilbert, Nancy Sandy,
Doreen Peters, Elaine Basil, Lori
May Peters, Sandi Sellars, Arnie
“Indian Day”
performed on many occasions in
Williams Lake and surrounding
communities as well appearing on
television’
All dancers wore autheritic
buckskin costumes made by
themselves or skilled relatives.
” Dorothy Jeff borrowed from the
local museum such ‘items as
pictures, drums, Indian baskets,
and other handicrafts, arrow
heads,-and other artifacts to make
up an interesting display of Indian
history and culture.
Native food included bannock,
dried meat and salmon-as well as
Jack and George Sandy havé ‘‘Hooshum” (Indian ice cream).
Northern European natives
asking for land settlement
PENTICTON (Staff)
Delegates to the Special General
Assembly were informed by NIB
President George Manuel, April 3,
that the Lapps of Sweden will send
- representatives to visit the U-S.
and Canada in May, to learn and
gather information to strengthen
their own land claims.
The NIB head told delegates that
he had’ informed the Union about
the coming visit, and suggested
that arrangements be made to
meet with the Lapps. .
The Lapps inhabit Lapland, a
region in the most northwestern
parts of Europe that includes
northern parts of Norway, Sweden,
Finland, and the Kola Peninsula of
the Northwestern Soviet Union.
This region is approximately
150,000 square miles. The Lapps, as
of 1969, number about 33,000.
The Lapps are allowed to move
without restriction through the
several countries of their region.
Occupationally the Lapps are
classified as Forest Lapps, River
Lapps, Coast Lapps; and Mountain
Lapps.
Forest Lapps have settlements,
and fish, hunt, and raise reindeer.
River Lapps live in the extreme
north who fish and hunt in
summer, and tend reindeer in
winter.
Coast Lapps live along the
Norwegian coast mainly fishing;
they also farm and raise reindeer,
sheep, and. goats.
Mountain Lapps, now less
nomadic, depend mostly on
reindeer husbandry, using the skin
for clothing, sinew for thread, and
So on.
Greater contact between the
Lapps and Sweden have changed
the former’s pastoral to a
commercialized economy.
Native Indian
restaurant chain?
PENTICTON (Staff) In
advocating that. Indian people use
their rights of fishing and hunting,
Danny Walkus of Rivers Inlet
suggested that a food marketing
system be set up within the Union.
. Walkus made the suggestion at
the Special General Assembly here
on April 2-4.
The delegate from Rivers Inlet
explained that Indian cultural
foods ~- seaweed, fish, herring
eggs, etc. — could be marketed
with the idea of establishing
restaurants in different provincial
centres. "on
“If we have to be questioned
about marketing food-fish, I think
it would be an exercise that would
be. flexing our -muscles, our
rights,” said Walkus. “It would
also be a cultural extension; we
should be able to apply for cultural
grants for this type of thing.”
; April 1973
“Page Seven’ —
Famed Indian
leader dies
MOUNT CURRIE (Staff) —
Chief William Pascal, one fo the
famous leaders of the Allied
Tribes, died on March 26, at age 80
years.
Chief Pascal was in the group of
Indian leaders who went to Ottawa
in 1915, to seek satisfaction of
claims to land rights of the interior
tribes of B.C.
Pascal was also the interpreter
for the group that included Chief
Eli Larue of Kamloops, Chief
Johnnie Tedlannetza of Spences
Bridge, Chief Thomas Adolph of
Lillooet, Chief James Petasket,
Lillooet, Chief Johnny Chelaheetsa
of Nicola, Chief John David of
Tobacco Plains, and Chief Bassil
David of Bonaparte.
One of the first Indian people to
complete the highest level of
éducation one could acquire at the
time, Chief Pascal attended the
Mission Residential School and
finished Grade 6.
The late chief’s father, Chief
Joseph, helped the son by sitting
him down in their kitchen and
make him translate English to his
own language.
He was:chief of the Mount Currie
Indian Band for over 60 years,
leading the Band since he came out
of school.
He was also Band secretary and
wrote his own minutes as well as
secretary. for the Native
Brotherhood.
Representing the Lillooet-—
Pemberton District for over 20
years, he served as vice-president
of the Brotherhood.
. An -active member of the
’ Brotherhood, Chief
travelled abroad as well as all over
B.C.
His travels in the province took
him to Port Simpson, Masset,
Prince Rupert, Hazelton, Bella
Coola, Bella Bella, Alert Bay, Cape
Mudge, and Victoria.
On Pascal’s retirement, the
Brotherhood honored him with a
life membership. .
The oldest resident of Mount
Currie, Matilda Jim, said of the
late chief that he was a “great
leader and chief to his people.”
PENTICTON — The Penticton
Band recently joined the RAVEN
(Radio Audio Visual Educational
Network) Society.
Chief Adam Eneas said that the
hook-up has already been helpful in
contacting other band leaders. on
matters of mutual concern.
Pascal -
CHIEF WILLIAM PASCAL, who died recently, stands in the middle in Ernie Dudward {with glasses], Caleb Williams, William Pascal, Ed
this picture of leaders of the Allied Tribes.' Seated, L-R: Dan Assu, Ed Bolton, George Wilson, and Johnson Calder. [Photo by Geos Blomdah!]
Nahanee, Bill Scow, and James Sewid. Standing are an unidentified chief,
AHOUSAT INDIAN BAND NEWS
Education and other programs forge on
By EDGAR CHARLIE
Ahousat Band Administrator
Much has been happening in and
around Ahousat since ‘my last
column.
Maybe the most successful.
program underway is the Adult
Education Studies, or Up-grading
program, which covers grades 8 to
12.
We have 18 enrolled in this —
program sponsored by Canada
Manpower.
The instructor is Terry Shaw.
who is from the Qualicum area and
who seems to have taken to the
Ahousat way of life as keenly as
Ahousat has taken to him.‘
Speaking of ienthors’ we now
have five teachers at the Ahousat
school. :
But, best of all, the principal of
the school, Richard Atlee is a
Ahousat Band member and
hereditary chief.
° - x ke *
Ahousat Band has also enlarged
its staff by hiring a Community
Social/Recreational Program
Director, two janitors, one for the
Adult Studies and the other for the
community buildings.
We have also hired a part time
home/school co-ordinator, and
hope to hire a welfare aide during
this fiscal year.
Already on staff are an
administrator, a
secretary/treasurer, a community
health aide, two native culture
teachers, and a teacher aide.
* *
Qur Local Initiatives Project,
which provided work for 13 men, is
nearing completion with most of
the renovations being finished on
the community hall.
oR OF OR
A new shore installation is being
built and should be completed
sometime this summer. The 60.ft. x
60 ft. building will accommodate
three boats and will leabire a
double cradle.
*
The band is currently doing’ a
feasibility study on the possibility
of opening’ up an aquaculture
project similar to the Lummi
project in Washington.
We are advertising for a marine
biologist to carry out a study on
where would the best, location for
such an undertaking.
* a *
A new plateau has been reached
by the Ahousat band. We now have
825 members.
This means that after our next
election, we will have an eight-
member council.
It seems that the majority of the
Band are now young people. It
maybe that we are just getting old,
but I don’t think so.
* oe
" ;
Speaking of our young people,
more and more are going on to
higher education.
One of our Band members ‘is
attending university, two enrolled
in vocational schools and 14 going
to college.
We have 180 attending school
from the pre-school classes to eight
students in grade. 12.
* * *
Another business venture that
the Band is considering is to open
up a_ store, fuel service,
laundromat, post office complex.
The feasibility study for’ this
project should be - finished
sometime in the middle of April.
*
A new 4500-foot ee system has
been installed on the reserve to
prevent the™ winter freeze-up
problem.’
x OR
Congratulations and good luck to,
the new Band Council at our
neighbouring . community,
Clayoquot. Shorty Frank, Howard
Tom, Dan David, Sr. and Ben
Williams are all good men for the
job. ;
. * kid *
The Ahousat Band has. raised
$614 for the bereaved families at
Port Alberni. Our sincere
sympathies to the Alex Sutherland
and George Sutherland families.
We missed ‘the dual abundant
managed to get enough for few
good feeds for ourselves as well as
our friends and relatives.
* * *
Though the fishing season did
start slowly this year, we all
realize now that it’s going to be
here before we know it.
Many of boys are gearing up for
trolling: season after good fall
fishing and herring fishing.
Exchange program
has 640 students
VICTORIA — The. office of. the
B.C. Minister of Education has
announced that 640 students, will
take part in the Young Voyageur
program this summer.
The students, in 32 groups
representing 72 districts in the
province, are between 15 and 17
years old and in Grade XI.
The program is a unique
exchange in which 30,000
Canadians have participated.
Students will travel in groups of
10 boys and 10 girls with two adult
leaders, and live with families in
various parts of central and
Eastern Canada.
The basis of selection is interest
and qualities of good citizenship,
rather than scholarship alone.
. supply of herring eggs this year but
WANTED:
FIELD WORKERS
SALARY: $5,000 - $8,400 A YEAR
UNION OF B.C, INDIAN CHIEFS
2140 W. 12th Ave., Vancouver 9, B.C.
The Union requires field workers. — one for the Chase Area and
one for the West Coast. District — to implement the new
Community-Family-Life Education Program.
This is-a unique and challenging position-involving educating
Indian people to identify ways to deal effectively with social, .
health and welfare problems.
The Chase Area includes servicing the following Bands:
Neskainlith, Adams Lake, Little Shuswap, Spallumcheen.
TRAINING
While this program requires the field worker to be know-
ledgeable about group processes and existing health and welfare
programs, he or she is not expected to possess such knowledge
before applying. *
An extensive training program is designed to prepare the field
worker to work effectively in such areas as child care and _
related problems, individual and family counselling, alcohol-
ism, drug dependency, organization skills, group dynamics, and
general health problems. ..
APPLICATIONS
Application Forms are available from Band Chiefs, or from the
UBCIC at the above address.
Applications should include:
a. Pertinent personal information
b. Work experience ,
c. Additional information the candidate may wish to add.
COMPETITION CLOSING: MAY 11, 1973
QUALIFICATIONS
A good ability to communicate with all levels of people; Band
members, Councils, Government agencies.
Be able to motivate people
* Mature, independent, self-confident, and responsible.
* Interested in improving social, health and welfare. services
to the Indian people.
* Good ability to communicate with Indian people.
-* Knowledgeable about the different programs apREGabIS to
Indian people: e.g., First Citizen’s Fund, Agriculture and
Rural Development Act Fund (ARDA), Grants-to-Bands
Prograin, Opportunities for Youth Program, New Horizons
Program, Local Initiative Program (LIP), etc.
DUTIES
CHASE AREA
The field worker will be under the direction of the District
Council, and under the guidance of the Program Coordinator.
It will be the field worker’s responsibility to work within the
District to:
. Develop groups to identify problems in the community;
b. Provide knowledge and motivation to aid the groups in
establishing common objectives to deal with the problems;
«. Mobilize existing and new services to meet the needs of the
community:
d. Assist people in developing problem-solving skills.
WEST COAST DISTRICT
The field worker will be under the direction of the District
Council, and under the guidance of two area coordinators and
of the Program Coordinator.
It will be the field worker’s responsibility to work within the
District to:
a. Develop groups to identify problems in the community;
bh. Provide knowledge and motivation to aid the group in
establishing common objectives to deal with the problems;
c. -Act.as a coordinator of existing social, medical and welfare
services;
d. Mobilize existing and new services to meet the needs of the
community;
€. | Assist people in developing problem-solving skills.
U.B.C.I.C. COMMUNITY-FAMILY-LIFE EDUCATION PROGRAM
Page Eight
PENTICTON (Staff) — Among
other business during the third-day
sessions of the Special General
Assembly here on April 4, was the
presentation of the Sechelt Indian
Band to Premier Barrett and the
cabinet.
The presentation, made in
Victoria on February 21, touched
on nine problems, one of which was
a query on a planned development
corporation and a planned loan
programme.
On the latter, the Sechelt Band
stated that they are aware of the
plan to set up a B.C. Develépment
Corporation, and of discussions on
an Industrial-Commercial Loan
Programme.
QUERY ON PROGRAMMES
“We would query the status of
these programmes and how our
Provincial Government sees these .
programmes relating to Indian
Bands of this province, *” the
presentation stated.
The Sechelt Band is one of the
few undertaking advanced
developments, Band Manager
Clarence Joe has proudly pointed -
out.
The other seven points of
concern which the Band covered in
its presentation to Victoria are:
Denial of provincial services to
lessees of reserve lands. The
_ Sechelt Band has about 200 non-
Indian lessees on its reserve lands.
OWNER-ELECTOR STATUS
Denial of owner-elector- status to
Indian people on reserves.
Alienation of reserve lands upon
development.
Repeal of the B.C. Indian
Reserves Mineral Resources: Act.
oN ESS Ik
A
~ SECHELT BAND’ S BRIEF 10 B. C. GOVERNMENT
For a better province for all citizens
Lack of consultation with Indian -
people in the approval of water lot
lease applications off the foreshore
of reserve lands.
RECOGNITION OF POWERS
Lack of mutual recognition of -
powers between Indian and
provincial - municipal
munities. _
Denial of the homeowner’s grant
to Indian people on reserves.
Of these concerns, — the
homeowner’s grant was met with
immediate action with the
amendment of _ the
Acquisition Grant Act recently.
(See story in this issue).
INEQUITOUS SITUATIONS .
In presenting its brief, the Band
stated in its letter to the
government:
“It is our hope that identification
of real and inequitous situations
within British Columbia will result
in recognition of such by Our
Government, and that subsequent
research, . negotiation, and
legislation will lead to better
communities and a better Province
for all citizens.
“It is not our intent that the
following statements be definitive
and all encompassing, but rather
that issues of concern to the
Sechelt - Indian People be
identified.
“We present our position to show
the impact of the existing situation
directly on the Indian Citizens of
this Province.”
RESERVE LAND LESSEES
On lessees, it was noted that the
province does not service lessees
on Sechelt Band lands even though.
Committee formed to develop
three Neskainlith Reserves
CHASE — Chief Joe Manuel of
the Neskainlith band, has
announced the formation of an
economic development committee
for his Band.
Members of the committee are
Minnie. Manuel, Bert Deneault,
Clarence Manuel, Joe Williams,
Marcus Saul, Francis Deneault,
Adeline Willard, and Peter
Purdaby.
The committee was formed to
promote economic and community
development on the Band’s three
reserves, two of which are near
Chase and the third near Salmon
Arm.
Short terms objectives. of the
. committee are to evaluate the
attitudes, skills and interests of
Band members, to evaluate the
potential of some of the Band’s
physical resources, and to pinpoint
training needs and sources for the
training.
Noting that there are few
opportunities for employment near
the reserves, Chief Manuel said
“that there was a real need to
explore the possibilities of on-
reserve employment and _ profit
potential’? and to seek technical
and financial assistance needed to
develop employment
opportunities. :
Fifty of the 300 Band members
recently attended a three-day
‘workshop chaired by Jack Currie,
human relations consultant. :
Participants in this workshop
listed. the following as four major
areas of concern to be investigated
by the committee:
~~Ascertain the hopes, attitudes
and aspirations of Band members
through questionnairs, surveys
and interviews.
—Analyze the above to identify
existing skills and training needs
as they relate to development of
Band’s land and water resources.
‘—Contact those who can help
inplement project in the reserve
communities.
—Seek outside professional help
in such fields as engineering and
planning, and to provide legal and
organizational assistance to ensure
-realistic guidelines for economic
development.
Noting that the task is a large
one which will require much time
and effort, Chief Manuel said that
he was confident about his council
and committee.
“We hope to meet every
challenge in making our ‘three
reserves better places in which to
live and bring up our families,”’ the
chief concluded. -
COFFEE BREAK gives delegates a chance to
exchange ideas and relax from the rigors of decision-
making on how B.C. land claims should be settled,
com-
Home>
the province collects taxes from
the lessees.
Nor does the Band get portions of
the. taxes normally . returned to
service local communities.
Thus. the Band has found it
difficult to.finance and service
reserve lands, and impractical to
tax its lessees.
The Band proposed the creation
of a committee to work out a
satisfactory formula for the Band,
the lessees of its Band lands, and
the government.
SUPPORT FOR RESOLUTION
On owner-elector status for
Indian people, the Sechelt Band
proposed that the. government
support a resolution on the matter
from the Thomson River District.
Council.
The resolution, presented at the:
1972 general annual meeting of the
Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs,
proposed the recognition’ of
registered Indian residents on
reserves as owner-electors, the
needed revisions in the Municipal
Act and Public Schools Act be
made, arid the responsibility of
determining who qualify as owner-
electors be given. to the
Department of Indian Affairs or to
Indian Band administrations.
In urging the government. to
support the resolution, the Sechelt
Band observed:
PART IN DECISIONS
“Members of Our Band, and
other Bands in the Province, have
during the past few years
anticipated at all levels of the
education process... However,
we have been unable -to
participate, as have other property
owners, in the basic policy-making
decisions that affect the lives of.our
children. .
“Education is a process in the
greater Community — a
Community of which we are part —
a process. in which. we want to
participate more fully...”
On alienation of reserve lands,
the Sechelt Band stated this was
contrary to its policy...
For this reason the Band leases
reserve lands and refuses to
proceed with development if parts
of the lands are to be perpetually
alienated.
REGISTRY OF PLANS
The Band observed that failure
to register development plans
under the provincial system makes
mortgage: financing difficult.
Also, it was. noted that registry
April 2 to 4.
requires that portions of lands to be
developed be assigned as
highways, parks and public
squares and that these portions are
dedicated to the province.
The Sechelt brief proposed to
amend section 112 of the B.C. Land
Registry Act to permit the return
of parts of developed property —
parks, highways, public squares —
to. the Band upon expiration of
leases within the development.
REPEAL THE ACT.
In urging the repeal of the B.C.
Indian Reserves
Resources Act, the Sechelt Band
stated:
“It should be noted that Indian
People WERE NOT CONSULTED
in the enactment of_ this
legislation; that the Indian People
in British Columbia have not had
their Aboriginal Title to the land
extinguished: by treaty or
otherwise; and, therefore, the
Agreement is unfair.
“It is an affront for our
Provincial Government, with its
policies, to allow this legislation to
remain on its books.’’
The-Act confirms an agreement
in 1943 between B.C. and Ottawa
giving control and disposal of
minerals and claims in Indian
Reserves in B.C. to the provincial
government.
OPEN NEGOTIATIONS
The Sechelt Band proposed
repeal to allow Indian people to
Mineral .
April, 1973
negotiate with the provincial and
the federal governments regarding .
mineral resources -of reserve
lands.
On: water lot leases,. the Band
stated that consent is ‘‘often not
sought”’ before approval.
“Such is not the case with upland
owners of lands other than Indian
Reserve lands,” the brief noted.
Therefore, the Sechelt Band
requested that the province ‘‘adopt
a procedure insisting upgn written
consent of-Indian Band Councils”
for lease applications for water lots
off or near foreshores of Reserve
lands,
WATER LOT LEASES
Also, the Sechelt Band requested
that the ‘Band Council be
afforded... comment on the
creation of water lots... by the
same form and in the same
manner as other land owners of
this Province.”
In observing the lack of a
satisfactory relationship between
neighboring Indian and provincial-
municipal communities, the
Sechelt brief expressed the Band’s
wish to have the provincial-
municipal communities take part
in working out a way that would
keep the identity of an Indian
community and yet function as a
community in the province. -
' ‘Urging a relationship .for the
(Continued on Page 9)
See SIMILARITIES
Proposed community employment
program may aid Indian people
VANCOUVER (Staff) — Asked
Proposition No: 3’of the working ~~
how native people are to be. af- paper states:
fected by new proposals on social
security, a spokesman from the
Department .of Natuonal Health
and Welfare said that Indian
communities and organizations
could very well take part in a
community employment
programme.
The department spokesman
made the reply here, April 17,
while makimg a simultaneous
anmouncement and briefing with
Ottawa and other major Canadian
cities on a working paper for
devising a new over-all social
security system.
The programme mentioned is
part of one of 14 propositions set
out in the ‘working paper now
tabled in the House.
and on what to do with the Indian Act. The three-day
meeting was held at the Peach Bowl in Penticton on
[Staff Photo]
“ethic,
... aS a,.means of meeting |
social needs that are now :
neglected or inadequately met,
governments should consider the
establishment of a community
employment programme.
“Its purpose would be to provide
socially useful employment to
people who have _ been
unemployed for an extended
period of time, either by reason
of the lack of jobs in the areas in
which they might reasonably be
expected to look for work, or by
reason of the ‘employability’ of
the people concerned.”
The working paper makes note of
the fact that to be acceptable the
community employment.
pregramme will provide grants to
finance employing people on
“socially useful endeavours.”
The grants will be available to
voluntary agencies, groups along
the lines of the LIP concept, and,
probably, governments.
- This and other propositions will
be presented to the meeting of
federal and provincial welfare
ministers on April 25 to 27, called
for a review of the Canadian social
security system.
The working paper features
flexibility, termed a ‘‘major
constitutional innovation,”’ in-that
‘the provinces should be free to
vary allowances paid to individual
Canadians by. the Government of .
Canada, within the limits set by
Parliament.”
Rejecting the death of the work
the working paper also
directs an approach to a ‘‘work-
incentive’ design that makes it
worthwhile to be working rather
than merely getting social ©
assistance.
It is estimated that the review of
the social security system will take
two years, and implementation of a
‘new system will take three years.
In that period, said the
department spokesman, the
financing of the system would be
supported by a. growth in the
economy and thus avoid raising
taxes or imposing new taxes.
April, 1973
N ES 1K A.
Page Nine.
No dividing line in prisons
(Continued from Page 1)
Vm willing to fully support
. hegotiations with you to settle land
claims that are owed to you,’’. the
BCANSI president declared.
House continued: “‘Because they
have lost their status doesn’t mean
they’ve also lost their appetites.
They still like to eat the foods that
they’ve always eaten before.”
A WHOLE BAKERY
On alleged statements being
sown by the government about non-
status Indians wanting a share of
registered Indians’ ‘‘bread,’’
House assured Assembly delegates
that “‘there’s not only-one loaf of
bread .in Ottawa.”
“There’s a whole damn bakery
up there — all kinds of funds for all
Canadians. It’s time that we all got-
a fair share of the funds to develop
our young people ourselves, ” he
added
Expressing his hope for a
meeting between BCANSI and
UBCIC, House stated:
“There are issued that we can
support each other on. But we’ve
got to stay away from personalities
among our native people and. stick
- strictly to the issues — land claims,
aboriginal rights, housing,
economic development, education,
legal aid and law.”’
House contrasted the presence of
a dividing line only for the
government’s convenience with its
non-existence in prisons.
NO LINE IN JAIL |
“When you’re put in jail, you’re
an Indian,” said House. ‘‘On the
other’ hand, the federal
government says to the people of
Canada:. ‘You do not have a
registered number, therefore, you
are not Indian.’ Well, I want to tell
you I feel just as proud as any one
of you of my Indian heritage and
culture, and this I’m fully working
on to maintain.”
Saying that Indian people should
decide who are Indians, House said
that the ‘‘laws of Canada were laid
down by politicians when native
people did not understand.
“But I can see the leadership in
this room just as strong as any
Canadian Parliament.”’
The BCANSI president said he
- regretted that ‘‘we have not gotten.
together sooner than this.
SIT IN COUNCIL
“T hope that as time goes on we
can sit around council tables
_ forgetting the thin veil that the
BCANSI President
... Fred House
federal -government has set
between us.”’
He concluded by expressing, on
behalf of his organization, that ‘we
fully stand behind the moves of the
‘Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs to
further advance the native people
of B.C.”
During the question period,
House stated that his organization .
is proposing that quarter-blood
ancestry will define an Indian, but
that the non-status group would
like to. work out a plan with the
Union.
Similarities and differences
between communities. outlined
(Continued from Page 8)
mutual recognition of the powers of
one community by the other, the
brief asked, ‘Is it not time we
recognized each other and worked
together?”
COMPARISONS
Making comparisons between
Indian communities and
municipalities, the brief stated:
- “In many ways Municipalities. .
are like Indian Bands.
government within their
respective jurisdictions.
“Both have powers to pass by-
laws.
“Both have powers to tax.
“Although under different
administrative systems, both deal
with housing, water and sewage,
‘municipal affairs,’ welfare, road
construction, education, economic
development, and Crown lands.”
DIFFERENCES ALSO
There are differences, however,
the brief also pointed out: ‘‘Indian
Bands are ‘owners’ of their lands
as well as controller of the
“municipal” administration and
local government functions. This
-amicable interaction...
places the Indian People in a
unique position. They control to a
large degree, the use and zoning of
land which they own.”
Further, the brief showed that
“the political structure created by
culture, the Indian Act, and other
social and economic factors is
significantly different from the
political structure outside an
Indian Community.”
In addition, title to Indian lands
“Both have forms of local self- | #8 held in trust.
Concluding, the brief stated: ‘‘It
is our feeling that an Indian
Community cannot- successfully
put on the cloak -of a Provincial
Municipality. Yet, we believe that
Indian Communities are
sufficiently like Provincial
Municipalities so that a
satisfactory relationship for
can be
established.”
One final concern of the brief is
the B.C. Land Recreation
Committee.
The Committee recommends the
standards. and quality for rhe
reclamation of gravel, mining and
other operations that disturb large
surfaces on a large scale.
By PEARLE PEARSON
SKIDEGATE — At sundown on
March 23, the new Chief Skidegate
was proclaimed with traditional
ceremonies, feasting, gift giving
-and celebration.
With his clansmen, fellow
chieftains and friends from near
and far -gathered together,
Clarence ‘‘Dempsey’’ Collinson
‘was given the name ‘‘Chief
Skidegate.”’
The ceremonial naming of the
new chief was done by the elder of
the village, Albert Jones, with
these words ‘‘... I give Clarence
Collinson the name CHIEF
SKIDEGATE as requested by his
grandfather before his death in
February, 1971.”
CHIEF’S ROBE
Then asking for the chief’s robe,
Mr. Jones placed it on the new
chief’s shoulders.
And the new Chief received a’
standing ovation.
The Skidegate Community Hall
was the scene of the ceremonies.
Mounted on the stage were the
portraits of the two past chiefs,
Chief Lewis Collinson and Chief
Edward Collinson.
Paintings of the combined crests of .
the Eagle and Raven clams, the
work of. Alfred Collinson and
Wayne Wilson, were displayed
with the chief’s portraits. A mural
of the village, painted by the
CEREMONIAL NAMING OF CHIEF SKIDEGATE ©
Clansmen and guests in celebration
Reverend J. Murdoch make a most
effective backdrop.
OPENING PRAYER
- The ceremonies began with. an
opening prayer offered by Bruce
Brown, chief councillor of Haida.
Master of Ceremonies, Oliver
Adams introduced the Ivan Adams"
Dance Team from Prince Rupert.
The group’ performed” the -
Welcome Dance, then the Beaver
Dance and indicated that they felt
honoured to be dancing for the
proclamation of a new chief.
The traditional feast of: Haida
stew was then. served. in. time
honoured fashion.
Nearly 500 guests were present,
filling the hall to capacity. Even
the balconies and the council office
were used to accommodate the
guests. Many. more crow led at the
doorways.
DISTANT WELL-WISHERS .
During. the dinner hour,
telegrams were read from distant
well-wishers.
Gifts were distributed also.
Pat Weir then introduced the
Haida Dancers. This group from
Haida Village then performed the
Eagle Dance for the new chief.
’ Many congratulatory speeches
followed, beginning with Fred -’
Russ of Skidegate who recalled the _
old days when there totems
throughout the village; how the
Land claims must be settled
to satisfaction
PENTICTION (Staff)
Summarizing discussion of the
Special General Assembly, and
outlining the direction he sees for
achieving settlement, Philip Paul
said the objective was ‘‘to settle
the. B.C. land question to. the
_ Satisfaction of the Indian people.”
Chief Paul made his summation
during the third day session of the
Assembly.
He said that satisfaction can be -
achieved best by “‘preparing the
best leadership possible in whom
we are prepared to give a full vote
of confidence; a person with the
ability to lead and who also has the
dedication that goes beyond the
ability to lead.”
To ensure this kind of leadership,
Chief Paul told delegates that the
membership must be well
informed, “‘so that if the leadership
of the people
falters, they are prepared to act”
to change the leadership..
The UBCIC exeuctive, recently
appointed as director of research
on land claims, outlined what
needs to be done to paisule the
question:
“We should be preparing one
Indian person from each district to
become very proficient in all the
aspects of our land claims, so that
they could assist the Bands to
become informed on all land
claims.
“From these 15 people from each
district, we should choose six of the
best people to eventually negotiate
our land claims with the federal
government. .
“We should prepare a publicity
campaign to inform the public on
our land claims, and to seek
support from the general Canadian
public.”
‘indepedent tribe.
great Haida art was lost through
contact with civilization.
GRANDFATHER’S REQUEST
Dempsey, Russ said was taking
the title as requested by his
grandfather.
Russ then gave a short history of
past.chiefs Lewis and Edward and
on a man’s’ job.
Mrs. Willie Mathews of Haida ~
was then wklcomed. Her husband,
Chief .Mathews, was unable. to.
attend due to ill health.
Following the ceremonial
naming of the new chief, Mr. Louis
Clifton, spiritual advisor from
Hartley Bay spoke, saying that it
was a great honour to be present.
The advisor noted that the name
‘Haida’ meant ‘Standing in the
Water’’ because this island looks,
from afar, like someone standing.
Clifton gave words of advice to
the new chief: ‘‘Be proud of your
name. Don’t answer foolish
questions . . . If someone puts you
down, don’t answer . . . As Thomas
Crosby said, ‘It is “inside that
counts. Follow your heart and keep
it correct.”
DO MUCH CHANGE
Victor Adams spoke next and he
‘acknowledged the honour of being
present on this noteworthy
occasion then stressed the fact that
if a chief utlizes the powers
bestowed upon him he can do much
to change a village.
“ft hope you will follow in your
grandfather’s footsteps. I know
you will,’ he concluded.
Reg Kelly, formerly a Skidegate.
resident, also acknowledged the -
honour of being present on this
historic occasion. _
Reg Kelly, formerly a Skidegate
resident, also acknowledged the
honour of being present on this
historic occasion.
STRONG, INDEPENDENT
“Even though we are now
‘modern,’ we are still the Haidas
who were known as a strong and
The younger
generation should study the
traditions of the past and their
leaders shall be chosen in this
fashion. I am pleased to see the
ceremony and banquet done today
in the old Haida traditions. You all. -
witnessed this today and instructed
the young chief to. use his title
wisely. Congratulate him,” Kelly
said. /
Gordon Jollife of Queen
Charlotte City, in congratulating
the new chief stated that Dempsey
had always been highly regarded,
that he had a pleasing personality,
exceptional abilities, an interest in
people, young and old alike.
“People of Skidegate and Queen
Charlotte City agree that he will
make a good chief and will
stressed that Dempsey was taking - . Measure up to expectations, he
said.
GREAT REWARDS"
Wally Easton of the Department
of Indian Affairs congratulated the
chief saying that if he practised as
he has done in the past the village’
will be greatly rewarded.
The new chief has support from
the young and wisdom from the
old, Easton said.
Larry Wight, regional director of ©
DIA spoke briefly, saying that it
was a pleasure to be here to
celebrate this important event. He
extended best wishes to the new
chief whom he. knew as. an -
important. member of. the
Skidegate band.
After some more telegrams were
read, Bruce Brown remarked that
it was a pleasure and a thrill to be
present.
“‘T have seen Chief Skidegate use
authority in the past. and look
forward to knowing him in his new
position. I know he will use it
wisely and also to better unity”
among all Haida,”’ said Brown.
Simon Reece, of Harley. Bay
gave tribute of the highest order to
the chief in his’ own : language
saying he was waiting to hear other
speakers state they were proud to
be Indian today, as he was.
“Because of today .we will save
the traditions we were losing’’ Mr.
Reece said. He thanked Dempsey
on behalf of the North Coast
District Council.
CHIEF’S PLEDGE
Chief. Skidegate, in speech of:
acceptance of the honour and title
bestowed upon him, said, ‘I am
honoured and proud to carry out
the wishes of my grandfather, the
past chief Skidegate. May he rest
in peace. I will serve people as I
have in the past as a councillor and
constable for 21 years. I will do my
best to honour the title given me
today.”
Chief Skidegate thanked all who
had helped him, M.C. Oliver
Adams, and all the wonderful
guests, and wished them a safe
journey home.
As he ended his speech, cheers
for Chief Skidegate rang though
the hall. :
The chief’s dance was then
performed by the Ivan Adams
Group. The new Chief Skidegate
was called upon to dance with
‘them.
CHIEF’S DANCE
This he did, leading the dancers
in the Salmon Dance, a most
impressive performance.
- The closing prayer was offered
by the Reverend H. C. Black of
Skidegate United Church.
A dance followed with a hugh
crowd dancing to: the music of
Colin Davies and his group.
Many out of town and out of
province guests were present for
the ceremonies.
CHIEF SKIDEGATE at his proclamation wears traditional Chief’s Robe.
The title was requested by his late grandfather. Otherwise, Chief
Skidegate is also known as Clarence Collinson.
(Photo by P. Pearson]
~ April, 1973
LAND CLAIMS SETTLEMENT
A way out of the rut — Heber
PENTICTON — “I look at the
Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs as a
mechanism to gét me out of the rut
that I’m in,” said Heber Maitland
as he began the report on the
discussions of his group on land
claims.
“How do we get out of it? By
pursuing the land claims so that we
could become independent,’ the
UBCIC executive continued.
Maitland made the remarks
during the Special General
Assembly sessions here.
“All we have to do is to look at
the programs promoted by Indian
Affairs. What have these done to
you?” Maitland asked.
The Union executive continued:
“Every social. program promoted
by the government makes you
crawl lower and lower, and makes
a beggar out of you. It’s killed all
the remaining initiative that you as
an Indian have.”
In saying that the land claims is
the way to Indian independence,
the Chiefs Council member said
that it’s “the reason why I’m a
member of the UBCIC, the reason
why I was a member of the Native
Brotherhood in the early 40’s.
UNITY IS THE WAY
“T felt there was a future in it for
me, a future in it for my children
and my children’s children to
come, so that I can be independent
like my forefathers were when
they needed to go out in the woods,
save dollars and cents and build a
house.
“Some of those houses were built
by sweat and hard labour, and are
still standing on some ‘reserves.
What type of housing have you got
now? You have to beg to get that
house, and it’s sub-standard.
“This is the position where
you’re in. I’m not ashamed of it:
that’s the only. way to solve a
problem; to expose the problem.
. That’s the reason I’m part of the
UBCIC.”
Turning to what he apparently
sees as self-destructive tendencies,
Maitland said:
COUNCIL APPOINTMENT
“The Chiefs Council appoints a
person to try and solve the problem -
but what do we do? Before the guy
even gets on the job, we. start
shooting him. .
“This is the history of the Indian
people from way back — jealousy,
_ mistrust among each other.
“What do we call unity? Lip
service or what? This is the basic
of the deal, why I’m a.member of
the UBCIC — to try and expose a
problem so that we can find ways
and means to solve it, not to keep it
as an on-going program.”
Maitland pointed to people who
H. MAITLAND
allegedly want Indian problems to
continue saying, “This is what
your social workers are doing.
They want the problems to keep on
and on, so that they can live
beautifully on your behalf, using
you aS a scapegoat to get
themselves $20-, $25,000-a-year
jobs.” ;
ENEMIES OF INDIANS
Commenting on this, Chief Larry
Seymour stated: “I feel that the
direct enemy of Indian people are
the white people. who are getting
$20-, $30- and $40,000 a year while
they’re supposedly working for
Indian people
“But I see another enemy -
Indian people who are making $20-,
$30-, and $40,0000 a year on the
blood in Indian people. They are
more dangerous than the. white.
They’ve got the knife in our back.”
Stressing the need for
indepedence, Chief Maitland asked
the delegates, “How. do we get
back the beauty that we had as a
family structure at one time? How
do we regain our freedom so that
we can roam the country?”
The Union. executive said that
answer lay in the land claims.
“To me the land claim question
is the principle of independence, a
way to become independent
. again,” said Maitland.
Business profits
in growing grapes
OSOYOOS — Since its start in
1968, Inkameep Vineyards Limited
has become not only the first
Indian-owned but also the third
largest vineyard in B.C.
The Osoyoos Indian Band
employs a manager but all
workers are from the Band. .
The yearly harvest is about 250
tons of ‘grapes earning some
$56,270. The harvests are sold to
Andres Wines Limited.
: Districts | start screening
Grants-to-Band applicants —
VANCOUVER (Staff) — The
distribution of the $2,350,000 for
administration . contributions
(grants-to-band programme) has
started, with at least four districts
already screening applications
from the Bands.
' The funds, secured by a
committee headed by George
Watts, is being distributed on a per
capita basis of $49.50.
Each district is assigned a
“target” figure for distribution,
and given the discretion in
redistribution funds because of
instances of surplus or deficit from
last year’s monies.
The Ft. St. John district has
chosen to redistribute on a per
capita basis, while three districts
— Vancouver Island, Lillooet Area
Council, Fraser — are screening -
applications from Band level.
A UBCIC staff member assisting
the Watts committee said that the
grants-to-be programme has, since
it was started in 1965, “provided
incentive to employ capable Band
members, and to generate
business for the Reserves.”
GRANTS STARTED 1965
The UBCIC staff member,
Andrew Charles, recalled that in
1965, only two bands — Cowichan
and Squamish — participated; in
1966 Musqueam became the third
participating Band. 3
Since then, to date, there are
about 173 Bands involved in the
programme, said Charles.
Accordingly, dollar-wise, the
increase has been tremendous,
Charles pointed out.
He estimates. that 25% of the
Bands' have exceeded — the
guidelines set by Indian Affairs,
and taken on additional programs
on their own. Ag
The rest are doing well within the
guidelines, said Charles, but he
suggests that perhaps they need
twice more the amount they are
now able to get.
FUNDS FROZEN
But it appears that these Bands
will have a two-year wait for
increased funding, since Indian
Affairs has frozen the programme
to the. amount that has been
granted this year. ‘
On apparent problems facing
Band administration, Charles
outlined the following:
Lack of training to. deal with
problems.
Lack of sufficient funds to cover
growth problems.
Lack ‘of other resources of
funding and expertise.
JOE DANIELS of Kitwanga is persuaded to join
Chiefs Council’s table to make a report on the
discussions of the. Babine group at the Special
A need to hire auditors who
understand the- system and to
earry out annual audits.
Regarding auditors, Charles
explained that persons hired who
do not understand. the system
either are too lax or are too strict.
STUMBLING BLOCK
But a larger stumbling block to.
administrative efficiency, said
Charles, is the inability to define
political and administrative roles.
As a result, there are cases
where the chief and council
interfere with the administrator,
or vice-versa, said Charles.
On top of this, Band members do
not understand the differences in
areas of responsibilities of . the
chief and council, and of the
administrator.
In spite of these, however,
Charles points out that the grants--
to-band programme has. been
Jargely helpful in getting the Bands
involved in administrative
activities.
As a result of this responsible
involvement, Indian Affairs has
allowed the Bands to make “‘initial
input” in such things as calling for
_ tenders and making construction
agreements.
FORMAL. CONTRACTS
Formal contracts’ and the
processing of progress estimates
are still handled by ~ the
department.
Grants-to-band funds of DIA are
used for core administration
(honoraria for chiefs and
councillors, salary for Band office
staff, expenses incurred for Band
business) as well as for recreation
programs and for Band libraries.
Supplementing the grants-to-
band are other programs covering
housing, welfare, water ‘and
sanitation, and education.
Workshop at Musqueam
VANCOUVER. (Staff) — The
B.C. land claims and Indian Bill of
Rights, and the revision of the
Indian Act were the subjects of the
general workshop 6f the
Musqueam Indian Band on March
22
It was regognized during the
workshop that the native people
were sovereign, and that,
therefore, they reject the
assumption that the English had
absolute political sovereignty over
Indian homelands.
Before the immigration of white
people in the 1800’s, the entire
234,240,000-acre territory now
known as B.C. belonged to native
people.
As white settlers took over,
reserves were set aside for the
native people.
These reservers were later
lessened in areas by the Royal
Commission on Indian Affairs for
B.C., 1913-1916, and the areas taken
are known as “‘cut-off’’: lands.
This was done in spite of strong
protests and complaints of the
Indian people.
("
WANTED CO-ORDINATOR
~ FOR NATIVE INDIAN PROGRAM
CAMOSUN COLLEGE,
VICTORIA, B.C.
For more information
and application forms,
please write to
DR. G. L.
PRINCIPAL,
CAMOSUN COLLEGE
1950 LANSDOWNE ROAD, VICTORIA
~
FISHER
General Assembly. Daniels was called upon for
service by Chief Howard Wale of the Babine District, -
seated next right of the lectern.. Other Council
i
Kelly Jr.
members shown are Adam Eneas, Forrest Walkem,
Eric Gilbert, Ivan Tallio, Delbert Guerin, and Ed
[Staff Photo]
1973
April,
NESIKA
~ KAMLOOPS BAND ELECTION
IN UIRY
Page Eleven:
Indian Affairs minister to decide
KAMLOOPS — Decision is
pending from the Indian Affairs
minister on whether to uphold or
set aside the results of the elections
of the Kamloops Indian Band.
_ The judge, Stuart Van Male,
named by Minister Chretien to
conduct hearings on the protest
against the election results of
December 21, 1972, had announced
that he would release the date
when his report would be
completed and sent to the minister.
Van Male announced that this
would be made withing a week
after the hearings were concluded
on April 6.
Van Male’s responsibility is to
report to the minister.
MINISTER’S ACTION
If Minister Chretien decides that
there was a violation that could
have changed the results of the
elections, he can rule that the
results be set aside, and order a
new election.
Van Male was stewed by
Chretien to conduct hearings on the
protest against the election results
after Norman LaRue, the chief-
elect, and his supporters conducted
a long sit-in at the Indian ‘Affairs
office.
At the summations. LaRue’s
counsel, Harry Rankin, pointed out
that of the 12 voters whose
eligbility were questioned, he
considered 10 were eligible;
’ Supervisor Jack Homan;
Justice’s -Norman . Mullins
considered four were eligible.
RESULTS UNAFFECTED
Rankin argued that if only two of
the questioned voters were
ineligible, it could not affect the
election results which tallied a
three-vote win for LaRue over
former chief Gus Gottfriedson.
Mullins, representing the justice
department, said that Gottfriedson
should be an inspiration of success
to young people.
The justice department
respresentative also cited income
tax cases which, he said,
established the law of. residency.
The hearings, held on April 4 to 6,
_included testimony of the 12
questioned voters; former : Chief
Gottfriedson and his wife, Millie;
:Chief-elect LaRue; DIA District
DIA
Electoral Officer Joe Armishaw;
and former Chief Clarence Jules.
BROAD QUESTIONS
Judge Van Male allowed ‘‘broad
questioning’’ and ‘‘a good deal of
lattitude’’.
Clarence Jules, who was chief
for ‘ 10 years preceding
Gottfriedson, testified that he
“favoured that all Band members
vote in elections’’.
Jules said that he, Gus
Gottfriedson, Millie Gottfriedson,
Frank Gottfriedson, Faye Jules,
and Clement Thomas — the last
Appeal against
Osoyoos Band
elections set aside by DIA
OLIVER — An appeal against
the results of last December’s
Osoyoos Band election has been
squelched by the Department “of
Indian Affairs. -
, In the election, Jim Stelkia was
elected as chief, defeating former
chief Marcus Louie, David George
and Irene Alec.
Successful candidates for the two
councillor positions were Henry
Baptiste, Jr., and Elizabeth Jane
Selkia.
Other candidates running for
council were Raymond Baptiste,
Mathew Baptiste, Albert Louie and
Francis Baptiste.
However, an appeal claiming
that non-reserve residents had
voted in the election was filed with
the department of Indian affairs by
Irene Alec, Gilbert. Louie, Ben
Louie, and Vincent Louie.
- After. much correspondence
between departmental officials,
the appellants and the candidates,
the. case. was referred to the
Department of Justice for decision.
On March 30, Jim Cameron,
band management officer for the
Kootenay-Okanagan district
- received word from Ottawa that
the appeal had been set aside
because there was_ insufficient
evidence to allow the appeal.
“Tt’s a difficult situation,’’
Cameyon explained. ‘‘The reserve
is located close to the American
border and many Band members
travel back and forth between the
two countries, following seasonal
jobs.”” -
“Sometimes they live on the.
reserve and sometimes not,” he
added. ‘‘Far be it from me to judge
who is and who is not a reserve
?
resident.”
Chief Stelkia was chief of the
band before, in 1969 and 1970, and
was awarded by the Union of B.C.
Indian Chiefs in 1970 for being an
outstanding Indian chief.
The elected Band Council will
serve a two-year term of office,
effective January 24, 1973.
FOUR EASON‘ S WAR DANCE CLUB members do a brisk business
selling raffle tickets to delegates to Special General Assembly. The raffle
was held during the cabaret night. Winners and their prizes, announced
by the club, are: Mrs. Bernice Sellars of Williams Lake, ‘1st prize —
Indian baby board; M. Silver of Abbotsford, 2nd prize — Indian squaw
dress, Mr. R. Brown of Vernon; 3rd prize — men’s moccasins. Westbank
Chief Noll Derriksan is trying to decide while Tsartlip Chief Dave
Bartleman fills in his name and address. Waiting for his turn is UBCIC
staff member Tom Paui.
[Staff Photo]
three were then councillors —
prepared the voters’ list, and
LaRue’s name was not.on the list.
But, Jules said, he saw that
LaRue’s name had been added_to
the list when it was posted as
required by law.
OFFICER’S ADVICE
Jules admitted tha Armishaw
had advised the Band councillors
that only Reserve residents can
vote.
Armishaw later testified that
LaRue’s name was added on
instructions of Homan, the district
supervisor of Indian Affairs.
In turn, Homan testified that
LaRue had told him he (LaRue)
was living on the Reserve and
intended to stay.
Homan said he felt: that, LaRue
was entitled to vote because the
regulations do not state how long a
man has to be a resident to be able
to vote.
IF ELECTED
It was recalled, however, during
the- proceedings, that LaRue had
promised to remain on the Reserve
“Gf elected’’.
Among the first to be questioned
at. the hearings, Millie Gottfriedson
‘admitted she held 460-acres of
Reserve lands, and her husband,
Gus, held 160 acres.
When shown two documents on
loans of Band funds to her husband
and. her son, Frank, Millie
Gottfriedson said she did not know
if the loans had gone through.
Her husband, when questioned in
turn, admitted that the loans —
$20,000 for himself and. $29,800 for
Frank Gottfriedson were
received by him and his son; that
other members of the family had
borrowed smaller amounts.
CATTLE, MONEY MISSING
Rankin. showed Gus
Gottfriedson a letter from former
‘Band Manager George Calvely
stating that 52 head of cattle-were
missing from Band lands, as was
$2,000 from Band funds.
Gottfriedson said that he did not
want to explain about the missing
cattle — which, he said was worth
then $175 a head — because ‘“‘it
might embarrass someone’’.
Ex-alcoholics
“help reduce
drunk arrests
SEATTLE ~— Two native ex-
alcoholics are working with the
Seattle police department in
keeping fellow Indian people out of
jail and starting them on the road
to rehabilitation.
Bernie Redcherries, a: 34- -year-
old Cheyenne from Busby,
Montana, and David Albert, 38, a
Salish Indian from British
Columbia’s ‘Okanagan area, are
called community service
representatives and are
responsible for investigating cases
of repeated arrests for drunkeness
and referring these people to the
~appropriate agency.
- The project, which began a year
ago, was, based on city arrest
statistics. Although only 1.5 per
cent of Seattle’s population is
native Indian, over 20 per cent of
the drunkenness arrests were
Indian people.
Arecord is kept of Indian people
who display a drinking problem by
repeated trips to the city jail, and
they are referred to an agency.
“Sometimes a. guy will go
through jail three or four times
before we get anything on him,”
explained Bernie Redcherries.
“When those drunk arrests get a,
little closer, he’s either got a-
problem or he i is stranded in town,
and it’s about time we talk to him.”
Most of the people the two see
are from Alaska and Canada.
“It’s kind of discouraging for us.
Indians come down from as far
north as the Williams Lake area.”’
It was then established during
the hearings that Band auditors
were ‘critical’? of the way Band
funds were handled.
Rankin also noted from a report
on Band operations in 1971 that the
Gottfriedson family profited from|
a cattle sale, and that loans’ to'
Band members were granted’
without interest and without
authorization from the Band
council.
POOR ACCOUNTING
On Band accounting criticism,
‘Homan admitted to Rankin. that
the Band’s ‘‘poor -accounting
practices’? were under debate by :
. Standards
his staff.
When questioned, LaRue
admitted that he had a prison
record.
He said he was sentenced in
Chase in 1963 to two years; he
served 23 months of the term.
In 1968 he was sentenced in
Vancouver to nine months; he
. served seven months of the term.
He testified that he was born on
the Kamloops Reserve and has
been a TIEMADES of the Band all his
life.
DID NOT GET SHARE .
LaRue left when he was a child,
and when his father died in 1961 he
failed to get his share of his
family’s land, he said.
LaRue also admitted having
applied for ‘‘enfranchisement”’,
and for transfer to another Band,
but that he changed his mind.
He told the hearing that he was
asked by many Band members to
return to the Reserve and run for
the position of chief.
The hearings established that the
questioned voters were “part-time
residents’ and that they would
settle in the Reserve if jobs were
available there.
PART-TIME IS ORDINARY?
The question to -be resolved
apparently is whether ‘‘part-time”’
| residency is also to be considered |
“ordinarily” being resident.
It was also established that the
last three elections were held
under the rule of a Band resolution
allowing off-Reserve residents to
vote; the resolution is now being
challenged as illegal.
Touching on this point in his
summation, Rankin asked:
“Why impose a new set of
simply because
someone was not elected as he’
expected to be?”’
“Ottawa asked to let
Salish weavers stay
OTTAWA ’— The Rev. A.B.
Patterson, MP for Fraser Valley
East has asked the federal
government to allow the Salish
weavers. to continue using the
facilities at. Coqualeetza. ~
Noting that the group had been
given notice to vacate the premises
by March 31 of this year, the Tory
MP said that such action ‘‘would
destroy years of work and progress
in reviving their (Salish weavers)
native art and establishing sales
‘ outlets.”
In replying to Patterson’s query,
Norman Cafik, parliamentary
secretary to the minister of
national health and welfare, said
that it was a matter of
considerable interest and that the
department would look into it.
New Alyansh Notes
By MARGARET WOODS
The plans for building a
Community Centre for Greenville
residents is now underway. The
centre will contain an area of 14,250
sq. ft. with two floors.
Included. facilities will be an
auditorium gymnasium on the
main floor, an arts and crafts
workshop, and.a band room with a
kitchen suitable for weddings, etc.
The upper floor will contain, a
bowling alley and cafeteria for
general community use.
The entire building will be
equipped with a P.A. system and
will be electrically: heated and
completely ventilated.
It will be financed entirely by the
Greenville Band and there will be
no federal or ~ provincial
government assistance.
eR
The CBC crew located at
Kseaden Camp filmed the Spring
Oolichan Run at the mouth of the
Nass river, according to Elvira C.
Bryants from the Nass Camp.
Unfortunately, the local radio
station has no information on when
the film will be shown.
x OK OK
On April 4, ladies from Aiyansh
village played the Nass Camp
ladies in volleyball. The final score
was a 1-1 tie.
soe OK
The Easter Basketball
Tournament will be held at
Kincolith village on April 25, 26 and
The Aiyansh Junior Boys will
participate. They will travel be car
to Munkley or Greenville Landing
.and then travel by speed boat down
river to Kincolith.
Other villages taking part in the
tournament are Greenville and
Canyon City.
* ok OF
On April 28, Marcia, daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. Percy Tait will be
united in holy matrimony with a
Cree Indian from Edmonton. —
Marcia received her education in |
Edmonton.
The wedding will he held at
Aiyansh. It promises to-be quite a
social event.
Congratulations to both bride
and groom.
Lawyer will negotiate
with Yukon on claims
OTTAWA — Victoria lawyer R.
B. Hutchison has been named by
the federal government to head the
team to negotiate the land claims
of the Yukon Indian people.
Other members’ of the
negotiation team. have not been
chosen yet with the exception. of
Yukon commissioner James Smith
or an elected member of the
territorial cabinet committee.
In announcing the appointment,
Indian Affairs Minister Jean
Chretien said that other members
‘on the federal team would vary
according to the discussions.
Sometimes officials of DIA
would sit in and at other points in
the the negotiations, finance
officials or other governmental
officials would be on the team.
CHANGE OF ADDRESS—1 MAY, 1973
FRASER INDIAN DISTRICT
: Dept. of Indian & Eskimo Affairs
FROM: 302—325 Granville St. —
“TO: 400—1155 Robson St.
Page Twelve
FRANK COOPER of the Saanich Braves accepts the
trophy for best goalie in the annual All-Native Soccer
Tournament held in Victoria from April 21 to 23.
Cooper let in only one goal during regular time play.
~ Provincial hockey championship
marred by fighting and poor play
FORT ST. JAMES — A slugging
match, and a player punching the’
referee in the jaw marred the
annual provincial native Indian
Senior Hockey Championships held
in Fort St. James on March 31 and
April 1.
Up until the troublesome
championship match between
Vernon and the hometown team,
the Nescolie Chiefs, the
tournament play was generally
brisk and sportsmanlike.
The Chiefs beat out the four
competing teams to win the
championship for the second
consecutive year.
An enthusiastic crowd cheered
the visiting teams; the Chase
Warriors, Vernon Totems, Merritt
Braves and Williams Lake as well
as the hometown team.
Results of the tournament games
were as follows:
Nescolie Chiefs vs. Williams
Lake (Chiefs 23, Wms. Lk. 0).
Merritt vs. Vernon (Merritt 11,
Vernon 0).
Chase vs. Williams Lake (Chase
6, Wms. Lk. 2).
Chiefs vs. Merritt (Chiefs: 10,
Merritt 0).
Vernon vs. Chase (Vernon 7,
Chase 5).
Chiefs vs. Chase (Chiefs 9, Chase
0).
Merritt vs. Williams Lake
(Merritt 6, Wms. Lk. 4).
The final game between Vernon
NESCOLIE CHIEFS, provincial native Indian Senior
Hockey Champions pose for picture. The Chiefs won
the tournament by default when the Vernon Totems
and the Chiefs went to the Chiefs by
default when Vernon refused -to
return to the ice after a slugfest in
the opening period.
R3feree Barry Jones was
knocked off the ice by an irate
player, Bob House, who disagreed
with the referee’s penalty call
against him.
A meeting between the
association backing the provincial
native hockey tournament and the
B.C, Hockey Association has’ been
arranged to deal with House’s
conduct.
In the future, participating -
teams will be required to put upa
performance bond...
At the awards ceremony
following the final game on April 1,
the following trophies were
presented: :
Top Scorer: Peter Bird (Nescolie
Chiefs) for 8 goals, 10 assists.
-Runner Up: Cecil Martin
(Chiefs), for 5 goals and 12 assists.
Best Defenceman: M. “Martin
(Chiefs). .
Runner Up: D. Fletcher
(Chiefs). a?
Best Goalie: Doug Morris
(Chiefs).
Best Forward: Peter Bird
(Chiefs). >
Runner Up: ‘Cecil Martin
(Chiefs).
Most Sportsmanlike Player:
Ernie Sam (Chiefs).
Runner Murdoch
(Merritt).
Most. Valuable Player:
Bird (Chiefs).
Runner Up: Bernie Marchand
(Vernon). ;
Ernie Sam received a special
local award for the player
‘displaying the best sportsmanship.
Up:
Peter
Top scorers in the eight-game
tourney were Peter Bird, Cecil
Martin, R. Sam, L. Pigeor and M.
Martin, all of the Chiefs; and H.
Wilson of Vernon, 'T..Gottfriedson
and G. Denosky, both from Chase.
Organizers of the events
expressed their regret that fans
were deprived of the excitement of
watching ~ a full-time final
championship. game and have
offered to refund tickets to any
displeased fans.
Proceeds from the - provincial
championship. will go to the
Nescolie Recreation Program with
indirect benefits being realized by
the Minor sports groups. and the
community generally.
Long living resident
- YALE ~ Long-time resident,
Mrs. Marie Emory, a native Indian
born 81. years ago on March 20,
1892, is still active and making
rugs.
refused .to return to the. | ice following a slugeind
match in the opening period. .
[Photo courtesy of Caledonian Courier]
April, 1973
Powell River wins Totem Cup
in All-Native soccer finals
VICtORIA (Staff) — The rain
held off and the organization was
perfect to produce another
successful Annual All Native
Totem Soccer Tournament in
Victoria on April 21 to 23.
-This year’s lively crowd saw the
Shammon Tigers become the
winners of the Totem Soccer Cup in
a close win over the Saanich
Braves: 1-0.
Right-wing Bill Harvey scored
the only goal of the game when he’
beat the Saanich goalie, Frank
Cooper, with only ten minutes left. ;
The Braves actually scored a few
minutes later for what seemed like
the equalizer but referee, John
Baggott, disallowed it.
ON 11TH YEAR
The tournament, now in its 11th
year, drew the participation of 28
teams from various parts of the
province, and the dedicated
support of a crowd of 2,500
-nroughout the three days.
Sponsored by the Songhees
Recreation Commission and co-
ordinated by John Rice, the
tourney worked on an elimination
basis.
The first day was taken up with
the initial matches. The losers and
winners of these games then made
up their respective divisions and
played off the second day to
produce the two finalists for each
division.
The last day featured the final
play-offs for the Totem Soccer Cup °
and consolation final.
CONSOLATION CUP
The consolation winner of the
Russell Joseph Memorial Cup
(play-off winner from the loser’s
division) was the Victoria
Thunderbirds who produced a 5-1
victory over East Saanich. :
Sunday also featured an Old
Timers game, which saw the old
timers whip the Songhées club, 6-0,
and something new in. the
tournament’s history: a girls’
soccer mini-series.
This mini-series was won by the -
Saanich team whose spirited play
led to the defeat of both . the
Sasquatch and Chehalis teams.
The former was won by tie-
breaking penalty shots, and the
latter, outright at 2-0.
This could be the beginning of a
new girls’ league if enthusiasm
counts for anything.
NEW GIRLS’ LEAGUE
According to Molly Pelkey, one
of Saanich’s players, when the idea
for the team was first announced,
over 30 ladies came to try out.
The tournament was the first of
its kind in B.C. and is officially
sanctioned by the B.C. Football
Association and Victoria and
District Soccer.. It was..also
authorized by the B.C. Native
Sports Federation.
Financing came through a First
Citizens grant and. from the
Native recreation
consultant hired
PRINCE RUPERT Les
Clayton of Prince Rupert has been
hired by the B.C. Community
Recreation Branch to provide
recreational information and
services to native communities
along the northwest coast and as
far inland as Hazelton.
Clayton is on the executive
committee of the B.C. Native
Amateur Sports and- Recreation
Federation and has © had
considerable experience working
with the recreation department in
Terrace and with other native
organizations on the north coast.
He is also a member of the NBA
Chiefs, the team which recently
won the B.C. All-Native. Basketball
Tournament,
Mr. Clayton will be working out
of Prince Rupert.
- Nelson
Thunderbirds who came up with
proceeds of program sales and the |
concession stand.
Officiating was handled by
members of the. Victoria and
District Soccer Association.
OUTSTANDING PLAYER
Stan Peters, of the Sliammon
Tigers was picked as_ the
outstanding player of. the
tournment.
The Best Goalie award went to
Frank Cooper of Saanich who let in
only one regular time goal in the
five games his club played.
_The highest scorer was Alex
of the Victoria
nine goals in three days.
The Penelakut team from Kuper
Island drew the most
sportsmanlike team honour while
their Captain, Norman Guerin,
was given the same award as ian
individual.
ALL STARS SELECTED
The All-Star team included:
Frankie Cooper, the Saanich
Braves, in goal; Stan Peters, the
Sliammon . Tigers, as right-full-
back; Herb Scow, the Victoria T-
Birds, as centre- half: Reg Phillips,
Chehalis, as right- half; John
Harry, the Sliammon Tigers, as
left-back; Cyril Pierre, Sasquatch,
as right-wing; Larry Louis, the
Sliammon Braves, as inside-right; .
Rod Leon, Chehalis, as centre-
forward; Greg Sam, the. Saanich
Braves, as inside right and Harry
Dawson, T-Birds, as left-wing.
Indian sports days
ALERT BAY — The Nimpkish
Reserve is holding “its annual
Indian Sports Days on June 8, 9 and
10 at the Thunderbird Park in Alert
Bay.
This year’s happening will
feature a soccer tournament, boat
parade, track and field events,
Indian Princess Contest and a
cabaret on the final day.
Barbecued. salmon will be.
available throughout the three-day
affair.
Entrance fees for tho soccer
tournament have been set for
$20.00 in the men’s division; $10.00
for the women’s and $5.00 for the
children’s division.
For further information, contact
Roy Cranmer, Box 210, Alert Bay,
B.C. Phone: 974-5411 or 974-5475.
Merritt fastball
tourney in June
‘SHULUS — The Lower Nicola
Band will host its annual Fastball
tournment at the Merritt Fastball
Park on June 9 and 10, 1973.
Admission for spectators will be
$2.00 per day. ;
An entry fee of $50.00 will be
charged for each team entering the
eight-team, double knock-out
tournament.
For further information please
contact Wayne Shuter, mee
Delivery, Lower Nicola, B.C,,
phone 378-2194.
Funds for counsellor
PENTICTON — Penticton school
board recently received an
additional grant of $2,400 from the
department of Indian Affairs for
the nativ3. Indian counsellor.
The board — responsible for the
program under which Don Jenkins
provides counselling services for
Indian students of the Penticton,
Westbank, Osoyoos, Upper
Similkameen and Lower
Similkameen bands — received an
original budget of- $15,000 but
discovered that this didn’t
completely cover the telephone
and travelling expenses .of Mr.
Jenkins.
In March alone, Mr. Jenkins’
mileage was 2,700.
April, 1973 .
N E S$ I K A
Page Thirteen
PORT ALBERNI NEWS '’N NOTES
Native songs, dances highlight double wedding
By PHYLLIS L. HANNA
NESIKA Correspondent
- PORT ALBERNI — Notre Dame
Cathedral was the scene here of a
double wedding, uniting in
marriage Patricia Rose Lucas and
Christopher Andrew Charleson,
and Irene Robinson and Richard
Stanley Lucas.
Patricia is the daughter of
Gertrude and Charles Lucas, and
Christopher is the son of Mamie
and Pat Charleson, all of the
Hesquiat Band of Hot Springs
Cove.
Irene is the daughter of
Katherine and Douglas Robinson
of the Sheshat Band, and Richard
is the son of Gertrude and Charles
Lucas.
Father Mark Lemay officiated at
the wedding. Organist was Mrs.
Yvonne Forbes.
PATRICIA AND CHRIS
Patricia Lucas wore an empire
style, floor length gown of crepe
and organza in mauve, with long
puffed sleeves and a cap veil. She
carried a bouquet of white and lilac
carnations.
Patsy’s attendants were her first
cousin, Cherryl Fred, as maid of
honor; her sister, Carol, and first
cousin, Marilyn Lucas, as
bridesmaids.
All three attendants wore formal
gowns. Cherryl wore a sleeveless
yellow gown of crepe while Carol
wore’ a sleeveless yellow gown.
Marilyn wore a long sleeved purple
gown, They carried complimenting
bouquets.
Attending the groom was his
brother, Pat Jr., while brothers
Constant and Francis served as
ushers. — -
Chris’s youngest brother,
Anthony, was ring bearer.
IRENE AND RICHARD
Irene Robinson chose a yellow
three-tiered empire style crepe
- gown, floor length, with Jong
~“sleeves’and'a square neckline. She
also wore floral appliques on her
hair and carried a yellow feathered
bouquet.
Her sister, Jessie Lucas,
attended her as matron of honor,
and her cousins, Bertha Fred. and
Wileen Watts were bridesmaids.
. Jessie wore a beige, floor length
dress with pink flowers on the
yoke, long sleeves and a tie-belt.
She had a bouquet of pink feathers.
Bertha and Eileen wore empire
style dresses with short puffed
sleeves, and carried bouquets of
red roses. They wore floral
appliques on their hair. ‘
The birde’s cousin, little
Rachelle Bos, wore a white vest
dress-with pink flowers and carried
a basket of wild pink and white
flowers.
Attending Richard was a distant
cousin, Felix Charleson, as best
man; a first cousin and a brother,
Chuck Lucas, were the ushers.
Both brides made their own
~ children;
wedding gowns. The young couples
will reside in Hot Springs Cove.
WEDDING RECEPTION
The reception was held in the
Somass Hall, Somass Crescent,
where grace was sung by members
of the Sheshaht Band in their
native language led by author
George Clutesi.
The ‘‘Welcome Dance,’”’ the Deer
Dance, and other Indian dances
were performed by dancers of the
Hesquiat, Sheshaht and Nootka
tribes.
The traditional exchange of gifts
was made between the Hesquiat
and the Sheshaht tribes.
The Berry Cups provided the
music, and the food was served by
the Girls Basketball team of the
Sheshaht and the Opetchesaht
Bands, and by the ladies group of
the Friendship Centre.
* ok &
A meeting to discuss the new
museum was held at _ the
Friendship Centre, March 24, at
9;00 a.m.
The discussions covered past and
future plans, display of the
architectural plan and scale model
of the museum. Other displays
discussed were linguistics and
story of archaeology, and filming
and photography.
Members of the First Citizens:
Fund were invited to the meeting
to see the displays and _ the
applications from ~ people
interested in summer employment
on the project.
. * ok Ok
The Band office’ submitted the
application for Administration
Grant to. the West Coast District
Council on March 21.
It was stressed in the application
that the Screening Committee give
careful” and favourable
consideration to the amount
requested. for the next fiscal
period.
Last year and this year it was
necessary. to cut. down -on~ the
services of the Band secretary due
to lack of funds.
oH Ge ae
Harry Lucas and Yvonne Gus
are the proud parents of a daughter
born on December 21. They have
named her Layla.
* ok #
Charlie Mickey has completed
two houses at Hot Springs Cove and
he is now working on a third.
Ken’s Electric Company Ltd. is
to undertake wiring the houses as
soon as the fourth house is
completed.
* OR OK
OBITUARY: Former ‘Hesquiat
Band member Helen Howard.
Mrs. Howard is survived by her
husband, Ambrose, and their 11
two sisters, Christina
Amos and Beatrice Jack; one
brother, Chief Ben Andrews. _ .
Mrs. Howard resided in Gold
River until she married a member
of the Nootka tribe.
1,000 members.
and in writing.
and staff and residents.
fications.
20, Lytton, B.C.
Closing Date — May 15, 1973.
Band Manager
Needed For Lytton Band
The Job — Administering the financial, technical, economical and
local government programs of an Indian band of approximately
Qualifications — Must have good ability. to communicate orally
Should be familiar with the rural B. C. economy and in particular,
‘the forestry and agricultural industries.
Must have ability to give direction and leadership to Band Council
Salary — Negotiable, depending upon experience and quali-
To Apply — Send application, including resume in own hand-
writing to Lytton Indian Band, c/o Chief Byron Spinks, P.O. Box
She had resided in Victoria for
only a short time prior to the
accident in which she died.
Funeral services were held on
April 11, and interment was in the
Oak cemetery.
xR OK
A Band meeting was held on
April 17, and the agenda included a
report on the Special General
Assembly in Penticton by the chief
councillor.
Chief Rocky Amos, who attended
the conference with John
Raymond, said that the discussions
included the Indian Act, and he
asked his people to study this Act in
depth and make note of any
changes which they would wish to
make.
Chief Amos said a committee
was to be formed and go around to
Band members to ask questions,
The chief councillor also said
that the important issue at the
conference was the land claims
and what compensation the people
wanted.
ek Oe
John Raymond reported that he
and Chief Amos will go to Hesquiat
to get everything in shape by May
1, for the start of the cultural
_ program project.
It is not known as yet how much
money will be made available for
the project: But a grant has. been
approved under the OF Y program
for 10 students to work on the
program. These students. will be
learning carpentry, filming,
photography, and also take part in
archaeological digs.
The cultural committee which is
‘chaired by Chief Amos will screen
‘application for employment.
John has been granted a leave of
absence. from .. B.C... Hydro,
Vancouver, to work on the
program this summer. :
oat
THE LAST hereditary ‘chief of Musqueam — 94- or 92-year-old James
Point — holds a great-great-granddaughter, two-and-a-half-months-old
Sheridan Hall.
Baby is one of the children of Chief Point’s great
granddaughter, Katherine, standing, now wife of Skulkayn Band Chief
Bob Hall. Chief Point had received congratulatory telegrams from Queen
Elizabeth
Il,, Governor-General Roland Michener,
and Mayor Art
Phillips. Premier Dave Barrett had phoned his best wishes from Victoria.
The chief joined about 120 members of his 500-member family in a
celebration on March 30. The Chief’s baptismal certificate is dated March
29, 1881, but.a grandson said it could have been made out two years after
Chief Point was born.
[Staff Photo]
~ Light sentences make law difficult to enforce
OTTAWA — A new twist to the
truism. that non-Indians and
Indians are treated unequally
before the courts was added by
Chief David Ahenakew, head of the
Federation of Saskatchewan
Indians.
According. to Chief Ahenakew,
Indian people sometimes get
lighter sentences than non-Indiaris
for the same crimes.
Speaking before a Senate legal
and constitutional affairs
committee, the Saskatchewan
Indian leader said that he could not
explain this attitude of judges but
noted that it contributes to a
breakdown of law and order on
reserves.
While at one time. there was
“real” law and order on reserves
administered by the band council,
Ahenakew explained that there
was a small group. developing
which defy law and order.
One of the reasons for this, he
added, was the problem of
brutality by police.
To cofrect this, Ahenakew
suggested that a preventative
program be set up on refferves and
that steps should be. taken to
Indian administration
to take over school
KAMLOOPS _— Nathan
Matthews, 24, will take over as
administrator of the Kamloops
Reserve school.
The announcement was made
recently by the Roman Catholic
Oblate order.
Matthews has been undergoing
training for his takeover as
administrator. It is expected he
will take his post by January 1974.
The Order plans to leave the
Indian Reserve after 84 years.
Rev. Allan Noonan, who has been
administrator for the past nine
years, said that this move is part of
recent changes being made
throughout the province.
increase | understanding between
the Indian people and law
enforcement agencies. A small
force of special Indian constables
is being created in Saskatchewan
to work with the RCMP.
According to the brief presented
to the Senate committee by the
Saskatchewan delegation headed
by Chief Ahenakew, these special
constables would not be law
enforcement officers, but would be
“ambassadors” on the reserves
who would explain to both the
Indian people and police various
aspects of cases. ‘
Simon Fraser U offers summer
course on Indian education
BURNABY (Staff) — Summer
studies on Indian education will be
offered by the Simon Fraser
University for teachers, teacher
aides, home-school coordinators,
adult educators, and others
interested, this July.
The two-week course, starting
July 4, includes a week on the
’ Lytton Indian Community.
Individuals may audit the course
or get academic credit of. four
semester hours.
The course instructors scheduled
are Chief Don Moses of the Lower
Nicola Band, and Dr. John Niemi,
a UBC associate professor. .
Lectures will be given by:
Dr. George Clutesi, author.of Son
of Raven, Son of Deer;
Alvin Mckay, Director,
. Indian
UBC
Education Resources
Centre; :
Chief Bud Recalma of the
Qualicum Band, executive director
of the Raven Society.
Chief William Scow of the
Kwicksutaineuk Band, judge of the
Provincial Court in Alert Bay;
George Wilson, consultant to the
B.C. department of education on
Indian education;
Chief Forrest Walkem of the
Cooks Ferry Band, trustee, South
Cariboo District No. 30;
Other guest lecturers are Mary-
Ashworth, assistant professor,
UBC, and Dr. M. Sheila O’Connell,
associate professor, SFU.
For more information write to
the Division of Continuing
Education, Simon Fraser:
University, Burnaby 2, B.C.
BOARD OF SCHOOL TRUSTEES.
SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 76 (AGASSIZ-HARRISON)
APPLICATIONS are invited for the position of Indian Home-
School Co-ordinator for this school district effective June 1,
1973. Applicants must have a minimum of a Grade 12 education,
should have knowledge of and/or experience with Indian people,
‘must be able to relate well with school students and parents, and
should be acquainted with the education system. Salary negoti-
able. Apply in writing by Friday, May 11, 1973 to:
T. T. NOVIS
Secretary-Treasurer
School District No. 76 (Agassiz-Harrison)
Box 69, Agassiz, B.C.
Page Fourteen
Archaeological finds part of B.C.
NES 1K AD
land claims, says ASB resolution
VANCOUVER (Staff) —- The
Archaeological Sites Board. has
passed a motion to the effect that
pre-historic finds should be part of
land claims of Indian people, it was
reported to the Chiefs Council.
A Union. representative to the
Board, Ardyth Cooper, made the
report during the meeting of the
Chiefs Council on April.7.
The motion, reported Miss
Cooper, is as follows:
“That this Board advise the
Minister that in .its opinion all
~ NORTHWEST INDIAN. CULTURAL SOCIETY
Artists’ aid needed for shows
By LIA McGOOKIN
Recording Secretary
Less than one quarter of the 100
local members turned up for our
first general meeting on April 14
which was disappointing to say the
least.
However, we did elect a working
crew to assist the executive and we
wish to thank Phil Janze, Larry.
Rosso, Virginia Wadhoms,
Norman Tait, Mabel Stanley, Lucy
Williams and Linda Bridge for
offering their assistance. .
In his opening speech, the
president, Simon Baker mentioned
the three major projects for our
society in 1973; The Vietoria Fair
from May 14 to 19, our “Indian
Days” which is held in conjunction
with the Vancouver Sea Festival,
and, the biggest event of all, the
P.N.E.
We would be grateful for any
assistance on these projects,
particularly from artists so that we
will have top quality crafts to show
and sell. .
During this busy year, we intend
to present a brief to the federal
government in support of native
Indian artists.
This brief will ask the federal
government’s support in our
efforts to stop the reproduction of
Indian art by non-Indian people.
_ _ Since these reproductions affect |
the market for Indian artists trying
to make a living from their work,
the Cultural Society plans to press
for. more public education on this
problem.
If possible, the Society would like
to institute a proper tagging
system for native craftsmen to use
on their products:
School plans start
of Indian studies
NANAIMO — Nanaimo Senior
Secondary School is currently
working toward. implementing an
Indian Cultural Students program,
according to the director of
secondary education, Rob Watson.
In setting up the program, the
school board is seeking
information from around B.C. and
across Canada where such courses
are already in progress. ‘
Places such as Williams Lake
and Queen Charlotte Islands and
some towns in Ontario have
already provided’ valuable
information, Watson told a school
board committee meeting in early
April.
FAMILY PLANNING
The Male Reproductive System
By GEORGE POVEY, M.D.
Second in a series
The man’s sexual organs
include scrotum, testicles, sperm
ducts, seminal vesicles, prostate
gland, and penis. The testicles are
the most important male
‘reproductive organs. They produce
the sperms, and they. also produce
the male hormone, testosterone.
The sperms are microscopic
cells. which propel themselves by
vigorous movements of their tails.
From the testicles they move
upward, where they are mixed
with the semen, a milky fluid
secreted by the seminal vesicles
and prostate gland. When
ejaculation occurs, .the semen,
containing several million sperms,
is expelled by contraction of
muscles at the base of the penis.
AGE OF PUBERTY.
Puberty usually occurs in boys
between ages 10 and 16 years. At
puberty, the testicles begin to~
produce testosterone, which’
determines masculine physical
characteristics such as beard, low
voice, and muscular body
structure. At this time, the boy.
begins to be sexually active, and
the testicles begin to produce
sperms which are capable of
fertilization.
In men, there is nothing
resembling the menstrual cycle
that women experience. From
puberty onward, they normally
produce sperms at all times.
Men experience nothing. similar
to the women’s menopause.
Although there is a gradual
decrease in physical vigor and in
sexual activity with advancing
age, men generally remain
capable of causing pregnancy all
their lives.
Male Reproductive Organs
Biadder
Testicles
Sperm Duct
Seminal
Vesicle
Prostate
Gland
unexcavated pre-historic
archaeological remains in the
province should be considered as
part of the aboriginal title to the
lands of B.C.. which remain
unextinguished . and should,
henceforth, be considered for the
purpose of the administration: of
the Act.”
Miss Cooper told the Council that
the Board controls archaeological
digs in the province. -
During a Board meeting on April
6, which Miss Cooper said she and
Mrs. Della Kew attended, the
Board discussed the following:
(a) Notifying Bands about .
digs;
(b) Getting the signature of
the Band Chief and Council for
digs at Band level;
(c) Hiring Indian people to-do
the digs; :
(d) Educating Indian people
about archaeology as a way of
self-development.
Miss Cooper suggested in her
report that the Union undertake
joint workshop sessions between
Bands and the provincial museum
to teach archaeological work to
Indian people. ,
As to illegal diggings, Miss
Cooper further suggested that
there should be a warden in each
area of archaeological sites, and
that chiefs should act as wardens.
Miss. Cooper informed Council
that there is a fine of $500 for:
disturbing an archaeological site.
Regarding recognition of
ownership of sites by Indian -
Bands, Miss Cooper reported that
April, 1973
ALEC LEE, UBCIC research co-ordinator, in a serious discussion over
coffee break. Bill, left, and Danny Walkus appear to make it two-te-one.
[Staff Photo]
Student residence to close?
ALERT BAY — Because of the
large drop in number of students in
the Alert Bay student residence,
the federal government © is
considering closing it, Tom
Barnett, NDP MP for the area
disclosed in early April.
In a letter from John Ciaccia, a
deputy minister in the Department
of Indian Affairs to Barnett, one
reason given for.the move was
that since the number of students
the Board had agreed to the idea in
principle, but also pointed out that
the Board can only advise the
‘minister.
Council moved that. a letter of
support for the Board’s application
for additional funds be sent to the
provincial secretary, Ernie Hall.
- Centre gets ‘go ahead’ sign
GREENVILLE — After’ many
years of talking and planning, the
Greenville village council is now
ready to go ahead with. their.
proposed community centre.
This village at the mouth of the
Nass. River hopes to call tenders
for the building this spring, and if
everything goes according to- plan,
construction will begin this
summer.
The centre will serve not only the
Greenville village but all
communities along the Nass.
Containing an area of 14,250
square feet on two floors, the
building will include auditorium
and gymnasium facilities on the
main floor, workshops for arts and
crafts, a band room with kitchen
- facilities on the main floor,
workshops for arts and crafts, a
band room with kitchen facilities
and. a large concourse for
gatherings. :
The second floor will include a
bowling alley, cafeteria for general
community use and a: second
concourse area overlooking the
gymnasium. 5
Electri¢al~heating will ' be
installed and a P/A system will be
built throughout the
building.
According to Chief Councillor.
Bill McKay, the centre is a major
undertaking for the band,
especially since there are no
similar facilities within accessible
distances. :
It is hoped that the centre will
greatly benefit the youth and
improve the athletic performance
of the young people.
Cost of the proposed building is
estimated to be around $0.5
million, which will come entirely
out of band funds with no grant
assistance from either the
provincial or federal government.
Alex J. Inselberg of Terrace has
been hired by the band council to
design the building. _
whole
staying in Vancouver Island
residences had dropped from 684 to
408 in three years, the need for
such large residences as at Alert
Bay is being questioned.
Student residences were used in
the past to house students from
isolated coastal communities that
lacked .educational opportunities
arid Indian children whose home
life effectively barred them from
attending school on a_ regular
basis.
_Ciaccia gave. ‘‘increased
availability of educational services
and improved home conditions” as
major reasons for. the decrease in
number of Indian children in
residences.
Noting that the Union of B.C.
Indian Chiefs has agreed to do the
research necessary to study the
need for student ‘residences in the
future, Ciaccia said that the
department is co-operating with
the Union and hopes to ‘‘come.to an
early. agreement. on student
residence policies and practices
for British Columbia.”
DIA is paying particular
attention to the Alert Bay
residence because “the need for
student accomodations at Alert
Bay seems to have diminished
significantly.”’
‘While admissions to Indian
residential schools have been
made by departmental officials in
the past, DIA is presently studying
a proposal by the Alert Bay council
that would make admissions to the
student residence a_ local
responsibility.
“We are now discussing with
Indian organizations the question
of how Indian people can control
their educational program. more
directly ,”’ Ciaccia said in his letter.
'“We hope that, among: other.
things, these discussions will also
result in better methods being
found of placing children . for
educational purposes.”
UBCIC staff members join observers and delegates
at the back of the Special General Assembly
conference hall. Flanked by the ladies are Percy
Gladstone, John Schreiber, and,
and Schreiber, Larry. Speedy.
a
behind Gladstone
[Staff Photo}
B.C. ASSOCIATION OF NON- ‘STATUS INDIANS ~
On Aboriginal Title and Land i Claims
EDITOR’S NOTE: The following
is a condensation of the brief of the
B.C. Association of . Non-Status
Indians to the House standing
committee on Indian Affairs in
Ottawa.
INTRODUCTION
The B.C. Association of Non-
Status Indians has in two years
given a voice to B.C.’s forgotten
Indian people. It is, therefore,
proper that we speak to your
committee. -
The emergence of non-status
organizations has given rise to
much confusion and misunder-
standing.
Non-Indian people are confused
because they do not understand the
legal distinction that makes some
Indians status and others non-
status.
Unfortunately, among native
people in general, but particularly
among the status or registered
indians, much tS padeystindinig
exists.
It is our purpose here to try to
remove much of the confusion and
misunderstanding.
WHO ARE WE?
We are identical in every way to
those native people the federal
government has seen fit to keep on
the band lists.
Ignored by government and all
too often by our own registered
brothers and sisters, we became
truly the ‘‘Forgotten People.” We
suffered all the problems of the
status Indians but we were ignored
in any efforts to improve the lives
of Indians.
RIDICULOUS RUMORS
To the status Indians we say that
we should in no way. be considered
A: threat.
Our aims are the same but our
methods are quite different. If, in
certain areas, we may cooperate,
then we are most desirous of doing
so.
There are, however, politicians
and bureaucrats, Indians or
otherwise who would put Indian
against Indian.
They have said that we want to
share in the reserve lands and the
meagre funds provided by the
Department of Indian Affairs.
They have gone so far as to say
that the efforts of non-status people
are a part of a conspiracy. which
has as its purpose the control of
Indian people by ‘“‘White Men.”
All this ‘is, of course, ridiculous.
_ A NEW WAY
It may be true that at times in
the past non-status Indians have
looked with envy at their status
brothers and sisters. But, all that
now is gone.
Chinook name for park
VICTORIA It has been
proposed to name the Pacific Rim
National Park as ‘‘Illahie National
Park”’ “Tilahie’’? meaning
“home or homeland”’ in Chinook.
The proposal was forwarded by
the provincial government to the
Department of Indian Affairs and
Northern Development.
Recreation Minister Bob
Williams has said that Ottawa had
indicated considering the proposal.
Chinook was ‘lingua franca”
from California to Alaska among
white traders ‘and Indian people.
Drop-in centre
MISSION _— The community
centre has invited Indian and non-
Indian people to ‘drop in” every
Saturday and Sunday to take part
in arts and crafts, or readings of
native history.
The centre is located at 7327
Horne Street.
‘problems.
We have found a new way, a way
which hopefully will never see us
tied to an archaic bureaucracy.
But, though we may be going our
‘separate ways, we think it. is
important to keep in mind the
possible strength; a and
u
‘economic, we could together
represent. .
Our way is to approach
government not as special people
but as people with special
SCHIZOPHRENIC
DEPARTMENT
We have seen what a special
department has done to Indian
people.
We have seen. a_ huge
bureaucracy frustrate efforts of
Indians at the grass roots level.
We have seen Indian effort and
money wasted in attempts to work
through the Department of. Indian
Affairs’ system.
But, what we have seen recently
shocks us most. The department
which should be acting in a trustee
role for Indian people is sitting
inactive, while the rights of Indians
in the North and such areas as
James Bay are being abrogated.
In fact, the entire schizophrenic
nature of the department appalls
us.
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
It saddens us deeply to see
Indian Rights ignored. in James
‘Bay because of the particular
political relationship the present
federal government has with the
province of Quebec.
The conflict of interest situation
in which the department. finds
itself in the North is jeopardizing
the interests of all Indians, status
and non-status.
We are concerned, then, with
department action, or inaction, not
because of a desire to share ‘in its
programs or money.
Our concern rather is with the
apparent Department reluctance
to defend Indian interests and the
effect this has on the rights of non-
status people.
THE ULTIMATE THREAT
We know that much conflict and
hard feeling have recently arisen
among Indians because of a case
now before the Supreme Court.
Those who say there would be a
flood of people to the reserves and
extra demands on band funds
simply donot understand the
situation. /
Non-status Indians for the most
part, because of the necessity to
fend for themselves, have made a
life of their own wherever they
may reside.
"To think that because of a court
decision they would want to take up
their roots and move to the tiny
plots of reserve land which all too
often are mere ghettos is laughable
at best.
We can only say that the threat to
Indian culture lies not in the efforts
of non-status groups, but
ultimately in the apparent inability
of Indian people to stand together
and make the best use of their
collective economic and political
strength.
A NEW INDIAN ACT
We know that there are efforts by
status Indian organizations to draft
a new Indian Act.
We think this would have been a
better way to .deal with .the
definition of who is an Indian under
the Act, and, perhaps, it is
unfortunate that the issue is now
being dealt with by the courts.
There is no question that the
legal system discriminates against
Indians and is almost totally
oblivious to’ Indian values.
Any court decision, then, may
impose alien. values on native
people. The. possibility is even
greater when the issue before a
court involves such widely
applicable legislation as the Bill of
Rights.
“ENFRANCHISEMENT” -
We are also aware that such
blatantly discriminatory
legislation as the former liquor
sections in the Act would most
‘likely still be in existence were it
not for such monumental decisions
as that on the Drybones case.
Not only were Indian people
prosecuted under those sections,
but also these sections themselves
caused a number of Indian people
to choose ‘‘enfranchisement.”’
Perhaps the most ridiculous
situation involving Indians in
general has been the attitude of
governments to the question of
aboriginal title.
B.C. Indians have been fighting
for their claim based on aboriginal
title for over a hundred years.
As Indian people from B.€.,. we
look forward to a settlement of this
issue.
We know that the committee this
year made a decision to look at the
question.
ON ABORIGINAL RIGHTS
This is a brief outline of our
position. ,
First, it must be pointed out that
the presentation to the Prime
Minister by the Union of. B.C.
Indian Chiefs based on ‘‘Native
Title’ was prepared and presented
totally without non-status
involvement.
Efforts were made by non-status
people to share in the. discussions
that led to the development of the
paper. /
Unfortunately, these efforts
were rejected by the Union, yet in
FREEDOM WITH RESERVATION
Menominee tribe fights for its lands
By CINDY WILSON
In 1954, the government of the
United States passed a legislation
which terminated federal
protection of Menominee Reserve
lands and people.
This Wisconsin Indian tribe, up
until the Termination Act was
passed, had a tribally held
reservation with rich timber
resources and vistas of scenic
beauty, their own community
facilities, and a local industry
providing the people with
employment.”
This book, Freedom with
Reservation, tells the history of
what has happened to the people of
the Menominee tribe in their own
_words and in the opinions of
anthropologists, social scientists
and lawyers since 1954.
In considerable detail the’ book
shows how a tribe which before ran
its own hospital, high. school, and
paid its own Indian agent. and
practised a sustained-yield type of
timber resource preduction
became the poorest.county in the
State of Wisconsin, dependent upon
neighbouring counties -for
indifferent, or even hostile,
schooling and medical services.
It tells how a: tribal owned
company, Menominee Enterprises
Incorporated, formed to protect
land and capital holdings of the
tribe from passing into non-Indian
hands, instead came to serve the
interests of a small ruling elite and
local non-Indian establishment
businesses and actually began to
sell the ancestral tribal lands in
order to stave off bankruptcy.
TRIBAL LANDS SOLD
But it was the selling of tribal
lands which served as a catalyst
for various Menominee Indians to
begin fighting. back against the
powerful corporation, MEI.
After witnessing the destruction
of the Legend Lake area of their
lands, individual Menominees
began to fight back through a wide-
based grass-roots organizations
called Determination of Rights and
Unity of Menominee Shareholders,
morely commonly. known. as
DRUMS.
Dedicated volunteers began
speaking to groups and organizing
protest marches to emphasize the
plight of the Menominee
homelands and to break the
stranglehold. that the MEI
corporation had over the lands and
- resources of the Menominee tribe.
Under the original termination
plan, which set up the corporation,
the only privileges held by the
ordinary tribal members was that
they were entitled to vote for one
member each year of the Common
_Stock and voting Trust. Also, every
ten years for a period of thirty
years following final termination
in 1961, tribal members were to.
vote on whether or not the voting
trust should be continued.
VOTING TRUST
TOO POWERFUL
But since the Voting Trust had
control. of all shares “issued to
minors and incompetents of the
tribe, amounting to as high as 40%
of the total number = of
shareholders, and could vote these.
shares to support their own
purposes, the ordinary tribe
member had very little real say in
the affairs of the corporation.
Through court actions and
political campaigning, DRUMS
began to make inroads in the
power of the Voting Trust and to
‘Place N.W., Washington,
elect their own people to the Voting
Trust and thus to begin changing
the corporation from the inside.
This. book .documents the
struggle of the Menominee people
through meeting in living rooms,
and schools, through an intensive
campaign by mail to get in touch
with members of the tribe who had
moved away and by aa
marches to draw public attention
to their struggle, began to gain
back control of their lands and
resources.
WANT ACT REPEALED
And, not satisfied with control of
the corporation, the Menominee
people have began to pressure the
federal government to repeal the
Termination Act so _ that
Menominee lands and people will
again enjoy the federal protection
that other American Indian ‘tribes
have.
In this way, the Menominee
people feel that they can continue
on the self-sufficient path they
enjoyed up until 1954 and will not
be forced through poverty. and
discrimination to give up their
‘cultural and tribal identity.
The book is just one more step in
their fight for self-sufficiency.
Jointly written by various
members of DRUMS © and
interested supporters, proceeds
from the publication will. be
returned to the Menominee people
for their struggle against reserve
termination.
For copies of this well-
researched book, send $2.50 to the
National Committee to Save the
Menominee People and_ Forests,
Inc., Room 301, 1816 Jefferson
DC.,
20036.
the end their paper was presented
as being representative of all
Indians of B.C.
PROUD OF THE PAPER
“It is not our intention to criticize
the Union paper. It is a well
written, well thought out brief.
As B.C. Indians, we are quite
proud of it and the manner in which
it was presented.
Our sole purpose is to inform this
committee that the non-status.
Indians in'B.C. must be considered
in any settlement of the Land
Claims issue.
TITLE ANTEDATES ACT
Aboriginal title is something that
antedates the Indian Act. It would,
therefore, defy logic to assume
that the act definition of ‘‘Indian”
be used in determining who may
share in any claim based on
aboriginal title.
Our research and work on
aboriginal title is just beginning.
But we can say now that the
definition of those eligible to share
in the Claim Based on Native Title
to the lands of B.C. will have to be
one of blood and not simply legal as
that found in the Act.
We favor a definition similar to
that adopted in the Alaska
settlement. The proof of a certain
quantum of Indian blood and the
tracing of one’s ancestry back to
the land now forming Alaska was
required.
FAIR AND EQUITABLE
Such a definition would work a
hardship on many of our people as
well as on the status Indians in B.C.
But such an approach, we feel,
would be fair and equitable for it
would ensure that someone with no
Indian blood who happened to be on
a band list. would be excluded,
while a B.C. non-status Indian with
Indian blood would be included.
- We see the area of aboriginal
title as one in which all Indian
people should be cooperating. To
date this cooperation has not
existed.
The American Indian movement
has said that ‘‘The red giant is on
one knee, but he is* getting ready to
stand up.”
In Canada the giant that is the
‘Indian nation is equally ready. But
it appears that he is-having some
trouble getting his two legs
together.
‘B.C. non-status
presents brief
VANCOUVER (Staff) — The
B.C. Association of Non-Status
Indians joined, the Native Council
of Canada in presenting a brief to
the Commons standing committee
on welfare on April 12.
Fred House, BCANSI president,
was accompanied by Don York and
Lorne Lanigan, and reported that
the committee ‘was happy to see a
positive approach to. the needs of
all poor people.”’
The BCANSI head said during a
phone interview that the
presentation stressed the need to
deal directly with the CMHC
instead of through the federal and
provincial governments.
House said that at least 50% of
funds for housing is to be the goal
in direct negotiations with the
CMHC.
The House committee on welfare
makes. recommendations
regarding the National Housing
Act. :
House said that once the
committee makes its
recommendations to the House,
th3n BCANSI will present its
proposals to CMHC.
At this time, however, the
committee’ is continuing its
hearings to get more views from
other groups.
ESO a
SPEEDY BOWL
AN, one of the craftsmen employed on Skulkayn band’s
Soe
canoe-making project, pauses in his work to answer a question. In the
photo, he is planing paddles for the canoes.
[Staff Photos]
Canoe building project well underway
SARDIS (Staff) — Want to see
how a 50-foot cedar canoe is made?
Come out to the Skulkayn reserve
_and watch Dave Sepass and Tim
Point in action.
But you better hurry because
they figure they’ll be finished in a
couple of weeks.
Project co-ordinator Jeff Point
explained that his band got a First
Citizens’ grant of $12,500 last
summer to make six canoes, two
11-men canoes which are are 50
feet in length, two double canoes
and two single-man canoes. :
The purpose of building the
canoes, he said, was to bring some
of the traditional skills back on the
reserve.
Noting that Skulkayn band
members used to .make canoes
every year in. the past, Jeff said
that none had been made for many
years and the skills were gradually
being lost.
After getting the grant last year,
he and a couple of other band
members build a canoe shed to
work in and negotiated with a local
logging company for donation and
delivery of the cedar logs.
It was only four weeks ago that
they actually began work on the
canoes, he said.
After the canoes are shaped
inside and out and well-seasoned
(which takes about a year(,
Skulkayn plans to enter various
canoe races around the province
like the ones held on Cultus Lake
and at Seabird Island reserve, Jeff
said. :
When. the weather is good, Dave
Depass and Tim Point work
‘outside knocking logs into rough
shape of canoes and then move
inside to do the finishing work
when the weather isn’t agreeable.
When I was out there, one fifty-
footer was in the shed and they
were roughly shaping a double-
canoe outside with the aid of
modern tools such as electrical
planers and saws.
One thing the project didn‘t lack
was help. Speedy Bowlan was busy
repairing paddles and making new
ones and about three other people
were standing around lending a
hand when needed.
Chief Bob Hall noted that the
‘ canoe building project had brought
inquiries from as far away as
Montana.
When I asked Jeff Point -
whether the band planned to make -
canoes as a business, he said no,
that the main purpose was to bring
back some of the traditional
culture.
Billboards to go
WESTBANK Chief Noll
Derriksan has -told the Kelow
Chamber of Commerce that
billboards on Reserve land. near
Highway 97 will be removed
sometime within three years.
Indian crafts exhibition to be
held in Ontario next year
MONTREAL — Delegates to the
joint meeting of the Indian and
Eskimo Advisory Committees of
the Canadian Guild of Crafts on
April 9 were told that an exhibition
of Canadian Indian Crafts will be
shown at the Royal Ontario
Museum. in 1974. ‘ :
This exhibition is being held in
conjunction with the World Crafts
Council Exhibition at the Toronto
Science Centre, according to Tom
Hill, organizer of the Indian Craft
exhibition.
The. exhibition, which will run
from June 10, 1974 to August 31,
1974, will exphasize contemporary
work of Canadian Indian artists i
their field, Mr. Hill said. &
The show will also demonstrate
the evolvement taking place in
Indian art by displaying old
examples of Indian art along with
work. currently ‘being done.
Mr. Hill expressed the hope that
he would be able to present
performing arts such as dancing in
conjunction with the exhibition.
Noting that the deadline for
submission of items to be exhibited
is October 31, 1973, Mr. Hill
expressed the desire to meet with
as many interested artists’ as
possible. © .
Although the Central Marketing
Service of the Department of
Indian Affairs and Northern
Development is willing to buy all
entries for the exhibition,
stressed that any person entering
items for exhibit and who does not
wish to sell, will not be forced to
sell his or her work.
Artists in B.C. wishing to enter
their work are urged to get in touch
with either the Union of B.C. Indian
Chiefs, 2140 W. 12th Ave.,
Vancouver 9, B.C., or Chief Noll
Derriksan, . Box 250, Westbank,
B.C. so that a meeting can be
arranged between the artist and
Mr. Hill.
An audio-visual presentation will
also be shown during the exhibition
comparing old and new examples
of Indian art work.
Mr. Hill noted that: the Royal
Ontario. Museum is prepared to
raise two to three thousand dollars
‘in prize money and will also pay
the insurance costs of shipping all
entries.
Other awards will be made, the ©
exhibition organizer added.
‘Discussion on plans to have the
exhibit, or parts of it, travel to
various parts of Canada so that as
many people:as possible can view
it are also taking place, according
to Mr. Hill.
he.
VANCOUVER — The Vancouver
Writers’ Guild-is sponsoring its
second annual poetry and prose
contest and has six categories this
year, two of them dealing with the
literature of the North American
Indian.
There are four categories: short
story (maximum 3,000 words);
story or legend by, about or in the
style of the North American Indian
(maximum length of 3,000 words);
poetry. (any length, free or metred
verse); and poetry or song by;
about or in the style of the North
American Indian (any length, free
or metered verse). ,
These four categories.are open to
anyone of age. Prizes or $25, $15
and $10 will be awarded in each
category. .
For juveniles, or those under 16
years old at the time of writing,
there are two further categories:
short story (maximum of 1,500
words) and poetry (any length,
free or metered verse).
Prizes of $15, $10 and $5 will be
Vancouver
will host
conference
VANCOUVER (Staff) — An open
house, barbecue, and dancing will
highlight the conference of the
National Association of Friendship
Centres on May 14 to 18.
Tickets, $6 per person, are
available. from the .. Vancouver
Indian. Centre, -according to
Conference Co-ordinator Robert
Cantryn. |
The conference will be held at
the Totem Park Residence at the
UBC campus.
The open house starts at 3:00
p.m., May 16, at the Totem Park
Residence. .
Later, at 6:30, barbecue’ and
Indian dancing will be held at the
Ponderosa cafeteria. /
A dance and banquet is set, also
at the Ponderosa, on May 18, at
6:00 p.m...
The Vancouver centre is at 1855
‘Vine St., Vancouver 9; phone 736-
7481. :
Indian homes,
Indian children
By SKYROS BRUCE
A great many of the children in
care of the Catholic Children’s Aid
are of Indian descent yet just a
very small percentage of the
available placement resources are
Indian. ~
Under normal circumstances, a
child often has difficulty in
adjusting to a new home. When
that child is Indian and the new
parents are non-Indian, these
difficulties are usually increased.
Especially in foster homes where
the parents aren’t sensitive to the
child’s Indian background. In such
a case, the child is confused and
uncertain when he or she returns to
reservation life. ..
These children would probably
have an easier time adjusting and
retaining their Indian identity if
they were placed with an Indian
family or in a family with one
Indian parent.
There are a number of ways for
people to become involved; as
foster parents, either on an
emergency short term or on a long
term basis; as adoptive parents,
or, as house parents in a group.
home.
Qualification for foster homes
are simple. The family should be
healthy and reasonably happy. The
couple should have been together
for at. least a year and the smallest
child should be no younger than a
year old. ‘
If you want to adopt, or be a
foster parent, please call Carolyn
Smith or Dorothea Guse at 683-
0281. If you cannot reach either
one, leave your name and number
and your call will be returned.
S “Indian literature featured in writing conte
awarded in the two juvenile
sections.
The contest closing date is June
15, 1973, and entrants may submit
as many poems or pieces of prose
as they like. There is an entry fee
of 50 cents for each poem or piece
of prose submitted.
Manuscripts must be
typewritten or very legibly hand-
written. Any entry not considered
legible enough for submission will
be returned along with the entry
fee.
Material must be unpublished at
the time of. submission ‘and all
prize-winning entries will be
published in the August edition of
Pegasus, the journal of the
Vancouver Writers’ Guild.
Mllustrations of the prose or
poetry will be permitted but
entries will be judged solely on.
literary merit.
Winners will be notified by mail
by July 25, 1973, and those who
wish their manuscripts to be
returned, must include stamped,
self-addressed envelopes. ~
Judges cannot offer constructive
criticism or comment.on any of the
entries. ‘ .
Mailing address for manuscripts
or further information is
: April, ‘
VANCOUVER WRITERS’ GUILD,
815° West 20th Street,- North
Vancouver, B.C. Phone: 987-5978.
Burnaby hosts
‘crafts show
BURNABY — The Burnaby Art
Gallery and the Craftsmen’s
Association of B.C. will co-sponsor
the second annual British
Columbia Craft Exhibition which
will be held at the Burnaby Art
Gallery from August 3. to
September 3, 1973. .
Although the names of the jurors
will not be announced, a juror .
competent to judge ,Indian
craftsmanship will be appointed.
The exhibition is open to all
craftsmen resident in B.C.
Prizes up to $1,500 will be
awarded...
At the first B.C. Juried Craft
Exhibition held last year at Simon
Fraser University, native people
were awarded three of the top
prizes and many others had their
work in the show. _
For further information an
entry forms, please write: The
Craftsmen’s Association of B.C.,
315 . West Cordova’ Street,
Vancouver 3, B.C.
Where are there parents
for three active brothers?
Glenny is eight, “full of the
devil” and a real tease! He is
happy and outgoing with adults or
other children. :
He taught himself to ride a bike
and is good with pets. Glenny needs
encouragement and individual
attention with language and
arithmetic.
Benny is
mischief,’’
of
into
seven, ‘‘full
curious and
‘everything! He loves attention and
likes people to like him. He plays
well with others and shares easily.
He must be-kept busy and should
have a pet. His speech is poor but
he is good with numbers.
Benny needs affection and loving .
parents of his own.
Larry is six, “full of life’ and
wants to be heard! He is generally
friendly, alert and co-operative
and plays well with smaller
children.
Larry is immature for his age
and has problems with speech but
should catch up with stimulation,
affection and discipline from
parents of his very own.
Ideally, Glenny, Benny .and
Larry should be only children in a
family or at least, the very
youngest with almost grown up
brothers and sisters. These three
could be such rewarding children
for energetic and lovirig parents —
what about you? : ye
We will have a- three. minute
movie and tape available upon
request.
For further information on these
and other children, enquiries
should be directed to Mrs. Laura
Fowler, Adoption Placement
Section, 100. West Pender Street,
Vancouver, B.C. Phone: 684-3391.
My name is Jim.
mischief.
my way and on my own.
me.
&
TKWAYATN KYA TL'A ENS —
Squamish translation for
"LISTEN TO ME”
| am two years old and ready to go home.
! have a chunky build, chubby cheek and a face full of
fam boisterous, always busy, and need parents. who are
active and young enough to run after me.
You could call me highstrung, but | want to do things
| like people and am used to lots of attention.
| have a Teddy bear and a puppy who must come with
| am appealing and intelligent for my age.
My Mother and | want a Coast Salish Home.
! know what | want — do you want me?
Enquiries about Jim should be directed to Mrs. Laura
Fowler, Adoption Placement Section, 100 West Pender
‘Street, Vancouver 3, B.C. Phone: 684-3391.
(Above translation of Squamish phrase was provided by Chief -
Louis Miranda or “Uncle Louis” as he is affectionately known.)
Part of Nesika: The Voice of B.C. Indians -- Vol. 2 No. 4 (April 1973)