Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs Newsletter (March, 1978)

Transcription (Hover to view)


UNION OF BRITISH COLUMBIA INDIAN CHIEFS

P.O. Box 86003, North Vancouver, B.C. V7L 4J5
Telephone: (604) 986-2236



INSIDE:

10TH ANNUAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY —
Agenda, workshops, Guest Speakers, and more...

ALSASKA HIGHWAY PIPELINE —
Chiefs Call for Inquiry.

THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONFERENCE —
A Report.

THE B.C. INDIAN COUNCIL ONF FISHING —







TELUSLET TER

MARCH, 1978





A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

It is with enthusiasm that 1 look forward to our Annual General
Assembly. The co-operation we have received from Indian People
all over B.C. this year, has been exceptional. It seems to me
the time is right for Indian People in B.C. to work together and
develop together.

We are now in the final stages of preparing for our Annual General
Assembly. We will present reports from the past year to you and
seek your direction for the coming year.

As your President, it has been my policy to direct all our members
to work this year towards developing concrete policies that we may
all adopt and live by in the future. Most of the people working for
the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs have spent the past year consulting
with you in this policy development.

The Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs does not represent any
policy or plan on how to implement that Policy. This year under the
Executive Portfolios, we have been exploring what powers Band govern-
ment might want under their jurisdiction. Each Portfolio Represent-
ative will present a policy and program for implementation to the
General Assembly. We define this process of policy development as
identifying the powers band governments must have, and how to get
them. We are talking about Indian Control.

We have many important battles to win, if we are to become self-
governing. This newletter is full of reports of them. There is so
much to be done and it will take the tireless efforts of all of us
to implement Indian Control.

The General Assembly will be the time that we come together from al]
over the province to take a serious, thoughtfull look at the direction
we will take in the coming year.

| would like to take this opportunity to invite you all to come to
the 10th Annual General Assembly of the Union of British Columbia
Indian Chiefs in Penticton, April 18 to 21.

Yours in brotherhood,

George Manuel,
President

CHIEFS CALL FOR INQUIRY
ALASKA HIGHWAY PIPELINE SOURCE OF CONCERN



During the month of March, Chiefs from the north-
east and southeast, as well as U.B.C.1.C. resource
people, travelled to Ottawa to put forward our con-
cerns about the Alaska Highway Pipeline to govern-
ment.

The Federal Government is currently examin-
ing legislation which would ensure speedy and effi-
cient construction of the mammoth pipeline. Bill
C-25, as the legislation is called, does not take into
consideration our rights to the land nor does it
provide adequate safeguards for the Indian way of
life.

We have called for an independent judicial in-
quiry into the social and economic effects of the
pipeline since September, 1977 but we have been
refused by the government.

On March 6, a 16 member U.B.C.I.C. delega-
tion including Chiefs from the northeast and south-
east went to Ottawa to speak before the House of
Commons: “Special Committee on a Northern Gas
Pipeline’. The Chiefs expressed grave concerns and
fears about the protection of their land because
past experience with development in their areas had
brought terrible damage and destruction to the land
— their means of livelihood.

The Chiefs told the House of Commons Com-
mittee that major social and economic problems
could be expected by the building of the pipeline.

Chief Joe Apssasin of the Blueberry Band, told
the Committee, “‘there will be a lot of people in
Fort St. John, It will be overpopulated soon. . Be-
cause of this overpopulation the women will be the
ones who are going to be affected. They will be
having children and the pipeliners will take our wo-
men away. The pipeline that will be running through
our reserve will have bad effects on us in every
capacity, not only the community way, but also the
trapping way of life.”’

Wilfred Jacobs, Chief of the Lower Kootenay
Band told the Committee, ‘’The pipeline will in no
way benefit my people either by gaining or receiving
any of the gas and there will be no benefits to future
generations of my people.”

The Chiefs made a powerful presentation to
the House of Commons Committee. Many of the
government members could not accept what we had
to say. The idea that we, as Indian people have
aboriginal rights to the land through which the
pipeline is going, and the idea that we live off the
land is very hard for government people to under-
stand.

John Dokkie Sr., Chief of the West Moberley
Band said: the land through which you plan to
build the pipeline gives us our life. The land gives us
vegetables that we grow, the berries that we pre-
serve, the water that we drink, It builds our houses,

Continued









"Rig THROUGH THE MIDDLE

MR: GILLES per"

Compliments of The Energy File





CHIEFS CALL FOR INQUIRY Cont'd.

cooks our food. | was taught to save this land and |
respect it for that reason... How do you intend to
compensate us for the loss of our culture?”

We did not convince the government to squash
Bill C-25 nor did we convince them to set up an
inquiry. Soon after we appeared, the Bill went
through its second reading in the House. |t was then
shunted to a Senate Sub-Committee for further
debate.

On March 21, an eight member U.B.C.1I.C.
delegation appeared before the Senate sub-commit-
tee, we told the government again that we opposed
their pipeline legislation because:



1. the terms and conditions of the Bill are being
written without real knowledge of the local
situations and local people. We said that no
consultation has occured with Indian people.

2. Land claims and aboriginal rights are still out-
standing in B.C. we asked: How can the govern-
ment grant a right-of-way for pipeline con-
struction on land they have no rights to?
We urged the Seante to advise Parliament to

call an independent judicial inquiry into the social
and economic effects of the pipeline.



TRAPLINE DESTROYED — TRAPPER SUES...

The construction of a short pipeline in the north-
east has destroyed one man’s traplines. Angus Davis
of the Blueberry Reserve has had his traps dug up
and his traplines destroyed, so that a work camp
could be built to service the construction of the
Silver Dohl pipeline.

But Angus Davis is fighting back, Angus Davis has
sued Westcoast transmission Ltd. and its sub-
contractor, Majestic Wiley Contractors Ltd. ‘’for
damages to traplines and loss of trapping income
and for injurious affect to lands and rights pos-
sessed by him.” Louise Mandel, Lawyer for Mr.
Davis is arguing the case on the basis of ‘unlawful
conspirary’’ and ‘‘trespassing’’. This means that the
companies agreed to start construction before they
had a right to do so, and that because they had no
rights to go on Angus Davis’ land, they were tres-
passing.

Angus Davis and the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs
have also sued the National Energy Board. The NEB
has the power under law to allow construction to
start.

The N.E.B. did not issue a certificate until after
construction of the pipeline began and until Angus
Davis’ traplines were destroyed.

Our Lawyer is arguing that the National Energy
Board ‘‘breached a statutory duty’ which it owed
to the public to make sure that the construction of
the Silver Dohl pipeline did not start before the
certificate was issued.

We will let you know when Angus Davis goes to
court so that you can come and support him.








! “ he
nae ¢ SOS
MeN i ok ae
py <h 2
i «es ee
eo. fem, i — “<-—
a: ™, .



Construction on the Silver Doh! Pipeline.





YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

The Youth Development Portfolio wishes to inform
young people that it is our intention to play an
active role during our Chiefs 10th Annual Assembly
in Penticton. We have scheduled workshops through-
out the conference to provide a forum where young
people can meet. The forum is designed to answer
your questions. We will be able to put you in direct
contact with the many resource people that will be
attending the Assembly.

We will also be providing a report of our research
and planning activities to date.

If you have any ideas how these forums should be
organized please feel free to contact Michelle Stiff
at our Chiefs organizational office.

We look forward to your attendance as your input
will help us develop appropriate policies concerning
Youth Development.

Essays, poems, pictures. Send them in to the
NEWSLETTER.



Port that was proposed for Kitimat.

Deep inside of me.

The ocean is a lady

The following is a song by Michelle Stiff who wrote it to emphasize her feelings regarding the Oil

Welcome to my valley
See the mountains and the trees
That strike a chord of desperation

She’’l drag your soul to sea
And the Mountains are my mother
She'll embrace both you and me.



Welcome to my valley

It’s lovely can’t you see

If you close your eyes to smoke and cinder
Pretend you just don’t see.

That they’ve taken most of our mountains
And now they want the sea

But beyond the elusive dollar sign

This is home to you and me,

Welcome to my valley
Don’t turn and run away
It really once was lovely
There really was a day.

When the Mountains were my mother
And the ocean still was free

But now the elusive dollar sign

has weakened you and me.

Welcome to my valley.





B.C. INDIAN COUNCIL OF FISHING:
A PROPOSAL



The idea, structure and terms of reference for this council are recommended
for your consideration and criticism.

The concept of the B.C. Indian Council on Fishing is based on the following

needs:

The need for provincial overview on planning.

The need for provincial appeal system for the tribal groups.

The need for provincial food fish policies.

The need for a council structure to assume the role of a tribal fish-

ing committee for those areas which want such representation but do not

have their own fishing committees.

5. The need for provincial communications and forum to exchange ideas for
the strengthening and betterment of the tribal groups.

. *

& Ww Ne

*

The B.C. Indian Council on Fishing would meet these needs by providing a
structure and process for effective communications and co-operative planning
between fish committees, tribal committees on fishing, and other relevant
organizations. A provincial Council would provide a representative body to
communicate with Federal Fisheries and to participate in developing con-
structive policies for fish reproduction and fisheries management.

Recommendations



1. That each major tribal group in British Columbia establish a fishing
committee to represent that group on all matters relating to fishing.

2. That this mechanism be used whenever there is any need to communicate
or consult with Indian people on fishing.

3. That all matters relating to the "Salmonid Enhancement Program" be
chanelled through these committees in respect to each committee's area.

4, That recruitment for any particular area be handled in conjunction with
that area's fishing committee, serving under the authorization of the
tribal or district council.

5. That these fishing committees be charged with the responsibility of
establishing their own regulations on Indian food fishing in regard to
food fishing sites, food fishing boundaries, food fish licences, food
fish needs and food fish time limits.

6. That these tribal fishing committees establish enforcement regulations
and employ enforcement officers as they may relate to tribal law.



UNION OF B.C. INDIAN CHIEFS

B.C. Indian Council on Fishing

(Formerly the U.B.C.1.C. Food Fish Committee)

!
Gitksan-Carrier Native Brotherhood

Food Fish Committee of B.C,
Fraser East Bella Coola
Fraser Valley

Food Fish Committee Lillooet-Lytton

Food Fish Committee



















West F raser Lakes
Caribou Tribal \ Loe Ft. St. John
Council
Williams Lake WORKING GROUP _ North Coast
West Coast-_______| UB.C.LC. Kwawkewlth
Chairperson
South Island Indian Homemakers
Food Fish Committee to serve the Association of B.C,
B.C, Indian Council on Fishing or rane
Okanagan Kootenay
pte
i at least two
‘ Meetings per |
; year



Fisheries Minister



Regional Director





Draft proposal for
organization.
17 March 78

FORESTRY LEGISLATION COMMITTEE

This committee was formed in February by representatives of several bands involved
in forestry-related enterprieses. The objectives of the committee is to ensure
that the New Forestry Act being prepared will provide for greater Indian partici-
pation in.the industry.

The next session of the Provincial Legislature will begin on March 30. The New
Act will be introduced during this session. This Act will determine how the
forestry industry in B.C. will operate for many years to come. Therefore, it is
very important that bands and individuals make their concerns known to the govern-
ment within the next few weeks.

The UBCIC has sent a letter to all of the MLA's asking that they consider our
concerns and interests. All bands have been sent a memo from the President asking
that you also write to your MLA and the Minister of Forests.

The Committee is finalizing a brief to the Ministers detailing several areas
which should be addressed in the New Act. The Committee will be arranging
meetings with the Minister, the party caucuses, and other groups to carry on
this lobbying effort.

Contact John Warren at the Vancouver office if your band would like to become in-
volved with the efforts of the Committee.

If you would like to write your MLA or Tom Waterland, Minister of Forests, write:

c/o Legistlative Buildings,
Victoria, B. C.







V8V 1x4.
TENTH ANNUAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY
LISTING OF ACCOMMODATIONS
Located close to Peach Bowl Convention Centre

Single Double Twin
Penticton Inn 493-0333 18.50 21.00 23.00
Riverside 492-2615 15.00 17.00 18.00
El Rancho 492-5736 18.00 20.00 24.00
Shoreline 492-7113 18.00 24.00 26.00
Lakeshore 492-4070 21.00 23.00 23.00
Pilgrim House 492-8926 20.00 24.00 24.00
Rochester 493-1128 18.00 22.00 20.00
Travelodge 492-0225 20.00 22.00 26.00
Stardust 492-7015 18.00 20.00 23.00

all
ca

* All other accommodations in Penticton are similar in price

with an average starting price for singles @ $16 - 18.00.



UNION OF B.C. INDIAN CHIEFS TENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
APRIL 18-21, 1978, PENTICTON, B.C.

REVISED PROPOSED AGENDA





TUESDAY, APRIL 18



9:00-10:00 p.m. -Registration, Penticton Peach Bowl Convention
Centre, Foyer
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19
9:00 a.m. -Conference called to order
-Assembly Welcome-Chief Morris Kruger

-Qpening Prayer & Minute Silence in Memory
of Indian Leaders-Larry Pierre Sr.

-Adopt Chairman & Co-Chairman
-Adopt Agenda
-Confirmation of Committees

-Presidents' Address-George Manuel

-Introductory Remarks - Steven Point

-Fisheries Paper - Steven Point
12:00-1:00 p.m. BU NCR

-Joe De La Cruz Panel
-Questions to Panel
-Resource Exploitation - Louise Mandell

-Extra Ordinary Resolutions - Don Moses

5:00 p.m. ADJOURNMENT

THURSDAY, APRIL 20



9:00 a.m.

12:00-1:00

5:00

p.m.

REVISED PROPOSED AGENDA

a

-Chairman opens meeting
-Opening Prayer
-Presidents' Report, George Manuel

-President of National Indian Brotherhood,
Noel Starblanket

-Vice-President of Federation of
Saskatchewan Indians, Sol Sanderson

-~Indian Government, Land Claims Position
Paper, Robert Manuel

i UN CH

-Education Paper, Master Tutition Agreement
Philip Paul

-Socio-Economic Development Paper, Forestry
Agriculture, Taxation, Don Moses

-Director General, B.C. Regional Office,
F.J. Walchli

-Federal/Provincial Affairs, Concept of
Secretariat, Ray Jones

ADJOURNMENT

FRIDAY, APRIL 21



9:00 a.m.

12:00-1:00 p.m.

5:00 p.m.

03/31/78

REVISED PROPOSED AGENDA

-3-

-Chairman opens meeting
-Opening Prayer
-Election, Vice-President for Northern

Region

-Youth/Sports & Recreation Proposal,
Robert Manuel

-Extra Ordinary Resolution

LUN Ca

-General Resolution, Gordon Antoine

-Other Business

-Conference Fvaluation, Bill Mussell

-ADJOURNMENT

UNION OF B.

(March 23rd, 1978)
INDIAN CHIEFS

10th GENERAL ASSEMBLY



PENTICTON, B.C.



WORKSHOP

APRIL 18th, 1978:



ALL DAY.

ALL DAY to 10 p.m.

A.M. ONLY

P.M. ONLY

ALL DAY

A.M. ONLY

6-10 p.m.
7200 P.M.

7:00 p.m.

8:00 p.m.

SCH £ DU LE



EDUCATION - MASTER TUITION AGREEMENT
(West Side of the Veteran Room)

FISHING

(West Side of the Valiant Room)

SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
(Pear and Cherry Room

INDIAN GOVERNMENT
(Pear and Cherry Room)

RESOURCE EXPLOITATION
(Apple and Plum Room)

INDIAN WOMEN/STATUS OF INDIAN WOMEN
(East Side of the Veteran Room)

ARTS AND CRAFTS SET-UP

CHIEFS COUNCIL MEETING
(Storage Room)

FILMS
(Cherry Room)

BONE/CARD GAME
(Vedette Room)

/2

Workshop Schedule.

APRIL 19th,

1978;



6

- 10

200) pa.

6G. p.

200 p.:.

200 9.

:00-9:

p.m.

00 p.m.

5:00 p.m.

10:00 p.m.

(March 23rd, 1978)

ARTS AND CRAFTS
(Veteran Room)

EDUCATION - BAND TRAINING
(Storage Room)

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT/NATIVE SPORTS &
RECREATION
(East Side of the Valiant Room)

INDIAN GOVERNMENT (and Position Paper)
(Plum and Apple Room)

FILMS
(Cherry and Pear Room)

R.C.M.P. INDIAN SPECIAL CONSTABLE PROGR
(West Side of the Valiant Room)

INDIAN DANCING
(Stage)

BONE/CARD GAMES
(Vedette Room)

/3

Workshop Schedule...

APRIL 20th,



APRIE: 21st.



1978:

9-10 a.m.
12-5 p.m.
a S Dail.
6 - 10 p.m.
7 - 9 p.m.
&:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
F200 - p.m,
7700 -fo8.
10:00 p.m.
1978:

2 =03) Dems
6 - 8 p.m.
9 p.h. = 2 a.m.

(March 23rd, 1978)

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
(Plum and Apple Room)

FILMS
(Cherry and Pear Room)

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
(Plum and Apple Room)

ARTS AND CRAFTS
(Veteran Room)

NATIONAL INDIAN BROTHERHOOD
(Plum and Apple Room)

TALENT SHOW
(Stage)

COMMUNICATIONS
(East Side of the Valiant Room)

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
(West Side of the Valiant Room)

EDUCATION ~ CULTURAL EDUCATION
(Storage Room)

CUT-OFF LANDS
(Cherry and Pear Room)

BONE/CARD GAMES
(Vedette Room)

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
(Plum and Apple Room)

BANQUET
(Vedette Room): - Contests - Logo
- Essay

- Presentations:
- Elders
-Penticton
Band.

- Speaker

DANCE - Whyte Feather Band.
(Vedette Room)

ALASKA HIGHWAY PIPELINE: | |
WILL THERE BE JOBS FOR INDIANS?

The UBCIC co-ordinated a workshop in Fort
St. John, March 6 and 7, to try and get a
clear picture of our pipeline job possibil-
ities. People came up from the south

east, where the pipeline will also pass.
Representatives from government, labout
and Westcoast came for the second morn-
ing.

THE ALASKA EXPERIENCE: We had also in-
vited people who had studied what had
happened on Alyeska pipeline in Alaska.
Their message was that if we were to
benefit in any way, the people who want
jobs should be able to get them or get
the training to get them: we should get
agreements in writing now.

TRAINING: Manpower's answer is for
Indian people to register with their
local office - and wait for the computer
service to be installed to work out who
needs what training. The Unions answer

is for Indian people to send in their
names and address to the Union so informa-
tion can be sent once plans have been made
for training.

JOB GUARANTEES: Nobody is making any
promises about job guarantees. Westcost
say they can't - it is the contractors
who do the hiring. (They do control 3%
of the jobs though).

The contractors hire through the Unions -

and the Unions can't make promises either

because they have a very high unemployment
rate, and they have to find work for their
members first. Unless we have documents,

written agreements, guaranteeing training

and jobs, we have nothing.

LOCAL CONTRACTING: Unless local sub-
contractors hire Union labour and follow
labour codes, they will not even be con-
sidered. No one has made any agreement to
hire local sub-contractors first, before
outsiders. HOWEVER, INDIAN PEOPLE IN THE
NORTHEAST HAVE NOT DECIDED WHETHER THEY
WANT JOBS ON A PIPELINE THAT THEY KNOW THEY
DO NOT WANT.

It seemed that the companies, government
and unions were not interested in our
reactions to the pipeline.

TRAPLINES AND COMPENSATION: ‘The companies
have gone to no effort to find out what
trapline will be affected. They admit
that the pipeline will not be re-routed
to avoid someone's trapline. The traper
whose line get damaged has to go and
find the person at Westcoast who is
responsible for damages, and then sit
down and negotiate some kind of compen-
sation, once the damage has already been
done. No effort is being made to avoid
the damage in the first place.

GAME: IT IS NOT ONLY THE TRAPLINE THAT
WILL BE AFFECTED. People who work on pipe-
lines told how the game is scared away for
a number of years. A young woman who had
lived in Alaska told us how communities
went hungry - there was no game and the
prices of store food went sky-high.

THE SOCIAL EFFECTS: The social effects
of the Alyeska pipeline were generally
very bad for the Indian communities near
the line, near the workcamps. The prices
for everything went up at the same time as
the wages. People who were there during
construction told us of the families that
split up, alcoholism, violence, child
neglect, racism. All this increased. And
no one was responsible for these indirect
effects of the pipeline. How can you
compensate for this kind of damage?

A one-hour videotape and a written report
is being made of this workshop and these
are available to any Band or person who
is interested.



Pacific National Exhibition 1978

NATIVE DANCERS
WANTED

NATIVE INDIAN PERFORMERS
TO PUT ON SHOWS AT THIS YEAR'S
PACIFIC NATIONAL EXHIBITION
IN VANCOUVER, B.C,

Contact:
JASON NAHANEE
of the North West Indian Cultural Society
329 West 5th Street, North Vancouver, B.C.
Or Phone: 987-5511







THE LILLIAN BROWN CASE



Mrs. Lillian Brown, a Haida Elder from the
Skidegate Band is suing the Provincial
Government and B.C. Hydro for the return
of the 7% Social Service Tax which she has

had to pay on her monthly Hydro bill. Mrs.

Brown has commenced a class action on
behalf of all on-reserve Indians in B.C.

Her position in this action is that she
is exempt from paying this provincial
tax by virtue of the Sect:ion 87 of the
Indian Act, which states that regardless
of any other federal or provincial law,
the interest of an Indian or Band on
reserve or surrendered land, cannot be
taxed and the personal property (wages,
clothes, cars, etc.) of an Indian or
band is not subject to tax if it is on
a FeEeserve.

MRS. LILLIAN BROWN:

WANTS THE COURT TO DECLARE THAT THERE'S
NO LAWFUL AUTHORITY FOR THE COLLECTION
OF SALES TAX FOR THE SUPPLY OF GAS AND/
OR ELECTRICITY TO INDIANS ON RESERVE
LAND.

WANTS A REFUND TO ALL INDIANS ON RESERVE
ON ALL TAXES PAID IN THE PAST, TO DATE,
AND WITH INTEREST.

WANTS A SPECIAL ACCOUNTANT APPOINTED
UNDER THE ARBITRATION ACT TO MAKE SURE
THAT ALL INDIAN TAXES PAID TO HYDRO
ARE ACCOUNTED FOR AND REFUNDED.



WANTS B.C. HYDRO STOPPED FROM TAKING,
COLLECTING, KEEPING OR DEMANDING TAX
UNDER THE PROVINCIAL SOCIAL SERVICES
TAX ACT.



Mrs. Brown's case will be heard April
10 and 11, in the Supreme Court of
B.C., 800 West Georgia Street,
Vancouver, B. C.

At the Socio-Economic Conference held
in Vancouver March 1 - 3, a resolu-
tion was passed in support of Lillian
Brown.

Our President, George Manuel, urged all
Indians living on Reserves to stop pay-
ing the tax on Hydro bills. As you can
see, the B.C. Hydro memo on the opposite
page was circulated to B.C. Hydro Manage-
ment last year. Managers were told not
to disconnect the hydro service to any
Indian who refused to pay the tax.

In order to show our support, we can do
two things:

1. Those of us living on reserve can
stop paying the tax portion of our hydro
bills. There is no reason to fear that
B.C. Hydro will disconnect your power,
and there is a good chance Lillian Brown
will win.

2. We should pack the courthouse at 800
West Georgia on April 10 & ll. Our Chiefs
of bands within easy travelling distance to
downtown Vancouver should especially provide
for this kind of support. Our off-reserve
people in Vancouver should also be called
on for support.



SUPPORT LILLIAN BROWN
APRIL 10th & 11th

The Courthouse
800 West Georgia Street,
Vancouver, B.C.







- : | | *
B.C, HYDPO MEMO inter-~office memo Gb)

28 April 1977

MEMO TO: Power District Managers

FROM: H.E. Daniel
Customers’ Accounts Manager



A class action has been initiated against B.C.
Hydro concerning sales tax on electricity and gas supplied by
B.C. Hydro to native Indians living on reserves. Among other
things, this action claims that there is no lawful authority
allowing for the collection of sales tax from the plaintiffs,

By this memo I am asking the cooperation of you
and your staff in ensuring that no disconnection action in
respect to non-payment of the tax portion of the bill be either
contemplated or discussed in situations where the customer
provides reasonable evidence of being a native Indian residing
upon a reserve. Will you please also caution your staff that

they should not initiate any discussion with customers on this
overall subject.

Let me stress the point that we simply do not
and would not in any way threaten a discontinuance of supply
to customers for S.S. Tax related reasons where they claim
exemption under Section 87 of the Indian Act. This is con-
sistent with the approach we have always taken with respect
to accounts in dispute. Discontinuance of service would not
take place where payment of accounts is in contention, or where
Hydro's policy or the law is being challenged in the courts.

Will Power District Managers please initial the
attached copy of this memo and return it to Hr. G.E. Cherry,

Head Office 8, for the record.
Ll —iwiel

HED: mm
cc: Regional Divisional Managers
Managers of Power Districts

W.A. Best

G.E,. Cherry /

W.B. Gale oe

W.A. Lowe aaa ae toed
J.A, MacCarthy saga, or FA BO z

W.H. HcQueen
W.D. Mitchell
G.A. Woodbury





_ | 7 wt

= Cc Coe

=

i
-

= (2 22

tf)

co Ts Cc}

m

AND STILL ANOTHER PIPELINE

In January of this year, Westcoast Trans-
mission applied to the National Energy
Board for approval to build the remaining
portions of its unlooped pipeline from
Chetwyn in Northeastern B. C. to Huntington,
on the Canada-U.S. border.

Looping is doubling a pipeline by laying
another pipeline beside it. The line
remaining to be looped consists of sections
of line totalling 111.5 miles. As you can
see from the map on this page, much of the
pipeline and sections to be looped go

33 through our tribal territories.

The National Energy Board has announced that
it will hold a public hearing on this appli-
cation starting April 25, in Vancouver.
Therefore, the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs
is presently gathering as much information
as possible on the existing pipeline. We
need to know what bands were affected when
the original pipeline was built.




A workshop on this is being planned at the

General Assembly and all Chiefs and Councils

SUMMIT LAKE ' affected by the Chetwynd-Huntington pipeline
7 are invited to participate.







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UBCIC HOSTS
A SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE



Over 150 delegates from across B.C. attended the
UBCIC Socio-Economic Development Conference
held in Vancouver, March 1 — 3.

The conference was organized to give delegates
the opportunity to discuss several important issues
related to reserve development. A series of works
shops were held covering such topics as sources of
funding for development, community planning,
activity in the main sectors of the B,C, economy,
and developments at the national level.

Noel Starblanket, President of the National
Indian Brotherhood, addressed the delegates on the
first day. Starblanket stressed the need for decen-
tralization and Indian-control of the $600 million
budget of the Indian and Eskimo Affairs program of
D.|.A. He reaffirmed his position that economic
development must be one of the highest priorities
for the use of these funds.

George Manuel addressed this theme as well as
in his welcoming speech to the conference. He said
that it made him sick to see only $1 million avail-
able for economic development loans while the
yearly welfare budget of D.I.A. in B.C. is over
$11 million,

Both leaders stressed the need for a strong and
unified system of Indian Government across the
country. Only through Indian control will the se-
vere problems on our reserves be solved.

The Minister of Indian Affairs, Hugh Faulkner,
attended the second day of the conference. He
announced the appointment of Jack Beaver as spe-
cial Advisor to the D.|.A. and the National Indian
Brotherhood on economic development issues. (Be-
aver, an Ojibway from Ontario, recently retired as
president of Churchill Falls (Labrador) Corp., a ma-
jor electric power company in eastern Canada).
Faulkner told the delegates that there was very
little chance that there would be a substantial in-
crease in the D.I.A. budget to meet the needs of
economic development, and he did not present any
new ideas or changes to existing policy in his speech.

In the question period following the address,
Chief Heber Maitland of Kitimat said that the Mini-
ster was simply “‘re-arranging the furniture in a
broken down house”’,

Sol Sanderson, of the Federation of Saskat-
chewan Indians gave an excellent speech on Indian
Government at the Conference Banquet held on
March 2, Sanderson reviewed all of the fields which
should fall within the domain of a viable system of
Indian Government, The delegates were extremely
impressed by the comprehensiveness of the address.
A copy of the speech will be sent to all bands.

A series of resolutions were passed on the last
day of the conference.

The resolutions called for:

1. the UBCIC to conduct a series of workshops
to give bands an opportunity to discuss a
regional development stratedgy.

2. The D.I.A. to provide additional funding for
loan and contribution funding to development
projects and adequate funding for community
planning.

3. all Indian organizations in B.C. to co-ordinate
and support the efforts to acquire additional
funding for sectoral program delivery in the
areas of fishing, agriculture, and arts and crafts.

4. action in the area of food fishing.

5. support of Lillian Brown’s court case opposing
the imposition of social service tax on reserves.

A package of information summarizing the
proceedings of the conference will be sent to all
delegates. Any bands who were not represented at
the conference but who would like the reference
material should contact the UBCIC office.



INDIAN GOVERNMENT

During the month of March, the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs has sponsored
a series of workshops on Indian Government. The purpose of the workshops
is to find out your ideas about Indian Government and the areas you would
like to see under the jurisdiction of Indian Government. Our President,
George Manuel and the local Vice-President in each area visited, have
given their views on Indian Government as well as representatives from the
Socio-Economic, Education and Fisheries Portfolios who have directed the
workshops toward examing each area in the context of Indian Government.

So far, workshops have been held in Kamloops, Terrace, and Prince George.
The workshops have given both participants and organizer's, insights into

areas that must be considered in developing the concept of Indian Government

Future Workshops are planned in:

Duncan - April 1 and 2 at The Village Green
Campbell River - April 9 and 10 (place to be announced).
We urge residents of these areas to come and participate. If you have any

questions concerning the workshops or Indian Government generally, contact
our Chief's Office in Vancouver.





ESSAY CONTEST

The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs Youth Development Portfolio is sponsoring an essay contest
for B.C.’s Indian Youth.

The Contest is directed towards young people under the age of 19 who are interested in writing
essays on Native issues.

The contest will be broken down into two (2) group catagories and each group will be judged
separately.

The groups and prizes will be as follows:



GROUP FIRST PRIZE SECOND PRIZE THIRD PRIZE
Elementary School $775.00 $ 50.00 $ 25.00
Jr. & Sr. High School $100.00 $ 75.00 $ 50.00

FIRST PRIZE ALSO INCLUDES AN ALL EXPENSE PAID TRIP TO THE CHIEFS GENERAL
ASSEMBLY WHICH IS BEING HELD IN PENTICTON, APRIL 18th — 21st, 1978.

THERE’S STILL TIME TO ENTER, SEND YOUR ENTRY IN TODAY!





REGISTRATION FORM

10TH ANNUAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY
AMATEUR TALENT NIGHT



NAME: : AGE:



PHONE NUMBER:



ADDRESS:



TYPE OF ENTERTAINMENT:





NUMBER OF PERFORMERS:



AMATEUR TALENT NIGHT

THE TALENT NIGHT, OPEN TO B.C..INDIANS OF ALL AGES, HAS BEEN SCHEDULE FOR 8:00 P.M.,
THURSDAY, APRIL 20th, 1978.

IF YOU CAN SING, DANCE, TELL JOKES, PLAY AN INSTRUMENT, PERFORM, MIME, READ
POETRY OR OTHERWISE ENTERTAIN, PLEASE PARTICIPATE.

A PRIZE OF $150.00 WILL BE AWARDED TO THE MOST ENTERTAINING PERFORMANCE:
SECOND PRIZE IS $100.00; THIRD PRIZE 1S $50.00 AND 10 CONSOLATION PRIZES WILL ALSO BE
AWARDED.

TO REGISTER, PLEASE FILL IN THE FORM AT THE TOP OF THIS PAGE AND MAIL TO THE
UNION OF B.C. INDIAN CHIEFS OFFICE (P.O. BOX 86003, NORTH VANCOUVER, B.C., V7L 4J5),
AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED UP UNTIL 4:00 P.M., APRIL 20th, 1978
AT THE CONVENTION CENTRE.

ARTS & CRAFTS BOOTHS

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN EXHIBITING OR SELLING THE THINGS YOU MAKE, DISPLAY AND
SALES BOOTHS WILL BE AVAILABLE TO PRODUCERS AND EXHIBITORS AT A RENTAL RATE OF
NINE ($9) DOLLARS FOR THE THREE DAYS OR SIX ($6) DOLLARS PER DAY.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION PLEASE CONTACT:

MR DOUG WEIR

Indian Arts and Crafts Society of B.C.
3309 - 32nd Ave.,

Vernon, B.C.

Telephone: 545-2355



DAY CARE SERVICES

The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs is pleased to announce that Day Care Services
will be provided during the day for those parents who wish to bring their

children to the Assembly.

If you will be requiring these services during the Conference please fill in the

attached form and return it to our office as soon as possible.

—-— = = oS oe lle Oe SS ee celle i eS lc lc DE Oe 0 es SS Ell ES ES ES SS SS Sl ll SS lll eS ES SS EI ES ES lS lUc SElCUC SE hlUD

TENTH ANNUAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY
REGISTRATION FORM
DAY CARE SERVICES

NAME : PHONE NO:



ADDRESS:





NO. OF CHILDREN ATTENDING



AGES OF CHILDREN:



CAMPING QUT FOR GENERAL ASSEMBLY?

THE PENTICTON BAND

WILL PROVIDE THE LAND,

YOU BRING THE CAMPING GEAR,

CONTACT: ROSALIND LEON AT: 836-6496

- OR PENTICTON BAND Office; 4193-0048