Skip to main content
Log in
Advanced Search
Browse All
Faceted Search
Graph View
Timeline
Browse Tags
All Publications
Information Bulletins
Indian World
Nesika
Unity
UBCIC News
UBCIC Up-date
UBCIC Newsletter
Posters
My Account
Bookmarks
Register
Logout
About
Terms of Use
How to Use
Advanced Search
Union of BC Indian Chiefs Historic Newsletters
Digital Collection
Return to Library & Archives
Nesika: The Voice of B.C. Indians -- Vol. 3 No. 3 (March 1974)
Edit item
Title
Nesika: The Voice of B.C. Indians -- Vol. 3 No. 3 (March 1974)
Is Part Of
1.06-01.02 Nesika: The Voice of BC Indians
1.06.-01 Newsletters and bulletins sub-series
Date
March 1974
Subject
Add value
Add linked data
Add linked data
Add value
Add value
Add value
volume
3
issue
3
Language
english
Add value
Add linked data
Add linked data
Identifier
1.06-01.02-03.03
pages
12
topic
Add value
Add value
Contributor
Gerard Peters
Art Moore
Walter Taylor
Laura Williams
George Watts
Millie Terbasket
Juanita Underwood
Annie Jim
TE Dowker
G McEvitt
Lew Mowry
David Chestnut
Roberta Barker
Frances Bonston
Add value
Add linked data
Type
periodical
extracted text
: - Published by : UNION OF B.C. INDIANS CHIEFS © 2140 W. 12th Avenue, Vancouver, B.C., Canada V6K 2N2 Telephone 736-6751 FREE TO ALL REGISTERED B.C. NATIVE INDIANS OTHERS: $5.00 PER YEAR PRINTED BY HORIZON PUBLICATIONS THE VOICE OF B.C. INDIANS (Chinook meaning ‘‘US’’) Vol. lll, No.3 POSTAGE PAID IN VANCOUVER—SECOND CLASS MAIL Reg. No. 3025 MARCH, 1974 Lea presents $5,500 check for Games PRINCE RUPERT — Highways Minister Graham Lea, the local MLA, presented a che- que for $5,500 to Roger Adolph, director of the B.C. Native Amateur Sports and Recreation Federation, at the opening of the first B.C. Native Minter Ganges, March 22. The gift from the ae govern- ment swells up earlier donations totalling $9,500. Previous donors are: Native Tournament Committee, Prince Rupert, $5,000: Kinsmen Club, prince Rupert, $2,000; Thompson District Council, $1,000; O’Keefe Brewery, Vancouver, $1,000; and hockey play-off fund-raisings, $500. The federation started fund- raising to raise a balance of $55,- 000, out of an estimated total costs of $150,000, when a federa- tion request for funds to Human Resources . Minister Norman Levi was rejected. According to BCNASRF direc- tor Adolph, Levi rejected the request on the ground that Levi thought the games were a ‘‘one- shot’ deal. Participating teams are re- quired to pay a $50-entrance fee and another. $50 for. a perfor- mance bond. -.,-8eme-.600, athletes. are. taking part in- boxing, senior men’s hockey, and basketball events for senior and junior men and . women. The visitors bureau and the Chamber of. Commerce of Prince Rupert, as the city itself, are putting great efforts to help en- sure outstanding success for the games. It is hoped that the games will grow to a. western provinces games, and later into a national undertaking. (See photos on pages 2, 8.) Ernie headed for Milan VANCOUVER (Staff) — Fam- ed Dancer Ernie Philip, a Shuswap, will leave, April 29, for a five-day performance ih Milan, Italy. The Milan performance is in cooperation with Canadian Pacific Air Lines for that com- pany’s promotional activities. TERRY DENEAULT, age 16, of the Deadman Creek Band, shows off ‘his prize-winning calf at the 56th Annual Provincial Cattle Show in Kamloops, March 11. He fed and cared for the.calf, and his ef- tributed) forts won him the Reserve duutlor Cha yploclp ti- tle and awards from Buckerfields and Famous Players. After the show the calf was sold by auc- tion. to. Ron Hill, of michaiond Packers, _(Con- If undeliverable, please return to the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, 2140 W. 12th Ave., Vancouver, B.C. Canada V6K 2N2 2nd Class Mail Reg. No. 3025” Dancers want also to tell. their story By GERARD. PETERS " CHILLIWACK (Staff) — It is difficult not to have some opinion or not to express some emotion when one reads about or hears of incidents resulting in death. Usually, the finality of death overshadows the significance of the incidents leading up to it. However, the resulting dif- ficulty to dig in for the facts may ease up. A source here has in- dicated a willingness of a group of dancers to meet with this reporter in April, so that their. story will also be heard. The Vancouver Sun’s Ron Rose, meanwhile, has reported an. incident on southern Van- couver Island, where a man was “grabbed”? from his home and forced to undergo dance rites. The man laid charges against his abductors, it is true. But he later dropped the charges as it turned out a close family member, féeling he needed help, requested this treatment. HEALTHY ASPECTS Doctors’ opinions on the healthy effects of tribal dancing: rites have been favorable in general. Dr. Norman Todd, who has had a fairly long association with the dancers, said several hundred of the coastal Salish people have been initiated as spiritual ‘dancers and that it has been beneficial to many of them. Dr. Todd was present at least on one occasion during the course of the initiation of Mrs. Leon. Dr. Wolfgang Jilek, a psy- chiatrist who has ’ undertaken surveys on Indian health with Dr. Todd, said that white society has no answer to the problems of -aleohol and drug abuse but that Indians do in the spiritual dan- cing. REHABILITATION He pointed out that the vast majority of those inducted have Sheed! ‘rehabilitated. ‘from: saree: ‘or alcohol abuse. He said that of 11 Indian patients who had been suffering anxiety symptoms, three were free of symptoms after initia- tion, seven were definitely im- proved and one showed no change. He said spiritual dancing is good as group therapy, supplies ego support and cathartic. activi- t ‘ “Tt takes them away from the pubs and drug dealer. I haven’t . hesitated to refer them to the spiritual dancers when they have expressed an interest in it. If we (the non-Indian) had something analogous to it we wouldn’t be as helpless as we are,” said Dr. _ dilck. Dr. Todd said he had been studying tribal dancing with a team of psychiatrists and anthropologists for the past few years and found ‘that: this ceremony was most beneficial to native. Indians. RELIEVES DESPAIR “Spirit dancing relieves In- dians from much of the existen- tial despair they suffer from their contact with the white man,” he explained. . He continued: “‘This. despair leads to an excessive use of drugs and liquor and an anti- social life. The initiate gets his guardian spirit while in a trance and later communicates with this spirit by song and dance.” He said further that, ‘‘it produces a great renewal of spiritual excellence.”’ The present to-do over tribal dancing came when a coroner’s jury, in mid-February, found that the death of Laura Louise Leon could have been caused by ’ bruises she received during her initiation into tribal dancing rites. The jurors, two Indians’ and - four white. persons,. called for better-control over spiritual dan- cing ceremonies. “We, the jury feel that further tragedies of this kind could be prevented by the establishment, guidance and supervision of a committee of native elders to allow the dancers to receive the traditioal benefits,’’ the report states. , The verdict came a year after another jury sitting in Chilliwack found that Edwin George GAbriel died on December 18, 1972, of excessive beatings dur- ing initiation as a tribal dancer. Mrs. Leon died in January 25, “five days after beginning initia- tion rites in Tzeachten longhouse, The coroner's jury found that the cause of death was fatty embolism in’ the brain, heart, kidneys and lungs. G. Wilson's death a loss of a leader VANCOUVER. (Staff) — ‘We lost one of our natural leaders,” said Robert Sterling, directoir of the Indian Education Resources Centre at UBC, of the death of well known educator George Wilson. Sterling continued: ‘‘George Wilson was a dynamic, laughing person with an incredible talent to generate enthusiasm.” He recalled that, at their last meeting three or four days before Wilson’s death, ‘that Wilson had been ‘“‘awfully quiet.”’ Sterling said that- there was tremendous pressure on W,lson being the only Indian in the education department. ‘He put in loing hours and had little rest,’’ said the IERC direc- _ tor. He recalled that, Wilson plann- ed to return to university for his M.A. degree. “A very important point is. even though he’d. grown up in a very poor family, he did have something going for him,’’ said Sterling. ‘His father was one of the first Indians to graduate from high school. George had a goal.” (More on page 2.) _ Nothing free for “Injuns” By PERLAS SABINO In rejecting a suggestion to host the 6th UBCIC conference delegates at a luncheon, members of the Cariboo Regional District Board “reportedly made some in- teresting remarks. Board director Martin Reidemann is quoted saying ‘‘we support their cause but it’s not our function to supply free luncheons.”’ Aiming to reply with a witty threat, perhaps, Board chairman Hayy Moffat predicted a luncheon of ‘‘coffee and sandwiches”’ for 250 people. Williams Lake mayor Jim Fraser was a little more generous by wanting to en- courage the regional board to See page 2: TAXPAYERS Band disagrees with experts, wants talk with government TACHE — Disagreeing with consultants’ report on their land claims, Stuart Trembleur Indian Band will now seek discussion with the provincial government. A band member, Pierre John, told a meeting of railway of- ficials, the consultants, Omineca MLA Doug Kelly, and the band’s legal adviser that experts from universities are not in a position to advise Indians on the habits and fears of moose and other animals. Chief Harry Pierre com- mented: ‘‘We know for a fact the railway scares moose and beaver.”’ The band is claiming $7 million ° in compensation from B.C. | Railway for land taken for the Dease Lake rail extension. the members of the The government had a ten- tative agreement to employ band members to clean up about 70 miles of the extension line which pases through the reserve, while experts studied the claim. The claim’ against B.C. Railway is for the destruction of the band members’ traditional way of life since the line was built during the last five years. The consultants, Pearse Bowden Economic. Consultants and Environcen has reported: that $251,000 in hunting and trap- ping losses could be stopped by cleaning up the railway and sec- tions of the rivers adjoining. . Their report also states that a three-to-one land exchange will more than compensate the loss and the reserve land taken by BCR. Page Two NESIKA Indian educator, leader dies at 33 By ART MOORE George Wilson, director of In- dian education for the provincial government, passed away at Tyee, near Prince. Rupert on March 7, 1974. He was 33. He was known and respected through-B.C. for the work he had done for Indian students in the provincial schools. In his position as direstor of Indian education, he had earned a reputation as a brilliant idea-man. He was wide- ly respected for his frankness, honesty, and his dedication to~ serving his people. Probably, the greatest tribute. to George is the number of peo- ple who feel the personal loss at his passing. He :challenged, per- ' Suaded, argued, inspired; he touched the lives of many, But all felt a personal respect and ad- miration for him. He was instrumental in the development of Indian studies courses throughout the province. Two days before his death, he held a conference in Victoria for the teachers of these courses. He was often-sent as a trouble- shooter to parts of B.C. to deal with problems involving Indian student. His recommendations often. went straight to the minister of education and were highly regarded by senior department officials. - George was. one of the hardest workers for the B.C. Native In- dian Teachers Association, and he was their chairman for three years. He led the drivé for a native teacher training program, to be initiated at UBC in September, 1974. He encouraged all people to become involved, to participate; his concern with the development of local control of education was often manifested as he worked to enable his people to develop the skills and interests they would be needing. One of his major ac- complishments was to change his job from what he regarded as a token position to one with real responsibilities for educational change. " Where We're At Now, George - It wasn’t for Nothing George. It was for Everything and Everyone And you gave it — All. All the “‘no’s”’ and the ‘i if’s” and the ‘“‘maybe’s”’ and the: “‘I don't cares” That you countered with a ‘“‘yes” and a ‘‘must’’ and a ‘‘now”’ and a “‘I care a lot’. You cared,. George, And we cared for you. You loved, George, And wé loved you. It wasn't for. Nothing, George. It was for Our Kids Our sister's Kids, Our cousin's Kids, Our friend’s Kids, It was so we could all make this Whole damn world keep going Forward. And you moved us all forward. A notch for some of us A step for some of us A. ladder full of rungs for some of us. You moved us forward with Patience Determination Resolution. The Falterings, the Frustrations, the Failures Were part of you and part of us We shared them.all and you helped keep it altogether. Your rope broke though. Somehow. - Your rope broke and we are faced with an Emptiness An Emptiness that we can’t share with you. So, this is where we're at, George, And where do we go from here? Right on moving forward! And those ‘“‘no's’ and * And “‘E don’t care’s.” ‘if’s’* and ‘‘maybe’s”* Are still going to be met with ‘yes’’ and ““must™’ and ‘‘now" and ‘‘I care’’ “And we're all going to keep doing it, George We're going to dig down into our guts and come up with “Yes, by God, Yes!" [t wasn't for Nothing, George, It was for Everything and Everyone And we're still going to give it — all. ; Anonymous Taxpayers to pay for lunch? From page 1 host a luncheon rather than the town council. No pussyfotting by passing the ball for Quesnel alderman Lon Godfrey who alleged: ‘“‘It's not the business of the taxpayer to foot their bills.’ Even more sublime in thought was Dick Spalton, Quesnel area director, who is reported to have asked the Cariboo board, ‘‘Do we even know it’s a deserving cause?” GEORGE WILSON 1940-1974 When he first went to Victoria, he was not even allowed an office in the department of education; he was in a downtown office building. Three years later, he was working closely with of- ficials of the department of education, and was: directly responsible for a budget of about $750,000. George Wilson was born in Bella Bella in 1940. His mother died at an early age, and he lived with various members of his . family until he was going to Alert. Bay Residential School. While at Alert Bay he topped his class academically, and upon graduation he received the award for the. best all-round stu- dent. Part of his school success he attributed to one of his teachers, Bert McKay, one of the first In- dian teachers in B.C. After high school he had various jobs including fishing. During this time he met. Lillian Paul, the girl he married. Then he moved: to Sunnyside to work for B.C. Packers fora few years. In 1960, ineligible for financial aid, George began studies at the University of Victoria. He ob- tained his teaching certificate in 1962, and taught. at Prince Rupert for four years before be- ing. promoted to vice principal. He then served for three years as principal of a small elementary school in Prince George. Finally, in 1970, he received his Bachelor of Education degree. During this period of teaching and studying, his awareness of the current problems of Indian _ education grew steadily, as did his. concern. George is survived by his wife, Lillian, and two children in Sydney. Funeral services were held in Prince Rupert, March 15, and interment was at Fairview cemetery in Prince Rupert. Non-status Metis to meet. May 26 to 29 OTTAWA — A.E. “‘Tony”’ Belcourt, president of the Native Council of Canada, has an- nounced that the council will hold its third annual general assembly in Winnipeg on May 26 to 29, 1974. Belcourt said that Premier Pierre Trudeau, opposition leader Robert Stanfield, NDP leader David. Lewis, and Manitoba Premier Ed Schreyer have been invited to attend the conference. There are also plans, accor- ding to Belcourt, to hold the first annual fiddling and jigging con- test, May 27. ‘“‘An award will be given to the best. native fiddler and best native jigger on this occasion,”’ said the head of association for Metis and non-status Indian organizations. March, 1974 The way to disaster: secret, rapid northern development By WALTER TAYLOR SUMMERLAND — Many thoughtful. and well-informed residents of British Columbia are worried about the ‘‘rapid pace of development in northwestern B.C." A news item from Prince George in the January 3 Province announced that ‘‘A provincial government. task force. is being formed to in- vestigate industry, railways and hydroelectric dams proposed for northwestern B.C. . . . Dennis O'Gorman, assistant director of the government's environment and land use’secretariat, said the more than 20-member task force will hold one of its first meetings in this area in about a month.”' A government official explain- ed that the task force has been called into being ‘‘because of the rapid ‘pace of development in north-western B.C.” “(See January, 1974, issue of Nesika.) Who set this rapid pace? When the task force begins its work, will the pace control the people — or will the people control: the pace? Attitudes are changing In the old days — about six months to a couple of years ago — development was rarely questioned effectively. In those days most people thought, if the pace of development could be rapid — so much the better! Now, howeaver, we are finally learning from much bitter’ ex- perience over several decades that rapid development, secretly planned, without prior impact studies, and without effective public discussion has led repeatedly to such gigantic dis- asters as the Aswan dam in Egypt, the W.A.C. Bennett Dam in B.C., and now the multi-billion dollar James Bay hydroelectric project which threatens to destroy the entire way of life for thousands of Cree and Inuit residents of Northern Quebec and to impose enormous en- vironmental damages on an ecologically vulnerable area twice as large as England. All this for questionable benefits which turn out to be puny when compared with the true cost in incompensable damages to people, resources and. the environment. What is really happening in northwestern B.C.? Last month it was reported that the federal and provincial governments would soon announce a massive project for northwestern British Columbia, probably including five or.six new hydroelectric dams and vast exploitation of other resources involving several billion dollars in public and private funds and affecting almost 100,000 wquare miles of B.C. Barrett denies reports In a Canadian Press release December 21, however, Premier David Barrett denied reports that there will be five new hydro- electric dams built in northwestern B.C., although he acknowledged that there may be some hydro profects in the future. “We do have to expand in many areas in terms of hydro development,’ he was quoted as saying. ; Since then I received a per- sonal letter with not-yet- confirmed information that engineering proposals calling for 15 to 20 dams in northwestern B.C. have been under study for more than a year. Is that true? As Richard Bocking pointed out in his extremely well documented book, Canada’s Water: For Sale?: ‘Lack. of knowledge on the. part of the ’ public participation in the deci- sion making process .. . From coast to coast, water develop- ment has been characterized by a cloak and dagger atmosphere that makes open debate for the issues involved impossible. In most provinces every effort is made to keep water planning un- der wraps until final and irrevocable decisions have been made; then a grand announce- ment is made with all the ap- propriate flourishes. The work is underway before the public real-' ly knows what is happening.” Are we already too late again? Or can we still hope for construc- tive answers to some relevant questions? Questions to answer Will the government of British Columbia allow the new task force time enough to complete competent social, cultural, ecological and ecomomic impact studies in the northwest before .any project commitments are made? Will all promising alternatives be studied before any. are adopted? Will there abe public hearings with sufficient information and time available to consider com- munity concerns and suggestions before any decisions become irrevocable? Will the rapid pace of develop- ment in northwestern B.C. now be checked until extensive native land claims in northwestern British Columbia can be settled through deliberate, responsible, respectful negotiations — without holding a hydroelectric gun at the heads of Indian negotiators .as the senior governments seem to be trying to do in Quebec? Native land has: been taken persistently throughout North America for scores or. river ~"manipulation projects sirice the Second World War. Promoters, financial interests, multi- national corporations and political puppets have been so impatient to rape the earth and reap a profit that they regularly push each project into irreversi- ble construction before the peo- ple most seriously affected by it can learn enough to raise any. effective objections. Ruthless development Impact studies can be done later, if demanded. People can be moved, if they are in the way. Courts and legislators can argue the legal and constitutional questions long after the deed is done. Get the bulldozers and dynamite into action first and then simply pay the damages later. Some damages, it must now be understood, are not compen- sable. You cannot pay for genocide and terricide in cash no matter where you place the decimal point. The Tall Grass Indian people of the Finlay Forks reserve suf- fered disastrous effects when B.C. Hydro took their land for Williston Lake created by the W.A.C. Bennett Dam. Previously independent, they were driven to welfare dependence. Similar tragedies have been imposed on native people from one end of Canada to the other. You can read this importnat but little known history in a new 20- page brochure, Aboriginal Peo- ple of Canada and Their Environ- ment by the National - Indian Brotherhood. Talk to the people All they are asking is that the senior governments of Canada “consult fully and meaningfully with aboriginal people before See page 11: URGE DONATION BOOSTS FUNDS for the first B.C. Native Winter Games now in progress in Prince Rupert. Local MLA Graham Lea presented the check for $5,500, a gift from the B.C. government. photo) Director of the B.C. Native Amateur Sports and Recreation Federation, Roger Adolph, happily. accepts. The games conclude March 31. (Nesika’ Pioneer day By LAURA WILLIAMS The Chehalis community Center was the meeting place of many pioneers on March 16, 1974. Indian and non-Indian elders brought with them many colorful memories of .Chehalis in. the olden days — both good and bad, humorous. and witty, celebrated in Chehalis. The’ official address of welcome was given by Chief William A. Williams, who ex- plained to the people his reason for having such a gathering. Our past has often been told to our children buy many times children do not pay proper atten- tion because of the many distrac- Tribal federation hits DIAND for inaction on housing brief — NANAIMO — The Southern “Vancouver Island Tribal Federa- . tion, in a recent statement, has criticized the department of In- dian affairs and northern development for failure to meet and discuss housing problems with the federation. The federation had responded to an announcement in November, 1973, of funds for capital expenditure for 1974-1975 for the South Island district. “If the entire amount were ex- pended on housing requirements of the district, the immediate needs of only a handful of the bands would be met,’ said the federation statement. The federation met and named a housing committee to present a brief on the needs of the people of the district, and when the brief was ready a meeting was re- quested with the Indian affairs minister. A meeting with regional and district officials was arranged instead, but ‘‘There was no answer that day since, Mr. Wight claimed, a decision had to come from Ottawa.” — Another meeting was schedul- ed on February 28, but was cancelled allegedly for three different reasons: (1) the dis- trict supervisor wanted a guarantee that no further meeting would be called in the month, (2) the regional director said that the brief needed further study -and may have to go to the cabinet, (3) the assistant deputy minister said that he had no funds to offer and a meeting would solve nothing. “It is obvious with the three different answers given by the DIAND they had no intention of meeting with us to discuss the brief . . . It is ironic that the people who were to meet. with SVITF have the. time. and resources to be meeting at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Van- couver and the Island Hall com- plex on Vancouver Island dis- cussing the problems of the native people, and not be able to find the time to sit down with the Indian leaders of a district-who are wrestling with the problems which include overcrowded con- ditions, where as many as five people share a bedroom and the plumbing consists of an outhouse in the backyard,”’ the federation commented. The federation had requested a capital allocation of ‘‘well over $3,000,000’ and instead was allocated $772,000. The brief states the reaction of the bands as ‘‘utter amazement and disbelief.”’ The brief further states that the bands met twice and cut their estimates ‘‘to the barest possible figure which stands at $2,833,574.” The federation represents 19 bands of the South Island District and is now headed by Tom Samp- son as president. In addition to asking for $2,- 833,574 for the district, the federation’s brief .recommends that a federation representative should sit on meetings at regional level when physical development forecast figures are discussed, and sit on meetings at district level where funds are allocated to cistricts. The federation also carefully defines physical development to include, besides housing, domestic water system, sanita- tion, electrification, roads, com- munity facilities, community recreation, and site preparation. tions of today and soon are forgotten. “Many of us from this village do not. know how Chehalis became known as Chehalis.. ‘‘CHELA”’ means heart. in_ our language, was explained. by Ed. Leon, a very respected elder from the Band. a Chief Williams. told. the assernbly that the proceedings of othe. day “was not meant to be . elaborate but‘ with everyone ‘so willing to help it-was made a real memorable day for all of us. Many beautiful hand-made In- dian baskets and. artifacts, priceless to the owners, formed the background for those telling of Chehalis in the early days. Among some of. the guests on _ hand for. the day were Mr. and .- Mrs. Charlie Pretty, from Harrison Millis, very close to the Chehalis people. He told of his experiences with some of the people from the reserve when he was very young. Chief Dan George was a very special guest. He told stories of his travels and ended with.a special porayer dedicated for all present. Mr. and Mrs. Lois Miranda gave a fine rendition of dance and song of their Aunt Sally’s spiritualism of days past. The elders of the reserve told stories of the 1894 flood, named all the sloughs in Indian, told of the smallpox epidemic, told of the HOOKNOSE, the emblem of the Chehalis people; also the Longhouse Inheritence of the In- dian dances and how the Backsters Mountain was the scene of all the sports events taken part in by early pioneers from the area. The people who told stories from Chehalis were: Ed Leon, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Phillips, Dick Felix, Maggie Pennier, and Alice Point. Lunch was served at noon; this, comprised of all Indian foods, was ably prepared by the © ladies who donated their time. Also a special attraction was the new race canoe being carved by James and Ralph Leon who are now giving final touches with modern tools. They have been working on. the canoe for six weeks, we expect to launch the canoe very shortly. VANCOUVER — Native In- dian land claims, the. aboriginal right to fish, and the different life-style of Indian fishermen were brought to bear on negotiators, and pushed an end to the six-week fishermen’s strike. The Native Brotherhood of B.C. and the United Fishermen , and Allied Workers Union were negotiating jointly for higher prices for herring and for inclu- sion of a clearance clause in their contract. . Clearance would allow no boats to fish commercially without clearance by the union or the brotherhood. The clearance issue and union president Homer Steven’s ada- mant stand brought protests from Indian fishermen. Chief Clarence Alfred Jr. of the Nimpkish Indian Band in Alert Bay criticized the clearance clause as in. ‘direct violation of the free-enterprise system and a denial of opportuni- ty for any one person to go into the business world and make a living.” Touching on aboriginal rights, Chief Alfred said: ‘To our peo- ple this resource is part of our heritage and way of life. Any law or act which would prevent any person of native origin from pur- suing a livelihood which has been ours since time immemorial would be extremely deplorable.” Alfred said that 68 per cent of the 1,200 people in his village are involved in fishing. His state- ment also criticized Steven’s hard line on the clearance issue: “We cannot agree with the stand the United Fishermen and Allied Workers. Union. is. taking on the clearance issue. - “What. is at stake is a public resource and no one man’s or un- ion’s thirst . for ..power.: should decide who ‘can or who cannot make a livelihood in this’ in- dustry.” ’ Chief Cecil Reid of the Bella Bella Indian Band said band fishermen would lose at least to herring fishing strike $400,000 if they miss the peak of the herring spawn, as shoreworkers and fishermen of. Bella Coola and ‘Klemtu would lose about $200,000. Brotherhood — president ‘John Clifton, after the brotherhood had informed the union of the rejection by Indian fishermen of the clearance clause, indicated ‘that native fishermen were prepared to go on their own if the strike wasn’t settled quickly. Commenting on he allegation that the brotherhood were to become strike-breakers, NBBC business agent Bud Recalma clarified Clifton’s statement and said that brotherhood president probably meant having agree- ment with some independent companies. “In the last 43 years, since we were formed, we have never broken a strike,’’ said Recalma. The NBBC business agent pointed out. the different life- styles of union and native fishermen saying ‘‘We don’t live in suburbia like they do. The whole economies of our villages are based on fishing.”’ B.C. fishermen remained in port since February 10,° over demands for better price from the Fisheries Association. Under last year’s contract seiner-caught herring was worth $72 a ton, and gillnet herring $183 a ton. The negotiating team for the union and the brotherhood sought $170 and $340, respective- ly; later lowering their demand to $135 and $260. The Fisheries Association, re- jecting the clearance clause, offered $131.50 and $250. The. acceptance of the association’s offer came'with'the growing fear of losing this year’s expected. 53;000-ton herring fishery, on top of native Indian fishermen’s rejection of the un- ion’s clearance program. Boats, following the agree- ment, will have gone out to fish by March 17. Indian education, teachers in Mission district workshop MISSION (Staff) — A teachers workshop was hosted by the St. Mary’s Students REsidence for a hundred or so:teachers from the. Mission School District with in- terested teachers from other dis- tricts also in attendance. The theme of the workshop was ‘‘The Native Indian.” The proceedings got underway with the famed St. Mary’s Drum & Bugle band giving a perfor- mance. : George Wilson, director of the Indian education branch, depart- ment of education, gave a presentation outlining the trend of Indian education in the province and stressing the im- portance of Indian input.into the curriculum. “The Nativity Scene” with In- dian’ songs and choreography was presented by the students’ Native Drama Club. Mary Charles, a long-ago stu- dent at St. Mary’s, was on hand to entertain, as was Paul Stanley who appeared in the recent movie ‘‘I Heard The Owl Call My Name.”’ Bob Sterling, executive direc- tor of the Indian Education Resources Centre at UBC, gave a presentation on the position paper of the National Indian Brotherhood, ‘‘Indian Control of Indian Education.” Also on hand was Bill Mussell, former executive director of the Union of B.C. Chiefs, who made a presentation involving the land claims issue, the Indian Act, and legal rights. Joe Aleck has indicated that feedback from this jworkshop has. been tremendous and that the teachers had learned more than they had anticipated. One teacher wrote, ‘‘The com- ments that have been filtering back have been overwhelming, and I honestly feel that many ‘teachers left the workshop with very different feelings than when they came.” Probably the biggest boon from the workshop was the bridging of a communications gap. ““Now we’ve opened up a channel of communication between ourselves, let’s keep it open. Let's try to have the ideas constantly flowing back and forth so that the quality of the learning experience we are able to let our native children enjoy are always getting better,” said one participant. —GERARD PETERS Cooks Ferry Band VANCOUVER — Darkhawk Development Corporation, founded by members of the . Cooks Ferry Band at Spences Bridge, will be involved in the development of the billion-dollar Athabasca tar sands project in Alberta. Darkhawk has an agreement with Sun Oil Company, USA, to. purchase all the gas from one of the northern Alberta field to: power the tar sands project. NESIKA. PUBLICATION FUND.” Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious! Due to lack of space, partly because we're trying to conserve printing funds and keep publishing, we were unable to run this column in the last issue. The response from the people . has continued to be encouraging, as readers will note from the _ following contributions. We say to. these beautiful people — Supercalifragilisticexpialidoci- ous! — Editor. Sheshaht Band Council Box 1218 North Port Alberni, B.C. March 18, 1974 , In appreciation of the fine paper that you are publishing, our band would like to make a contribution of $50.00. Our members find the paper interesting and enjoyable, and “have seen fit to contribute these funds from thjeir library budget. I remain, In Brotherhood .GEORGE WATTS Kitsegukla Band Council 30 Cascade Ave., R.R. 1 South Hazelton, B.C. March 1, 1974 Dear Editor: Many thanks . to Chief jin Stelkia and the Osoyoos Band for their telegram supporting our dispute with the department of highways. It gives us great pleasure to know that there are others con- cerned .about justice to Indian people. Yours truly, KITSEGUKLA. BAND Lower similkameen Indian Band Box 100 Keremeos: B.C. March 5, 1974 : T’am enclosing $3. 00 to cover “our subscription for a year. Tam starting a library for our ‘band office and we would like the Nesika to be part of it. Yours truly, MILLIE TERBASKET Here is my cheque for our sub- scriptions to Nesika. It’s well worth the money; it’s a dandy paper. Just one suggestion — could you occasionally talk about the off-reserve people, please. Send subscriptions to: Ms. P. J. Floyd, 1920 Bugs Road, R.R. Sooke, B C. V05 1NO Mrs. T. FE. Dowker Ymir Rd. Group. Box Nelson, B.C. P. J. FLOYD P.O. Box 105 Saanichton, B.C. February 6, 1974 ‘ Please find enclosed a_per- sonal: cheque in the amount of five dollars-($5.00) to cover one year’s subscription to Nesika. I have enjoyed your monthly newspaper so much and have published articles in your newspaper. I look forward to receiving my copy every month. I have mised out on the last three issues (Nov./73, Dec./73, and Jan./74). I was wondering if (at all possible) you would be so kind, aS to mail me these issues that I did not receive. Your kindness would be great- ly appreciated. Thank you. Sincerely, JUANITA UNDERWOOD Port Douglas Jarison Hot Springs February 11, 1974 I would like to contribute to your famous paper. I am enclos- ing $3.00 to cover one year’s sub- scription for my daughter, name and address below. Mrs, M. A. Schneider RR. 5 ; . Prince George, B.C. Thanks, = MRS. ANNIE JIM Princess Royal School 260 Irwin St. : Nanaimo, B.C. VOR 4x5 I am teaching in a school where one-third to one-half of the children are Indian children. One of my students brought in a copy of Nesika. [ would be. most grateful if you would allow me to have a subscription to, place in © my classroom. I enclose a cheque for $3.00: Yours truly, SINU’ LLSTN FRIENDSHIP SOCIETY 3 P.O. Box 578 48 Forbes Street. Penticton, B.C.- V2A 6K9 SUSAN JAMES 202 - 1385 W. 12th Ave. Vancouver 9, B.C. MRS. MARGARET WHITE, 66 W. 23rd ave., VANCOUVER, B.C. V5Y 2G7 C. J. MARCELLEY Box 258 Elmer City, Wash. 99124 U.S.A, | NESIKA PUBLICATION FUND 1 Nesika, Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs *140 W. 12th Ave., Vancouver 9, B.C. V6K 2N2 [1 am pleased to contribute to your publication fund. I enclose $3.00 to cover my subscription for a year. l —— Money Order —— Personal Cheque (Please don’t send cash in the mail.) Name & Address: | Name of Indian Band/reserve/tribe Nesika ; Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs 2140 W. 12th Avenue NVancouver, B:C. V6J LEL Signature Name (Printed) Old Address CHANGE OF ADDRESS FORM PLEASE CHANGE MY ADDRESS TO: (City or Town( ( yarn er Country Postal Code). Coquales ers JUDITH ‘SCHMIDT | SARDIS — The department of Indian affairs. is- now seeking authority to enter. into a lease agreement with the Coqualeetza ‘Indian Education Training C en- tre Society, a statement from the centre has announced recently. ‘This latest development on the Coqualeetza Project complex came after a trip to Ottawa by three members. of the society’s board: Bill Mussell Jr., Wayne Bobb, and “Mary Lou Andrew. The board members met with officials from DIA and the Crown Assets ‘Disposal. The lease - agreement “.would enable the’ society to.sub-lease the property with an option to purchase it: within four years. Under the agreement the society will pay an annual-rent. ‘. The centre will make space - available also to meetings and seminars at cost to the users. “That is one: way we will be _able to pay some of the operating eetza to mee lease agreement and maintenance costs," Mussell, said The society is also interested in renting space to the junior college planned in the area, and the college organizers are being approached. regarding the suitability of the centre for classes and administrative’ pur- poses. Within the next month a few . key staff will be hired for the centre to develop actual. programs and courses. between April and September, 1974, and start the courses in the fall. Meanwhile,. the society. plans to use the space available for their staff and various ater courses. “This is an ltaportant project in terms of our. own dévelopment,’’ commented Mrs. Andrew. “‘We want the oppor- ‘tunity to de something for ourselves and for our fellow native citizens and we hope. that people in the valley area will do their best to assist us in this ¢ ex- citing educational project.”’ The former Indian. residential school and hospital was .turned over to B.C. Indian people. after the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs made representations ‘to DIA, and the department of national health and welfare to convert. it into a multi-centre owned,.and operated by Indian people. :..., In May, 1973, both:departments agreed to turn over the facilities -to the Union. The Chiefs Council, however, on second thought decided’ that the complex should-be a district undertaking. ee ~ When the Fraser district. coun- cil appeared willing to take over the project, the Union agreed to ‘turn Coqualeetza over.. . The district, in turn, formed the Coqualeetza Indian Educa- tion Training Centre Society. . Contact: R.C.M. POLICE STAFFING OFFICER “E” DIVISION HEADQUARTERS 1061 FORT STREET VICTORIA, B.C. V8V 3K7 Have you considered joining the R.C.M.P.? * Possess a Canadian motor vehicle * If you'rea Canadian citizen . * Wish to earn $7,800 a year * Have completed grade 11 * At least. 58" tall - ~ * Physically fit ~~ Exeniplary character - Operator's licence (Higher starting salary for university graduates) By G. McKEVITT The Necoslie Band villagé lies directly adjacent to the little town of Fort St. James and, in fact, constitutes its largest sub- urb. As you drive into this town, 40 miles north of Vanderhoof, the main road moves through the middle. of the reserve. The first thing you notice, after the big Catholic church and the old two- room school beside it that now houses the«band office, is the. large part of the area devoted to sports... .. .- be rena ~ In front of the school stands the new outdoor skating rink, its planked walls still bright and clean with the new wood, later to be paved and used as a lacrosse and tennis court as well. Next to that is row on row of horseshoe pitches that stops only when the swings, badminton net and play area of the younger set begins. Farther down the road to town stands the well kept soccer field which is beside the fully equipped softball field, packed with kids everytime we went by it. Recreation emphasized It was no surprise then when Band Manager John Seymour told us that the band’s main priority was recreation: ‘We consider recreational develop- ment to be 50 per cent of com- munity development and if someone knows what the other half is I would like to know.” This emphasis on recreation has resulted in its rewards both . Socially and competitively. The rate of juvenile delinquency has dropped appreciatively in recent times. Seymour credited the in- creased sports program with giv- ing the young people something to take an interest in and stay home for. Competitively, the pride and ‘joy of the band has been its hockey team, the Chiefs. The team. has taken first place for two years in the British Colum- bia All-Native Hockey. Earlier in 1973, the Chiefs were invited to the Prince Rupert All-Native Basketball Tournament where they put on a fine-show in exhibi- tion games against a RCMP all- star team. : Lots of hockey In preparing for their games the Chiefs have utilized the town's ice arena, to which the Necoslies contributed $25,000 for its initial construction. This. facility, however, is so popular that it is increasingly difficult to get ice-time. “It’s got to the point- now,” Seymour said, ‘‘when you can’t ~-get a practice in until eleven o'clock at night. A lot of these guys have to be up at seven to go to work.” Consequently, the band is try- ing to become totally indepen- dant in its facilities. The new ice rink in front-of the school is an important addition in this respect. Built from money raised from raffles, and other func- tions, it should be finished by the end: of the summer in its first stage. : Total program The second stage, that is to cover it, they hope to include in an overall recreational program. Spread over five years, or even 10 if necessary, they hope to create a total program and facilities including a recreation hall. ° This, among other things, will be the job of Edward Prince who has recently taken on the job of recreational coordinator. He will also be responsible for the summer swimming classes in- structed by band member Joan Lilly. - : Another summer project, which might be dealing with part of that other half John Seymour THE PRIDE AND JOY of the Necoslie Band, the Fort St.. James ‘posterity: ~ and emphatic on en FWO TINY BAND MEMBERS play at the Necoslie’s playground. In the background is proof of the Band’s belief in recreation. There is something for all ages. Behind the swings are a is looking for, is an Opportunities for Youth venture. Six students from the band are occupying themselves with learning and recording aspects of their culture. Much of their time is spent with the elders from whom they are learning some of the dances that are being lost. They also plan. to tape record ‘many: of the old stories as well as make a photographic record of the reserve and. its. people for Firewood for elderly The band is also applying for a LIP grant to employ members to provide firewood for the winter. According to Seymour, firewood can be expensive commodity, es- pecially for the elderly who have to rely on others to supply it. The jobs provided by the program are welcome, too, - although the employment situa- ‘tion for the Necoslies is quite good. The area has several saw- mills and an active logging in- dustry that provides many jobs as well as the traditional winter trapping. A more recent boom in employment has come too, with the construction of the new B.C. Railway line in the area. Some members, mainly 2 Chiefs. As the B.C. All Native Hockey Tournament champions during the last two years, the Chiefs are now expected to win the first native winter .games hockey championship. Coach and general manager photos) women, employ themselves in craft work. They produce some fine examples of bead and leather work which they sell through the band owned craft store managed by Martha Prince. The store, although primarily concerned with the Necoslies, also stocks works from native Indians. throughout the area. The band faces a housing shor- tagé that is ‘typical of most in- B.C. Their present need is for 14 but last year they allotted only five. They have taken over their own construction program which. has given them more control over the housing quality, but there is far too little money to even begin to cope with present and future needs. The houses they do have in their village of 365 people are on water “and sewer lines hooked into the Fort St. James system. DIA too slow Besides the housing, Seymour’ said, the band hopes to take over, eventually, all the services now handled by the department of In- dian affairs. “The results are too slow with the department handling things,”’ he said. B.C. INDIAN COMMUNITIES: recreation horseshoe pitches, and the ice rink. March, 1974 volleyball net and, just visible in the photo, above, (Nesika JOHN SEYMOUR Necoslie Band Manager The emphasis however remains and probably: will re- main on recreation. This at- titude. according to Band Manager Seymour has provided the greatest improvement in community spirit and life. The community that plays together, ‘stays together: the Necoslie Band will be standing by a policy that has shown results, John Seymour says the club is slightly weaker this year, but it still looks: good. The team will face Vernon, Hazelton, and Williams Lake. (Necoslie photo) March, 1974 PROFILES OF PROGRESS Women lea “TWO PROBLEMS THAT CONFRONT the Nootka Band and frustrate their plans for a marina sit side by side. A Lions.Club wharf already exists which is , of questionable status, and the harbor landfill put NESIKA foreshore rights. The pulp mill, relates Band Manager.Vera Jack, used to awaken her with fright with the deafening roar of the mill’s steam release that goes off regularly day and night. (Nesika.. photo) © in by the leasing pulp mill confuses the Band’s By G. McKEVITT » The. great. .smoke belching pulp..mill across the road from the Nootka reserve is one of the things the Nootka..people have had to get used to since their move from their old reserve at Friendly Cove, Nootka Island, on the West coast of Vancouver Island. : The Tahsis Co. of Gold River, in 1964 originally leased part of the then vacant reserve. Ever since then the people have been moving from their 206 acre island reserve to Gold River in search of jobs either logging or at the pulp mill as promised in the lease. ‘ Today the main reserve has moved to the site of the mill with only about 30 of the 165 people remaining at Friendly Cove. For one and a half years (until 1972). a logging outfit at the Nootka Island reserve provided employment for the men who ~ still lived there. But now there is no employment on the island and the fishing fleet which prospered about 20 years ago has long since vanished. “The people who are still at Friendly Cove are finding it-very hard. but are determined ‘to stay,” ‘said Chief Mary Johnson. Stipulated jobs ‘ But the move to the Gold-River reserve has not solved employ- . ment problems. totally. Written into the mill lease contract was a stipulation that the men from the reserve get first consideration for work at the mill. They began with nine men, but now only two are ‘still finding employment there. ; : Consequently. most of the men -work for Ranier Logging Co. at camps many miles away, when it should only be a matter of walk- ing across the road for a job. Other problems. too, have arisen with the move. With the easier access to the outside world has come the break down of the community life, according to Chief Johnson. ‘People used to work together but they don’t anymore; perhaps it’s because things are too easy now. Before we used .to work twice as hard for everything.” HUMAN RESOURCES ACCESS CATALOGUE WORKER Wanted by the Penticton Indian Band, a person with knowledge of a native Indian language, good organizing skills, and knowledgeable about developments taking place presently on reserves. DUTIES: The worker, cooperating with a lawyer, would work up basic guidelines as to what legal control native communities can have over outside experts whom they hire .to work in their communities. (Ownership of data ~~ cultural, linguistic, ete. — would be: clearly delineated. Band council control of such would be clearly delineated. A brief guide to drawing up short-term contracts would be prepared.) The worker, through extensive travel, correspondence, and interviews, would collect a list of various persons who not only have expertise in areas relevant to-present developments on reserves, but also have the kinds of personalities and cultural attitudes that would enable them to work cooperatively with native.people. SALARY:. $600 monthly, plus expenses. APPLICATIONS: Resumes and references should be sent to: Don Jenkins Education Counsellor & PENTICTON INDIAN BAND R.R. No. 2, Green Mountain Rd. Penticton, B.C. V2A-6J7 MARY JOHNSON Soft-spoken Nootka chief She went on to say: ‘‘People don't visit around anymore either: we very seldom get together as a commuity or even just with our neighbours.” Women leaders — Also with the move to Gold River has come: the emergence of women as. band leaders, in- cluding the band manager, chief, and. one of the three councillers. Chief Johnson explained: “With the men.away at logging “camps, they have no time left for other things: The men who work at the mill have three different shifts. Very often they have to ‘sleep during the day.” In some ways, she said: the idea has not been accepted yet by part of the community. However, the atmosphere has shown sign of improvement in the past while. and she hopes that it will continue. The council will have its hands _ full in the next while with several issues to contend with. Of high priority. are a number of questions surronding the mill lease. The Nootkas have plans for.a marina at. the mouth of Jeast:: : Legal questions Gold river, nearby, but before they can begin they must contend with a boat ramp and wharf already existing there. Built by the Gold River Lions club. ‘its status is questionable, to say the ‘Noone, however, seems: to know: how the mill lease, the reserve, and it fit together. The band has hired a lawyer. to sort the. matter.out. Also, in relation to the marina, the lawyer is looking into-the matter of foreshore rights. When the mill was built much of the shore was filled in by the com- pany. The band must find out now Just what rights remain in its control of the foreshore. Or, for that matter, if any foreshore remains at all to work with, The band also plans to renegotiate for more money for the 2l-acre lease and for tighter control over sub-leasing. The mill. in one instance, has already sub-leased a. portion of the tand to an oil company withut any notification to the Nootkas. Tourism growing Although the marina project is at a standstill for the present, the band is moving ahead with its plans for campgrounds. Several students will be hired for the summer to clear ground both at Gold River and Friendly Cove to provide facilities for the growing tourist traffic. . INSTRUCTOR To help plan the groundwork and teach a course in Oral Ojibway. Appointment effective 1 July, _ 1974. Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience. Apply in writing with resume to: Professor Walter Currie, Chairman, Department of Native Studies, Trent University, Peterborough, Canada. K9J 7B8 Ontario, Page Seven ders emerge among Nootkas The students: will -also be employed in: tearing down some of the old houses left at Friendly Cove. ; It is somewhat ironic: that they should have this: task. Although » Friendly: Cove’has’ a surplus of derelict. buildings, the. five familys that live there are badly in need of housing. The council is in a certain quandry in’ this respect. They: had originally put an order through that all new housing should be on the new reserve to meet the need of the many people moving over. Recently. however, they had to rescind this order and allot two new homes at Friendly Cove. The real home Meanwhile, the majority of the Nootka Band carry.on through the pains of adjusting to their relatively new way of life at Gold River. Chief Johnson sees, primarily, that the first priority of the council is to cultivate a stronger community life in the new village. However most of the people still feel their real home is back at. the old village. Said Band Manager Vera. Jack: ‘“‘Many of the band plan on going back there when they retire.” RECEIVING HOME WORKERS Staff wanted with the following qualifications: 1, Must be able to cook for children: of all ages. There will be 16 children at the most.- . Must be a good organizer. . Must have a great deal of love for children. : 4. Must be able to undergo train- ing. with established children’s centers. Accommodations will be provided at the receiving home: For more details and applications, contact: Mrs, Clara Auger Tsulquate Welfare Aide Box 985 PORT HARDY, B.C.. VON 2PO wn Page Eight > TWO YOUNGSTERS TAKE joy posing with was attended by Roger Adolph as guest ‘speaker. . trophies. at sports banquet to celebrate the great (Nesika photo) : athletic tradition of Indian people. The occasion Great athletes make good leaders, say Adolph Mission Staff — Roger Adolph, ‘director of the B.C. Native 3 ‘Sports Federation, was guest | speaker at a sports banquet held :at the St. Mary’s Students * Residence earlier this month. | Speaking to about two hundred and thirty students, Adolph com- “pared the old residential school isystem to the new. He said that the Indian people “ had always been noted for their athletic ability, and, if they had the ‘resources existing today, - ‘get. the most out of life. many of the former student- athletes at St. Mary’s might even now be professional. Adolph said that it was up to the. students to continue his athletic tradition, and, upon their return to the reserve, to provide leadership in the sports and recreation area. He stressed the importance of physical conditioning, not - only for the confirmed athlete but. also for the people who wished to “You NESIKA ase take care of your body and it’ll take care of you,” he said. Following Adolph’s: speech trophies were presented by residence administrator. Joe Aleck. Trophies were awarded for accumulated points-in floor hockey, volley ball, soccer, basketball, a pool tournament, and other activities. Of the four ‘‘houses,”’ Gold, Red, Green, and Blue, Green House was awarded the trophy for most points, + Gerard Peters ~:~ ; New housing : OTTAWA — The announce- “ment of a new rural and native ‘housing program by the govern- sment has been met with : favorable comments by native “people and members of the op- - position. - In announcing the program to “Parliament, Minister Ron : : Basford said that “‘this policy /and its programs will serve all people in isolated and. rural ‘Canada according to need or ac- - cording to income and without regard to race or ancestry.” The program aims to build or acquire up to 50,000 housing units within five years. Basford told members of the ‘Commons, however, the new -policy ‘‘could not be successful if -it did not also meet the par- ticular needs of native people who, in many areas, require new housing on a priority basis.”’ plan well received, but... Tony Belcourt, Native Council of Canada, described the announcement as a “major change’ in social policy, and said that it is geared to meet the worse housing needs of the country. Frank Howard (NDP-Skeena), noting the appointment of Lawrence Gladue. to.the housing committee of CMHC, called the minister of urban. affairs’. an- nouncement a ‘“‘welcome move.”’ The member for Skeena, however, warned Basford of a “sadder end than anticipated by -the minister’’ if the new housing program will proceed without tackling the problems of interest rates and land costs. “If it turns out later that the people who rent these homes or seek to buy them find that their economic position in life is insuf- ficient for them to be able to pay Kids — and parents — welcome ‘at Mission-Abbotsford centre By LEW MOWRY Executive Director .Mission-Abbotsford Status & Non-Status Indian Friendship Centre Society Greetings! The first thing that I would like to tell you is that we "have moved to a fine new loca- tion, and would like to ask you all ;to drop in and visit with us if you sare ever this way. Yes, it is a ‘hard spot to miss! : If you look directly up from the ‘Post Office on the Main Street of' Mission, you will see a bright yellow house at 7368 Scott Lane _beckoning to you. : The executive director is on ‘hand to exchange a friendly word ‘or two. Then, there is Honorine ~:Wright, programmes coor- .dinator, who is always willing to gab and exchange ideas with you. Tony Gardner, youth worker; ‘Pam Dawson, secretary- -bookkeeper; Karen Paisley, ‘public relations; Isaac Wilson, handyman; Priscilla Williams, Leona Armstrong, Ella Gerard, are the rest of the staff who are ‘on hand for a chat. We welcome you anytime! February has. been a busy month for all in the Centre — with housing, counselling, and varius other activities. Honorine has been a busy lady, also, with the initiation of a Youth Group, a pillow- and quilt-making _ program, organization of softball teams for the young people, and with anything else she can do to help people. We have some very active young people and are hoping to have more activities for them in the future. At the moment the Youth Group has a Rap Session on Wednesday evenings. from 7:30 p.m., and on Sundays from 1-5. Tony has been in the schools and in the court rooms generally helping out as many of our youth as he ean. Pam, of course, is kept quite busy with her work. February also has been a money month for us, as our core fund for the last quarter of ’72-’73 was received and a future application was made. This brings to mind the fact that our membership dues of $1.00 per year will be expiring at the end of March. So, let’s think of renewing them pretty soon. Everything at the centre is go- ing well, but we sadly lack adult ' participation. So, come on, kids, bring your parents along. Well, that’s it from -the big house from the hill. Drop in and see us soon. president,. the interest rates or the land costs, then a few years from now they will be in no better relative position. than they are now,”’ Howard cautioned. Gillés. Caouette. (SC- Charlevoix), noting the minister’s mentioning: new con- structions plandands for the Program, said: “T sincerely hope ‘that “the” minister will properly revise the standards that were used,by.the — Central Mortgage and Housing’ Corporation these last few years, especially in the Quebec region. According to the standards of the CMHC, ‘buildings were found with: two inches of ice in war- drobes. Therefore, it is nearly time that these standards be better formulated and especially that CMHC. inspectors do some positive work.” Expressing his hope that the program just announced would “get off the ground and not just be a matter of words,” Eldon Williams (PC- Calgary North). commented: “T say, and I think all honorable members will agree with me, that the conditions un- der which native people havé been forced to live, either by the Indian Act or by governments in the past, stand as a monument to our inhumanity, of our inhuman attitude toward these people. “On many occasions. we have read in the newspapers about the poor housing to which these peo- ple have beerr subjected over the years. They are forced to burn energy other than natural gas or oil. Many times there have been fires and families have been destroyed along with their houses. These people have been forced to live under such con- ditions for a number of years. Therefore, I wish the minister success in this program.”’ . Basford also announced that housing projects under the new program, whenever possible, will also provide employment op- portunities, .job training, and local economic development. “All federal programs which can have an effect on the health, welfare, and social and economic well-being of the people concern- ed will be integrated with the housing activity,’’ said the minister. - March, 1974 OOP! JUNIOR NOVICE EVENT is boxing championships at Winter Games has two little champs ‘angling. Referee looks on without a qualm. (Nesika photo) New softball league is formed “VANCOUVER — Games of the newly formed softball league for men and women from lower mainland BCANSI locals and In- dian Bands will hopefully start in April, according to the president ‘of BCANSI Skid Road Local No. 157. Ken Giles said that the league set up won’t allow membership in the league for those under 16 years of age. Each team participating must have a $25-bond for the event; the money is. forfeited if -the team does not show. up for a game. Each team will also pay $5.00 for registration. A group insurance arrange- ‘ment is being looked after so that each team, for a fee of $5.00, will be covered in case of. an acci- dent. PLANNING YOUR FAMILY Ending a pregnancy by abortion By GEORGE POVEY, M.D... Abortion means termination of ...an_early pregnancy. The only safe way that abor- _ tion can be performed is by sur- gery, in a hospital. or clinic. There are no medications, no pills or injections, that can ter- minate pregnancy, although research is being done on several . methods. It is very important that abor- tion be done as early as possible. The procedure is relatively safe when done soon after the first’ missed menstrual perid. As time _ passes and as the uterus in- creases in size it becomes progressively more hazardous. When medical people speak of the ‘‘weeks’’ or ‘‘months’’ that pregnancy has progressed, they ‘are counting from the last menstrual period (which usually can be accurately dated) rather than from the time that concep- tion actually occurred. (which is difficult to determine). thus the statement that someone is ‘12 weeks pregnant’? means that 12 weeks have passed since her last period. Pregnancy testing A simple test can be done on the urine to determine whether. a woman is pregnant. It is not reliable until about 2 weeks after a menstrual period has been mis- sed. It is of the greatest importance that a woman who suspects that she may be pregnant has her urine tested as soon as her period ' is 2 weeks overdue if she is con- sidering abortion. This makes it possible for the procedure to be- done earlier in the pregnancy when it is safer. Curettage In the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, abortion may be done by curettage, in the operating room of a hospital or clinic. Either general anaesthesia (given through a vein in the arm) or local. anaesthesia (given ' through the vagina) may be us- ed. The cervix is dilated and the pregnancy is removed with a scraping instrument called a_ curette. Suction curettage or vacuum _ aspiration Most hospitals now -use,. this method, ‘which is more’ ‘rapid than ordinary curettage, It is done in the same way, except that the pregnancy is aspirated through a tube by means of” a vacuum pump. Saline instillation When pregnancy has progress- ed beyond 12 weeks, curettage cannot be done because the fetus is too large. Saline instillation is then preferable. A needle is passed through the abdominal wall into the uterine cavity. Some of the fluid sur- rounding the fetus is removed through the needle and in its place a sterile saline solution is injected. The needle is then removed and the woman is able to be up and about. One or two days later she begins to have uterine con- tractions and the pregnancy is expelled through the vagina. Hysterotomy In some cases saline instilla- tion fails, and an operation called hysterotomy must be performed. The abdomen and the uterus are opened surgically, and- the pregnancy is removed. If the woman decides to have children later on, they probably will be delivered by caesarean section, as hysterotomy leaves a weaken- ed area that might not withstand the stress of labour. Key points concerning abortion 1. Early abortion is far safer than late abortion. See your family planning adviser for testing if a menstrual period is late. 2. No pill or injection will produce abortion. Don’t waste time and money on home remedies or quack cures. 3. Illegal abortions endanger your health and your life. They may also make it difficult for you to get pregnant later on. Con- sult your family planning adviser for information concerning abor- tion in accredited hospitals and clinics. The Days of Augusta, Jean E. Speare, J.J. Douglas Ltd., Van- couver, 1973, 80 pp. illustrated, $6.95. By GERARD PETERS Most books edited by non- Indian polished authors lose the believability one might find in listening to actual accounts of life as described by one who has — lived them. The editor applies a literary sheen .that outglows the basic, honest quality of the story. . There is the problem of translating Indain languages to readable English, when the story-teller is old enough to have survived the English language. For the less fortunate, who have acquired some small use of the English language, their accounts are stifled by their discomfort with the new language. The story of Mary Augusta Tappage, born at Soda Creek in the Cariboo country of B.C. in 1888, is a unique exception. It is an unfettered account of the life lived by Augusta, undampened by the editing of Jean Speare and The Days of Augusta much enhanced by the simple, uncluttered photographs by Robert Keziere. © Augusta's story mught be termed a mini-history of the In- dian in B.C. after the arrival of the white man. As the preface reads, ‘‘It was a time of hopeful, yet painful, pioneering for those who adopted the Cariboo as their home; perhaps, even more for the native people, who faced bewildering changes because of the intruders.” Augusta’s grandmother told her of the smallpox epidemic, “about 1860, that smallpox time . They died like flies, yes.”’ She-makes, perhaps unwitting- ly, the impact of religion and education apparent: ‘The sisters came from France, you know, and they brought Christmas with them.”’ She tells of having to ask what the Indians were saying after - getting out of Mission school. “‘I almost forgot my own language. It’ s Shuswap, my language." She reveals the irony: ‘‘And now we kkk Seasons of the Eskimo Seasons of the Eskimo — a vanishing way of life, photography and text by Fred Bruemmer, McClelland & Stewart, 160 pages, (10° x 12’), hardcover, $17.95 (non-fiction). Large, photograph-laden volumes tend to have more visual appeal than literary value. This one is rich in both. It is, in - fact, the best book about the Canadian Arctic and its people that I have seen to date. _ Bruemmer’s photographs are a sort of pictorial poetry that ranges from passionate objec- tivity to childlike tenderness. The viewer is left with a feeling of having been an eyewitness to the time and place where they were taken. His essays, a blend of intelligent and thorough historical research and _first- hand contemporary knowledge of Inuit life, are as absorbing as they are illuminating. His prose is, as one of his editors aptly describes it, ‘‘admirably suited to his subject — something like a whiff of clean, clear Arctic air.” Bruemmer was born in Riga, Latvia, 41 years ago. He came to Canada. in 1950 and has since become a successful freelance writer, and photographer. both “here and in Europe. For the past. six years, he has spent his time equally divided between his Mon- treal home and the Arctic where he shares the life of the nomadic Camp Eskimos. After reading the book, one can understand why. . ‘— Canadian Scene. Letter to Lenny , By DAVID CHESNUT Where did you go, Lenny Two- Rivers? The pain:in your brain. Devil lightening Devil lightening Your every thought. The truck left River Bend Old Lazereth the dog Guarding your every move _From a. position on the seat beside you. You never drank, Lenny Yet they tell me you were drunk Then they stopped your truck. The cancer intimidated your reflexes And you remained unbalanced Staggering for a foot hold. They hit you until death came To your troubled existence. Lenny A sadness has come to your peo- ple . They who understood the beauty and dignity Of your very soul Serenity ByROBERTA BARKER Though the sun shines bright and clear And the soft, caressing breeze wafts by, Life has ceased to exist for a few braves . Where the white man struck you down In your time of desperation A cold reminder That you were a victim Of a dream. Lenny, Oh Lenny Two-Rivers I stand in sorrew at your grave - The sun is setting. once more in shame Leaving you once again alone. When the eagle flies tomorrow - Your soul will be borne On wings of peace ‘Crying out to a troubled land That Lenny Two-Rivers saw truth In a gust of wind ‘A moment of silence Where Manitou accepted your freedom to walk in solitude Among the ghosts of a heritage That died with a whisper and a sigh From the lips of a lost tribal warrior Within the darkness Of an eternal-memory. in Death Who fought for a just. cause. They bring us sorrow in their passing. But with it, something more precious... The Strength to go on and regain Our rightful land and life. Ol Is _ they: are almost lost. ecause Well, they’re going to be hard to get back because the new generations are not that in- terested.” She reveals the harshness of that life without. a note of bitterness. Of her two daughters who died at birth she says simp- ly, ‘‘No doctor,-no help. If your child was sick, it had to die.’’ She tells of her three-dollar doctor’s book from Eaton’s: “‘I learned it by heart. At night in my kitchen by candlelight . . . No doctors, nobody; so I learned that book and I helped them.”’ She speaks knowingly of mak- ing nets and baskets from nature’s supply, the Saskatoon wood, spruce roots, the cherry bark design. Augusta’s is a story of the in- evitable encroachment of civilization, and how one person has weathered it. In one interesting passage titl- ed ‘‘Mend a Basket’’ she says, “This basket had a buckskin han- dle. While Sammy was picking raspberries, it broke. When he - brought it home, he put a wire handle on it. He said, ‘That won’t break now, Granny,’ I said, ‘No, that will be good.’ ”’ Her..attitude toward marriage reflects her own instance: ‘‘You were married and your husband kept you until he died. And you — you. stayed with him until he died. And that was that. But it’s different now. There’s divorces and parting and go this way and go that way — always changing.” “The Days of Augusta’ were days of change, indeed. From horse stage to concrete highways, from canoe. to air- craft. Inevitably, Augusta speaks. of civilization, ‘I don’t know about this getting civilized... . it’s not ~. $0 good now, :not so good.’’. Her book is not a literary masterpiece; it’s a moving ac- count of life as she lived it, told honestly and simply. Within its meager pages are a wealth of knowledge. riginated from: those of Indian people — The extent of the contribution of the Indians of this continent to the world food supply is one of the best kept secrets of history. Most of the European contacts with Indians include descriptions of their crops. Samuel de Champlain, landing by the Saco River of Maine in 1605 reported: “We saw their Indian corn which they raised in gardens. Planting two or three kernels. in one place, they then heap about it a quantity of earth with shells of signoc ... tant they plant as much more, and this in succession. With this corn they put in each hill three or four kidney beans, which are of different colors. When they grow up, they interlace with the corn, which reaches to a height of from five to six feet, and they keep the ground free from weeds. We saw there many squashes and pumpkin, and .. Then three feet dis- — tobacco, which they likewise cultivate.” Corn, or maize, was grown by the Indians from Canada to Peru. It. was a remarkable achieve- ment -because it has been so thoroughly domesticated and im- proved by aboriginal culture that its wild ancestor cannot be deter- mined with certainty. It cannot sow itself and would perish from the earth without human care. ALL KINDS OF CORN ; From the Indians, the pioneers learned all the uses of corn, and from the beginning it outranked all European grains as the favourite crop. The Indians grew every kind: Alint, dent, flour, sweet, and popcorn. From corn they made hominy, succotash (with beans) corn bread, and corn meal mush. They knew of hybridization and planted See page 12: INDIAN White men were the teachers of Indian people in scalping Somewhere the myth has grown that it was the Indian who introduced the custom of scalp- ing to history. That is not true. Scalping is not a New’ World practise. In fact, it’s so old that Herodotus mentions the practise in his reports. He states that the Seynthians took the scalps of their fallen foes. This doesn’t mean that the entire white or civilized world practised it. All it proves is: scalping did not originate with the Indians. Scalping was introduced to the Indian in the latter part. of the 17th century by the invading whites, America. It was only after the settling of America that. the In- dian began to practise the custom. During the 18th and 19th cen- turies, the early settlers were willing and did pay bounty for any Indian killed providing ac- tual proof of the deed could be furnished. The entire head was sufficient proof. Rhythm of the Rain By LeLAN SHAFFER Hear the rhythm of the rain; Hear the rhythm of the rain,;Falling through dancing clouds; Hear the rhythm of the arain. Speak, O’Silent Sky, White In Beauty falling free, Tears of raindrops gather, A drifting Melody. Hear the.rhythm of the rain; Hear the rhythm of the rain, Falling through dancing clouds; Hear the rhythm of the rain. Eyes By FRANCES BONTSON ‘ Here I am. a voice whining in the wilderness; Don't dry me Red Power... ‘You silent ones — Black-Eyes — . contempt, or ‘ shyness? ... do you listen? If I smile when we meet... will you give me my smile back? Do you blame White-Eyes for the scorn, for your lost past? They. did it. I . am ashamed. Can we Meet on common ground Festivals. where we can laugh and talk, Or just be silent together An Invitation Association of Native Americans Nid-Hudson Region, Ltd. P.O. Box 1100 39 N. Chestnut St. " New Paltz, N.Y. 12561 U.S.A. Gentlemen: As part of our traditional In- dian program, we celebrate four annual Indian Festivals: Green Shoots — March 22 Mid-Summer — June 21 Harvest — Sept. 20 Renewal — Dec. 20 We welcome .Native Americans who could visit us at our headquarters and these Cordially, Irene Rosenkranse Office Manager. who came to settle Governor Keift of New Netherland is credited with originating the idea of taking the scalp instead of the entire head. This made for easier handling; besides, scalps didn’t rot and waste away. _ In America the Indian was kill- ed for land ownership, but in Canada he was killed over com- petition in the fur trade. The French offered the Mic- _ mac a bounty on the Beothuk of Newfoundland. By 1827, the en- tire tribe had-been exterminated. The Indian seeing his neighbors, friends and family killed for “‘bounty money’’ learn- ed to hate and retaliated by tak- ing the scalps of the whiteman. No human being, white or Indian, likes to see his people killed for a small piece of the scalp, much less for a few dollars. Is it any wonder why the Indian began to’ practise the custom? — Ex- cerpted from an article by Gar- vin Larocque in the Indian News, January, 1974. Urge use of northern people’s expertise From page 2 permitting or undertaking alteration of our environment.”’ I hope the government. of British Columbia will consult earnestly with native people in northwestern B.C. not only to protect aboriginal rights at long last, but also to employ the. ex- pertise of northern people in making wise decisions for future as well as present generations of B.C. residents, both Indian and non-Indian. I hope the government will not bind the hands of task force members with a preconceived “rapid pace of development in northwestern. B.C.’‘leaving them, as apparently happened in Manitoba and Quebec, for ex- amples, with little more respon- sibility than to rubber stamp a highly questionable fait ac- compli. Lorne W. Nahanee Sr., 65 NORTH VANCOUVER — L,ORNE W. Nahanee Sr. died of a stroke at St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, in March 2, at the age of 65 years. A member of the Squamish Band Council, Nahanee looked after housing and education until he retired in 1965. He is survived by his wife, Eva, and nine children, and 12 grandchildren. Page Twelve “Indian people robbed of just acclaim for food products From page 11 different varieties of corn far enough apart to prevent un- desired mixtures. Indians in- vented the corn crib and used scarecrows (sometimes live ones) to protect their fields and gardens. Their practice of plan- ting beans with corn was restorative to the soil. For all its importance, corn is but one of more than forty -leading food or economic plants domesticated and cultivated by the Indians. Since none of these products, except gourds and cot- ton, were known to the Old World before discovery of the New World, most authorities hold that the ancient migrants brought no seeds with them, and that they received nothing by way of con- tact with other continents. North American Indians cultivated ‘sunflowers for the seeds, and the ‘Jerusalem ar- tichoke (which, despite its name; is an American plant of the sunflower family) was grown for: its tubers. Many uncultivated wild plants were used as food by Indians and pioneers. Wild rice, for example, was, and still is, an ‘important food among Indians of the Great Lakes region. The Ojibwa, north and west of Lake Superior, gathered it in large quantities. The early explorer David Thonpson, gives a good descrip- tion of this harvesting. ‘‘The wild rice,”’ he says, ‘‘is fully ripe in the early part of September. The natives lay thin birch rind all over the bottom of the canoe, and with a hand on each side, seizes the stalks and knocks the ears of rice against the inside of the canoe into which the rice falls. A canoe may hold ten to twelve bushels. He smokes his pipe, sings a song, and returns to collect another canoe load. The rice, when dried, is pounded in a mortar made of a piece of hollow - oak with a pestle of the same un- til the husk ‘comes off.” COMMERCIAL WILD RICE In recent decades, wild rice has been successfully marketed commercially. The Indians were the first to manufacture sugar and syrup from the sap of the maple tree and these became important food to the pioneers. The ex- plorer Alexander Henry reported from Lake Superior in the 1700's: “We ate nothing but our sugar during the whole period. Each man consumed a pound a day, desired no other food, and was visibly nourished by it.”’ The tribes of British Columbia ate several species of’sea weed. The camas root, a plant closely related to the hyacinth, was steamed and made into a sweetish bread. So widely used was the Jerusalem artichoke that it was called ‘Indian potato”. The common jack-in- the-pulput was once the ‘Indian turnip”’. Many nuts and seeds were processed and eaten by Indians — hickory, butternut and acorn. The latter, for example, has their bitterness leached out with hot water and the nuts ground into flour for hread. They were sometimes roasted or boiled, or ground into mush. NATIVE FRUITS North America is not richly en- dowed with important native fruits but the Indians used all that there weré — more than three: hundred kinds. The in- digenous wild grape, which gave rise to the name Vinland, was used by North. American Indians and later developed by Europeans. into the Concord grape. The native wild strawberry, a delicacy. among the Iroquois, is the ancestor of our cultivated ‘strawberry. The Indians used wild raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, gooseberries, ser- vice berries thimbleberries, as well as wild cherries, plums and persimmons. The latter were not only eaten fresh (after- frost made them sweet) but were made into a bread. In the plains, wild berries were mixed with dried buffalo meat — and fat to make a food called pemmican which was carried on long journeys. Among the most important of the wild berries of the Indian in today’s commercial market is the cranberry. More than a million barrels are sold annually. “IRISH” POTATOES The Indians have been robbed of just acclaim for their ac- complishments by the silence of history books, by misleading names such as ‘‘Irish’’ potatoes and ‘‘Turkish” tobacco, and by the fact that so many of their products have become so impor- tant in the economy of other lands that -their origin is forgotten. The potato, the most important © vegetable in the world, was first cultivated in its many varieties by Indians of the Andean region, from which it spread to Europe, Asia, Africa, and rather late and indirectly to North America: hence the name ‘‘Irish_”’ potatoes. Cacao, from which we obtain chocolate, was grown by the Aztecs. for a beverage. Manoic, or cassava, the roots. of which yield tapioca, was first utilized by the Indians of Brazil. ‘“‘Hawaiian’’ pineapples originated in Central America. Tobacco was smoked by In- dians ar early as 600 A.D. and cultivated widely in North and South America. FIRST CULTIVATED BEANS Lima and kidney beans, as. well. as string, navy, snap, and scarlet runner beans — all important varieties — were first cultivated in the Americas. Among other well-known. products cultivated by pre- Columbian Indians in tropical regions are chili peppers, avocados, tomatoes (which became an important food after 1800) arrowroot, cashews, guavas. papayas, quinoa, and star apples. Chicle, the main constituent of the modern chewing gum, bears a Mayan name for the tree sap which the Indians chewed for its flavour. Probably of tropical origin, but growing far to the north before contact with Europeans, are the squashes and pumpkins. INDIAN BEVERAGES Recognition is due to the In- dians for such beverages as caffeine-rich guarana and mate in South America, as well as sar- saparilla, and Mexican vanilla used as a flavouring in many drinks. In North America, sassafras tea, cassine or yaupon, Labrador tea, New Jersey tea (substituted for Asian tea during the American Revolution), and Oswego tea are amorg Indian drinks which have enjoyed pop- ularity among whites. As you travel through the coun- tryside and see those piles of squash, pumpkins, colourful ears of corn and other treasures, remember who gave them to us. —CANADIAN SCENE NES 1 is Se LOUELLA PRINC. K_A E ISN’T SO SURE she wants her picture taken. She helps Martha Prince, who March, 1974 manages Necoslie Band’s craft store. Items were still being arrange at the time. (Nesika photo) THE VANCOUVER FRIENDSHIP CENTRE is. shown -above after a fire early in January . Ex- ecutive director Marge Cantryn told Nesika that there was about $37,000-worth of damage, including the centre’s television set. The main staff is back in business as usual, she said, but the counsellors are temporarily operating from 144 Hastings St. The building, meanwhile, has been steam-cleaned. (Nesika photo)
Add value
Add URI
Files
Add file
Cancel
URI
Label
Year
Month
Day
