Periodical
Nesika: The Voice of B.C. Indians -- Vol. 3 No. 7 (July 1974)
- Title
- Nesika: The Voice of B.C. Indians -- Vol. 3 No. 7 (July 1974)
- Is Part Of
- 1.06-01.02 Nesika: The Voice of BC Indians
- 1.06.-01 Newsletters and bulletins sub-series
- Date
- July 1974
- volume
- 3
- issue
- 7
- Language
- english
- Identifier
- 1.06-01.02-03.06
- pages
- 12
- Contributor
- G McEvitt
- E Williams
- Robin Toma
- T Wilson
- David Chestnut
- Lelan Shafferdusk
- Ron M Coombes
- Bernissa Shawe
- Roberta Barker
- Gerard Peters
- George Manuel
- Type
- periodical
- Transcription (Hover to view)
-
Page Four
Published monthly by the
Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs
2140 12th Avenue W., Vancouver, B.C. V6K 2N2!
Telephone — 736-6751
. Nesika is for the use and pleasure of all native
. people in British Columbia. While the Union
. encourages all contributions, we reserve the -
* right to edit all contributions. Contributions,
. including letters to the editor, must: bear the
* signature and name of the writer, Views ex-
pressed in contributions dre not necessarily:
those of the Union.
Contributions must be typewritten, or hand- |
written legibly, in double space. f
FREE TO ALL REGISTERED B.C.
NATIVE INDIANS
OTHERS $5.00 PER YEAR
STAFF: PERLAS SABINO -- Acting Editor 5
’ G.McKEVITT, GERARD PETERS — Reporters“ (gl
LEONA FOLSTER — Art & Circulation
. TERRI WILLIAMS — Research & Library
Correspondents: Margaret Woods, Terrace; -”'
: Edgar Charlie, Ahousat; Phyllis Hanna, Port
Alberni; N. C. Derriksan, Westbank.
pes
—<faees)
EDITORIAL
one justice, some hysterics
: . an example that there is some justice around, ”? said Penticton
sont: Chief Adam Eneas.
“If upheld... . extinction of wildlife is scentaiin ” declared the B.C.
Wildlife Federation. /
These are the opposites in the reaction-to the recent decision of County
Court Judge A..D.C. Washington ruling that Indian people have the right’
to hunt.on unoccupied Crown lands that are traditional lands of the native
people by. virtue of their aboriginal right.
The decision was handed down on an appeal against the conviction of
Jacob Kruger and Robert Manuel of the Penticton Indian Band on
charges of unlawfully killing big game out of season.
Kruger and Manuel were convicted in January, 1974, on the basis ofa
B.C. county court decision on the Regina vs. Discon and Baker case which
upheld that provincial law of general application applies to non-treaty
Indians. The defendants were given suspended sentences and placed on
‘ probation by Judge G.S. Denroche of the district court.
Considering the precious few legal victories Indian people have
collected so far, Chief Eneas’ reaction to Judge Washington’s decision is
understandably meager praise of the largess of the legal system in
Canada.
In contrast. the wildlife federation has reacted extravagantly and
rather hysterically. Extinction is the spectre raised as standard against
aboriginal right, in the manner communism or socialism or leftist is used
to frighten the few, if dominant, free enterprisers and manipulate mass
ignorance among ‘the middie class. Only simple arithmetic, a little
reason, and a little sense of fairness are needed to demolish this spectre
of native people making wildlife extinct for certain. There are 22.3 million
Canadians — all hunters, say; of this, per the 1971 census, there are .0.5
million native people (295,215 Indians; 17,550 Eskimos).
It is ironic that, from the Quebec appeal court’s decision on James Bay,
native people are considered of negligible numbers to count against the
spoilage of wildlife and nature by massive Hydro development, but in the
.__ case of native people’s need to hunt food their number is to be apparently
taken such that it means certain extinction of wild life.
Perhaps it has not occurred to the wildlife federation that native
people are on the verge of extinction themselves. If they are not allowed
to hunt for food at all times and thus they may eat only two months or so
in a year — if this continues — wildlife may still be not conserved as the
Indians disappear into even more negligible numbers.-
Judge Washington himself has said that his decision leaves others in
“limbo” — using the world after checking the dictionary.
Our little Oxford and Webster’s dictionaries agree on one definition of
limbo — “condition of neglect or oblivion,” “‘a place or state of neglect or
oblivion.” Familiar places among the great majority of native people.
Surely, men of an affluent society, men who are near the threshhold of
the 21st century are to be expected to be more reasonable, and thus be
more generous to their less fortunate brethren when they consider the
matter of native hunting for food..
Tillicum Theatre tours ready
NANAIMO — The. Tillicum . Funded by the Opportunities for
Theatre is now ready to go on Youth program, the Tillicum.
_ performing tours in August after
its opening at the Eagles Hall, July
24-26, 1974.
Those interested in having the
company play in their area may
contact. James Erickson, 3637
Hillside Ave., Nanaimo.
The company, as last year, is
- using young Indians from in and
around Nanaimo as principals in
dramatizing ancient Indian
legends and contemporary social
probiems of Indian people.
Theatre aims to show “a little of
the proud past, along with the
troubled present, with a hope for a
better future.”
James Erickson directs the
company. Project coordinator. is
author Cam Hubert. -
Company members are
“Rebeccah Atleo, Howie Edwards,
Jocelyn Edwards, Rick Foster,
Fred Glendale, Alex Hubert,
Marianne Jones. and Vina
Robinson.
N-E S I K A
EDITORIAL REPRINT
July, 1974
Nazko Band rattles government
Cariboo Observer
Quesnel -_
June 12, 1974
The Indians of the Nazko
Reserve,:70 miles west of Quesnel,
are again rattling their
arrowheads and this time are
getting results ‘however
misguided, however devastating.
When crews started construction
" ona logging road into the Narcosli
‘Forest west of the Nazko River
recently, they were confronted by
a peaceful but determined band of
Nazko Indians. The natives pitched
their tents around bulldozers and
work crews, halting all operations.
The confrontation was no
Wounded Knee, but did result in
some barked bureaucratic shins.
The. provincial government’s
. irresponsibility in not dealing. with
Indian land claims more seriously
came home to roost.
MORATORIUM CALLED
A hurried meeting in Victoria
was called between represen-
tatives of the Union of B.C. Indian
Chiefs, provincial Human
Resources Minister:'Norm Levi and.
Resources Minister Bob. Williams.
They-decided to place a_ three-
month -moratorium. on all
development in. the Nazko area.
- The B.C. Forest Service was. in-:
structed to carry out a study of all
- aspects of potential forest use in
the area, with a marked emphasis
‘this time on input from the Indians.
It was a decision the three
logging operations, supposed to:
take timber from Nazko in early
Popkum Band agrees
to land exchange
HOPE. — The Popkum Indian
Band and the highways. depart-
ment have agreed to an exchange
of land and a payment of $31,890:to
the band.
The ‘agreement involves the
exchange of 21.6 acres of- right-of-
way through the reserve, needed to
complete the Trans Canada High-
way between Hope and Bridal
Falls, for 21.6 acres of land behind
a gas service station in Bridal
Falls.
In addition to the land swap and
cash settlement access roads to the
new reserve property will be
constructed and maintained by the
highways department. The
department will provide an access
road along the new four-lane high-
way bordering the reserve.
Negotiations began in August,
1972, said Band Chief James
Murphy. The department offered
$1800 per acre, or a total of $38,268,
for the one-mile strip of right-of-
way.
COMMERCIAL PROPERTY
An offer of agricultural land
away from the new freeway was
refused. Chief Murphy said the
band wanted a property with ac-
cess and potential for commercial
use.
“When the department was able to
make a final offer’ with the
property behind the service
station, the band accepted.
Construction work of the high-
way, Stalled since April because of
the land .question, is again in
progress. ~
Negotiators for the band were
Chief Murphy; Ed Kelly, ad-
ministrator of the Chilliwack Area
Indian Council; and represen-
tatives of three other bands.
The Popkum Reserve occupies
land from the Fraser River bank to
the mountain. Running north and
south, the land is crossed by the
Canadian National Railways,
Trans-Canada Oil Line, B.C. Hydro
lines, and the present two-lane |
Trans-Canada Highway.
For these uses — negotiated by
. the department of Indian affairs —
the band only received a small
cash settlement.
1975, were not consulted on. It was
a decision which, if it was going 'to’
be made at all, should have been
made long ago. :
As usual, the government is
racing in with the.new roofing tiles
now that the ceiling is down around
its ears.
For the three logging operations
involved in the fiasco, the three-
month moratorium virtually rules
out any chance of getting the
logging road built this year, as
weather conditions in the area
make for a road building season
ending in September or early
October.
UNEMPLOYMENT RESULT
With no roads, there can be no
logging west of the Nazko River
next year. As a result, hundreds of |
men at the three Quesnel logging
operations are going ‘to be out of
work: :
For the provincial government,
the whole episode represents
something of an embarrassment —
and so it should. The Indian. land
claims issue isa matter for the
federal and provincial govern-
ments to settle, not the logging
operators.
But the provincial government
has. dug. in its heels about
negotiating with the federal
government for years. Only
grudgingly did it take part in
discussions in March in Victoria
with federal government and B.C.
Indian representatives.
Only: arrogance and no small
amount of smugness could explain
why the provincial ‘resources
department chose to ignore a 12-
month plan, submitted more than a
year ago by Tri-Pac Studs Ltd. —
one of the three logging operations
involved — which recommended a
comprehensive social, economic,
and environmental study of
potential utilization in the Narcosli
Forest.
It is said the government decided
to shelve the plan because there
were other higher priority forest
areas in. the province with sup-
posedly more serious problems.
Judging by the government's
recent moratorium decision,
Nazko has earned its ‘‘high
priority” classification.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Boxing write-up disappointing
(EDITOR’S NOTE: This letter
was addressed to one of our staff
correspondents, Gerard Peters.
The article referred to appeared in
the April-May, 1974, issue.)
R.R. #1
Abbotsford, B.C.
May 29, 1974
I was a little disappointed in your
write-up. of the Buckskin Gloves
Tournament held in Prince Rupert.
- In-my opinion there should have
been a deeper look into the
background of some of these fights. -
Your column stated, “‘The easily
most disappointing fight was the
Ed. Williams and Arnold Kelly
bout.”” This was a.very unfair
comment, when in true fact Arnold
was the uncontested champ in the
147-lb. seniors’ open, and Ed was
the uncontested champ in the 156-
Ib. seniors’ open.
Ed coached and taught Arnold’
boxing since 1968, when Arnold was
the Bronze Boy. There was really
no reason for some of those fights
- that took. place. A number of the
boys had to move up in weight, or —
were out of the tournament. Ed and
Arnold’s fight, for one, and another
was the: bout between Rick and
Randy Smith.
There were a number of boys
who had no one to fight with and
were out of the tournament; in fact
they were uncontested winners.
These boys truly deserved their
uncontested trophy. instead of
getting the old heave-ho.
They had done a lot of hard work
and training to even enter the
tournament; they truly deserved.a
lot of credit. It.is very disap-
pointing for a young boy to put his
heart into training hard and
travelling a great. distance (some
as much as 1,500 miles), only to
find out there is no one in their
weight division and were
automatically out.
I hope the boys that were in the
tournament will keep up their good
work, and we hope to see them in
future boxing tournaments
Thank you,
Mrs. E. Williams
aF. ge.
“yl think .
. this is what we're claimin’.
<40l0 ClAims
eee.
By STANLEY STUMP
Page Six
NES IKA
July, 1974
Ingenika
Across the miles
T hear the call,
The lure of the wilds
When night begins to fall.
All around. me
The moonlights flash and wink,
It’s not what I seek
The crowded city all ablink.
Pine-scented air
Assails my nose,
Wild, verdant and fair
Scented by the wild rose.
Lovely flowers of every sort
Carpets the fragrant dewy grass,
Truly beauty to exhort
The magic nature has.
Ingenika known only to a few
So far but always so near,
Sparkling with jewelbright dew
To me ever so dear.
Towering mountains capped with
snow
Churning rivers and placid lakes,
Sung to by robin, bluebird, and
crow,
Trilling until one awakes.
Ranged by moose, deer, bear and
sheep
Within its shady woods life
abounds.
Fish swim its waters so clear and
deep
And lupines stew its growns.
Ingenika, my people’s Shangri-la
Uncrowded, untamed and lit
Only by the sun.and moon,
Tough, hard and raw
My return is never too soon.
The parsnip, the pack and the
Finaly River
Are known only to some;
The unknown that causes a few to
shiver :
Here’s where Tam from.
Footloose and. fancy free
I’m one with the birds of the air, -
To its entrance the Sekani’s hold
the key
Yet living a nomadic life without a
care.
By ROBIN TOMA, Sekani-Cree
As It Was
The wind whispered life abroad
On rocky shores. through august
pines ~
People laughed, people died
People lived, and people cried
Rainy days, sunny nights, snow
From the East new days arrived
Fires sparked sun burst warming
skies
And haggard hounds howled
Dawn!
The fragrance of life was sweet.
, By T. WILSON
oe
Poetry Page
The Ballad
There’s a morning freight to
Thunder Bay
The moon is low / The sky ablaze
All hell of haunted dreams are
gone
Epitaph on a tombstone
I’m riding home. -
Sunshine on the prairies
Endless voices in the wind
Clouded blue and brown land-
scapes
Where I died with endless sins
That old freight train is rolling
On its journey back today
I’m coming home
Home to Thunder Bay.
Got a brother there in Thunder
From the tribe of the proud Cree
Got to get together
With old comrade /
There are visions for us to see
And in a warrior’s last proud
moments
Two brothers die again
Home to stay
In Thunder Bay.
By DAVID CHESTNUT
Our white brothers speak
From the big chair ‘
Like broken branches without
' promise
They hear not; the great spirit.
Are their hearts removed
From the sweetness of his voice,
That they cannot see. . .
The beauty of his works?
Our white brothers’ tongue
Is never silent:
It is like
» Dust in the wind
Which never rests!
By LELAN SHAFFER
Dusk
Till Dawn
Listen to the song of the fading
light
Singing a lonely lullaby to the
coming night
heen lullaby rock my ‘baby to
slee
sleep Tittle baby, do not weep.
Little birds of darkness, sing a
song, ,
Sing a lonely lullaby all night long,
alee lullaby rock my baby to
: Sisen Tittle baby do not weep.
Listen to shadows the whole night
thro!
Sing a lonely lullaby to only you
Lonely lullaby rock my baby to
sleep
Sleep little baby do not weep.
Listen to the song of the little fawn
As it sings a happy lullaby at early
dawn
wi
Happy lullaby wake my baby from
_ sleep
Waké little baby and do not weep.
By RON M. COOMBES
High above the Ouimet Canyon,
Through its brooding, silent walls
A great chief watches o’er his
warriors.
Ever more his spirit calls
Bronze-skinned braves to council
meeting :
Though his face be carved in stone:
Still is heard his tom-tom beating
By the souls that used to roam.
Through the Thunder Bay’s wide
region,
By. the shores of Nipigon
Throng the long departed legion
Through the council fires are gone.
And today a lone descendent
Stands upon the canyon rim,
Seeking council from his chieftain
For a crumbled world ’round him.
By BERNISSA SHAWE
Undaunted
_ exactly do they perceive of
: slewing undiscernible, I’m sure.
We are but the twigs of a tree,
_ Which seek to- outgrow the trunk.
We are as wild as the sage brush
caught
Upon their clothing, Which they
uncomfortably
Want to be rid of.
A sticking burr beneath their
‘collar,
Causing irritation, yet swept aside
With little more than a shrug,
Uncaring.
Persistent as a rose bud,
Which struggles to bloom into
It’s rightful beauty,
Yet blatantly hindered by so-called
Progress and rights.
They think of us -as_ elusive |
dreamers :
Who strive for a place in life which
Has long been destroyed.
Foolish, contorted architects,
Trying to rebuild a culture they
mercilessly
Ruined.
Emotionalists, uncapable of facing
their reality
Which consists of their cold ideals.
Perhaps ignorant minds,
Which must be taught,
Whatever they want us to be, .
Puppets upon their strings.
Certainly not the human beings
they want us
To be.
They conceive us to be a- race
uncapable of
Intelligent motives, or action.
At least the majority.
But perhaps the most obvious is
their disgust
Fora people who are fighting to
achieve
A peaceful nation among’ them-
selves,
Something they know they cannot
do themselves.
By ROBERTA BARKER
A Private
Moment
Grant me a private moment
Review I must the past
To take stock for today
Tomorrow’s stories
Of delight, height, sights
And sorrow. .
By T. WILSON
UBC to start native
VANCOUVER —. With a grant of
$150,000 from the B.C. government
the University of British Columbia
has set up a teacher training
program for native Indians to
begin in September.
The program, described by the
UBC education faculty head, John
Andrews, as one of the best in
North America, will have an initial
enrolment of 60 persons.
Dean Andrews said he believes
that the program is ‘‘a better
designed, more authentic
program.” It departs from the
usual in that students will take the
first two years of their teacher
training at off-campus centres,
eventually moving to UBC to
complete studies.
Four centres will be established,
one based in the Lower Mainland
and three in Kamloops, Williams
Lake and Terrace.
NEW ERA COMING
Bert McKay, principal of the
Indian school in New Aiyansh and
one of the native Indians who were
on the committee that devised the
program, said:
“T believe that today we are on
the threshold of an entirely new era
in the education of Indian children,
because only through the in-
volvement of our people in the
complete educational process can
we hope to provide a meaningful
education for our children.”
McKay, president of the B.C.
Native Indian Teachers
Association, noted that the white
teacher from a conventional white
background cannot completely
overcome the cultural conflicts in
trying to teach Indian children.
He and Dr. Art More, -an
associate professor in the
education faculty of UBC, em-
phasized that the new training
program is not a watered-down
version of the regular program.
“The Indian representatives on
the committee were most insistent
that it must maintain the same
standards as the regular
program,” said Dr. More. ‘In fact
the new program will produce
teachers prepared for teaching
Indian children than is the case
today.”’
teacher program
FOUR STEP PROGRAM
The four-step program, each
step an equivalent to a year of
university study, will emphasize
specified teacher competences and
educational background during the
first two steps.
Step 3 is a formalized course at
UBC. or at a community college,
and step 4 is the completion of
professional studies on the regular
UBC program.
Students completing step 3 will
receive a standard teaching cer-
tificate.
Coyote Credit Union needs
the support of the people
VANCOUVER — If just 10 per
cent of more than 100,000 people of
native descent in British Columbia
would join the Coyote Credit Union
(CCu), the union would have total
deposits of over one million
dollars. . .
This potential can be realized by
‘recognizing the need of a. credit
union of their own by the native
people. .
Thus Roger Schmidt, the
development manager of CCU,
looks at the future.
If anyone has any fears about the
safety of their deposit, Roger says
they should be assured by the
existence of the provincial Credit
Union - Share and. Deposit
Guarantee Fund (CUSDGF).
The CUSDGF ensures that ‘‘any
and all credit union members will
always receive 100 cents for each.
dollar deposited in a B.C. credit
union,”’ Roger points out.
‘In addition to individual
deposits, we know there are some
monies held by the locals of the
B.C. Association of Non-Status
Indians and by Indian Bands which
could be deposited in the credit
union,” Roger said.
GROWING SUPPORT |
He happily reported that some
Indian Bands have expressed
interest in doing just this.
“They don’t have to deposit all of —
their funds with the credit union,
they can deposit at least some part
of such funds,” he said.
What is a credit union?
Roger answered: “A credit
union is a cooperative financial
group owned by its members;
simply defined, a ‘people’s bank.’
The Coyote Credit Union is a
‘People’s Bank’ established by
native people in B.C.”
What do you mean by a credit
union being “‘owned by its mem-
bers?” ;
- “Only members of the union can
use the saving, loan and other
services of the union. As a member
of the union, a person has a share
account, which is the ownership
account and is proof of mem-
bership.” ;
WHO CAN JOIN?
How can one become a member
of CCU?
“Anyone who is of native
descent, or who is in the immediate
family of a native, or who is a
member of BCANSI or UBCIC, or
who is an employee of either
BCANSI or UBCIC, can become a
member. Anyone with only one of
these qualifications is eligible.
“A membership application
form is available. An applicant
must pay a $1 membership fee,
which is not refundable, and buy at
‘least one $5 share for his share
account.” .
Is there a limit to shares that
members can have? _
“There is the minimum
requirement of one $5 share for
each year up to five years.
Otherwise, CCU policy is to en-
courage purchase of 20 shares, or
$100, by gradual deposits.” .
What does it mean to be a
member of the credit union?
“The share (ownership) account
entitles each member the right to
vote at annual meetings and thus
appoint the members of the board
of directors, the credit committees
and auditors.
MAKE MONEY TOO
“Also, the member -or
shareholder takes part in dividing
the profits of the credit union, if
any, after all expenses, interest on
deposit savings and reserves have
been paid each year.”
What are the services now
available from CCU?
“There are now two types of
savings: Plan 24, a non-chequing
deposit account which earns in-
terest at 7-1/4 per cent, currently,
per year. One-year term deposit
savings account at the current
interest rate of 8-3/4 per cent per
year; deposit of at least $100 or
multiples of $100 required.
“Since September, 1973 the union’
has started with personal and
consumer loans.”
The maximum limit of loan
available to each member depends:
on the total savings of all mem- «
bers. The limit is now over $4,000
per member, and is increasing
every .month with growing
membership, said the development
manager.
In the future chequing accounts
and other savings plans will be
included among the ‘services . of
Coyote Credit Union as it grows
larger. .
HARRISON MILLS (Staff) —
There was no doubt in her family
that she’d win the title of B.C.
Indian Princess, and Debra Felix
of the Chehalis Indian: Band did
just that.
At the pageant held in Williams
Lake, June 26, at the coronation
ball, Debra had the double
pleasure of celebrating her 22nd
birthday and becoming the 1974
B.C. princess. .
Deina Jules of Kamloops was
chosen first runner-up, and named
Miss Congeniality by the other
girls. Karen Lewis of Capilano was
chosen second runner-up.
The new Indian princess suc-
ceeds Clara Anderson, who is also
the Canadian titleholder.
Debra is the daughter of Dolores
and Peter Felix. Peter is with
Canadian Forest Products.
Dolores takes care of a brood of
younger children: Mervin, 17
years, going on grade 11; Terry
Allen, 15, going on grade 11;
Marnetta, 12 years, going on grade
eight; and Jason, 10 years. All four
had no doubt that their much
travelled and accomplished sister
will be the 1974 princess.
WELL TRAVELLED
After working at the B.C.
Supreme Court in Vancouver and
later in Prince George, Debra went
to Europe and visited some 15
countries, including Italy, Greece,
Yugoslavia, Belgium, Luxem-
bourg, France and Ireland. She
liked Germany so much she stayed
a couple of months. Her opinion of
England is not on record, but: she
stayed there another couple of
months to ‘work a8 a secretary.
Back in B.C., after seven months
abroad, Debra. decided to. get out
again. This time she got called to
Alberta. She’s been a court
reporter since September,-1973 at
the police courthouse in Calgary.
Debra was: graduated at age 16
from the Agassiz. High School.
Then she took the two-year court
Fire prevention course set up
VEDDER CROSSING —
Members of the Chilliwack Area
~ Jndian Council recently set up a
‘fire prevention training program
in a move to reduce loss of lives
and homes on Indian reserves.
The training program, held on
July 23 to 25, 1974 at the Tzeachten
community hall, included the study
of- fire codes, regulations and
standards, and of equipment such
as portable fire. extinguishers,
stand pipes, hose and nozzles, and
makeshift first aid firefighting
appliances. :
Those who joined the course also
were shown films on fire, fire
prevention. and safety.
Fire hazards, home equipment
for fire warning, practical fire
inspections of homes and_ public
buildings were among subjects of
discussions.
The area council, according to
Administrator Ed Kelly, set up the
course because of demands of
several Indian bands and
organizations.
In encouraging attendance by
‘people of the reserves in the Fraser
district, Kelly said the training
program ‘‘could save your life as
well as the lives of your, loved
Working for
ac
your credit union.
member's .
name(s)
share or ‘membership’ account. -You wi
British Columbians of native Indian descent
yote Credit Union
a great place to save or borrow
JOIN TODAY
Simply fill in and mail this membership application along with a money order in
‘the amount of $6, which allows $1 for your membership and $5 for your initial
it then be entitled to alt the benefits of
Address
Telephone
I/we hereby make .application for membership in the Coyote Credit Union
City
Vancouver, B.C.
Telephone 736-8721
Date of Birth
4023 and 1027 West Broadway
1974 B.C. INDIAN PRINCESS
“Chahalis Band
reporting course at the B.C. In-
stitute of Technology.
WIDESPREAD: INTERESTS,
‘Her interests cover yoga, karate,
swimming, and — her favorite —
skiing. She wants to do skydiving,
too, says her mother.
Five others took part in the
pageant: Rosie Dapp of Burrard,
Georgina Alfred of Moricetown;
Denise LaRock of Harrison Mills;
eh wins ttle
Sandra Ball of Terrace; and Linda
Lewis of Squamish.
Gayle Gottfriedson of Kamloops
was the official chaperon, while
Clara, the 1973 princess, coor--
dinated the pageant programs.
The pageant was an added
feature to the stampede activities
in Williams Lake. The contestants
for the title of Miss Stampede were
joined by the eight Indian princess
pageant participants in official
functions and the stampede
parade.
Sponsors of the princess pageant
have always emphasized that it
was not simply a beauty contest,
but that it is first a matter of
“brains’’ arid then beauty.
The girls take part-in a fashion
show to show off their physical
assets, and go through a program
of talent display and making a
speech to show off their less ob-
vious assets.
Indian foods.
also wanted.
Muck-a-Muck
Vancouver.
HELP WANTED
EXPERIENCED RELIABLE COOK for full
employment. Must have knowledge of Northwest Coast
EXPERIENCED NATIVE WAITERS OR WAITRESSES
Please phone Kathy at 684-7931 after 5:00 p.m.,
Restaurant,
time
1724 Davie Street,
RECEPTIONIST-TYPIST
typing.
TYPIST-CLERK
work.
pleasant disposition.
qualifications.
Call
858-9600.
COQUALEETZA EDUCATION
TRAINING CENTRE
‘Box 370, Sardis, B.C.
HELP WANTED
Duties will include reception, telephone, filing, general
‘Good typing skill, 55-60 w.p.m. Some general office
Both positions call for persons with neat appearance and
SALARIES negotiable depending on experience and
Apply to Personnel: Committee by August 15, 1974. .
Clarence Pennier or © Val
Friesen, telephone
- people.
Burns Lake, B.C.
BURNS LAKE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
PROJECT COORDINATOR
Required Immediately
A challenging opportunity exists as the senior administrator in a
new organization whose objective is to maximize the social
benefit to the native people in the context of imminent economic
development in the Burns Lake area, B.C.
THE POSITION: Reporting to an all-native board of directors, to
be responsible for programs in community development, housing,
training, employment, and other human resource development.
THE CANDIDATE should have strong capabilities in adminis-
tration and community and human resource development;
experience with government programs regarding housing, training,
and employment, and some experience in working with riative
SALARY, LOCATION: Salary and benefits attractive. Located in
APPLICATION: Apply in writing to our business counsel:
S.G.N. PRESLEY LTD.
110 — 1915 Beach Avenue
Vancouver, B.C. V6G 122
July, 1974
INDIAN EDUCATION
N €S ' K A
-equipping people for living
certain decisions are too
sophisticated for band councils to
make, and should remain within
the department. But this is a
dangerous proposal to toy with. It
undermines. the authority of the
band council by putting limitations
on its legitimate application. The
answer lies in more awareness of
long term. benefits and goals
among the people charged with
making education decisions for the
band. This will come with training
and experience.
In the meantime, we will have to
find solutions which will make it
possible for people like yourselves
to pursue these long term goals of
research, service, and professional
development to which you are
committed without unnecessary
hardship or. crisis: If..we can
maintain unity of purpose and
action, if we can set our sights on
common goals, there‘is no obstacle
or- problem which cannot be
overcome.
I always like to remind people
that it is only recently that the jobs
of Chief and Councillor have had
any prestige attached to them. In
the past, individuals who had
talents for business or leadership,
used them elsewhere than in band
politics, while those who accepted
band jobs usually ended up being
everybody’s whipping boy.
Today things have improved, and
there is now a new challenge in
band. management which should
attract the best qualified people to
serve their band for a few years.
Those of us who have had more
opportunities or a better education
than most Indian people on
reserves have had, should not
forget that in most cases we have
had. our chance because of their
sacrifices,
We have been lifted up on their
shoulders, and we owe them:
patience, understanding, . support
and loyalty.
Teachers and local control
When we talk about local control
we mean control of Indian
education. We would be very
foolish indeed to bother talking
over the headaches and troubles
that come with the administration
of.a-school, if we did not intend to
do something about changing the
philosophy, the curriculum, the
programs, the learning, and
teaching in line with what we
believe in for our children. I say,
~ none of this will happen, there will
be no Indian’ education
distinguishable from public
education, unless we have quality
Indian teachers in our classrooms.
Indian teachers — and all those
who complement the teachers’
work: teacher-aides, home-school
coordinators, counsellors and
counsellor-aides — are the back-
bone of Indian education. I am
convinced of this, and I can sin-
cerely admire the job which the
B.C. Native Indian Teachers
Association is doing to improve
educational opportunities for In-
dians.
I would like to quote again from
Indian Control of Indian
Education, a short paragraph that
puts into focus the job the teacher
has to do:
“Unless a child learns about
the forces which’ shape him:
the history of his people, their
values and customs, their
language, he will never really
know himself or his potential
as a human being. Indian
culture and values have a
unique place in the history of
mankind. The Indian child who
learns about his heritage will
be proud of it. The lessons he
‘learns in school, his whole
school experience, should
reinforce and contribute to the
image he has of himself as an
Indian.”
I ask you: can we expect non-
Indian teachers to do this for us?
We must face the fact that lessons
of language, culture, and identity
should come to children from their
own families and communities.
Where this is lacking or needs
strengthening, we look to the
school for reinforcement. —
More than 3R’s
If it was only a matter of
reading, writing and arithmetic,
we would undoubtedly be well off
today, because our children can
learn these things as well as
anyone else. But education is more
than that, and white teachers do
not have any more to teach our
kids. We cannot expect them to,
nor can we ask them to. :
In the policy great emphasis is
placed on the role of the school, the
teacher and the classroom in
protecting and encouraging the
vigor of Indian language and
culture. We know that language is
much more than words; it is a
treasury of the learning and
thinking of our people. We must
look to our own for the teachers
who will transmit.these lessons to
our children.
Native teacher training
The policy paper emphasizes
that the federal government must
take the initiative in providing
opportunities for Indian people to
train as teachers and counsellors.
Efforts in this direction require
experimentation. and flexible
structures, which will allow the
native person with talent and
ambition to take advantage of the —
opportunity, even though he does
not have very ‘impressive
academic qualifications. The
response of the Federal. govern-
ment to this mandate has been
financial support of programs
carried out by. universities or
provincial Departments of
Education. Except for the ITEP
program in Saskatchewan (Indian
Teacher Education Program),
these others are largely under the
direction of non-Indians.
Our policy called on provincial
governments to accept their
responsibility in providing native
people with a chance to improve
their academic standing as they
are receiving. professional
training. One example of what has
been done is in Ontario, where’ the
government set up a committee to
find ways of improving teacher
training opportunities for Indians
in the province. We were consulted
on this, as were other Indian
organizations, individuals, and
communities.
The result is a training course
which will be introduced this
summer. It will run for 5-1/2 days a
week, with field trips on Sunday,
lasting for seven weeks. At the end
of the course, the student will earn
a basic teaching certificate which
will entitle him to teach in any
school in Ontario. There are
already 500 applicants, with
another 50 expected. They are
assured of teaching positions in the
fall, no doubt under supervision,
but with a status and. credibility
which will be recognized by the
profession. In the following years
‘there will be similar immersion
courses which, over a reasonable
period of time, will merit a full
teaching certificate.
Because of the importance to the
Indian community, the organizers
of these programs should work in
collaboration with Indian people.
Little by little as our own
professional. people emerge, we
will be able to conduct our own
training programs.
Reform teacher training
I do not want to leave you with
the impression that I do not ap-
preciate what the non-Indian
teacher can do for our children. I
would like to go on record as saying
that. they should be given more
training, over and above their
regular normal courses, to prepare
them for cross-cultural situations,
and to give them skills in
curriculum development and
adaptation. Indian history and
culture, as well as anthropology,
are courses which should be
mandatory for teachers who have
Indian children in their
classrooms, whether in federal or
provincial schools.
I know that the department of
education in several provinces
offer summer courses like this. But
we are a long way from a teacher
training program that will insure
that every teacher going into In-
dian education has a specialized
training in intercultural education
and has a special knowledge of the
cultural and linguistic background
of the children he will be teaching.
I am. very impressed by the
concern of this group with changes -
in the learning environment for
Indian children. I assure you this is
also the primary concern of the
National Indian Brotherhood.
Some of you may have the idea that
the Indian political organizations
are focusing their attention on the
transfer of administrative and
financial control to Indian people,
without any concern for the quality
of education: There is nothing
farther from the truth. The Indians
of Quebec Association, for
example, have embarked on a five-
year plan by. which they are
training native teachers and native
linguists who will be able to im-
plement curriculum changes when
the bands are prepared for the
administrative takeover.
No one is rushing into it, and I
have repeatedly warned the
minister of Indian affairs not to
push the policy on anyone. Across
Canada there are only eight bands
who could be classed as operating
band controlled: schools.. Most of
these are still in the initial stages,
and I would agree that in a few
cases there has not been sufficient
preparation to insure that the
change of administration will bring
an improvement in the teaching
and learning environment.
Indian organizations are
working together to organize in
each province an education service
which will be ready to assist bands
on just such problems as local
‘communities prepare and plan for
takeover. A group of education
officers from each of the 11
organizations will be meeting in
Manitoba next week to tackle some
of these issues.
Local contol in B. C
In a recent session of the House
Standing Committee on Indian
Affairs, an exchange of questions
and answers on the master
agreement in British Columbia
brought out an intriguing fact
about education here: namely,
‘“‘The Minister has been very, very
clear on the point that nobody will
be left holding the bag.’”’ The im-
plications here. for Indian control
are quite disturbing, and I bring
them to your attention so that yow
can understand that it is not our
policy which is weak and inap-
plicable to British Columbia, but it
is the system here which is
threatening local control and
parental responsibility.
In British Columbia you have a
master agreement. In some Indian
circles this is a dirty word, and
something to be avoided like the
plague.
Let me quote from our policy:
“Master agreements between
federal and provincial govern-
ments violate the principle of Local
Control and Parental Respon-
sibility if these agreements are
made without consulting and in-
volving the Indian parents whose
children are affected. Since these
children are often from many
widely separated bands, it may be
necessary to provide for Indian
participation through the
provincial Indian associations. In
every case, however, parental
responsibility must be respected
and the local Band will maintain
the right to review and approve the
conditions of the agreement.”
You may be surprised to know
that there are only two other
master agreements for education
service on a provincial wide scale;
they are between the federal
government and the provinces of
Manitoba and New Brunswick. A
few years ago it looked like there
would be one signed with Nova
Scotia, but the Indian people
turned it down and it didn’t go
through.
Financing arrangements
During the years of the big in-
tegration push, roughly 1955-1965,
. the federal government had to be
sure that Indian children would be
accepted in provincial schools. In
some places local agreements
were made between the depart-
ment andthe local schoo! board. A
few provinces, the ones I have
named, wanted negotiations
channelled through their
provincial: Departments of
Education and they provided a
guarantee that education service
would be’ available to Indian
children anywhere in the province.
All of these agreements, whether
local or master, involved two types
of financing. One was _ tuition
payments which bought seats for
Indian children. This amount was
to cover the ordinary expenses
incurred in operating the school,
including the education services
given to other. children in the
province. The second payment was
a capital expenditure for con-
struction of school. buildings, in
locations where Indian children
were using the facilities.
Other agreements
In theory, these agreements
were made with the consent of
Indian parents. In practice, each
case would have to be examined to
determine if, in fact, the Indian
people were involved in a
meaningful way. What is
portant to understand at this point,
is the nature of the contract which
affects the education of Indians in
B.C.
Your contract came into force on
July 31, 1968 and will continue with .
the same conditions until either
party, B.C. or the minister of In-
dian affairs gives notice of ter-
mination. There is no fixed term
for it. Under this agreement,
monies for tuition or construction
are requested by Victoria and are
provided almost automatically by
the department of Indian affairs.
Easy money-flow
A pattern has developed which
facilitates this flow of Indian
education monies. Annual tuition
fees are paid, and I quote from the
contract, ‘for each enrolled Indian
child in attendance in the
elementary and secondary public
schools, and attendance of an
Indian child during the month of
October shall be deemed to be
enrolment for the whole of that
school year ... The tuition fee
shall be paid by Canada . . : on the
basis of nominal attendance rolls
certified by the Secretary-
im--
Page Eleven
Treasurers of the respective school
districts”. In 1969 the tuition per
pupil was $580.00. In 1970-71,
$633.00; 1972-73, $683.00; 1973-74,
$839.00.
Monies for capital expenditures
are even easier to come by. When a
local school board or school district
makes the decision, based on a
referendum of local ratepayers, to
build additional school facilities,
they can get joint funding for the
construction from.the department
of Indian affairs certifying to
Victoria that accommodation of a
certain number of Indian children
requires additional space. There is
probably some input by education
people in the district office of In-
dian affairs, but any proposals or
any requests for federal financial
participation which comes from
Victoria to Ottawa automatically
receives funds.
The implications of _ this
arrangement can only be judged if
we know, (1) whether Indian
people are among the voting
ratepayers who decide on the new
construction, and (2) how much
information is given to the band
councils and parents concerned by
the district or. regional Indian
affairs people. The question which
was bothering one honorable
member in that committee ex-
change was the possibility that the
Indian people; under the new In-
dian education policy, could make
a decision to ‘‘move in another
direction,” and school. districts,
which had in-good faith entered
into construction programs under
the old terms, would be left holding
the bag.
Which. way to g0 .
Some B.C. Indians have already
decided to move in other direc-
tions. How far will they: be able to
go? On the other hand, there may
“be many parents who are satisfied
with the present arrangement and
want it to continue. Other parents
may want to be able to negotiate
their own agreements with local
school boards.
I should point out to you that the
stand taken by the minister
regarding opting out of joint
agreements is fairly rigid.-‘‘If the
Indian people wish to change, the
department cannot build schools if
the school is already built for the
children. If 100 children are going
to school in a particular com-
munity and for whom ac-
commodation has been purchased
in a ‘provincial school’, then the
accommodation has in fact been
provided and no new ac-
commodation will be provided
unless there is some agreement
with the board and the province to
. hegotiate out of that particular
agreement.” Iam quoting from the
minutes of that House Standing
Committee meeting.
The initiative for reviewing the
agreement for the purpose of
change or termination, must come
from the Indian people. The
minister has accepted the Indian
education policy which states
clearly: ‘‘The Indian people
concerned, together with officials
of the Department of Indian Af--
fairs, must review all existing
agreements for the purpose of
making specific recommendations
for their revision, termination or .
continuance.”’ This is the first step
which the Indians of British
Columbia have to take. If after that
review they decide they would be
better off without a master
- agreement, they should use the
proper channels to bring out ter-
mination of the agreement. If, on
reviewing the agreement, they
decide to keep it, but want changes
in it, again they have ways and
-means of bringing this about.
Page Twelve
N ES | KA
Other bands not doing homework
July, 1974
MEMBERS OF SECHELT Band are laying underground lines fo Hydro and telephone s services for the Mission project.
(background), are band-owned.
(Continued from page 8)
sufficiency. The band plans to be
able to finance future develop-
ments on top of planning and
implementing such themselves.
Band Manager Joe says, ‘We
want to show the government that
-hereis a band that you used to lend
money to. We don’t want to go to
you.”
He recalls being somewhat
miffed once because, after the
band went to Ottawa for funding, .
“clerks at the district level wanted
to get involved.” He said he had
replied: ‘“‘We went to Ottawa, we
got the funds, and now YOU want
to get your fingers in.”’
The big. surge came, apparently,
after elections three years ago.
Chief Paull pointed out they spent a-
year. doing. research, a’ year
drawing up proposals, and they
made the first submission after
two and a half years. In March the
band council was returned to office
by acclamation.
_ RESEARCH IMPORTANT
Chief Paull stresses the
portance of research saying that a
thorough knowledge is required
-before making a proposal or
requesting assistance.
Clarence Joe voices the same
concern saying that ‘“‘bands just
aren’t: doing their homework.”’
Both men said that bands vir-
tually have all current files about
their people, except personal files.
Clarence and Henry speak of
carrying suitcases full after trips
to Vancouver and Ottawa.
Their concern for research and
documentation is evident in the
office of Graham Allen, the band’s
land management consultant.
Allen’s files are as complete and
thorough, if not more so, than those
of the department of Indian affairs.
An interesting note is that both
Owen and Allen are former em--
- ployees of Indian affairs. The band
GILBERT JOE, a band member,
Ower (centre) and Graham Allan, consultants to the band,
im-,
confers with. Derwyn
council stressed that these men are
advisors who take their direction
from the band.
HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
A year ago only, the band had 55
homes, some of which were oc-
cupied by two or three families. In
yet another example of band
control of its own destiny, the
members — through the council —
began negotiations with the Crown
Assets Disposal Corporation, with
Central Mortgage and Housing
Corporation, and with — fhe
department of Indian affairs.
With a loan from CMHC, working
capital from DIA, and a con-
tribution of $16,000 from band
funds, Sechelt acquired 37 single
family units and duplexes from the
Canadian Forcers Base in Ladner.-
The units were barged in from.
Ladner, unloaded at a dock built by
the band for that purpose, and set
on foundations prepared by band
members in advance. The new
- Ladner: subdivision was planned
and built by the band.
By preparing the site, building
the roads, installing water mains,
fire hydrants, cablevision,
plumbing, and electrical hook-ups
— ata cost of $2.50 per man hour —
the band cut down costs drastically
while providing employment.
The new subdivision provides
excellent fire protection with a six-
inch water main. The units are
covered by 100 per. cent
replacement insurance, and are
equipped with ranges, fridges, hot
air oil furnaces, hot water tanks,
and electrical hook-ups. These are
maintained by the band housing
authority, which collects rents
that, inturn, go toward repayment
of the CMHC loan and_ toward
upkeep of the subdivision.
HOUSING CRISIS EASED
A four-bedroom unit costs $102.50
to a band member — about 60. per
cent less than the adjacent.
municipality for an equivalent
home.
Thus, the housing situation has
eased to the point where several
units are occupied by single
people.
Most band members are em-
ployed in logging and related in-.
dustries. Though fishing was once
the biggest source of income, it has
declined from 40-plus boats which
plied the coastal waters in the late
‘thirties to. only - several today.
Twenty-two band.-members. are
employed in ‘the’ students’
residence during the schoolyear
months.
PHASING OUT THE SCHOOL
The students’ residence was first
built in 1904 completely by the
band. They took care. of main-
tenance for five years before
federal government subsidies were
available. The school then was self-
sufficient with a vegetable garden,
fruit orchard, cattle, horses, pigs,
and a wood lot.
A fire in 1916 destroyed the
original building. . Smaller
buildings were erected for use as
dormitories and: classrooms. These
were in service until 1923, when the
present structure was built.
Several years ago, there was talk
of closing the place down, but the
band chose to keep it open to serve
as a last resort for homeless
children. ~ ;
In all. likelihood; however, the
sehool will phase itself out. The
numbers of residents have come
down from a high of 140 to 120, and
finally, will be cut down to half in
compliance with fire regulations.
The church no longer has any
involvement with the school,
although the band totally em-
braced catholicism and, as a
result, lost much of the old
traditions, and songs and language
are forgotten.
while UBCIC staff member Francis Smith (foreground,
sight) looks on at Mission Point Project.-
Though, perhaps, a little em-
bittered by this, the older people
are thinking in a positive direction.
A history is being compiled to be
called ‘“‘The History of the Sechelt
People.”” A map has been drawn
showing traditional home sites and
place names.
The story of the Sechelt Band is
unique. It is a story of how one
small, almost isolated, Indian band
has controlled the system — thus,
its own destiny — on its own terms.
The minister of Indian affairs
Cultural, museum
committee formed
MASSET — The Masset Band
Council recently formed its
museum and cultural committee to
-look after band members’ interests
in any project about native history.
Besides undertaking the plan-
ning and building of a Haida
museum, archives, library and
other facilities, the committee will
screen all research that will be
carried on and off the reserve.
This has been proven necessary
due to the increase of both
professional and semi-professional
researchers.
The band council said that
irresponsible researchers have
come along with responsible ones,
and ‘‘it has not been until recently
that any researcher has returned‘
copies of the results of his work to
the community or left anything of |
lasting community benefit.”
The band expressed hope that its
authority will be recognized on the
basis. of inherent rights of all
people and of native Indian rights
to scientific, artistic, and other
aspects of their culture.
APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE
The committee will process
formal applications to it for
research work; application forms
are available from the committee.
The application will be cir-
culated among committee
members for commment on im-
portance, quality, and implications
of the proposed project. The
committee will also study ‘the
applicant’s qualifications, a
detailed description of the project,
including affiliated institutions and
budget.
If an application is approved, an
applicant will sign a legal contract
designed to protect the interests of
the band.
The committee is interested in
any information, collection, or
material on Haida or other native
groups located off the Queen
Charlotte Islands and welcomes
contributions of such. ‘
Equipment, including truck
(Nesika photos)
and. other government officials
have visited the Sechelt people on
their ground. In October they will
have a meeting with-officials from
Ottawa. Clearly, the lack of news
from Sechelt will end. The
developments are moving such
that interest in the band has spread.
to the media.
Pen pal wanted
by German lad
__.A young man from Germany § |
is looking for a pen friend.
According to Mrs. J. F. Moffat
of Coquitlam, to whom the
young man wrote, the German
youth is very much interested in
native Indian culture.
Mrs. Moffatt, writer, and her
husband are foster parents to
two Indian boys who are still too
young to have pen pals.
So, if anyone is interested
corresponding with Hans Dieter
Krause should write to him at
the following address: 301
Magdeburg, Grobe Diesdorfer
Strabe 26, German Democratic
Republic.
Hans is 19 years old, and he
works at repairing computers
and other electronic machines.
He writes in English.
Kwakitutl tribe bands
to build complex
ALERT BAY — Most of the
Indian bands on northern Van-
couver Island belonging to the
Kwakiutl tribe have joined hands
toward building a cultural complex
aimed at recovering potlatch
ceremonial relics now found in
various museums or held by
private collectors throughout the
world.
A cultural society, set up with
membership from the Kingcombe,
Inlet, Nahwitti, Guildford Island,
Fort Rupert, Nimpkish, and Cape
Mudge Indian Bands, which will
administer the cultural complex,
will also aim at the preservation of
the Kwakiutl language.
Plans for the complex call for
three longhouses to be built located
in Alert Bay and one, at least, in
Cape Mudge.
Longhouses will feature indoor
and outdoor carving studios, sales
display areas, meeting areas, and
a special display facility for the
potlatch artifacts.
Along with a library, there will
be a “summer seat’’ — a meeting
place of the type older men used
for communal meetings long ago.
Construction,.to start within a
year, will cost about $700,000.
Part of Nesika: The Voice of B.C. Indians -- Vol. 3 No. 7 (July 1974)