Periodical
Nesika: The Voice of B.C. Indians -- Vol. 2 No. 7 (July 1973)
- Title
- Nesika: The Voice of B.C. Indians -- Vol. 2 No. 7 (July 1973)
- Is Part Of
- 1.06-01.02 Nesika: The Voice of BC Indians
- 1.06.-01 Newsletters and bulletins sub-series
- Date
- July 1973
- volume
- 2
- issue
- 7
- Language
- english
- Identifier
- 1.06-01.02-02.08
- pages
- 12
- Contributor
- HA Smitheram
- John Raymond
- G McKevitt
- Joan Crammer
- Phyllis L Hanna
- Margaret Woods
- George Povey
- Wah-zin-ak
- Jean Charleson
- Agnes Charleson
- Rufus Charleson
- Type
- periodical
- Transcription (Hover to view)
-
‘Indian Reserves subject to game laws
VANCOUVER staff
member of the regional ttice of
the department of justice - has
pointed out that where the Cardinal
case in Alberta dealth with people,
the Peace Arch case in B.C. dealt
with reserve land.
As to a conflict between the court
decision and the Indian Act,
Norman Mullins of the justice «
department said that the decision
affirms the Act.
The Supreme Court had ruled, 4-
3, that provincial laws of general
application, including game laws,
apply to Indians living on reserve.
The decision was handed down
on the appeal of Charlie Cardinal, a
treaty Indian living on Sucker
Creek reserve in northern Alberta,
against this conviction of ‘‘traf-
ficking”’ in big game on reserve.
SOLD MOOSE MEAT
Cardinal, brother.of Indians of
Alberta Association president
Harold Cardinal, admitted selling
a piece of. moose meat to a
provincial game officer.
In his defence Cardinal said that
treaty Indians living on reserves
are exempt from provincial game
laws because of their right to hunt
and fish for food at all times of the
year, and that legislation affecting
Indians within Indian reserves are
beyond the power of the province of
Alberta.
Mr. Justice Martland, writing the
majority decision, said that
Exhibit coordinator wants B.C.
works for 1974 Indian Art Show,
VANCOUVER — (Staff) — Tom
Hill, coordinator of the Canadian
Indian art exhibition set for 1974, is
travelling to ‘‘buy or borrow” art
and crafts.
Tom has allowed two-and-a-half
weeks in B.C., but he told Nesika
that he has been in the province
before in the northern area.
Chief Noll Derriksan who ha
attended. the organizational
meeting for the exhibition.
Tom represents the Royal On-
tario Museum, the Canadian Guild
of Crafts, the department of Indian
Affairs, and the World Craft
Council.
The exhibition, to be held June 10
to August 31, 1974, at the Royal
Ontario Museum in Toronto, is
“the first major contemporaty
exhibition put together ever in
Canada,’” said Tom.
For each work of art or crafts,
Tom said that the name of the
artist will be given as well as in-
formation on when he did it.
Asked about prizes, Tom
replied: “I personally do not like
monetary prizes, but there is a
very tentative plan, suggested by
the Royal Museum, to designate
certain awards for outstanding
work.”
The exhibition will be held in
conjunction with the World Craft
Council conference, said Tom.
“Seventy-two counties will take
part with over a thousand official
delegates to the conference,’”’ the
exhibition coordinator said.
“Possibly, the People’s Republic
of China will take part,’ Tom
added.
Already, fhe pointed out,
inquiries are coming from other
countries so that they may put up
their own exhibits.
He is being assisted by Westbank =
TOM HILL
One thing Tom wishes for is te
have the next exhibition moved to
the west — ‘‘In Winnipeg, or here
(Vancouver)’’ — from the east.
Entries for the exhibition should
. be-sent collect, and nol Jater. than. .
‘September 30, ‘1973, to:
MR, TOM HILL,. .
Exhibition Coordinator,
Central Marketing Service,
145 Spruce Street,
OTTAWA, Ontario
KiA OH4
Entries’ will be selected for
display by a jury. Traditional
crafts in all materials; paintings in
all media; drawings, engravings,
lithographs, etc.; and sculptured
objects are eligible. Each entry
should be of original or traditional
design and executed by the artist
or craftsman in Canada.
Any artist or craftsman who is of
Canadian Indian ancestry and has
been a resident of Canada since
January 1, 1970, is eligible.
All entries will be the exclusive.
property of the Central Marketing
Service at the point of purchase.”
Tobacco Plains’ young chief
steps down due to Band apathy
GRASMERE — “I, as Chief,
have failed,’’ said Charles
Gravelle in submitting his
resignation as chief of the Tobacco
Plains Indian band recently.
Elected to the position only last
year, Gravelle, B.C.’s youngest
chief cited apathy and destructive
influences as two of his reasons for
stepping down.
In his letter of resignation,
Gravelle listed the following as
' reasons for his decision:
‘That I have failed in my-duty as
Chief of this reserve in the lack of
communications; that few people
hold (any) respect for their Chief,
Council and (fellow): band mem-
bers; -
“That half the band mmenibiers
would rather spend their time in
beer parlors than attend a band
meeting dealing with their welfare
and well being.”
The former chief accused
reserve residents of harbouring
’ “those who tend to cause uprisings
against their Chief and Council.”
Also listed as a reason was the
undue influence of a ‘‘non-
member” of this reserve’ who can
exert such influence over ‘‘the
-younger members as to take them
into beer parlors against their
parents consent, causing them to
miss work, and, worst of all, to turn
them against their parents.”
His letter continued “that the
Chief and Council are threatened
and put through humiliation,
frustration and embarrassment in
public place, and incidents caused
which downgrade Indian people.”
In concluding, Gravelle said,
‘“‘my only sorrow and regret is that
a few of the band members will
suffer the hardships which will
arise from my resignation at this
time.”
Band councillor, Elizabeth
_ Gravelle submitted her resignation ,
of the following day, leaving the
Tobacco Plains band with only one
councillor. .
provinces cannot enact laws solely.
affecting Indians or Indian
reserves, but that is not saying that
the BNA Act created enclaves
within provinces in which
provincial legislation did not ap-
ply.
VALIDITY TEST
The test of validity of provincial
legislation within Indian reserves:
is the same test as to its application
within the province that it is within
the authority of s..92 (BNA Act,
- 1867) and not in relation to subject
matter exclusive to ‘Parliament
under s..91..-
Mr. Justice: Martland -wrote:
. if Provincial legislation
within the limites of s. 92 is. not
construed as being legislation in
relation to . . . (Indians and Indian
reserves)... it is applicable
anywhere in. the -Province,. in-
cluding Indian Reserves, even
though Indians or Indian Reserves
might be affected by it...”
RESERVES ARE ENCLAVES
In his dissenting opinion Mr.
Justice Bora Laskin held that
“Indian Reserves are enclaves,
“ce
which, so long as they exist as.
Reserves, are withdrawn from
provincial regulatory power.”
Mr. Justice Laskin argued that
besides its exclusive power to
legislate in relation to Indians,
Parliament’s exclusive power in
relation to Indian Reserves ‘puts
such tracts of land, albeit they are
physically in the province, beyond
provincial competence to regulate
their use or to control resources
thereon.”’
Further, Mr. Justice Laskin
observed: “‘The significance of the
allocation of exclusive legislative
power to Parliament to Indian
Reserves merits emphasis in
terms of the: kind of enclaves that a:
Reserve® is? “It “isa socal - and
economic community unit, with its
own ‘political structure as well
according to the prescriptions of
the Indian Act...”
JURISDICTION DENIED
Citing three cases of denial of
provincal competence in relation
to-land held by the Crown in right
of Canada, land on which a federal
service is operated, and land which
is part of a private enterprise
within exclusive federal com-
petence, the dissenting justice
found it “quite strange’ that
“there should be any doubt about
the want of provincial competence
in relation to lands within s. 91
(24) ...”
The dissenting opinion further
stated that because ‘‘federal power
in relation to ‘lands reserved for
the Indians’ is independent and
exclusive, its content must em-
brace administrative control and
regulatory authority over Indian
Reserves. Hence, not only
provincial game laws but other
provincial regulatory legislation
Ontario girl wants
pen-pal from B.C.
ATTENTION ALL
YOUNGSTERS AROUND THE
AGE OF 21.
Are you interested in having a
pen pal? Someone your own age,
from Ontario, who is interested in
learning all about you — your
family, friends, hobbies, etc.?
If so, why not write a letter in- —
troducing yourself to Sandy Pettier
of Windsor, Ontario. —
Sandy has written to us asking us
to help her find a pen pal, someone
her own age — 12—— with whom she
can share things by letter. Her
hobbies are: bike-riding, playing
and watching hockey, swimming,
icé and roller skating, typing,
reading, horseback riding, gym-
nastics and/all outdoor ‘sports.
If you are interested, why not
write a letter today. Her address
is: 1779 Everts, Windsor 11, On-
tario N9B 3E6.
can have no application, of its own
force, to such Reserves, at least
where it is sought to subject In-
dians thereon to such legislation.”
» Cases cited in support are Rex V.
Rogers (1923) in Manitoba where
judgment held that the provincial
Game Protection Act could not
apply to an Indian on Reserve;
Surrey v. Peach Arch Enterprises
(1970) in B.C. where judgment held
that: municipal by-laws enacted
under the provincial Health Act.
does not apply to an- Indian
Reserve, even in relation to a non-:
Indian lessee; Rex v. Jim (1915) in
B.C. where judgment held that the
provincial game law did not apply
to an Indian on a Reserve.
DECISION CLARIFIED
In-his letter to the Vancouver Sun
clarifying the decision on the
Cardinal case, the staff member of
the justice department. wrote:
“Municipalities, which derive
’ their. authority from provincial
statutes, could not . . . zone federal
building sites as parks to prevent
unwelcome federal developments
within their boundaries, nor can
they otherwise control or restrict
development on such lands con-
trary to the wishes of the federal
government.
“On the other hand Indians have |
the same rights and obligations as
all citizens under provincial laws
such as the Motor Vehicle Act, the
Companies Act and, according to
the Supreme Court, the Game
Mullins referred .to the Sun
editorial asking where the Car-
dinal. case judgment leaves the
B.C. Appeal Court ruling on the
Peace Arch case.
B.C. ADOPTION CASE
Saying that the judgment on the
Cardinal-case affirms the Indian
Act, the justice staff member said
that “the Act provides expressly
that all laws of general application
_in a province apply to Indians in
that province unless inconsistent
with the Indian Act .
In an interview with Nesika,
Mullins cited a pending case before
the B.C. Appeal Court as an
example of an area of conflict
between the Act and provincial
legislation, in this case the
Adoption Act.
The case involves the adoption of
an Indian child, and the lower
court judge ruled that the provision
in the Adoption Act which makes
an adopted child the natural child
of the adopting parents is not
consistent with the section of the
Indian Act perserving succession
to reserve lands to Indians.
Council demands plan be halted
Continued from Page 1
a service now being implemented
by the Union (called the Rainbow
Accounting System) and that some
bands were fearful the DIA
program was nothing more than
another way for the department to
retain control over band funds and
programs.
Council passed - its motion \.in-
structing the chairman to demand
that B.C. regional director Larry
Wight not implement the program.
When the National Indian
Brotherhood’s annual general
assembly is held in Quebec in
September, all of the members of
council will be in attendance. The
motion enabling all members to
attend was passed after a
memorandum was read to council
from the national body.
RETROACTIVE PAY
And finally, council voted six-to-
one, with three abstainers,
retroactively: pay Philip Paul a
monthly honorarium of $200. When
Paul’s contract, worth $18,000 per
year, was signed in April making
to
him the Union’s land claims :
research director, he no longer
received the $200 monthly
honorarium as a member of the
executive committee.
Victor Adolph of Lillooet, who is
an executive committee member
along with Heber Maitland of
Kitimat, raised the matter saying
that...since: council. had_ earlier
approved payment of. $2,400 .per
year to all three members Paul
deserved the money.
A Manitoba Indian who has
always liked driving a truck now
owns and operates a luxurious unit,’
complete with a bunk, air con-
ditioning, and a stereo tape deck.
The 32-year-old businessman, Al
_ Eastman, and his employee and
co-driver, Harry Orvis, cover
16,000 to 20,000 miles a month in
Al’s 10-wheeled tractor unit. /
They haul 45-foot trailers bet-
ween points in Alberta, Manitoba,
and the U.S. under contract with
Leamington Transport.
Three-way racial. tension grows
in Fort St. James community
FORT ST. JAMES — A
worrisome case of racial tension
has arisen here allegedly among
native Indians, east Indians, and
white youth, involving vandalism,
street fighting, and threats of
violence.
“The RCMP wants things to stay
calm. They know who the in-
stigators are, and they waiting for
a chance to arrest them. Until then
all we can do is to try to keep things.
calm,” said Mayor Hank Klassen.
Early in July he was approached
by spokesmen of. the East Indian
Association, said Mayor Klassen,
after a street fight that broke out in
the downtown area. -
Council was informed and in
discussions learned that the east
Indians have taken to maintaining
their own night patrol because of
unprovoked vandalistic attacks.
. Calling the situation a ‘‘poten-
tially explosive situation,” the
mayor observed that if the east
Indians have their own patrol,
‘they may go out looking for a
fight.”
The patrols, called “‘self-defence’
teams,” are armed reportedly with
two by four inch lumber and
baseball bats.
A spokesman for the east Indian
community has warned that
militant Sikhs are trying to hold
their. temper, “but they can’t do it
forever.”
The spokesman also named
some native Indian youths are
“using violence’ against east
Indians, while white youths insult
‘east Indians and stone east Indian
homes and businesses.
However the police denied that
anyone has brought these alleged
offences to their attention.
As to alleged growing hostility of
native Indians, the mayor said that
the sawmills in the community
have told the native Indian
workers to show up for work
everyday “or they will be replaced
by an east Indian.”
VANCOUVER (Staff) — Mr. and
Mrs. Clifford Atleo of Ahousat are’
the proud parents of a son, their
‘second child, born recently at
Grace Hospital. .
The baby is named after his,
father. The Atleos have a daughter
who is now six years old.
Page Three
i= 4
ud
at
2
| NESIKA
\ ‘The Official Monthly Publication of the
}
t
Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs
2140 West 12th Ave., Vancouver 9, B.C.
Telephone — 736-6751
ae
The official voice of the Union of B.C. Indian
Chiefs, this publication is intended for the use
and pleasure of all native people in this
province, While the Union encourages _ all
contributions such as reports, viewpoints
(letters to the Editor), poetry, etc., we reserve
the right to edit all contributions..Letters to the
Editor must bear signature of the writer, and
viewpoints expressed therein are not necessarily
those of the Union. :
A penance:
Sar ep
FREE TO ALL REGISTERED B.C.
NATIVE INDIANS
OTHERS $5.00 PER YEAR
4
Fhe ened
STAFF: Lou Demerais — Editor
Perlas Sabino, Cindy Wilson — Reporters
Correspondents: G. McKevitt, Brentwood Bay, Tel.
652-3148; Margaret Woods, Terrace; Edgar Charlie,
Ahousat; Phyliis Hanna, Port Alberni; N. C. Derriksan,
Westbank; Arnold Earl, Roberta Sam, Lytton.
0 el
ey ern
on™
i 1 2 aes —~ ve
i
ie
iY
EDITORIAL —
Major surgery needed now
By H. A. “BUTCH” SMITHERAM :
EDITOR'S NOTE: This letter to the editor, slightly condensed, takes
up issues related to any and all service organizations, groups, district and
band councils, to name a few. Its message is urgent and needs our
thinking it over. For this reason we are using it as our editorial. ]
OR OK
I- wish to express my concern regarding the direction:.that. native —
‘associations: are: taking,. and at the same: time, offer: some constructive :
criticism:
Tam speaking as an ex- suntv’ icnitex who is buhieeihed fecilise Iam of
the opinion that the native movement is getting distorted.
An unfortunate situation has developed in which we tolerate native
leaders who are more dedicated to their re-election campaign than to the
original objectives of the people they represent. In other words, they have
become polished politicians who spend a great deal of their time and
energy on political campaigns, and mutual backscratching, and not
enough time in training, organizing, and encouraging the leaders back in
the small communities of the country.
END OF PHASE ONE
There was a need at one time to construct and strengthen a strong
skeleton for the non-status Indian and Metis organizations. That work has
been done, and well done. It is the end of the first phase of action.
Secondly, there was a need for a position paper on Land Claims and
Aboriginal Rights. This was already well on its way in some provinces,
but others needed to be briefed on the subject and pushed into the arena.
This task should be handed back to the locals.
There was also a need for programs and funds, and some good work
was carried out by the national organization to propose new programs, or
to amend old ones.
Here is the punch line. The national organization and the leaders of the
provincial organizations are getting too far ahead of the people.
BANNOCK AND BEANS
They are proposing and implementing programs that originate in the
heads of well meaning leaders, but the proposals lack the support and
input from the people who live on bannock and beans. In other words, the
head of the beast has lost contact with the body and is seeking its way
through the forest on the far end of a neck that is a mile long.
In my opinion, this animal needs major surgery and reorientation, so
that the body has some choice in the direction it takes.
The “‘monster”’ has a good strong skeleton, but it is time for the people
who built this animal to go back and put meat and muscle on the bones.
Let’s not kill it or cut off its head — let’s just readjust it, so that the body is
not left behind while the head races off in all directions without any
regard for the hunger and:sickness of the body.
THE BEST JUDGES OF GOOD
Improvement ina community results from the blending of many
people’s efforts. The people who use the backhouse at 50 below zero are
the best judges of what is good for them. If they cannot get excited about
the chance to take part in a program meant for their development, then
the provincial leaders may as well forget it.
Perhaps, the direct link between the provincial association and the
small local is not the best form of organization. Maybe a huddling
together of four or five locals that can help each other achieve their ob-
jectives is better than each going on its own and ending up on the
proverbial “hind tit.”
Switch the spotlight back to the people in the communities. Leadership |
training, pilot projects, human resource banks, fund raising, and more
* emphasis on supporting and encouraging the individual must become the
policy.
The backwoods people are the target group originally used as our
- reason for having associations, and for needing millions of dollars to
organize these people into self-help groups. Where did we lose that con-
cept of developing ‘“‘people power?”’
Continued on Page 12
See: SO, GET
Union has no real support from Band level
Continued from Page 1
were: that the Union undertake to
unify all native Indian newspapers
in B.C. into one politically neutral
paper; that the three members of
the executive committee be issued ~
with air travel credit cards, so they
can travel more readily and make
their own arrangements; that E.
Davie Fulton be taken off the-
present retainer as the Union’s
lawyer and be consulted‘only when
needed, and that the Union ensure
any changes to the Indian Act will
not be in conflict with the
~ organization’s land claim.
OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS ‘
Among the other recom-
mendations were those which
would bring. about various com-
mittees from within the council,
including finance, changes to the
constitution, and resolutions to be
dealt with at the annual assembly.
Except for the recommendations
calling for Mussell’s transfer and
the appointment of a staff. member
as his temporary successor,
council members passed all. 16
others.
Executive committee chairman
Paul told council that the
recommendation to demote
Mussell was not an overnight
decision by the committee, and
that the members had began
- thinking of it after. the Penticton
special assembly. He also said that
it has become apparent Mussell
and his. staff had. become
- alienatedfrom. the decision-making
body, adding that: in the past
‘members of council were made to
feel like strangers whenever they
were in the. Union office.
POLITICAL PRIORITIES
Paul, who was recently ap-
pointed by council as the director
of land claims research for the
Union, also said Mussell’s political
priorities are different from those
of the Union and that he had done
little in the area of land claims.
Nothing substantive was given to
support the first criticism, and on
the latter, Mussell asked why the
Penticton assembly was called.
“Was it not to get direction from
the Union’s members on what to do
about Land Claims.”
Paul said that following the
previous meeting of council
several members had complained
to him.
When Harry Dickie, member for
the Fort St. John district, asked
who had made these complaints
and about their nature, he was told
that at the conclusion of the council
meeting held in June, Mussell had
not bothered to make any
arrangements to have travel ex-
penses and honorarium cheques
ready for council members.
JOB IS FRUSTRATING
In his letter of resignation to
council,’ Mussell said his job as
executive’ director has been
frustrating since council members
did not fully prepare themselves
prior to attending meetings and as
a result could not be in a position to
be able to make decisions despite
having received information on
various subjects. beforehand.
He said that the Union does not
receive any real support from its
members at the band level.
“Very few bands bother to pay
membership dues,’’ Mussell wrote
in his letter, ‘‘...It, in fact, is a
government- sponsored organi-
zation and does not appear to be
looked upon by the people who
count as being ‘our’ organization.”
As well as not being fully
prepared to attend council
meetings, Mussell charged that the .
members do little, if anything, to
inform the people of what is going
on in the organization and what
decisions are made.
PEOPLE NOT CONSULTED
He said this has become ap-
parent to staff members who spend
time in the field, asking: ‘‘What is
used as the basis for making
decisions if the electorate is not
consulted?”
The resigning executive director
also criticized council members for
their attitude towards the staff,
saying that the only time. they
make comments about work being
done the comments are fed back
through other people and are
usually negative. Frank and open
discussion at Chiefs Council
sessions on issues regarding
Council-staff relations were ab-
sent.
He said although many of the
council members are always
demanding to be involved in
various things, such demands
appear to be made only because
they sound good — and that often
they are nothing more than
“rhetoric’’.
STAFF MADE SCAPEGOATS
Mussell said it became clear at
the special assembly in Penticton
_ that he and other senior members
of the staff were being made
scapegoats by members of council,
who refused to be honest with all
other members of the Union.
“TI cannot continue to serve an
organization which is a Union of
Chiefs and not a Union of Indian
people with little sign of desire by
the first small and elitest group to
achieve the latter, which would
become a real movement of our
people,” wrote Mussell.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
_ Hesquiat member answers criticism
Hesquiat, B. Cc.
July 8, 1973.
Dear Editor:
I will not comment on Mrs.
Webster’s letter (March, 1973
issue), however, as a-member of
the Hesquiat Cultural Committee I
would say it appears Mrs. Webster
took a. completely personal. and
narrow interpretation of the article
‘People. Now. Demand Own
Museums.”
We apologize for not correcting
sooner an error re the authorship
of the article. Sorry, Mrs. Webster,
but it was not written by a
Hesquiat. The article was given to
me by a lady of the B.C.
Association of Non-Status Indians
-who sympathizes with the struggle
of native communities to acquire
museum building funds. I, in turn,
gave it to another person to submit
to Nesika: The author’s: name,
though on the article, was
overlooked by the staff of Nesika.
Excerpts from Rocky Amos’
letter to the Department of Indian
Affairs on the same page has one
error in that the amount was two-
and-a-half million, not 10 million,
dollars, awarded by _ the
SecretARY OF State to the
museum structure at UBC (of
which Mrs. Webster is a_ staff
member). But changing the dollar
amount does not change the
principle of the letter.
I feel it was not the intention of
the article to point fingers, nor
make narrow accusations, but do
feel, from the many people who
have spoken to us about it, that it
reflects the feelings of many
_written. it!
‘citizens, and-I, for one, wish I-had ‘
Yours truly,
JOHN RAYMOND
If indeed the author’s name was
on the article, it must have been
erased. Our staff noted the missing
name of the author when we
received the article. An inquiry
only yielded the information that
the article came from Hesquiat;
from that we inferred that the
author is a Hesquiat. Our
presumption being an error, we
apologize.
Our readers will note that it is
not our policy to accept letters or
articles without the author’s name.
An exception was made of the
article in question on the ground of
the legitimate concern of native
communities over lack of funds for
cultural endeavors.
. — Editor
EDITORIAL REPRINT
Inclusion of Band land sets poor precedent
Kamloops Daily Sentinel, July 10,
1973
A meeting between city council
and the Indian reserve band
council will not solve the basic
problem of inclusion of. reserve
lands in the city. But it still could
do'a great deal of good.
MP Len Marchand and Mayor
Gordan Nicol talked on Friday
about the forced inclusion of some
of the reserve into the city when
amalgamation took effect this
spring. Mr. Marchand argued it
was an illegal act and should be
settled in the courts. Mayor Nicol
said only land already leased by
the band for industrial use was
included and, therefore, the In-
dians should not be upset.
The upshot of the discussion was ~
both agreed much would be gained
by a meeting between the city
council and the band council.
A meeting would have a great
deal of value. Both councils are
new, having been elected at about
- the same time and. both having
members new to office. Fur-
thermore, new _ relationships
between the two are required now,
since amalgamation further
cemented the bond which must °
exist between the community and
the reserve. The representatives of
both must get to know each other
better and be encouraged to
communicate easily and with the
benefit of the area in mind.
Kamloops relies on. the co-
operation of the band in many
ways, but particularly in traffic
movement and that reliance will
become even greater when
discussions of about a bridge
crossing the North Thompson get.
under way. The reserve, on the
other hand, needs the community
which provides services and shops
as well as a place for some band
members to work.
It would be unfortunate if either
of the two partners felt he could not
talk to the other, air grievances or
make suggestions for im-
provements. A meeting of councils
might be the starting point of a
more relaxed relationship and
\
awareness of the aspirations of
ach. .
» But that meeting cannot solve
the problem of reserve land in-
cluded in the city. It may result in
an agreement satisfactory to all,
but the basic question of whether it
was an illegal act cannot be
changed by.a meeting.
*. The reserve land was included
without a vote, contrary to the law.
Mayor Nicol is right that it was a
logical thing to do and that the
portion -included involved only
industries settled on Indian land
and therefore should not bother the
band too much. But the principle of
the affair is not changed. The fact
is, if that portion of the reserve can
be arbitrarily included this time, a
precedent would be set which
might permit the rest of the
reserve to be included. at some
future date, again without a vote.
That matter still should be dealt
with at a higher level than a
meeting of two councils. Those
groups may determine how it may
work, but the principle involved is
beyond their powers.
Page Four
NES IK A July, 1973
DEBBIE HOGGAN
JEANNIE PAUL
’73 Indian Princess.
is Williams Lake girl
VANCOUVER (Staff) — Clara
Anderson of the Williams Lake
Band. was named B.C. Indian
Princess for 1973, at the 9th annual
pageant sponsored by the B.C.
‘Native Women’s Society.
Five other girls took part during
the three-day pageant held July 11
.to 13: Debbie Hoggan of Prince
George, Ist runner-up; Jeannie
Paul of the Sliammon Band, 2nd
runner-up; Belinda Claxton of the
Saanichton Band, Miss
Congeniality; Julie Ann Marks of
the Sechelt. Band; and Jennifer
Russ from Masset.
Karen Salle of Kamloops, 1972
Princess, crowned her successor at
final ceremonies held at a banquet
and dance at the Hotel Vancouver.
The new princess began her
duties by taking part’ during the
Vancouver Sea Festival in events
organized by the North West In-
dian Cultural Society.
BANQUET FOR PRINCESS
The banquet attracted a good
‘turn-out of guests including Pat
John of the popular CBC-TV series,
The Beachcomber, and Gaylord
Powless,. famed ‘lacrosse star
player. “i
B.C. Native Women’s president
Millie Gottfriedson thanked the
guests, noting that an occasion
such as the Princess pageant is ‘“‘a
way of seeing that the young are
the future of Indian people’.
The main guest speaker was
Blanche Macdonald, director of a
modelling agency in her name,
who is part Cree, and provided the
tips for the girls for their ap-
pearance at the fashion and talent
shows held in the previous evening.
' Blanche defined being liberated
as “finding ‘yourself in a cir-
cumstance in which you can be
happy and be yourself”’. The things
‘that hold women back, she said,
was ‘‘our own attitude’ and
merely thinking “If only ;..”
WOMEN’S BREAK “
The “big breakthrough by
women,’’ continued Blanche, is
realized “‘by recognizing our own
value, self-worth, and originality.”
Women must have the courage to
be willing to try, said Blanche,
The outgoing princess, Karen,
said of her reign that it was a
beginning, and taught her
maturity. : ;
“T enjoyed the whole year, met
people of importance, attended
many functions,” Karen reported.
She observed that many Indian
women start on a career only after
marriage and children, and in view
of this she said pageant par-
ticipants are fortunate to have an .
early start.
THANKS FROM KAREN
Karen thanked all the people who
helped her and gave support,
particularly her parents.
For the fashion show the outfits
and accessories were supplied to
pageant participants and other
models by. merchants of the
Guildford Town Centre in Surrey.
Bill Wilson, who recently
marked a milestone for Indian
people as the second native person
to be graduated from the UBC law
school, was master for all
ceremonies. :
The board of judges was com-
posed of Jewel Thomas, Joe
Michelle, Jim Smith, and two
former Princesses — Marie
George and Wendy Hong.- -
PAGEANT COMMITTEE
The pageant was organized by a
committee of the Society with
Violet Rivers, chairman; Lavina
Lightbown, co-chairman; Evelyn
Joseph; and Karen Salle.
The new princess finished
business administration at the
Cariboo College. She plans to
continue in the three-year CGA
course. .
Her grandfather, Chief William,
is the origin of the name of the
place known as Williams Lake.
Fred Faval of the First Citizen
handled publicity.
... Clara and Karen
BELINDA CLAXTON JENNIFER RUSS ULIE ANN MARKS
i
4 ae aes ob S ee 4 Be S
‘MISS CONGENIALITY award goes to Belinda Debbie, Clara (partly covered by trophy), Julie Ann,
Claxton. Trophy for award is being handed over by and Jeannie. Also watching is Joe Michelle,
Evelyn Joseph. Happily confirming the title are announcing the awards for the board of judges.
unidentified guest. Between Glenn and Connie and
behind them is former Kamloops Band Chief Gus
Gottfriedson. 2
SS a
GLENN TALLIO and his wife, Connie, came all the
way from Bella Bella to attend ceremonies. Also
giving a show of hands is Joe Michelle and an
(second from right and left, respectively) and other
guests. (All photos by Nesika)
PAGEANT COMMITTEE chairman Violet Rivers
shares dinner table with Mr. and Mrs. Simon Baker
ONC ES:
[KAD
UNION STAFF member Terri Williams meets a former classmate, Billy
Williams, at fashion and talent shows for the 1973 B.C. Indian Princess
Pageant, held at the Auditorium of the Vancouver Planetarium.
HAIDA ARTIST Lavina Lightbown, a. member of Princess
gown for the fashion..show sponsored
committee, models a
backdrops:
Pageant
by the
Guildford Town Centre in Surrey... Ms, Lightbown’s:.. works, form
Advanced courses in
programs have more completions
VANCOUVER (Staff) — At the
end of the fiscal year for 1972-1973,
there are 1,189 enrolled in
vocational training, employment,
and relocation programs in the
B.C. region.
The statistical report for Indian
Affairs for March, 1973, also show
423 discontinuations, and 957
completions. 3
The report also seems to indicate
more completions achieved in
advanced courses than in the
preparatory courses.
VOCATIONAL
PREPARATORY COURSES
(basic education to grade 6;
assessment and orientation, 7 & 8;
BTSD, . 9-12; academic, 9-12;
correspondence; night school,
academic; English 200; Indian.
program; extension courses;
university transfer, life skills): 255
discontinuations, 422 completions,
527 enrollment.
FORMAL VOCATIONAL
TRAINING COURSES (appliance
service repair; auto body repair,
auto mechanics; arts, beauty
culture, building construction, chef
training; ‘bookkeeping-typing,
parks gardening, case aide, ap-
plied communications, practical
nurse, etc.): 68 discontinuations,
162 completions, 185 enrollment.
SPECIAL VOCATIONAL
TRAINING COURSES (Indian
_ carving; pilott training; tourist
guide and camp cook; film editing;
carpenter apprentice; driver
training; artificial insemination;
teacher’s aide; diamond drilling,
program planning, bartender,
keypunch operator; band manager
training; etc.): 23 discon-
tinuations, 160 completions, 169
enrollment.
' UNIVERSITY COURSES (arts,
education, commerce, science,
physical education, business ad-
ministration, dental hygiene,
teacher training, speed reading,
etc.): 10 discontinuations, .70
completions, 99 enrollment.
PROFESSIONAL COURSES
(accounting; commercial art;
commercial baking; diesel
engineering, dental assistant,
drafting, electronic technician,
journalism, marketing, medical
lab technician, welfare aide, law
enforcement, radio operator,
broadcasting, beef production,
etc.): 65 discontinuations, 138
completions, 204 enrollment.
REGISTERED NURSING
COURSES: 1 discontinuation, 3
completions, 2 enrollment.
TEACHER TRAINING
COURSE: 1 discontinuation, 2
completions, 3 enrollment.
CLERICAL IN-SERVICE
TRAINING: 1 discontinuation; 1
completion, 2 enrollment.
ON-THE-JOB-TRAINING (dress
design, counsellor, correction,
printer, clerical, teacher aide,
clerk typist, cook, baker, tire
repair, reporter, guide, court
worker, service station manager,
rehabilitation worker, store
manager, meat cutter, hotel
worker, etc.) 30 discontinuations,
69 completions, 116 enrollment.
APPRENTICESHIP
PROGRAMS. (carpentry, cook,
heavy duty mechanic, welding,
surveying, electrician, printer,
Sheet metal, millwright): 3
completion, 27 enrollment.
Individual placement totals
1,308, in the following types of
employment: professional,
technical, managerial 51;
clerical, sales — 80; service — 159;
farming — 42; fishing, hunting,
related industries — 1; forestry —
98; processing — 36; machine
trades — 30; bench work — 13;
structural work — 275; others —
389.
Family relocations show 38
families receiving relocation
assistance; 19 families receiving
furniture grants.
j Wages raise
eo QNesika photos)...
DIA training
VANCOUVER — After putting a
crimp to events suchas the Indian
Day salmon barbecue. at False
Creek Park, the fishing strike has
also struck a blow for equal pay for
women and for a traditionally low-
wage industry.
The Native Brotherhood of B.C.
bargained jointly with the United
Fishermen and Allied’ Workers
Union for a new two-year contract.
The 10-day strike was at first
joined by the Pacific. Trollers
Association and the newly-formed
West Coast Omeek Fishermen
from Barkley and Clayoquot Sound
areas.
Association members and the
group of Indian. trollers are .in-
dependent of the UFAWU, and had
arranged to sell their catch to U.S.
companies in Bellingham and
Seattle. _
MEANS OF LIVING
The PTA already had negotiated
prices in February, according to
the president of the. association.
For the Indian trollers the
temporary head of the group,
Simon Lucas, reportedly said that
they had informed the union that
they could not support a strike in
the middle of the fishing season
because “fishing is our means of
living”’.
The fishermen, shoreworkers,
_ and tendermen (those who work in
packing boats) voted - July 6 to
strike for higher prices for fish,
and for increased wages along with
equal pay for women.
The 14 companies of the
Fisheries Association of B.C. of-
fered a compromise price against
the asked 52 cents for sockeye this
year and 57: cents next year,
besides increases in welfare, and a
new formula for reimbursing in-
dependent fishermen for Work-
men’s Compensation premiums.
THREE AGREEMENTS
The joint negotiating committee
for. the NBBC -and.-the -UFAWU
“dealt with separate agreémetits for
‘the
salmon” fishermen, the
shoreworkers, and the tendermen,
with the latter two groups ap-
parently getting the best packages.
According to UFAWU vice
president Jack Nichol,
to.68.8 per cent wage hike over two
years. ,
The salmon fishermen only got
nominal increases on the previous
offer — 50 cents for sockeye, 20 to
60 cents for others, and increase of
one to three cents next year.
This season is considered one of
the richest runs of salmon and
peaks in July and August.
SALMON OVER-RUNS
At the end of the strike there was
one or two worries left: over-run of
sockeye into the Skeena River, and
keeping the independent trollers
d, women
the
shoreworkers’ package involves up °
out of unionism and UFAWU dues
check-off. .
The 10-day strike effected only a
small over-run into the major
sockeye systems (Smith and
Rivers Inlets, and Fraser and Nass
Rivers), but in Skeena_ fisheries
officials are thinking of ways to
-block off spawning channels.
The trollers, accused during the
shut-down of strike-breaking, say
that. they are independent
businessmen with capital in their
own boats.
Under the check-off system that
UFAWU is advocating, said the
president of the PTA, dues to the
union would be automatically
deducted from associattion
members when their fish are sold
to the canneries.
INDIAN TROLLERS
During the five days that trollers
fished during the shutdown,
association members were joined
by 60 trollers run by the in-
dependent Indian fishermen
headed by Lucas.
The last strike in the industry
was in 1963 for a three-week period.
As in this year’s strike, Canadian
fishermen suffered from loss of
B.C. fish to the U.S.
el
SAANICHTON — Louis Claxton
has been elected chief councillor,
and Barry..and. Norman Un-
derwood as councillors of the
Tsawout Indian Band.
Elections were held at Tsawout
Hall on the East Saanich Indian
reserve.
Juanita Underwood is band
secretary.
The band council address is P.O.
Box 121, Saanichton, B.C.
LINDA
(Courtesy of Prince Rupert
Daily News)
Registered nurse.
certificate given
VANCOUVER — Among | this
year’s graduating class of nursing
students at St. Paul’s hospital was
21-year-old Linda Sankey of Port
Simpson.
Linda received her diploma at
ceremonies held late June, with
more than 30 relatives and friends
to watch her.
She thus became one of the very
few native Indian registered:
nurses. According to the latest
statistics available, up to March,
1973, there has been three native
people who finished the registered
nursing course, and two enrolled in
B.C. é
Linda went to elementary school
in Port Simpson, to high school in
Trail and at Prince of Wales in
Vancouver.
219 Federal Building,
Port Albe
FOR WEST CO
1. The recreation director shall work
education.
. He will be under the direction of th
Ghw NWN
Salary: $600.00 a month.
WEST COAST DISTRICT COUNCIL
‘OF INDIAN CHIEFS
RECREATION DIRECTOR
The district office will be accepting applications untit August 15, 1973.
The terms of reference for the position are:
villages to initiate programs on their reserves.
. His efforts would be coordinated with our people in services and
» He will devote his energies to all age groups. :
. He shall promote all recreation activities on various reserves.
Application forms can be obtained from the above address. Send
applications to attention of Personnel Committee.
225 Johnson Street,
rni, B.C.
AST DISTRICT
with all recreation workers from all
e West Coast District Council.
Community Development,
DUTIES: Provides technical and consultative services to Indians in
principles and other related matters, advises and guides Indian
programs, activities, legislation and structures;
THIS COMPETITION IS OPEN TO BOTH MEN AND WOMEN
DISTRICT BAND MANAGEMENT OFFICER
Salary up to $12,767
Indian and Eskimo Branch
- Department of indian and Northern Affairs
Positions in Kamloops, Williams Lake, Bella Coola, B.C.
and Yukon Territory
OPEN TO RESIDENTS OF THE PROVINCES OF BRITISH COLUMBIA, ALBERTA,
MANITOBA, SASKATCHEWAN AND YUKON TERRITORY
respect to
participation
SOCIAL-ECONOMIC PROGRAM,
PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION OF CANADA
TOWER “A”, PLACE DE VILLE
OTTAWA, ONTARIO K1A OM7
Please quote competition number 73-491-6 on all correspondence.
provides advice and guidance regarding the availablity and utilization
of “Grants to Bands” and the Programs involved; acts in liaison capicity between Indian people and the Department
and other organizations; and performs other related duties.
QUALIFICATIONS: Ability normally required to complete secondar
through work history, to work effectively on one’s own initiative,
program, OR university graduation in a field relevant to social we
y school education and a proven ability,
and to obtain good results in a social welfare
elfare or development (such as: Social Work,
Public Administration, or law) with some “experience indicative of an ability to
effectively manage a social welfare program. Knowledge of the English language is essential for these positions.
HOW TO APPLY — Application for Employment form PSC
or from the nearest Public Service Commission office,
367-401, which may be obtained from any Post Office
should be completed fully and returned to:
sound local government procedures,
in band initiated local government
hu ly 1 1 973.
~ PROFILES OF PROGRESS —
New Nitinaht village full of activity
; “Page Seven
By G.McKEVITT
Nine years ago the Nitinaht
Band’s village was situated on a
rocky bluff of the west coast of
Vancouver Island at the south end
of Nitinaht Lake.
It was at this time that the HMS
MacQuinna stopped servicing the
band. Because of the isolation that
followed they decided to move to
another part of their reserve.
Today the village is situated at
the north end of Nitinaht Lake
about half way between Port
Alberni and Duncan by logging
road.
The neat little village of 17
houses nestles into the high timber
that surrounds it on three sides
while the restless waters of
Nitinaht Lake lap the shore on the
fourth. .
A few families still go back to the
HUGE GYMNASIUM rises amid towering fir trees.
One end will house the Nitinaht Band’s-offices, and
most part will be the gymnasium and cultural centres.
The building was started in February under a Winter
A VIEW OF THE NITINAHT VILLAGE AT NORTH END OF LAKE
‘old reserve in the summer months.
No payment or consent
The Nitinaht Band’s reserve land
is divided up into 15 different
parcels totalling about 1,500 acres. ©
The present reserve is about 40
acres while the original village on
the west coast was 900 acres. These
900 acres have been included,
without the band’s consent, as part
of Phase III of Pacific Rim Park.
Across the lake from the village
is a hillside which is part of the
reserve. The Franklin River runs
into the lake here and was to be the
site for the new village. But there
was no road on that side of the lake
at the time, so the site was changed
to the present location.
There is a logging road to this
part of the reserve now, and the
band has considered developing it
ae ay
Works Fiofect,
for a tourist fishing resort. A
feasibility study is under way.
Most of the clearing has. already
been’ accomplished ‘through
logging leases.
_But the. biggest project. un-
dertaken, so far, has been the
building of the new gymnasium.
Even among the towering firs it
looks huge. One end will house the
band’s offices, while most of it will
be the gymnasium/cultural centre.
Committee of elders
Eight of the oldest members of
the band have been selected for the
Party Committee. They are
responsible for the Potlach-type
opening of the building as they are .
the ones who will remember the
original parties best.
It is hoped that the opening
which is expected late this summer
and will cost about $80,000. A
committee of elders of the band are responsible: for
the opening ceremonies when the building is finished
around late summer. The potlatch type opening will
will become an annual event.
The gym, which was started in
February, is’ a Winter Works
Project-and has used $30,000 in
band money to date. It is expected
to cost approximately $80,000 by
the time it is finished.
For the remaining needed funds
the band will present, in person, a
brief to the First Citizen’s Fund.
The gym is being built by band
members, employing eight to nine
people from the reserve and one
non-Indian carpenter from Port
Alberni.
Want own schools
Being negotiated at the moment
is the possibility of the band having
their own elementary and pre-
school on the reserve.
The students have to be bussed to
Lake Cowichan 30 miles away, for
high school, or to Youbou, 15. miles
away, for grades I to VII. The 30
students must be up early for their
ride in, making each school day a
long one.
The new elementary school
would only include grades I to IV,
making the bus trip unnecessary
for one half of the students on the
reserve. Two more families are
expected to move into the reserve
this year which would bring the
new school’s population to 20 from |
the present 15.
Nursery started
In October a nursery schoo] was
started on the reserve which has
worked out very well.
The population of the new
elementary school could easily be
Continued on Page 8
See: HIGH HOUSING
be in the way traditional parties were held.
(Photos by G. McKevitt)
Page Eight ~
MARY AND JIMMY McKAY stand before their
new house. The couple and their family are the last
remaining members of the Toquaht Band at the
Stuart.Bay reserve. Jimmy canoes out regularly for
NESIKA
Be INDIAN COMMUNITIES
Indian studies course initiated by band
supplie:
The house has neither electricity nor
telephone on top of the water problem because of
lowered pressure.
LAST STANDING OF ORIGINAL HOUSES ON STUART BAY
Continued from Page 6
‘Ucluelet reserve, which borders
the Toquaht reserve, we found that
the most commonly used route was
along the rocky coast, because the
foot path was very overgrown.
After a half hour walk, about 100
feet from the beach to our
destination, we found we could go
no further as the high tide left no
room for footholds on the steep
rocks.
After a few welcome hand
signals from Jimmy McKay, who
watched our progress, we
ascended to the woods above us
@ path.
McKay and his son, Sam, who
were cutting wood at the time,
greeted us.
From the beach the land rose up
to where the house sat overlooking
the: bay. The shell of a house stood
beside the new McKay home.
‘House stripped
“That house was fine when we
left here,’ said McKay senior who
was the last to move from the
reserve when his house burned
down. In the short time that he had
lived in Ucluelet it had been
stripped of most of its usable
lumber.
Sam McKay took us on a tour to
the dammed creek up behind the
house which supplies them with
water. Although it seemed quite an
uphill trek, a survey had surprised
everyone, by stating that the
damsite was really only a few feet
above sea lével. The dam and the
plastic pipe line that supply the
house were part of a water leasing
arrangement with a_ fishing
‘company.
After the line goes to the house it
carries on across the bay to the
company’s facilities where the
water is made into ice for fishing
boat holds.
The system worked well up until
the new house was built. Since then
the pressure has dropped off badly
and no one seems to know why.
No electricity
Besides the recent
problem, the house has neither
electricity nor telephone. The
original Stuart Bay community
had telephones, but the line, which
had been merely strung along the
ground has since fallen into a state
of disrepair.
water _
July, 1973
It is hoped that in the near future
both electricity and telephone can
be installed along this already
existing line. The old diesel electric
. generator now lies rusted, beyond
repair.
When we left the reserve, we
decided to go by the slightly
overgrown path where the old
telephone line had been strung,
instead of the shoreline.
Why the local people used the
shoreline exclusively soon became
apparent. Although the path is only
about a half mile long it has
become so badly obscured by
brush and the remnants of an old
logging operation as to be im-
passable. It further explained why
the McKays rely on their canoe to
bring in supplies.
“Catch 22” set-up
And it seems that this will
remain the method for some time
- yet.
In a sense the Toquahts are
caught in a Catch 22: in order to
justify the expense of a road in,
there should be more people living
at Stuart Bay; yet the only way it
would be convenient for more
people to live there, would be to
build a road in.
Still, the Toquahts are confident
that the road will be built. The aura
around the McKay household is one
of waiting: a sort of expectancy of
the time when the people will
return to their land. ‘
Dr. Wolfgang Jilek, a Chilliwack
psychiatrist, stated that B.C. In-
dians. with mental ,and emotional”
problems can be beneficially
-treated by combining ‘‘witch-
doctor’? and western techniques.
He explained that by ‘‘witch-
doctor’’ he meant Indian doctor
and ritualists who have. “‘in recent
- years been travelling all over
southern B.C.
Washington.”
“They were
reviving the traditional
and northern
instrumental in
Salish
“winter ceremonies,” he said.
He also. said he has witnessed
some cremonies and received
reports of others. ‘In our ex-
perience, the therapeutic ef-
fectiveness of indigenous Salish
treatment methods compares
favorably with western therapy as
far as such Indian patients | are
concerned.”
High housing standards maintained in village
Continued from Page 7
doubled if the families living off the
reserve were able to move back.
The 17 houses already on the
reserve are of a high standard. The
average age is only four to five
years old. All are equipped with
water, and.plumbing with lighting
and electricity supplied by the
band’s diesel powered generator.
But only 109 of the band’s total
population of 226 are living on the
reserve, and most would like to
move home. according to Band
Manager Thompson. Because of
the housing allotment of three
houses this year two more families
will be able to move home.
Forced to leave
Not only were many families
forced to live off the reserve in the
move nine years ago:
“Much of our culture was lost
College in interior hires
native woman student counsellor
PRINCE GEORGE — Ann
Cadieux, formerly of The Pas,
Manitoba, and a 20-year resident
here, has been hired as part-time
student counsellor by the College of
New Caledonia.
Dean of Students Dick Scales
-said Mrs. Cadieux was chosen
after consultation with the Doh
Day-de-claa Friendship Centre.
As a. volunteer worker for the
friendship centre, she. organizes
sports and gives advice to young
people with problems.
She will work.16 hours a week to
counsel both white and Indian
students of the college.
Also, according to the prnncipal
of the college, Fred Speckeen, the
appointment is to provide ‘‘a point
of contact’? for the growing
number of Indian students, and to
help the college in selecting future
programs.
Mrs.. Cadieux admitted no
previous counselling experience,
but that she has always worked
well with young people.
She hopes to help teachers at the
college to understand the problems
and outlook of Indian students.
The college principal said her —
appointment was in response to
local needs; the college found
that few Indian students took their
problems to counsellors.
Mrs. Cadieux believes that In-
dian students feel more trusting if
they could bring their problems to
an Indian counsellor.
OLIVER — Osoyoos band has
announced that visitors to their
reserve lands will be charged for
picnicking, swimming or fishing on
reserve lands.
The fee must be paid at the band
office
when we moved from our old
village,’ said Thompson. “Only a
few people still speak the
language. I hope we can get classes
going to teach the young people
before it is too late.
“We have many dancers but they
are out of practise. Maybe the new
cultural centre will revive dancing.
Almost everyone carves for a
hobby and four or five people make
their living from carving. There is
quite a bit of basket weaving done,
too. We have set up a cultural
committee to deal with all of these
things,’ Thompson added.
“I think that there is going to be
a revival of the Indian culture of
the whole west coast area. I hope
that we can be a part of it.”
STUDENTS OF THE Nitinaht Band complete the
long ride from Youbou Elementary School and the reserve would eliminate this tedious bus trip for
Lake Cowichan Secondary, 15 and 30 miles away half of the 30 students.
CHARLIE THOMPSON
Nitinaht Band manager sits in his
temporary office. Later, Band office will be opened in new gym.
respectively. New elementary school promised for
(Photos by G. McKevitt)
Letter of ‘resignation ‘of form er
UBCIC administrative assistant
July 13,.1973
Mr. Bill Mussell,
Executive Director,
Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs
2140 W. 12th Avenue,
Vancouver 9, B.C.
Dear Bill:
This is not an éasy letter for me
to write.
After much thought about cer-
tain actions and decisions of our
elected leaders, the Chiefs’
-Council, it is with deep regret that I
inform you I cannot continue in the
employ of the Union of B.C. My
reasons for this decision do not
need explanation to you, but here
they are for the record.
Itis against my principles: (a) to
_ be an accessory to the misuse of
government funds, (b) to lead our
people atthe reserve level to
believe that their “leaders” are
acting in their best interests, (c) to
have any dealings with a dic-
tatorship.
Although I feel it is unnecessary
to expand on the above statements,
again for the record, I will do so.
Government funds are mis-used
when Council members -collect
more than is warranted by their
attendance at meetings; for
example, demanding up to. four-
days honorarium for a one-day or
day-and-a-half meeting.
THE WORST EXAMPLE
The last Council meeting (June
16-17, 1973) set the worst example
to date. Two executive members
held up the meeting until the af-
ternoon, yet demanded full com-
Burrard Band hopes jury favours
move to re-route Dollarton road
NORTH VANCOUVER - If the
coroner’s recommendation over
recent accident on the Dollarton
Highway is favourable to re-
routing the highway; the Burrard
Indian Band hopes that the
provincial government will be
sympathetic to their cause.
Band members — there are 150
— are concerned about the safety
of their children. Already, ac-
cording to Band Chief John George
in an interview, one Indian child is
dead after an accident on the high-
way, about five years ago.
“You know how Indian children
are; they are not so used to
‘civilization’ and play near the
highway sometimes,’’ ‘Chief
George. explained.
The latest accident reportedly
occurred one evening when a car,
driving by a Vancouver fire cap-
tain collided head-on with a
camper truck; the camper
swerved to avoid two small Indian
girls who had fallen off a bike on a
curve in the highway.
“It’s a pretty damn poor road,”
said the Band chief. .
The land for the section of the
highway passing through. the
reserve was expropriated in 1931,
said the chief, “‘just the same way
most B.C. Indians lost their lands.”’
You can see the road is obsolete
in 1973,”’ Chief George pointed out.
Not only was the highway, in fact,
built on the wrong location, but
also it is now inadequate for. the
present volume of traffic. —
Besides. being narrow, the high-
way’s twisting turns and bad
condition have caused and will
cause more accidents, the chief
added.
A year ago the chief appealed to
the Social Credit government to
relocate the highway, after the
band had had consultants examine
the road.
“I thing that what we are asking
is reasonable, and is for the safety
of the general public: I thing that
the present government will
probably agree,’’ said Chief
_ George.
WELFARE AIDE WORKER
FOR COWICHAN INDIAN RESERVE
SALARY: $500.00 a month
LENGTH OF EMPLOYMENT: To April 30, 1973, or
possibly longer. Under the direction of. the Cowichan
Band Council.
DUTIES:
1. Administers District Social
Cowichan reserves.
— by giving advice and information to and
applicants for social assistance.
— by recommending the eligibility and needs of applicants for
social assistance, and when eligible, by recommending the
amount and frequency of issues.
— by counselling and assisting band members and their families
in the social welfare field.
— by identifying cases needing professional assistance, and
‘obtaining that assistance. ;
— by giving direction and assistance to applicants for categorical
alloances such as old age-assistance, old age security, family
allowances, diasbabled persons allowance, unemployment
insurance, etc.
— by establishing and maintaining records and statistical material
related to the welfare program.
— by assisting, coordinating, and liaising with government and
private agencies, in the field of social welfare, whose programs
are or may be related to band members.
2. Advises the council and the welfare committee on matters
within their control on the general welfare program.
— by attending all welfare committee meetings.
— by amending and adding to the program.
Assistance program on the
interviewing
3. Acts as band representative on social welfare matters.
4. Conducts correspondence arising from or related to duties;
prepares such reports, statements, and information related to
these duties as required; and performs such other duties as
required by the council and its committee.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Tuesday, July 31, 1973
Apply in writing to:
COWICHAN BAND COUNCIL,
P.O. Box 880,
DUNCAN, B. Cc.
f
pensation for time away from
home. These funds are to com-
pensate for time spent attending
meetings on behalf of their people,
and not for time spent on personal
business (time spent nursing
hangovers falls into this. latter
category). Rightfully, the payment
received by the Council members
who sat and waited all morning
should be deducted from the two
Executive members” honorarium.
This needs n0o further explanation.
Ihave been accused of meddling
in the financial affairs of this
organization. Maybe I have — but
it was with the hope that our
“leaders” had consciences and
‘would respond to my criticisms in
a positive way. Apparently no
consciences exist. The one time I
did take care of the expenses for a
meeting resulted. in Council
spending a whole morning at the
next Council meeting reversing my
“‘meddling.”’
If the Council members seriously
believe they are working in the
best interest of the reserve people
they. would be more punctual in
their attendance at meetings, and
would carry out their respon-
sibilities all the way down the line.
By: this I mean, each District
should be represented at each
meeting, and I don’t mean just
filling the seat; the responsibilities
or a delegate don’t end until he has
informed the Chiefs in the District
he represented of the discussion
and decisions made at the Council
meeting.
MUST BE PUNCTUAL
When I mentioned more punctual
attendance to an Executive
member, he told me that Council
members are on volunteer time,
and honorarium should not be cut
for late attendance. I interpreted
this statement to mean “‘Because
they are volunteering their time,
let them come at their leisure, pay
them even if they don’t show up.”
MESSAGE TO COUNCIL
To you Council members I say:
“You were elected by your
people to speak and act in their
best interests. They trust you to
do. this in a mature and
responsible way. If you feel that
attending these meetings to
voice the feelings of the people
who elected you is an_ in-
fringement on your time,
surrender your seat to someone
_who will do a conscientious job,
whose concern will be: How
much he can do for his people for
the little financial return he will
receive; and not how much
money he can get for as little
time and effort put forth.”
There is a growing doubt in
many minds that the decisions
made at Council meetings come
from the people. Some Council:
members are becoming very |
dictatorial in their attitudes. The ;
time will come when they will |
realize that a democracy far
outlasts a dictatorship. Hopefully,
for the very survival of our people,
this time will not be long in coming.
When I took this job two years
ago, I accepted it because I had}
faith in our leaders. I am very:
sorry: to say it has become in- |
creasingly difficult to condone!
some of their actions. I have tried
to be a faithful employee, and you
know that I have put in more time
on the Council’s behalf than I can
ever count. But time is valuable,
and I cannot afford to give any
more time to something that I have
become disillusioned with. All I
can say is — for any of my actions I
can look anyone in the eye. Can
some council members say the
same?
Yours truly,
Joan Cranmer
PRINCE GEORGE — The first
burial in about 50 years in the Fort
George Park Indian burial grounds
took place recently. About 200
witnessed the funeral of Fred Pius,
a Carrier Indian who died at the
age of 78.
= Page Nine
~TKWAYAT7N KYA TL’A ENS
Squamish translation for
“LISTEN TO ME“
CAMWMIE IS A PRETTY SEVEN YEAR OLD INDIAN GIRL, ~
SHE IS 3’ 11” TALL, WEIGHS 45 LBS. WITH SHORT BROWN
HAIR. BROWN EYES AND A WARM TAN COMPLEXION.
CAMMIE IS DESCRIBED AS A “FREE SPIRT” WHO LOVES
TO RUN IN THE WIND AND SPEND MOST OF HER TIME IN
THE OUTDOORS. SHE IS HEALTHY CHEERFUL AND
INCLINDED TO BE A “CHATTERBOX.” '
._CAMMIE 1S A LOVING CHILD WHO HAS A MIND OF HER
OWN. SHE SHOULD BE THE YOUNGEST CHILD OF WARM
AND AFFECTIONATE. PARENTS WHO ARE ABLE TO
OFFER HER ENCOURAGEMENT, YET ALLOW HER TO
PROGRESS AT HER OWN SPEED.
For more information on this child and other children kindly
contact;
MRS. L. FOWLER,
Consultant,
Adoption Placement Section,
401 - 100 W. Pander St., Vancouver-3, \B.C.
Telephone 684-3391
(The above translation to Squamish was provided by Chief Louis
Miranda, or ‘‘Uncle Louis” as he is affectionately known.)
Two departments approve budget
for B.C. Indian fishermen aid
OTTAWA The’ British. counsellor and three field coun-
Columbia Indian Fishermen’s
Assistance Program has been
renewed for another five years
with a budget of $10,196,000, it was
announced recently by Jean
Chretien, minister of Indian and
Northern Affairs, and Jack Davis,
minister of the Department of the
Environment.
Financed by the Department of
Indian Affairs and administered by
the Department of the En-
vironment, the program provides
loans and grants to Indian
fishermen for the ‘construction,
purchase, conversion and
modification of fishing vessels,
equipment and shore facilities.
The program,
on-the-job and
training. The Fishermen’s
Assistance Board’s support staff
will be expanded to include a loan .
in revised and -
strengthened form, will emphasize
institutional i
sellors to provide local advisory
service.
KWA-WIN-NAH SOCIETY
434 Heather Street
Victoria, B.C.
The Kwa-Win-Nah Halfway House
for Indian ex-inmates needs a
‘responsible person’ or persons,
preferably of Indian descent, to
manage the Halfway House.
This person must be able to coun-
sel or work with people who have
social problems; do domestic,
work; and be able to work with
other people in the Society.
Those interested must send appli-
cations to the Society at the
above address.
NATIONAL INDIAN BROTHERROOD
SUITE 1610, VARETTE BUILDING 130. ALBERT ST., OTTAWA, K1P 5G4 (613)236-0673
TELEX 063-3202
COORDINATOR
FOR THE NEGOTIATING COUNCIL
The Negotiating Council_is an organizational structure designed to enable
the National Indian Brotherhood and the Canadian Government to jointly
decide on major policy matters concerning Indian people in Canaday
DUTIES
The Coordinator would be responsible for setting up meetings of the
Council, gathering and disseminating information related to the issues
under discussion, coordinating the implementation of Council decision,
and keeping abreast of all developments related to issues under negotiation
or matters that are pending.
QUALIFICATIONS
The candidate will preferably be a registered Indian of Canada, will have
worked for and with Canadian Indians; will be familiar with their
organizational development and with all pertinent acts are regulations
governing Indian rights and aboriginal claims; will be familiar with the.
organizational and administrative structure of the Provincial and National.
Governments; and will have acquired. experience and skills in organization,
administration, and negotiation.
Salary Range
$16,000-$18,000. With excellent benefits.
APPLICATION
Application must be accompanied by a curriculum vitae, a brief
biolgraphical sketch, and a list of references. It should be sent to the
Executive Director of NIB at the above address.
Application should be in-not later than July 30, 1973.
ONCE S. KA
July, 1
Comments by an Exploited '
Treasurer by Choice, Hattie
Ferguson: Participation by the
North West Indian Cultural Society
at the new location — False Creek
Park — of the Sea Festival was a
bit of a political football. We were
going to show there, and then we
were not going to show at all.
The Cultural Grants Moguls
played it coy, and one party even
turned us down. But as the native
people have sort of got used to.
taking part in the annual Indian
events, we decided to stick our
necks out and obtain a short term
aes oT WEST Wai oe
Sea Festival not without its disappointments
loan, and went ahead with plans for
show at the park.
Somehow or another, the whole
advertising of the Sea Festival got
fouled up in more ways than one.
So we undertook our own ad-
vertising, and hoped for a fair
crowd but were not prepared for
the hordes who came down.
I was very sorry for all those
people who could not get any
coffee ; who had to stand in line six
deep and more for hot dogs and
pop. The line-up for the four lonely
men and women’s “biffies’’ was
unbelievable. Salmon barbecue
Chef Dick Harry ran out of fish.
Indian reserves offer better
facilities.
I don’t think the power. boat
races should be combined with
Indian canoe racing; nor rock and
roll music with Indian singing and
dancing. If the Sea Festival
chairmen want continuous action,
the Indians can provide it with
various Indian activities unique to
their culture.
Whether the canoe people like
the new water way, we have not
heard; but the Cloochman’s Race
had an accident. Diane Rice from —
Port Alberni News ’n
By PHYLLIS L. HANNA
PORT ALBERNI — We have just
moved into our new quarters and
have been busy as bees getting
reorganized and settled. Once
again the new address for the
Hesquiat Band Administration
Office is:
Street, Port Alberni, B.C. Phone:
723-6031.
ee OK
This year, a LIP grant, an Op-
portunities for Youth grant and a
First Citizens’ Fund grant enabled
us to carry out archeological work
and phase one of the construction
of the Centre as part of the
Hesquiat Cultural Committee’s
program.
Unfortunately, grants received
were not adequate to carry on the
linguistics program and after
recording several hundred tapes of
songs, stories and language with
the assistance of a professional
linguist over the past year, it had to
‘be cancelled...
The committee hopes that the
Cultural/Educational Centre and
related jobs will offer employment
alternatives to the logging and
fishing industries since the
Suite #3, 316 Argyle”
availability of jobs in these West
Coast industries~ decrease each
year with the population increase
and automation.
ee ok
Several of the Hesquiat Band
members have become very in-
volved in the cultural program. and
can see themselves involved in it
as a lifelong activity.
The Cultural/Educational
Centre will eventually become self-
maintaining through publishing
texts, public displays and the like.
The program would enable the
Council to hire Band members who
could pursue their interest in ar-
cheology with very little outside
supervision.
When technical advice is
required, it could be obtained from
the Provincial Museum. And, if the
terms of reference do not call for
the Band to give up any control,
they may consider becoming an
_associate member of the National
Museum for assistance in
operating costs.
YOUTH INVOLVED
A Youth Group has just been
organized (13-18 years.of:age):.and
Notes
they are working at the project site
and are fully supportive of the
eventual plans for the site. —
They, too, can see their future
part in such a development and the
future potential.
The Committee is planning to
have one member from each
family voting in the Cultural
Committee. These 17-to-18 year
olds are the ones being trained to
assume roles in the cultural
program in the future.
They are the ones who need the
project to retain and understand
their identity; to be able to live in
the city and yet plan and work
within their Band community.
Of interest to many, artifacts
dating back to 480. B.C. and 770
A.D. have been found in the
Hesquiat dig.
VICTORIA — A plea for an end
to “plain grave robbing’’ on
Chatham Island has been made by
Chief John Albany of the Songhees
Indian Band which owns the island
off Oak Bay.
They have found that some of the
graves had been opened and. ar-
tifacts..taken .from..them...
B.C.: loses three well-liked Indian people
LAWRENCE LEWIS, 47
CAPE MUDGE — An estimated
400 people gathered here on July 14
to pay their last respects to former
Band chief Lawrence Lewis, 47,
who died in Victoria hospital July
11.
Beside members of his im-
mediate family, his relatives and
fellow Band members, Lewis’
funeral was attended by many
long-time friends from other bands
* in B.C. as well as many people he
had been associated with in a life of
commercial fishing.
The well-known and well-liked
business manager of the Native
Brotherhood of B.C. had served a
total of eight years as chief of the
Cape Mudge Band — from 1960 to
1964, and 1968 to 1972 — and was
always active in local circles.
Besides being a long-time hard-
working member of the Brother-
hood, Canada’s senior Indian
organization, Lewis was also
alternate member for
Kwawkewith District to the Union
of B.C. Indian Chiefs at the time of
his death.
Prior to stepping down as chief,
Lewis tried unsuccessfully to have
Cape Mudge incorporated as
Canada’s first Indian municipality.
Long-time friend Dan Campbell
was B.C.’s minister of municipal
affairs at the time, and the failure
to win majority approval of his
Band members by referendum was
a big disappointment to Lewis.
Besides his parents, Mr. and
Mrs. Oscar Lewis, Lawrence is
survived by his wife Adele and four
children — Mark, 22; Ted, 20;
Laurie, 10 and Chris, 7.
Mr. Campbell was one of 10 life-
long friends who acted as honorary
palibearers.. Others were: Harry
Assu, John Clifton, George Jeffrey,
Bill Law, Bob Clifton, Charlie -
Peters, Bill Scow, Bill Roberts and
James Sewid.
Pallbearers were: Steve Assu,
George Cook, Norman Frank,
CHIEF LAWRENCE LEWIS
Edwin Newman, Bud Recalma and
Donald Sankey.
Officiating at the funeral were
Rev. Dorne Cornish, past minister,
and Rev. Ron Atkinson.
ROBERT BAKER, 72
NORTH VANCOUVER
(Staff) — Robert ‘‘Bobby”’
Baker of the Squamish Indian
Band passed away July 16, at age
72.
Robert is survived by a sister,
Irene, and four brothers, William,
Joseph, Daniel, and Simon Baker.
The body was taken to the
Catholic church on the number one
reserve in Mission, and later
buried at Squamish July 20.
A very personable man, Robert
was very popular as one of the
great Indian athletes. As a young
man Robert played lacrosse,
baseball, and took up boxing.
He was also a well-known singer.
He studied opera singing, and sang
at the Orpheum theatre. He was
often featured to sing at dances.
He often fished at the coast and is
widely known in the area.
More than 35 years ago tragedy
hit when Robert, also a longshore-
man, injured his back and spine.
He had to be taken to hospital
where he stayed till his death. In
the last 10 years he was paralyzed
and had to use a wheelchair.
MAXIME GEORGE, 87
VANDERHOOF — Requiem
Mass was celebrated at Nautley
Indian Reserve Roman Catholic
Church by Father V. A. LaPance,
OMI, on Saturday, July 7, 1973, for
one of the most colorful characters
of the
George. :
Chief George passed away in St.
John Hospital in Vanderhoof on the
4th of July, 1973 at the age of 87
years.
Chief George is survived by his
wife Agnes of Nautley, three sons,
Steven, Peter and George, all. of
Nautley. He is also survived by
three daughters, Evelyn, Mrs.
Maurice Louie of Nautley; Louise,
Mrs.
district, Chief Maxime
Terrace, B.C.
He is also survived by 33 grand-
children and -18 great-grand-
children and by two brothers,
Isaac George of Stellako, B.C.; and
Alec George of Nautley.
Pallbearers at Chief George’s
funeral were eight grandsons:
Theodore George, . Lawrence
Joseph, Joseph Louie, Zaa Louie,
Robert Louie, Martin Louie, Allen
Louie and Nelson Louie.
The church was filled to capacity
and there were approximately 450
people gathered outside who heard
the Mass over a loudspeaker.
The altar was adorned with
many floral tributes to the late
Chief .George from the family,
Indian friends and friends from the
white community.
His closest personal friends from
the white community that attended.
the Mass were Mr. Leo Larocque of
Fort Fraser, B.C., Mr. and Mrs.
Marcel Miller of Prince George,
B.C.; Mr. Buster Cunningham of
Prince George, B.C.; and Mr. and
Mrs. Griffiths of Fort Fraser, B.C.
A Potlach was held at the
Community Hall in Nautley after
the funeral, with about 250 friends
and relatives in attendance.
‘Chief George was chief of the
Nautley Band for 36 years from
1920 to 1956, at which time he felt he
was too old to carry on in this
capacity so he retired. He was also
Church Chief from 1932 until the
time of his passing away.
' unpainted
Walter Joseph of New
Hazelton, B.C.; and Bernadette of ;
Vancouver Island spent five hours
at the general hospital for shock
from her spill. I think the ladies
had better build themselves seven
paddle canoes, and go‘in for speed
rather than the spectacular war
canoe racing.
The Makwalla Native Women’s
Club donated a Cloochman’s
Trophy, the first one ever given to
the ladies.
It. is too early to report on the
financial end of the events, and too
early to make an assessment of the
merits of the new location for our
Indian events. It can be developed
into a very fine park with adequate
facilities and concessions for such
-events. Time will. tell.
T learned one thing, while sitting
on the board of directors of the Sea
Festival, and that.is that they have
as much trouble as we do getting
adequate funding.
When the DIA or the Secretary of
State people are asked for financial
assistance for such a combined
exhibition of events, they should be
asked to attend these meetings as
other big business people are asked
to who help fund the festival.
_One thing we are very |happy
about is the number of native
people we drew from all over the
country and the USA. It was worth-
while putting on for all those In-
dians who travelled many miles to
take in the exhibition.
* *
Most of what needs to be said
about the Sea Festival has been
said, so I’ll contribute just a few
words about Artlatch!
Great thanks to Phil James and
Sharon Hitchcock who held the
show — and was the most popular
display — and to those who con-
tributed a few hours: Eileen
Vandall, Harold George, Norman
Tait, Lawrence Rosso, Gladys and
Bernard Edwards.
All these people gave up their
time for free, and we wish to thank
them most sincerely for pulling
together and being a hit!
The PNE starts August 18.
Please call Hattie Ferguson, 738-
4003, to put your name down for the
demonstrations, stock and counter
help.
See you! LIA McGOOKIN
Port Edward totem pole raising
given full ceremonial treatment
PORT EDWARD — In a rare
performance -of an _ Indian
ceremony the Heritage Totem of
this small village was raised July
1, in the presence of about 1,500 to
2,000 visitors, overwhelming the
1,019 local population.
The totem pole, 36 feet high,
begins with an eagle sitting on a
raven’s head, followed by a halibut
fisherman, the grizzly bear, a
salmon fisherman, and the beaver
at the 36-inch base.
Designed by Norman. Tait and
carved by him and his father, the
pole is of red cedar and is mostly
in the. traditional
manner. ;
The pole depicts the Nishga,
Tsimshian, Haida, and Gitshan -
tribes that make up the 60 per cent
Indian population of Port Edward.
It was hoisted and pulled upright
by a rope after which the carver,
his tools tied to his body, to bless
the pole and give its spirit . life,
circled the pole.
Then representatives of the
chiefs of the Tait family called out
the carver’s newly-bestowed In-
dian name, Na-Ack-Laich.
Na-Ack-Laich comes from the
story of a grizzly bear who awakes
from winter hibernation, and finds
his side bare as his fur has dropped
off. The name describes the state
of the bear having no fur on his
side.
The carver and his father,
Josiah, were robed in shell
decorated Hudson’s Bay blankets
during the ceremony.
Speakers from the various tribes
spoke to. honour Norman and “tis
father. ;
In honour of the totem pole ibe
Kaien Island dancers of the Ken
Harris family danced.
The. ceremony ended when the
carver turned the pole over to Port
‘Edward Mayor Al Sheppard for the
municipality.
The adze used by Norman for
carving the pole was presented
later to A.E. Nelson of the Eagle
clan from Kincolith.
The Heritage Pole project was
funded by a $4,000-grant under the
Local Initiative Program.
HERITAGE TOTEM POLE
RAISING CEREMONIES
NORMAN TAIT and his father wear capes of shell-decorated blankets.
(Photo courtesy of Theresa McKeon, Daily News, Prince Rupert)
(EDITOR‘S NOTE: The
following instalment bf ‘News
from the Nass” will be the last one
— at least the last one sent in by
Mrs. Margaret Woods. Along with
the news sent by Mrs. Woods, she
writes explaining that since she
does not live in the Nass Valley she
has been told by the councillors she
does not qualify to report on events
happening up there. Margaret
promises to continue contributing
stories on events in the Terrace
area.
Hopefully, the councillors who
asked Mrs. Woods to stop sending
‘in’ reports will see to it that
someone else will take over this
important job — their people have
just as much right to the pages of
Nesika as all other Indian people in
B.C. — and we remind all of our
readers that they are more than
welcome to.send in any and all
reports on their own.)
ByMARGARET WOODS
KISPIOX WEDDING
On June 9, 1973, Brenda,
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Albert
Robinson of Greenville Nass River,
married Don Morrison of Kispiox.
The wedding took place in Kispiox.
* ok OF
Howard Nisyok, formerly of
Aiyansh, left the village in Sep-
tember, 1972 to train as a Church
Army Captain and leader.
He enrolled in a college in
Toronto and is taking a three-year
course which includes Bible study,
boys camp counselling, and
preaching experiences where there
are no churches. .
Howard reports that he is happy
ae NEW FROM THE N NASS | Ce
‘Mail service shutdown ends
in his chosen vocation and is
looking forward to a two-week visit
to Aiyansh in late August, after
which he will continue his
leadership training.
* eR
MAIL SERVICE IMPROVED
From now on, Nass residents
don’t have to travel the 70 miles to
Terrace to pick up their mail.
Vina Percival is looking after the
mail which is delivered on Wed-
nesdays to the Aiyansh Municipal
Building.
Before, a lot of hardship was
caused when the post office was
first moved from the village to the
Nass Service Centre and then
closed down altogether.
Villagers were forced to find
someone going into Terrace and
write a note of permission for their
mail to be picked up by the person
travelling to Terrace.
No one seemed to know why the
post office was closed in the first
place. According to the postmaster
in Terrace, Mrs. Hoeback, who had
been looking after the mail at Nass
Service Centre, didn’t want the
responsibility anymore.
But, according to people at the
Nass. Service Centre, the’ real
reason was that there. aren’t
enough people living in the Nass
Valley.
Robert Azak, who works at the
Nass Service Centre, said that the
people from the Terrace Post
Office just came and got the mail
and shut down the post. office
without any notice.
However, mail service is now
restored
Poetry
Straighten Up
Brother,
You know I love you ,
Why do you act this way?
You make me hurt inside
Making me cry and worry so.
You fool.
You jive-ass fool,don’t you know I
care?
You fight with your brother
You drink and you brawl
You wind up in jail and feeling
depressed
Feeling so lonely, frightened and
confused
You knew I was there and loved
you.
Why didn’t you call me?
Wah-zin-ak,
Agassiz, B.C.
Contrast
Mid mountains and sea, sky and
My Indian spirit is free;
I’m bold as an eagle,
Fleet as a deer,
Keen as a cougar,
No one to fear.
A change of -scene...I’m city
bound;
My spirit restlessly looks around...
Fences, closed doors,
halls;
Like a frightened bird,
Closed in by concrete walls,
Understand then
My longing for forest peace,
For cedar-scented air and
. breeze. .
* Jean Charleson
Hot Spring Cove
Grade7
Heritage -
Sounding echoes surround me,
Reminding me of our days
Deerskin rattles keeping rhythm,
Dancing shadows in sun’s rays,
narrow’
sea
Bone sticks pounding out a beat,
Beating drums around the fire,
Stamping feet on pebble ground,
Haunting chants of elder’s choir.
Agnes Charleson
Hot Springs Cove
Grade 6
Dayd ream
Orange-red skies,
Calm, bluish sea,
Gliding boat,"
Ringing bells,
Squeaking gears,
Dressing sockeye;
I feel happy
Fishing! a
: Rufus Charleson
Hot Springs Cove
~ Grade7
Loneliness
‘I’ve known loneliness
for a long time.
Ain’t looking for a friend
Ain’t looking for a man
Ain’t looking for a home, either.
Just don’t know
What will ease my soul
Aching for something
That I can’t describe
Wanting something
that I’ve never had .....
isaeveveraremieys freedom.
‘ Wah-zin-ak
doctor or midwife.
B.C. ATTORNEY General Alex MacDonald attends
signing of the organization of the native court
workers and counselling society of B.C. In the
middle is Charon Spinks.
Sitting is Mrs. Anne
Courtworkers,
House. Also present at the ceremonies were repre-
sentatives of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, John
Howard Society, and the B.C. Association of Native
(Nesika photo)
FAMILY PLANNING: 5TH_IN A SERIES
Labour and Delivery
By GEORGE POVEY M.D."
The usual duration of pregnancy,
counting from the last menstrual
‘period, is nine months and one
week. However, the onset of labor
may vary by two weeks in either
direction. ‘
It is common for contractions of
the. uterine wall to occur
irregularly _ throughout the
pregnancy. This is a normal event,
and is experienced by almost all
women. “False labor’ frequently
occurs toward the end of
. pregnancy. This consists of regular
uterine contractions, which
resemble those of true labor, but
which fail to cause dilation of the.
cervix, and which cease after a few
hours. ,
In true labor, strong, regular
uterine contractions result in
eventual dilation of the cervix and
descent: of the fetal head. When a
pregnant woman. experiences
contractions, which increase in
frequency, she should consider
herself in labor and contact her
doctor or midwife.
“BAG OF WATERS”
The so-called “‘bag of waters”’ is
in fact the amniotic membrane
which encloses the fetus, When this
membrane ruptures, the amniotic
fluid comes out of the vagina,
sometimes in a trickle, sometimes
in a gush. This may occur before
the onset of labor or during labor
itself.
Any pregnant women who.
suspects that her membrane has
ruptured, who notices an abnormal
amount of watery material coming
out her vagina, should contact her
It usually
means that she is about to go into
labor, but when it occurs before
labor is due, special precautions
have to be taken to avoid infection.
It is sometimes considered
advisable to induce labor. Reasons
for induction of labor may be that
Youth organize in Hesquiat
PORT ALBERNI — The
Hesquiat Youth Group for ages 13
to 18 years has been formed
recently and elected its officers.
The organizational meeting and
elections were held at the William -
Ambrose residence in Hesquiat. ’
The.executive committee of the
Youth Group is composed of
Clarence Webster, chairman;
Donald Sabbas and Marilyn Lucas.
Vincent Ambrose was elected
secretary-treasurer.
The members passed a motion
addressed to Chief Councillor
Rocky Amos. to request the Band
Council to impose a fine of 50 cents
for adults caughting littering
Hesquiat land.
The collected fines would be
turned over to the group’s
treasurer because the group does
the clean-up.
It was agreed that. group
- meetings will be held the night
before band meetings, and that the
group would assist during Hesquiat
Days...
Two adult sponsors, Pat
Charleson Jr. and Rocky Amos,
were chosen for the group. It was
also decided that when a member
of the group turns 19, he be con-’
_ sidered for the position of adult
sponsor.
_ The group also considered two
other suggestions: attendance at
Band Council meetings in order to
have a report to the group about
what’s happening, and plans and
.labor”’
the pregnancy has lasted ab-
normally long, or it may be that
there is a medical condition which
indicates that the- baby should be
delivered before term, as is the :
case, for example, when the
mother has diabetes, Induction of
labor is usually performed by
introducing small amounts of
medication into the:mother’s blood
stream through an intravenous
infusion apparatus.
The “‘first stage of labor’’ is the
period from the onset of labor until
the cervix is completely dilated.
Once the cervix is completely
dilated, ‘the second stage of
-begins, that is, the ex-
pulsion of the fetus itself. In the
second stage, uterine coritractions
continue to occur, and the mother
-assists them by bearing down..
The force of. the spontaneous
‘contractions of the uterus com-
bined with the bearing down of the
mother causes the gradual descent
of the fetus through the birth canal
and into the world.
THE UMBILICAL CORD
Once the baby takes its first
breath of air, it no longer needs its
mother’s oxygen, and the um-
bilical cord is clamped off and cut.
The stump of the cord will
gradually dry up and fall off in
about a week, leaving a scar called
umbilicus or navel.
The “third stage of labor”
consists of the delivery of the
placenta or ‘‘after-birth.” A few
minutes after the birth of the baby
another uterine contraction oc-
curs, the mother feels the urge to
bear down again, and the placenta
is expelled through the birth canal.
The delivery at this point is
complete. Some bleeding from the
uterus is associated with the ex-
pulsion of the placenta but the
uterus immediately contracts. It
will retract to its normal size over
the next six weeks.
BREAST FEEDING
Breast milk, aside from con-
taining the perfect nutritional
elements for the new born child,
‘provides a safer food supply, which _
is much less likely to be con-
taminated by disease-causing
organisms.
There are also important
emotional rewards for both mother
and child associated with breast
feeding, which may profoundly
influence the child’s later
emotional development.
If the mother breast feeds, her
menstrual periods may not begin
again for many months. Breast
feeding tends to suppress
ovulation, but cannot be depended
upon as a means of contraception.
When the mother does not breast
feed, her periods usually begin
again in six or eight weeks.
However ovulation may occur as
early as four weeks after delivery,
before the first menstrual period
occurs. Women. who have just had
a baby occasionally become
pregnant without having men-
struated:
suggestions about the future use APPRECIATION GIFTS at farewell for UBGIC staff member Marj
and development of Hesquiat land Percival are handed over by-Executive Director Bill’ Mussell. Marj said
for submission to the Band Council.
she plans to take a long rest.
(Nesika photo)
Part of Nesika: The Voice of B.C. Indians -- Vol. 2 No. 7 (July 1973)