Periodical
Indian World - volume 4, number 2 (May – June 1981)
- Title
- Indian World - volume 4, number 2 (May – June 1981)
- Is Part Of
- 1.06-01.04 Indian World
- 1.06.-01 Newsletters and bulletins sub-series
- Date
- May 1981
- volume
- 4
- issue
- 2
- Language
- english
- Identifier
- 1.06-01.04-03.05
- pages
- 24
- Table Of Contents
-
Our World...................................2
Nishgas Lose Skirmish with Amax.................4
Indian Nations Hit British Courts .................5
Bill C-48.....................................5
Third WCIP Assembly.........................6
News, News, News.............................. 8
President's Message.............................9
England Constitution Express....................10
Indian National Passports.......................10
Special General Assembly........................11
Mount Currie Rodeo—A History.................12
I Think.......................................14
Updates.......................................15
Indian Child Conference........................16
Indian People Oppose Canadian Census.......----17
Express Sponsors Art Auction....................18
Book Review—Broken Spirit.....................19
GVRD and GVSDD Fined for Pollution...........20
Elders Offer Evidence for Court Action............21
Editorial......................................22
Our World....................................23 - Contributor
- Darrell Ned
- Lorna Bob
- Ethel Gardner
- Terri Williams
- Frank Rivers
- Bess Brown
- Rod Jeffries
-
Violet
Birdstone - Terry Aleck
- Sadie Worn-Staff
-
Val
Dudoward - Archie Pootlass
- Millie Poplar
- Pauline Douglas
- Reg Percival
- Sharon Venne
- Mary Schendlinger
- Type
- periodical
- Transcription (Hover to view)
-
INDIAN•WORLD
MAY-JUNE • 1981 "THE CHOICE IS OURS" ONE DOLLAR
Nishgas/Amax Hit the Courts:
Indians Lose First Round.
Mount Currie Rodeos:
Going Professional.
OUR WORLD
P O L E RAISING A T INDIAN C E N T R E
Friday May 15, 1981, as the Special General Assembly
at the Vancouver Indian Centre came to a close, a ceremony was held. Elders from the Kitimat area dressed up
in their ceremonial outfits and prepared themselves for a
pole raising event. Seven local carvers from around Vancouver area worked on the totem poles for a good 10
months and then helped in carrying the poles from the
basement to the main floor. It made it feel more strengthening because the help was from everyone present.
This showed the people present that we can help each
other, even if it's just by being there. It gives a special
boost to the artists and to all of us for recognizing our
culture as a people. Throughout the ceremony it was said
that people need each other now more than ever to really
carry on the cultural ways of our ancestors, not only in
our arts and crafts but also through learning as much as
we can of our own languages, so that our ceremonies can
be stronger each time we have them.
V A N C O U V E R INDIAN CENTRE G R A N D OPENING
The powerful heartbeat of our nation was felt at the
grand opening of the Vancouver Indian Centre May 29
and 30. Indian people from many nations gathered together. There was even a group of Indians who came from
as far away as Chile to share their songs and dances. A n
Aborigine from Australia joined us as well. This international unity makes the world stronger because all Aboriginal people around the world have basically the same
values as Indian people from here. One of the main
values we share is respect for the mother earth so that her
heart beat will carry on forever.
The Indian Centre provided a great feast for the
people. Barbecued salmon, bannock and clam chowder
was just part of the feast and there was never a shortage
of coffee. The Vancouver Indian Centre shared with the
people in a traditional manner and pleased our Elders
very much. The Elders were honoured with gifts at the
give-away.
There were a variety of styles of drums, songs, dances
and outfits. Everyone was filled with pride in being able
to share their culture with one another. Arts and crafts
from many nations were displayed. Everyone was
welcomed to the Centre, with hopes that they will return
in the years to come. Since the Centre was opened in this
traditional manner, it felt positive that only good would
come from it in the future.
BENEFIT D A N C E FOR SAUL BASIL
On the evening of May 8, 1981, there was a dance at
the Swedish Hall in Vancouver held for Saul Basil. It was
held to help him get a wheel chair and medicine after
being paralyzed in a car accident. Lately he was treated
with Indian medicines and the results from these have
helped him to recover faster. Family and friends came
together and all danced to the music of Whytefeather.
INDIAN
WORLD
VOL 4 NUMBER 2
INDIAN W O R L D is the official voice of the
Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs.
It is dedicated to building a strong foundation for
Indian Government by providing an awareness of the
political and social issues affecting the Indians of
British Columbia.
Signed articles and opinions are the views of the
individuals concerned and not necessarily those of
the UBCIC.
Contributors
Editor: Darrell Ned
Assistant Editor: Lorna Bob
Written Contributions: Ethel Gardner, Terri Williams,
Frank Rivers, Bess Brown, Rod Jeffries, Violet
Birdstone, Terry Aleck, Sadie Worn-Staff, Val
Dudoward, Archie Pootlass, Lorna Bob, Millie Poplar,
Pauline Douglas, Reg Percival, Sharon Venne.
Photographs: UBCIC staff unless credited.
Typesetting: Mary Schendlinger/Pulp Press
Table of Contents
Our World
Nishgas Lose Skirmish with Amax
Indian Nations Hit British Courts .
Bill C-48
Third WCIP Assembly
News, News, News
President's Message
England Constitution Express
Indian National Passports
Special General Assembly
Mount Currie Rodeo—A History
I Think
Updates
Indian Child Conference
Indian People Oppose Canadian Census
Express Sponsors Art Auction
Book Review—Broken Spirit
G V R D and GVSDD Fined for Pollution
Elders lead the pole raising at the New Vancouver
Elders Offer Evidence for Court Action
Indian Centre, a tradition that will outlive any
Editorial
threat to our peoples' survival.
Our World
2
4
5
5
6
8
9
.10
10
11
12
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
OUR COVER: Now that the weather is getting warmer and summer is coming closer, our people are getting
together for everything from enjoying some fun to discussing the future of our people and our rights. One of
the lighter gatherings came with the 23rd annual Cultus Lake Festival, June 6-7,1981.
INDIAN WORLD 3
NISHGAS LOSE AMAX
COURT CASE
By Reg Percival
Amax, the giant multi-national
corporation, which continued to
operate even after the breakage of the
pipeline through which affluent goes
from the mine to the ocean inlet, has
again shut down.
At the time of the breakage in the
pipeline, May 7, 1981, it sprayed
affluent over about 200 meters of
beach at Alice Arm. Fisheries minister Romeo LeBlanc had stated that if
investigators find sufficient grounds,
charges would be laid.
A M A X D U M P S TAILINGS W I T H
FEDERAL APPROVAL
Amax of Canada got its permission
to dump 100 million tonnes of toxic
mine tailing into Alice A r m from a
special regulation passed by an orderin-council by the federal cabinet in
April 1979.
The mine was closed May 27, at
LeBlanc's request, after scientists discovered a plume of cloudy tailings in
the inlet approximately four kilometers from the submerged pipeline outfall. Federal environment authorities
have confirmed that tailings from the
mine have strayed inside a prohibited
zone of Alice Arm in apparent violation of federal regulations. Their
laboratory tests have verified mine
tailing were found as a fine plume of
sediment above the allowable 100
meters in depth.
However, the Federal government
has allowed the mine to continue to
dump the toxic tailings into Alice
Arm, despite objections by the
Nishga people, the environmentalists
and the scientists who did the original
environmental study. They also did
studies based on similar mines, which
indicated tailings as unpredictable
and possibly having adverse effects
on sea life. One of the arguments of
Amax and the government has been
that the tailings from the mine would
INDIAN WORLD 4
settle on the ocean floor and would
not disturb the fish. This theory, as
proven before at Rupert's Inlet on
Vancouver Island, is unpredictable.
A federally appointed panel has
been set up by LeBlanc to review the
decision to allow Amax to deposit
tailings into Alice Arm. Dr. J.E.
Mclnerney, chairman of the Review
Committee, was also a member of the
environmental review branch that
issued the permit to Amax, allowing
them to dump mine tailings into Alice
Arm. It was on these grounds that the
Nishga Tribal Council along with the
environmental
support
groups
decided to boycott the hearings,
citing Dr. Mclnerney as being a
conflict of interest. Despite the
boycott, the hearings continued.
L E A D I N TAILINGS C O U L D
CAUSE BRAIN D A M A G E
One of the major fears stressed by
a Fisheries scientist at the hearings
was the presence of lead in the tailings
Michael Waldichuk, the scientist
speaking before the panel, described
lead as being particularly hazardous
to children, if present in their food,
with the potential to cause brain
damage. In fact, he said, they are
trying to put lead on a blacklist of the
prohibited Dumping Control Act.
The millions of dollars that Amax
of Canada is spending on the operation of the mine, on wages, and environmental studies cannot justify the
potential health hazard to the people
of the Nishga Nation, who depend on
all species of salmon and shellfish
which are taken every day from the
Nass River and Alice Arm.
NISHGAS LOSE BID TO H A L T
DUMPING
The Nishga lost a battle in Vancouver, Friday May 29, 1981, when the
B.C. Supreme Court dismissed a
petition challenging the provincial
permit which allows Amax to discharge its tailings into Alice Arm.
The petition challenged the
authority of H.P. Klassan of the Pollution Control Board waste management branch to issue the permit.
However, the court ruled that at the
time the permit was issued, Klassen
was the assistant director of pollution
control and had the authority to issue
the provincial permit.
Another recent development is that
Liberal Senator, John Godfrey, cochairman of the Senate-Commons
regulations Standing Committee,
wrote to LeBlanc May 28th, 1981
advising him that special Federal
sanctions for the Amax mine seem to
be at odds with Parliament purpose.
He requested an explanation by June
23rd, 1981, when the committee will
again be examining Amax. The letter
suggests that the order-in-council that
granted Amax permission to exceed
the allowed affluent levels, interferes
with the Fisheries Act.
A M A X HAS NO SPECIAL
STATUS, L E B L A N C C L A I M S
I think that for LeBlanc to state
that Amax of Canada Ltd., has no
special status is ludicrous. The day
that the Liberal cabinet granted
Amax the order-in-council to dump
their mine tailings into Alice Arm it
indeed granted them that special
status.
With all the controversy surrounding the Amax mine recently, I
believe it is about time Romeo LeBlanc and his government realize
their mistake, drop their special
order-in-council and grant the Nishga
people and the environmental
support groups the full public inquiry
that they have been demanding. The
evidence produced so far, warrants it.
ABORIGINAL RIGHTS CLAUSES IN
CONSTITUTION AND C-48 EMPTY
Bill C48, the Canada Oil and Gas
Act, has been heavily attacked by
Indian and Inuit leaders for totally
ignoring their land rights and rights
to determine how the land should be
used. Land Claim negotiations are
taking place in the Yukon, Northwest
Territories and the Arctic, but Bill
C48 gives the Minister or officials in
the Department of Mines and Resources the power to grant exploration and drilling rights on all of the
land in question. The Minister or his
officials can order that exploration
and exploitation go ahead. They can
order how, when and what markets
should be used.
Against accusations of Government bad faith in Land Claim negotiations, the Minister of Energy and
Resources has added a clause to the
Bill: "nothing in act abrogates or
derogates from any aboriginal title,
right or claim that the aboriginal people may have had prior to the coming
into force of the act." There is no
definition of aboriginal rights. It is
left up to the courts as in the Constitution. But the courts have already
ruled that aboriginal people have no
rights to sub-surface minerals or oil in
the north in the Baker Lake case.
Indian and Inuit leaders say the
clause is meaningless when it comes
to any say over what happens to their
lands. The Government's position
shows that any concept of self-determination and title is far from its
mind: "Should the Dene establish
sub-surface rights, they would be like
any other owner, and get the benefits," Munro told a press conference,
Until land claims are settled, native
people will not receive any revenue
from oil and gas exploitation on their
land.
P E T R O C A N A D A G I V E N RIGHTS
OVER U N C E D E D
The power to grant or order exploitation or drilling in any land, Indian,
Inuit, Crown or private, is not affected
in any way by the Aboriginal Rights
amendment. Even while native
leaders are fighting the Bill, even
before Bill C48 is passed by the
House of Commons, the Minister of
Indian and Northern Affairs hit the
Dene and Inuit with another announcement, which effectively proves
the amending clause to be empty of
meaning.
In mid May, the D I A Minister
revealed to the Dene Nation that his
Department had completed negotiations with PetroCanada for oil and
gas survey work in the NWT and the
Arctic. Petrocan has two agreements
covering about three million acres in
the Mackenzie Valley, with another
ten agreement covering another 15
million acres, currently under negotiation. In addition, Petrocan has exploration rights to 27 million acres in
the eastern Arctic.
The people charge that these agreements prejudice their land claim
negotiations.
On the Board of Petrocan sits
Deputy Minister of Indian Affairs,
Tellier, the writer of the White Paper
in 1969. He is there so that the abori-
ginal peoples' concerns can be represented, he says. No Indian or Inuit
representatives have been invited to
sit on the Board and represent their
own interests.
NEGOTIATIONS SHROUDED IN
SECRECY
The Dene people are outraged. The
negotiations were shrouded in secrecy.
The people whose unceded lands were
being leased for drilling were never
informed until the first agreements
were in place.
Against increased and louder
charges of bad faith in land claim
negotiations, the Minister replies still
that if sub-surface rights are won by
the Dene "it will be like buying a
house with tenants in it. If the Dene
gets ownership they will reap benefits
from Petrocan's work on the land."
The "owners" will have no say on
their land, Government house rules
will still apply. That is not what
most Dene people recognize as their
aboriginal rights to their land. They
call it an outrageous land grab that
makes a mockery of the Aboriginal
Rights clauses in the Constitution and
in Bill C48.
BRITISH LEGAL CASE MOVING
The Union B . C . Indian Chiefs
and the Indian Association of A l berta have been working together to
present a legal case in Britain
The legal team at the
Union has prepared a memorandum
of law which was to be presented to
the Attorney-General, in Britain
during the week of June 8,1981.
The purpose Of this memorandum
is to set out the legal objections
against patriation. The request is
that the Attorney-General of Britain
refer the legal issues to the Privy
Council, which is the highest Court
in Britain. We are saying that
Britain owes obligations to the
Indian Nations,
Furthermore, we say that the
sovereignty of the Indian Nations
means that there cannot be any
change in the political institutions
and
self-government
on
the
Nations, without consent.
If the Attorney-General agrees to
refer the issue to the Privy Council,
Britain will not deal with the
Canada Act until all these matters
of law have been heard.
The second alternative is to
commence an action in the ordinary
courts in Britain, anticipating that
by doing this, the Thatcher Government will delay patriation until the
case has been heard. That could be
sometime in October.
INDIAN WORLD 5
WCIP ASSEMBLES IN AUSTRALIA
The World Council of Indigenous
Peoples (WCIP), an international
organization working to protect the
human rights of Indigenous Peoples
throughout the world, ended its Third
General Assembly in Canberra, Australia, May 1, 1981.
After five days of meetings between delegates from 25 countries,
the WCIP General Assembly agreed
in principle to develop an International Law on Indigenous Rights,
with principles concerning Indigenous ideology and philosophy, guidelines for Indigenous Peoples' conflicts with corporations and national
governments and a number of resolutions calling upon the world organization to help particular Indigenous
groups in their struggle against threats
to their survival.
George Manuel, WCIP President,
was to undergo major heart surgery
and was unable to attend the conference. However, his message to the
General Assembly received a standing
ovation from the delegates. " M y
mind, spirit and heart will be with
you, however, as you debate, plan
and bring into place for implementation, Indigenous ideology that our
people want to revive," stated his
message. George Manuel has been
President of the WCIP since the
formation of the organization in
1975.
INDIAN WORLD 6
WCIP TO PURSUE PROTECTION
UNDER LAW OF NATIONS
Delegations from Northern Europe,
North America,
Central
America, South America and the
South Pacific agreed to the development of an international covenant on
the rights of Indigenous Peoples. The
draft includes sections concerned
with self-determination and political,
economic, social and cultural rights.
Relying on international declarations
already established by agreement
between State Governments, the
WCIP hopes to establish an internationally binding law which protects
Indigenous Nations under the Law
of Nations. The draft covenant begins:
" A l l peoples have the right to selfdetermination. By virtue of that right
Indigenous Peoples may freely determine their political status and freely
pursue their economic, social and cultural development." It also calls for
the right of Indigenous Peoples to use
their lands and natural resources without interference from states for the
benefit of Indigenous Peoples.
By adopting the covenant in principle, the WCIP General Assembly
set in motion a process which will be
undertaken by Indigenous Peoples
during the next two years. It is hoped
that the Covenant will be adopted by
the next session of the General
Assembly. When adopted and sent to
the United Nations, it will be the first
time in five hundred years that Indigenous Nations formally worked on
the development of international law.
DOCUMENTS PASSED TO
STRENGTHEN MUTUAL
SUPPORT
The Third General Assembly approved the content of three major
working documents which establish
the guiding principles for mutual support between Indigenous Nations.
The first of these working documents
centres on the principles of worldwide Indigenous philosophy and
ideology. The major principles in this
document are that, "Indigenous phil-
osophy emanates from the centre of
the four directions of the earth—it is
not individualistic, nor linear, but it is
wholistic. Indigenous ideology needs
no authorization nor recognition by
the forces of colonialism, but stands
of its own right. It cannot be related
to the leftist or rightist ideology of the
colonizers."
The second document is called
National Issues. It contains principles
for mutual aid and assistance between
Indigenous Nations as they work to
rebuild their nations. The document
also contains specific resolutions
from the delegations describing conflicts between Indigenous nations and
nation-states. These resolutions call
upon the member Indigenous nations
to provide aid.
INDIGENOUS NATIONS NOTE
THREATS TO S U R V I V A L
The third document is named
Political and Economic Imperialism
in Indigenous Homelands. It is in this
document that the delegates discussed
the effects of nation-states and corporations on the political and economic life of Indigenous Nations. This
document notes that nation-states
and corporations are trying to destroy
Indigenous Nations through political
assimilation, intimidation and economic exploitation. It was further noted
that political and economic forces
from the left and the right represent
equal threats to Indigenous Nations.
The document urges, "In order for us
to survive as Indigenous Nations with
our own distinct culture, economic
views and political systems, we must
discipline ourselves to the common
proposition that we must depend on
co-operative Indigenous interdependence within our communities."
The WCIP General Assembly
chose new executive officers to fill the
positions of President, Englishspeaking Vice-President and Spanishspeaking Vice-President. They will sit
on the WCIP Executive Council until
the Fourth General Assembly, a term
of at least two years. The new officers
and Executive Council of the WCIP
New WCIP President, (centre), vice-president Milillian and vice-presid
Aslak Nils Sara.
include President Jose Carlos Morales
from the Baruca Tribe in Costa Rica
representing Central America; Spanish Vice-President Milillian Painemal
from the Mapuche in Chile representing South America; English VicePresident Aslak Nils Sara from Sami-
land in Norway representing Northern Europe, Executive member Reg
Birch from the Bunaba Miriwung in
Australia representing the South
Pacific and Provisional Executive
member Ralph Eluska from the
Aleute representing North America.
WCIP INTENDS TO R E B U I L D
INDIGENOUS NATION STATUS
The Assembly of the World Council of Indigenous Peoples announced
the intention of Indigenous Nations
to rebuild their national identity and
take their place among the family
of nations. As people long oppressed
by the economic, social and political
systems of colonizing nation-states,
the member Indigenous Nations confirmed a world-wide plan to achieve
Indigenous freedom beginning with
the community and developing to the
international level. Freedom for
Indigenous Peoples is now a matter
of practical necessity if Indigenous
Peoples are to survive.
Cultural activities of the Assembly
included an arts and crafts exhibition
and sale, a traditional meal prepared
by the Torres Strait Islanders of
Australia, a Sami Theatre play, a
giveaway dance by the Indian Nations
of Canada as well as two cultural
evenings of traditional song and
dance with performances by the
Aborigines of Australia, Torres Strait
Islanders, Tahitians, Sami people,
Papa
New
Guineans,
South
American Indians and the Indian Nations of Canada.
There were about 160 Indians from
various Nations across North America attending the General Assembly
with the majority coming from A l berta and British Columbia.
INDIAN WORLD 7
NEWS NEWS NEWS
INDIGENOUS P E O P L E S ' C O M M E M O R A T I O N
On May 27, 1981, members of the Guatemala Action
Group of Amnesty International held a commemoration
ceremony on the steps of the old court house at Robson
Square in Vancouver to create public awareness.
The event was in commemoration of the horrible
massacure of 114 native people at Panzos, Guatemala in
1978. Men, women and children were massacred when
they left their homes in the northern part of this country
to protest expropriation of their lands by the ruling government. The only defense they had was their love for the
land.
The UBCIC participated in the commemoration ceremony because this type of issue is very close to the heart
of the rights we are fighting for in Canada. Like those
who were massacred at Panzos, the time has come for the
Indian Nations in Canada. The only difference is that
Prime Minister Trudeau and his government are not
using guns and warfare—he is using the patriation of the
Canadian constitution.
L I L ' W A T NATION RUNNERS
The Lil'wat Nation Marathon Relay team is now
getting into shape and gearing up for action. Joggers are
running early in the morning and in the evenings.
A Marathon Event Committee is now meeting to further discuss plan s for the 44 runners now training.
Some matters that have to be decided yet are the dates
the Lil'wat Nation will be hosting the event and a name
for the marathon. They are also deciding on which area
each will be running their 3 mile distance.
The Lil'wat Nation has come up with enough runners
to cover their territory in the 1,000 mile Indian relay.
Since the first meeting they have had 44 runners sign up—
11 women and 33 men, which includes all ages, shapes
and forms.
The Mount Currie Chief Leonard Andrew is planning
to pass the ribbon to the neighboring Indian Nation after
the last three miles in his territory.
INDIAN WORLD 8
UBCIC PRESIDENT RECOVERING
A F T E R SURGERY
George Manuel, President of the UBCIC, is making
rapid recovery at the Vancouver General Hospital
following heart surgery on May 25, 1981.
His family announced that he is doing very well, and
responding to treatment. We, the staff of the UBCIC,
miss George around the office and wish him full recovery
and hope that it won't be too long before he is able to be
home with his family and friends. Instead of flowers,
George requested donations be sent to Union of B . C .
Indian Chiefs.
M U C K A M U C K STRIKE A N N I V E R S A R Y
By Ethel Gardner
We celebrated the third anniversary of the strike by the
workers at the Muckamuck restaurant in Vancouver. It's
now a tradition we've been continuing since June 1,1978
when the strike began. We proclaimed victory because
our pickets forced Doug Christmas and Jane Erickson,
Muckamuck owners, to close the Indian food restaurant
for the past six months. We won at the Labour Relations
Board, (LRB), on our charges against them of not
bargaining in good faith and for interfering with the
strike-breaking employees applications for certification
to the Northwest Hospitality Association.
We are waiting for the L R B to order Doug and Jane to
bargain with us, but the L R B says they have to hear the
strike-breaking employees applications for certification
to the Northwest Hospitality Association, an association
formed by the scabs themselves, before making a final
decision on the action that is to be taken against the
Muckamuck owners.
On behalf of the Service, Office and Retail Workers'
Union of Canada, (SORWUC), I'd like to thank all the
Indian people who supported us by not working at the
Muckamuck during the strike, despite the high
unemployment rate for our people. I'd also like to thank
everyone who refused to cross the picket line to eat at the
restaurant, thus helping us to succeed in this strike.
PRESIDENT'S
MESSAGE
• the 1969 White Paper Policy would have had Canada's
Indians assimilated by 1974;
• the Indian Government Bill will have us assimilated by
1987;
• Trudeau's proposed Constitution could have us totally
assimilated two years after patriation.
His most recent effort is to discontinue funding to
Indian political organizations who oppose the Constitution, as some political organizations across Canada are
presently experiencing:
"It is my judgment that we should not renew the
funding arrangement, particularly in view of IDIG
[Institute for the Development of Indian Government]
subordinate status to the NIB. To do so would be
counter to our efforts to cease funding of Indian Political Organizations..."
(Memorandum between Assistant Deputy Minister
Goodwin and Deputy Minister Tellier,
April 16th, 1981).
From the first coming of the Europeans, their governments have tried to destroy us as a race of people".
In the early 1900's their strategy was to break the
strong Indian spirit by banning the potlatch, forbidding
the coastal nations to gather; by forbidding us to raise
funds for or gather to protect Aboriginal Rights; and by
hoarding our young into the concentration camp-type
atmosphere of the residential schools where they were
beaten for speaking our languages. This generation
almost lost its identity. The generation after was affected
probably the most, as today we see them working very
hard to understand their language and customs.
The Governments were almost successful in their
efforts to destroy the Indian Nations. We can see the very
disheartening social results in many of our communities:
• the young illiterate in the traditional languages and
customs;
• a very evident alcohol problem in many communities;
• still too many violent deaths in our villages;
• many of our young imprisoned.
Canada today is still trying to destroy the Indian Nations of this land. The Trudeau government's efforts are
equally vicious as that of any previous government. He is
intent on wiping us off the map altogether:
In 1926, the Allied Tribes of B . C . had renewed their
strength. They went to Ottawa to demand that their
Aboriginal Rights be recognized and the British Government be involved in the negotiations. The Canadian Government was able then to silence the Allied Tribes by
cutting off their right to funds in defence of Aboriginal
Rights. By withholding funds now, Trudeau is forbidding
Indian Nations to gather and organize politically. He
hopes to silence us in the same way.
It is my firm belief that the work of the leadership at
the Band level in this province has been very effective in
our efforts to protect our aboriginal rights. The work in
the communities to relearn our languages, to revive our
traditional laws, to respect our own culture, has given
renewed strength to the Indian people. It is this new
strength that makes the Government fearful. It is this
renewed strength that Trudeau wishes to break down by
his strategy of refusing funding for political organizing
such as ours.
The spirit of our Nations to survive and live with the
values and ways we had in the past, is gaining strength,
and it will gain momentum as we continue to pursue
Nationhood.
Yours in Indian Strength,
Archie Pootlass
Acting President
INDIAN W O R L D 9
CONSTITUTION EXPRESS
It is quite clear that the government
is not listening to our people. What
we are going to do is bring pressure
from outside. We have always said we
are nations and we are now starting to
act as nations. If we confine ourselves
to the federal government we are considered a domestic problem. By going
international, we get ourselves away
from Canada and stand in a much
better position.
The
Constitution Express is
planned to leave Vancouver on
August 24th, across Canada to
Montreal. We will be making stopovers at various Indian nations where
there will be people joining the
Express.
August 29th is the day planned for
leaving from Montreal for Germany.
We will stay in Montreal one day The
stay in England will be for about one
week.
We plan to stage marches through
the larger cities in France and
Germany to generate stronger international attention before we get to
London. There will be buses to
transport our people from city to city.
In London there is already political
lobbying underway by the Indian
Association of Alberta.
Our leaders have met with Chief
Nelson Small Legs Senior of the
Peigan Tribe in Alberta. We have got
their support and they are organizing
a committee to take part in our trip
across Canada.
Our leaders are planning to meet
with the different country's embassies
in Ottawa in late June. This would be
to follow up on our meeting with
them at the United Nations last
December. The Express will request
their assistance when we are in
Germany, France and England
The total cost will be approximately $2500 per person
INDIAN
PASSPORTS
The Constitution Express will be
leaving for Europe in late August
with the declaration that we have
always been Nations. When we
travel across the country from Nation
to Nation, it is important that we
show respect towards them. One way
of doing this would be through the
development of our own passports.
Nishnawbe-Aski Nation have their
own passports that they use when
travelling around the world. When
you carry the passports you show that
you acknowledge and respect Indian
National boundaries and laws.
Right now our Nations are having
to borrow the passports of another
Nation. This is contradicting our
declaration that we are Nations.
Soon, maybe all our Bands will
develop their own individual passports.
Each area
that develops a passport would have a
symbol chosen from their nation.
Some people have family crests, clan
crests or tribal symbols.
Western Indian
Agricultural Corporation
invites you
to participate and attend
THE SECOND
INDIAN
FALL FAIR
at the Exhibition grounds
in Kamloops
September 26 and 27,1981.
• Indian Arts and Crafts
• 4-H Indian Clubs Exhibits
• Home canning and home baking
INDIAN WORLD 10
The Indian Fall Fair is an opportunity for Indian people
to grow and enjoy the company of others. The event will
be a success with your support.
For more information please contact:
WIAC
440 West Hastings Street,
Vancouver, B.C. V6B 1L1
Phone 669-5955
• Indian rodeo
• Barbecued salmon
and much, much more...
SPECIAL GENERAL
ASSEMBLY
To meet the task of preserving the
survival of our Indian Nations, a
special emergency General Assembly
was called on May 14 and 15, 1981.
The chiefs and delegates gathered at
the new Vancouver Indian Centre to
discuss and share information concerning patriation of the Canadian
constitution and its devastating consequences.
STRONG SUPPORT FOR
CONSTITUTION EXPRESS
Although attendance by representatives of Bands was low, the message
throughout the Assembly was
consistent with what has been said all
along. That was that the Indian
Nations must continue to oppose,
with any means possible, the
presently written form of Trudeau's
constitutional package. The Chiefs
strongly supported the Constitution
Express to England, as well as the
other political and legal action, both
in Canada and Britain. They did this
with both a formal resolution,
directing the Union of B . C . Indian
Chiefs to oppose patriation, and their
words.
If we don't do that, I'm afraid,
within two or three years we'll lose all
of our rights. Right up until now we've
been strong and I think we should
continue to be strong."
P E O P L E C A R R Y B U L K OF
CONSTITUTION OPPOSITION
Several of the people in attendance
voiced a concern that the Chiefs
aren't showing enough interest in the
constitution issue. They cited the lack
of Chiefs at the Kamloops Potlatch
and the Special Assembly as proof
and noted that it seemed to be the
people who were the most active in
fighting this crucial issue. George
Manuel voiced this same concern.
"I said everything I could to
persuade the Chiefs to be interested in
this issue, but the interest doesn't
appear to be strong. But there is
interest from the Band members.
We're doing something wrong when
the people will turn up when they're
given an opportunity and the Chiefs
won't turn out at a meeting such as
this one to talk about such a major
issue."
W I L L PATRIATION M E A N T H E
END OF OUR F I G H T !
Many people spoke of the fear that
if patriation should occur, it would
mean the end of the Indian Nations
forever, and the end of the fight for
international recognition. However,
some persisted in the belief that it
would be only the beginning of a long
battle.
Phillip Paul, from south Vancouver Island, said, "I think that we
should prepare ourselves and fully
realize that this struggle is going to go
on and on. It's going to take a lot of
work and we have to understand it. If
we
don't
succeed,
and
the
constitution is brought over here, the
struggle will become even more
intensified. But I don't think we have
any right to give up. I don't think we
can talk about quitting or defeat or
even that if the constitution is
brought here, that things are going to
be over. It will just be the beginning."
During the Assembly, a young man
from Bella Coola called on the Chiefs
to stand in a circle to show their care
for
those they represent. The
emotional act seemed to sum up the
message of the Assembly and the
message of the people to our leadership—stand strong and together in
this battle for the survival of the
Indian Nations.
Amy Gauthier, from the Blueberry
Band warned, "The whole federal
government is trying to undermine
the Indian Nations. We're going to
have to come together as one people,
win this constitution issue, make this
trip oversees, and make it clear that
we're not going to stop for anything.
INDIAN WORLD 11
Ron James, age 30, of Lillooet,
Lake Rodeo.
The history of rodeo in Mt. Currie
goes back many years, starting
shortly after the horse and bull were
introduced to the area. Back then
there were no chutes—the rider
simply mounted the horse in the
middle of the field and the winner
since 1970. What initially spurred him
on was watching his older brother Pat
Williams practice saddle bronc
riding. He got a good start by winning
his first buckle in the bull riding event
in Oak Harbour, Washington State,
in 1971. This win encouraged him to
go on to set bigger goals.
In 1978 he won the B.C. Indian
Rodeo Association Bullriding Championship. In 1980 he was the first
Indian to qualify for the Canadian
National Finals Rodeo in the bull
riding event and the same year was
runner-up for the World Indian Bullriding Championship.
Burt teaches rodeo at the T'szil
Highschool and holds his own bull
riding school for the young people of
the Mt. Currie area. The young
people are definitely benefiting from
is riding "Willie Brown" at the 1981 Lilloet
his experience. His latest rodeo
school was held on June 5th, 6th and
emerge.
7th in Mt. Currie. "Out of these
This new generation was equipped
schools will spring future Indian bullwith the facilities to practice, had
riding champions," Burt said.
access to the knowledge of the
Bullfighter—Clowning around?
previous generations, and had the
Some of you know that there are
determination to go all the way. They
clowns
in rodeos, well here is
expanded their facilities with a buck-
MOUNT CURRIE RODEO—
someone with this kind of talent. The
was the person who stayed on the ing machine, became professional
only thing is that he does this for a
longest. The main road of Mt. Currie riders, began circulating in rodeos all
living. It is known as bull-fighting.
became the racetrack and competi- over North America and began atMartin Nelson, age 21, has been
tion in these events was between the tending professional rodeo schools.
bull-fighting for 6 years. He gained
Lil'wat people alone. These events
interest during a rodeo practice in Mt.
occurred in the early 40's and were Burt Williams—Rodeo Star
Currie in 1975. Martin is now
One of the first to emerge was Burt
known as "Indian Days".
recognized in the rodeo circuit
As time went on, there became Williams, who has been bull riding
fully developed rodeo grounds immediately next to the old reserve. Soon Burt Williams is riding"Buzzard''at Lillooet Lake. PHOTOS BY: VICTOR PETERS JR.
Mt. Currie was hosting the second
largest rodeo in B . C . , then better
known as the May Day Rodeo. This
was achieved mainly through the leadership of Pat Williams and was done
independently by Mt. Currie.
New Rodeo Generation Emerges
The same generation that put these
grounds together were also the first to
compete in other rodeos in B . C .
Through the work and experience of
these people a whole new generation
of cowboys and cowgirls was to
INDIAN WORLD 12
around B.C., Alberta as well as the
United States and has been hired by 6
different stock contractors for 6 different rodeos.
Others have emerged to go on to
notable achievement. Wayne Andrew
has won many professional events in
saddle bronc and bull riding. His
younger brother Nick-o has been
steer riding since the age of ten and
has now advanced to professional
bull riding. Charlotta Andrew and
Faye Nelson have advanced in barrel
racing and P.R. Jones has become a
notable bull rider.
P.R. Jones from Mt. Currie riding "Blondie." "They can't pay me enoug
to fight one bull. I do it for myself; it's my own thing."
Lake Rodeo. Nick Andrew took over
and has been constructing a new
rodeo arena designed from other
B.C. Rodeo grounds. A l l the work in
constructing has been volunteer and
Nick has had good support from his
family. His first rodeo in 1979 and
every rodeo since has been organized
on a fully professional level.
During the Lillooet Lake Rodeo, a
10 mile foot race took place on May
18, 1981. It went from Pemberton to
and 12 minutes. Ten other athletes
participated with each showing much
determination towards placing or
finishing in the event. Foot races have
always been one of the main events in
past Mt. Currie Rodeos.
Young People Get Serious
Nick Andrew also organized for
the young cowboys a Little Britches
Rodeo on May 9th and 10th, 1981.
Nick was quoted then as saying, "I
wish it didn't cost so much. We
Generations of History
Professional Rodeo Ground
Constructed
By Terri M. Williams and Frank
Rivers
the Rodeo grounds. Allen Adolph, a
well known long distance Indian
runner from Lillooet, took first
place, winning by a very long
distance. His pace brought him into
the rodeo arena with a time of 1 hour
would put up more rodeos for these
young people because this is where
they start. It is good to start them off
Since Pat Williams' last rodeo, the
young, that way they get the feel and
May Day rodeo has been changed to
gain the spirit of rodeo."
another location and the name of the
rodeo is now known as the Lillooet
Four cowboys the age of six years
rode for the first time in this rodeo,
One of the most exciting events is the "wild cow milking." including our son, Delmar Rivers. A
whole new generation is emerging to
one day fulfill the dream of Mt.
Currie—having a World Champion.
INDIAN WORLD 13
MINNIE REMEMBERS
My God my hands are old! I've never said itoutloudbefore,buttheyare
I was so proud of them once. They were so soft, like the velvet smoothness of a firm ripe peach.
When did they become so shrunken and gnarled;likewrinkled old sheets, or withered leaves. They lie here in my lap,
naked reminders of the rest of this tired old body that has served me too well.
How long has it been since someone touched me. Twenty years? Twenty years I've been a widow. Respected, smiled at,
but never touched. Never held so close to another body that loneliness has been blotted out.
I remember how my mother used to hold me, when I was hurt in spirit or flesh. She would hold me close, stroke my silky
hair, and caress my back with her warm hand.
I remember the first boy who ever kissed me. We were both so new at that. The taste of young lips and popcorn and the
feelings deep inside of mysteries yet to come.
I remember Hank and the babies. How can I remember them but together. Out of the fumbling awkward attempts of new
love came the babies. As they grew so did our love.
And Hank didn't seem to care if my body thickened and faded a little. He still touched it and loved it. We didn't care if we
were no longer beautiful. And the children hugged me a lot.
Why didn't we raise our kids to be silly and affectionate. As well as dignified and proud.
reprinted from Khowutzun Newsletter (Cowichan)
May, 1981
INDIAN WORLD 14
UP-DATES
CONSTITUTION EXPRESS FUNDRAISING
By Ron George
Although fund raising in various parts of the province
is being carried out in the usual manner (bake sales,
bingos, raffles, etc.), we have not received many more
details than we had in the last issue of Indian World.
As mentioned, larger events such as the Moccathon
and concerts are being planned, but require "seed"
money.
We are holding Indian Theme weeks in several shopping malls throughout the lower mainland. We will be
featuring Indian dancing, food, carvers and people with
their handicrafts.
Anyone wishing to set up a raffle, beading or crafts
table in any of these malls, should contact Ron George at
684-0231, or Rose Gee at 325-9403. Some of the malls
have made space available, so we will need more people
and crafts to fill them. We feel that articles in the $5-70
range will sell quickly, however more expensive items are
welcome. The tourist season is approaching and this
market is available.
Outright donations of articles are welcome. However
those who cannot afford to will be charged a 20% fee for
the Express fund. We will also take articles on a consignment basis.
Meanwhile, carry on with your bingos, raffles, etc., as
they are as necessary as the larger events. With an issue
that is as important to our future generations as any issue
thus far, we'll make it to England, even if we have to
"nickel and dime" our way over!!
FRANCIS HAINES C A S E
In February of 1978 Francis Haines was charged with
hunting moose out of season without a permit, after Fish
and Wildlife officers found a moose carcass in Francis'
yard.
Francis Haines, a Chilcotin, has been fighting the case
on the grounds of aboriginal hunting rights for the past
three years. Finally, in October of 1978, Judge Barnett
found him not guilty, agreeing that Indian people do
have the right to hunt for food all year long. However,
the case was immediately appealed by the Province.
Judge Perry, the Appeal Court judge, found Francis
guilty, but wanted Judge Barnett to sentence him.
However, Barnett said that since he found him not guilty
in the first place, he didn't want to sentence Francis. And
that's where the case stands today—in a stalemate with
the Indian person again trapped in the middle.
NEWS NEWS
Kwicksutainuek Band victory
After holding out and not compromising its position
for four long years, the Kwicksutainuek Band has seen
victory in its battle with the B . C . FOrest Products
Company.
Years ago, the Band found out that the B.C. Forest
Products was trespassing on its land, on Dugdemeise
Island, the location of its burial grounds. The company
filled in part Of the foreshore arid built a logging road on
a corner of the reserve. The company got permission
from the DIA, but the Band had no say in the matter, so,
the Band decided to pursue the matter legally and
politically.
In the end, after using legal and political action, the
Band gained a third-party status and began negotiating
with B . C . Forest Products for a new agreement. The
Kwicksutainuek Band took a strong stand, even refusing
to take 60 acres of land offered by the company, saying
that that 60 acres wasn't within their Tribal territory. The
Band said that they didn't have any right to take the land
and that the company had no right to offer it. It is land
within the territory of the Nimpkish people.
Probably the most important aspects of the case were
that the Band didn't back down and that it was able to act
as a full third-party participant in negotiations with the
company and the provincial government.
M O R E H U N T I N G RESTRICTIONS
On June 7, 1981, Chief Howard Wale from the
Gitanmaax Band contacted the UBCIC office requesting
action on what the provincial government calls the
Limited Entry Hunting 81-82. The main concern about
the Limited Entry, expressed by Chief Wale, was that
everyone, including status Indian people who plan to
hunt in various areas or regions, must fill in a Licence
Application Limited Entry Form.
A l l entries are required to be sent to Victoria and be
drawn on a certain date. If your name is selected (drawn),
it would allow you to hunt.
Chief Howard Wale instructed the UBCIC to coordinate a meeting with Chiefs whose areas would be
affected by the restriction. We are in the process of
scheduling a meeting with the minister of the environment, Stephen Rogers, and Attorney-General Allan
Williams, to be held in Victoria.
Further meetings will be held concerning the limited
hunting. You will be kept up to date. For more information, contact Steven Basil at the UBCIC, 684-0231.
INDIAN WORLD 15
CHILD CONFERENCE FOCUSES
ON INDIAN VALUES
By Ethel Gardner
The third National Indian Child
Conference, sponsored by the Children's Federation, was held in Albuquerque, New Mexico, May 17-21.
The theme of the conference was The
Indian Family Foundation for the
Future. Effie Dressier, a Washoe Indian who chaired the conference, ex-
pressed hope that the conference
would provide us with all the skills,
enthusiasm and determination to
work together as advocates for the
children and youth, our most valuable resource.
The overwhelming number of
workshops led by highly skilled experts, mostly Indian, in their respective fields, shared with the parties
pants creative ways of being advocates
for children, and especially ways of
preventing problems that can develop.
The general workshop categories
were Mental Health, Education,
Health and the Handicapped, and
Youth Issues. The variety of workshops offered during each session
made it a chore to decide on which to
attend.
Of the approximately 1,800 particiINDIAN WORLD 16
pants, there were about 30 to 40
people from B . C . alone. Several
students from the University of British Columbia were sent through the
NITEP program and students in
social work attended as well. The
Professional Native Women's Association sent a few women including
Angie Todd-Dennis, Verna Eneas,
Karen Schyler and Rita Peters, and
others. The Chilliwack Area Indian
Council sent several people to the
conference as well. They were going
to gather information to bring back
to the Council. People from other
areas of B . C . were also there and
brought back new information and
skills to share and use. One thing that
I was delighted to discover was that
many of the participants were not
professionals, were just interested
and concerned parents. A good number even brought their children.
C H I L D R E N C A U G H T IN
M I D D L E OF V A L U E CONFLICTS
Wayne Hanson and Margaret
Eisenbise, Sioux Indians from the
San Francisco Bay area, where there
is a population of about 80,000 Indians, gave an overview of the value
conflicts between American Indians
and the dominant society and their
resulting
implications.
They
mentioned that because men spend
more time as workers and family providers, they tend to become less
exposed to their culture than Indian
women. As a result, Indian women
remain stronger in their Indian values
than men. Women, then, are usually
the ones who teach and preserve the
culture. Wynne Hanson spoke of the
Americans' difficulty in understanding Indian peoples' lack of
interest in materialism. She related a
story about a young man who told his
Anglo counsellor he was going to
send his recent earnings to his
mother. The counsellor tried to tell
him to send only a little. The young
man didn't want to see that counsellor again because the man just didn't
respect or understand his values.
Hanson says Indian people are more
community-oriented than individualistic. Often this results in conflict
when non-Indians are counselling
Indians.
Herbert Benally and McCleman
Hall demonstrated and explained
how the Dialectic Method, as developed by Paulo Friere, can be used to
help students look critically at their
world and act instead of being mere
objects responding to change. This
approach was highly recommended
for working with teenage youth to
make them understand why they are
the way they are, in order to do something about changing themselves for
the better.
WEATHER A FACTOR IN
FAMILY TROUBLES IN NORTH
Yvonne Walker and Leigh Towarak spoke of the hardships experienced by our northern Indian and
Inuit neighbours and the methods of
intervention and prevention used.
They said that two and a half months
of darkness and severe weather that
keeps families cooped up in their
homes causes frustrations resulting in
a higher rate of alcoholism, child
abuse, suicide and other forms of
violence than at any other time. Walders says that although Alaska has a
lot of money, human services are not
a priority for funding. Although they
still have to use the band-aid approach,
agencies are using prevention programs as much as possible.
One prevention program involves
sending youth to a fishing camp with
the Elders. For many Elders, the fish
is their main food source. Indian and
Inuit youth learn from the Elders and
at the same time become useful providers in the community. Another
program the northern agencies have is
involving foster parents make decisions about moving children from
foster home to foster home. Many
foster parents don't like the idea of
moving a child many times. Because
children often have to deal with different agencies, conflict sometimes
arises about what the agencies do
with the children. They have formed
an inter-agency committee to try to
prevent the conflicts. Walder also
said that when dealing with the many
violent crimes in northern communities, 'creative sentencing' is necessary
because each community has a different value system, different customs,
and different ways of handling
family issues.
A n excellent workshop, led by
Joann Morris, explained how parents
and other Indian community members can learn to become advocates
for Indian students. She gave many
examples of unfair treatment and discussed how to handle such situations.
Some problems were: the taunting by
other children, prejudiced materials
being taught about Indian people,
biased information kept in student
files, and others. She said it's better
to go to the right person with someone rather than to go alone, to take
notes, to present the problems
directly in a calm manner, and to
remember that there is always
someone higher up to see.
There is just so much I could write
about what happened at the Indian
Child Conference. I'd be happy to
share any other information I have
with anyone interested.
CANADIAN CENSUS MEETS OPPOSITION
The 1981 Census, carried out by
Statistics Canada, is an issue that is
directly related to Indian Government. The Census also ties is with the
proposed patriation of the constitution. The federal government refused
to allow our First Nations to participate in the Constitutional talks, and
yet expects our people to fill out these
census forms.
Statistics Canada, in its propaganda material on the Census, went to
great lengths to emphasize to Indian
groups, organizations, Bands and
individuals that if our people didn't
fill out the forms, our funding might
be affected. The propaganda suggested that the government funds us
on a per capita basis.
As almost any Indian person in
British Columbia knows, this simply
is not true. Funding on a per capita
basis is not a part of the Indian reality
at all levels in British Columbia.
There is no standard. Some Bands
have taken the position that the
membership has directed their leadership—their Indian Government—to
have nothing to do with the census.
Chief Andy Thomas of the Esquimalt
Band said that his people directed
him on behalf of their Indian Government to uphold their citizenship as
members of an Indian Nation by
ignoring the Census Canada process.
Statistics Canada, anticipating great
resistance to the 1981 Census, warned
people that not filling out the forms
would mean a fine and/or a jail
sentence.
However, there are no reported
cases in the law books of charges
under Section 29 of the Statistics Act.
Summary convictions, under Section
29, for not filling out the form, calls
for a maximum $500 fine or a
maximum 3-month jail sentence, or
both.
Two years ago, Renee Taylor of
Alert Bay refused to participate in the
Census, saying that the Census taker
should go to her Indian Government.
The case went to court, and the
Census people could not prove their
case against her. While some Band
members are simply acknowledging
the Census process, there is another
legal-political action available to
Bands.
Band by-laws can be drawn up,
protecting the people from such
intrusions as the Census. This is an
assertive action, as opposed to the
other action of reacting to the Census
by not participating.
INDIAN WORLD 17
CONSTITUTION EXPRESS
SPONSORS ART AUCTION
Over 200 works from Indian Artists and Carvers are being stored and
catalogued in preparation for the
major three-day auction of Indian
art. The auction will be held at the
new Vancouver Indian Centre
October 4th, 5th and 6th, 1981 and is
sponsored by the Constitution
Express.
Internationally known Indian auctioneer Doug Allard from Montana
has accepted the invitation to lead
this major art event.
Invitations for the Auction are
being sent to all major centres in
Canada and the United States. Artists
asked Ted Pappas to organize this
event, after he organized a similar
auction very successfully last year.
We are now busy contacting Indian
artists, carvers, printmakers, jewellers, designers, bead and leather
workers all over the country to contribute to the Auction.
For maximum promotion of your
work and of the Art Auction, your
works should be received by August
31st, at the very latest. We are accepting donations now.
That will also give us time to make
a good quality photo catalogue. A d mission to the Auction will be by
catalogue only.
Artists and craftspeople will gain
exposure to the North American market by taking part in this event. With
your submissions, therefore, we would
appreciate a short biography. Titles
of works, if any, should also be included.
Notice for the Art Auction will be
sent to San Francisco, Los Angeles,
Phoenix, New York, Montreal, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Victoria,
Seattle, Portland. Media coverage
will also be arranged.
The Indian Constitution Express
will be very costly. But, how do you
count the cost of our very survival?
We have to organize and finance ourselves, our continued existence as
Indian people depends on it. The
Constitution Express is also a very
definite statement of our survival.
For hundreds of years we have withstood every attempt to wipe us out.
We have survived poverty and
disease, education, being moved from
our traditional lands, the banning of
our languages and religion. We have
survived assimilation. Our artists triumphantly portray the strength, the
courage, the beauty and the uniqueness of our Indian people. They give
us the strength and the inspiration to
remain true to ourselves, and proud.
• You can contribute your work
outright with all proceeds going
towards the Indian Constitution
Express; or
• You can contribute one or two
pieces outright and place a number on consignment. The rate is
80% to the artist and 20% to the
Express; or
• You can put all your work on
consignment at the same rates.
Articles can be sent to: Indian Art
Auction, c/o Pappas Furs and Indian
Traders, 459 Hamilton Street, Vancouver, V6B 2P9. Instructions on
what pieces are outright contributions
and what works are for consignment
should be made clear. Receipts will be
sent immediately.
Pappas Furs and Indian Traders
specialists in
North American Indian Materials,
Artifacts, Rare Old Collectors Items,
Jewellery, Baskets, Carvings, etc.
WE BUY, SELL, AND TRADE
FREE APPRAISALS
459 Hamilton St. at Victory Square Vancouver, B.C.
V6B 2P9
681-6391
INDIAN WORLD 18
BROKEN SPIRIT
If someone examined the personnel of Indian organizations in B.C., it could be possible to argue that nepotism
does indeed exist in them. However, in the large
majority of cases, Indian politicians aren't even involved
in the hiring process.
Indian people today. Leonard Dick focuses mainly on
politicians may be valid at certain times and to some
degree, I am of the opinion that for the most part, the
politicians are working for the betterment of the
people they represent and not themselves.
The politicians aren't the only individuals who incur
Dick's wrath. The sharp-tongued author also reserves
some of his righteous indignation for Indian people who
work for the government. These people, he states, are
"condoning discrimination, prejudice, poor health
standards, poor education, poverty conditions and a welfare existence for Indian people." Another issue Dick
discusses is alcoholism and its effects on Indian people.
BY LEONARD G. DICK
Book Review by Bess Brown
Broken Spirit covers a wide range of issues concerning
Indian people today. Leonard Dick focuses mainly on
the causes of the social and economic problems faced by
Indian people and offers his opinions of solutions to alleviate them. He includes such subjects as alcoholism,
criminal justice, Indian organizations and Indian
politicians.
Undoubtedly, the most interesting and the most
controversial topics discussed in Broken Spirit are those
which deal with Indian organizations and Indian politicians. In the past there has been very little written
concerning the internal workings of either Indian
organizations or their politicians. After reading what
Dick has to say about them, I am certain the politicians
will wish they had remained untouched by well-intentioned
authors as Dick.
If we were to believe Dick's assessment of Indian
politicians, we would be obliged to think that they are
individuals whose only concern is for their own achievements and successes, and not that of the people they are
supposed to represent. Dick also makes a very interesting
observation about the hiring practices of Indian organizations. He is of the impression that the majority of the
organizations practice nepotism, that is, show favoritism
towards their relatives and friends when hiring takes
place.
The high crime rate among Indian people is one effect
highlighted. Dick then discusses at some length the shortcomings of the judicial system of Canada in general, as it
applies to Indian people. And so it goes, from issue to
issue. Dick is always finding someone to blame for all the
weaknesses he thinks are exhibited by Indian people. It
makes me wonder exactly what Dick hoped to accomplish
by writing such a book. It certainly wasn't to enhance an
already shaky image of Indians. Page after page we are
confronted with the terrible examples of Indian people,
without a thought to discussing the good things that are
being carried out.
Broken Spirit portrays us as being either too dependent
on government funding to do anything for ourselves, or
as egotistical, power-hungry individuals succeeding in
white society at the expense of our "Indian brothers and
sisters."
In the opening pages of the book, Dick makes the
statement, "It is my contention that Indian people have
been mollycoddled and babied for too long and this
practice has only brought social problems to the population." He calls this constructive criticism. If a non-Indian
made a statement such as that we'd hear outcries of prejudice from Indian people. But, since it was made by a
person of Native descent, it is regarded as acceptable.
This is a double standard that I haven't been able to come
to terms with. Two people can say exactly the same thing
but one is making his statement out of ignorance because
his skin colour is wrong. Though there are some interesting aspects to Broken Spirit, I would not recommend it as
it contains too many negative stereotypes of Indian
people.
INDIAN WORLD 19
Sewage Kills Thousands of Salmon
CORPORATIONS GET OFF EASY
Last July, 1980, the Union of B.C.
Indian Chiefs laid charges under the
Fisheries Act against the Greater
Vancouver Regional District (GVRD)
and Greater Vancouver Sewerage and
Drainage District (GVSDD). Effluent
overflowed the sewage deposit into
the mouth of the Fraser River and
killed thousands of sea animals who
inhabited the vicinity. Amongst the
dead sea animals sighted on July 8th,
1980 by a Federal Fisheries scientist
were thousands of salmon found
floating belly-up around the getty,
which is the drainage route from the
Iona Sewage Treatment plant into the
Pacific Ocean.
STALL TACTICS EMPLOYED BY
GVRD/GVSDD LAWYER
The first hearing was scheduled for
January 19, 1981 in the Richmond
Provincial Court. The lawyer for
G V R D and GVSDD at that time
managed to seize the opportunity to
claim that the Provincial Court had
lost jurisdiction over the case because
they hadn't been brought back to the
courts every seven days as is under the
court's procedure. The case was then
brought before the Supreme Court.
The lawyer for the G V R D and
GVSDD then stood up to say that
they had abandoned their case.
However, the judge ruled that we had
a case.
The Iona Case was then brought
back to the Richmond Provincial
Court for the hearing, but again the
lawyer for the G V R D and GVSDD
delayed the hearing. His clients,
Allan Emmott (chairman of the
GVRD) and Frank Bunnell (ex-Commissioner of the GVSDD) failed to
appear.
The apparent intention of the accused, stalling for time, was more
than evident to the public and certainly gave them even a more unfavourable reputation. Perhaps the
tactics were that we may tire and drop
INDIAN W O R L D 20
the case but we weren't just going to
give up since the charges were already
laid. We wanted the truth brought
before the people.
TRIAL FINALLY H E L D
On April 29th, the trial finally
went forward after a last futile attempt by the G V R D lawyer to further
stall the case. Technical and scientific
evidence was given by the Department of Oceans and Fisheries, the
Provincial Pollution Control Board,
and the Fishing Portfolio Head on
behalf of the Union of B.C. Indian
Chiefs, because of the detrimental
effects the poisoning has on all
marine life, especially the salmon.
The salmon affected are salmon who
swim up the Fraser River and its estuaries to spawn. More than 80 Indian
communities depend on these salmon
for food each year. The impact of the
pollution on the salmon is yet to be
fully determined. However, the mere
fact that this pollution does kill the
marine life by depriving them of
oxygen and that thousands of salmon
were killed before they were even able
to swim upstream to spawn, has been
brought to the people's attention.
By
VioletBirdston
There has to be a joint effort by the
Federal government, the Provincial
governments, the Municipal governments, and the Indian Nations, to
conserve our marine resources.
CONVICTIONS BROUGHT
AGAINST CORPORATIONS
The provincial court charged each
branch of the regional districts a
$5,000 fine on May 7. $10,000 is a
mere pittance compared to the damage they have caused, but the fact
remains that many people are now
aware that they are able to charge
these multi-million dollar corporations for polluting the environment.
These multi-million dollar corporations can be held responsible for any
damage they cause through their utter
carelessness and disregard for the
wildlife. They do this to save a few
dollars,
The small fine was not what the
UBCIC was looking for. There were
many factors we wanted resolved,
such as the installation of a better
treatment system, tighter controls by
the municipal government, and stricter
by-laws. We were left with the option
of appealing our case within 30 days
FOUNTAIN BAND
RAFFLE
The Fountain Indian Band is holding a raffle to help
pay for a Childrens Playground. The Prizes are:
1ST PRIZE: 20" deluxe Moto Cross Bicycle
2ND PRIZE: Mini-Moto Cross Bicycle
3RD PRIZE: Moto Cross Tricycle
TICKETS ARE $1.00 EACH OR 6 FOR $5.00.
DRAW DATE: June 28,1981 at Fountain Band.
Tickets are available at the Fountain Indian Band
office upon request by phoning 256-7323 between 9:00
a.m. and 4:00 p.m. and 256-7193 between 4:00 p.m.
and 9:00 p.m.
GET YOUR LUCKY
TICKETS NOW!
ELDERS OFFER EVIDENCE
FOR COURT ACTION
The UBCIC legal team has gathered the needed evidence to bring action against the D I A for the illegal
surrender in the 1940s of Montney
reserve near Fort St. John. The evidence comes from Elders who lived
on Montney reserve at the time. Some
of the evidence is translated from
Beaver to English, and from Cree to
English. The evidence brings us to the
Sept. 22, 1945 surrender meeting
which took place at Rose Prairie.
The evidence gathered is remembered partially by the Elders from the
Doig and Blueberry Bands. They remember using the land they lost for
grazing their horses, berry picking
and fishing during the summer time.
Some of the people used to plant gardens. This was their way of life before
the surrender of their land to the DIA
in 1948.
When the two Bands arrived at
Rose Prairie Sept. 22, 1945, they were
going to get their yearly Treaty
money. She said there was a whole
bunch of people camped there who
said that DIA called a meeting to see
if the Bands would sell their land. At
the meeting, Chief Succoni asked the
Beaver people whether they wanted to
sell the reserve. The people said they
didn't want to sell. Then the translator, Phillip Darcy, asked the Cree
people if they wanted the Reserve to
be sold. Again there was strong
response that no, they didn't want to
sell. She said Chief Succoni and Joe
Apsassin were tricked. They were
promised a lot of money, but after
the promises the Bands didn't receive
their money from the surrender. Only
once does Theresa remember every-
terest on the money. At that time 5%
interest was considered to be good.
DIA PROMISES P R O V E D TO B E
EMPTY
From what Joe Galibois put down
in his notes, he said he understands
from his own writing that it took the
chiefs from the two Bands quite a
while before they even came close to
the paper that they were told to sign.
First Joe Apsassin, head councillor
for the Cree people, signed, then
Chief Succoni of the Beavers signed.
As soon as he signed the paper, some
of the people came forward. However, not many people signed. Most
of them didn't trust the DIA.
Besides dollars, the department
made other promises to the Bands.
DIA told them that they would get
proper housing and education for the
PEOPLE'S SURVIVAL
DEPENDED ON THE LAND
LOST
Clarence Apsassin, interpreter for
Cree, translated for Theresa Cheekyass, one of those who gave evidence.
She is an 80 year old woman from
Doig Band. Theresa said everybody
on the Montney Reserve used to have
a lot of horses. She couldn't count
them, she said, but there were many
horses that moved to Montney during
the summer time. The horses fed on
that land since everything was plentiful on Montney. She said there were
cows using the land for feeding.
Before the meeting took place,
Theresa, her two girls and her
husband were camped at Blueberry
Bridge. They were on a hunting trip
at the time. They were visited by
Chief Succoni's oldest son and he
told her about the possibility of their
land being sold. Her feelings immediately at the mention of selling the
Reserve were that their land in no way
should leave their hands. That is the
same feeling that has continued to
remain strongly in their hearts.
body getting paid. They received only
$10 each.
The Indian Agent for the DIA at
that time was Joe Galibois, who just
started working for the Fort St. John
district that September. He was picked
by J.L. Grew, who chaired the meeting, to take notes. However, Galibois
stated at the hearings in September,
1980, that at the time he did not know
anything at all about what the surrender meant. M r . Grew told the
Chief and the headman through interpreters that if they gave up their
lands, the Bands would get a large
sum of money. He claimed as well
that for each year, the Dominion of
Canada would pay the Band 5% in-
children. But, like the money, these
promises were never kept either. In
the end, the land was sold, even
though the people opposed it. The
young people and the Elders especially had strong feelings about the
sale.
this now brings us to date. The
Bands have brought actions against
the department, including breach of
trust, breach of treaty, mismanagement and fraud. The evidence that
was given at the hearings is to be used
by the UBCIC legal team in the legal
action. They are now waiting for a
trial date to be set, so that Doig and
Blueberry can continue their fight for
their rightful lands.
INDIAN WORLD 21
EDITORIAL
Recently, at a major conference, one of our leaders
discussed his concern about the complacent attitude
of many of our leaders and people. He was concerned that at a time like this with the patriation of
the Canadian Constitution possibly just over the
horizon, we have to have strong leaders and people
like never before. However, he said he didn't think
we do have enough of them. This leader said that
there didn't seem to be the same strength and concern
for our people by our Councils, as there was when
the Canadian Government attempted to destroy our
rights in 1969 with the White Paper Policy.
The leader speaking must have found it difficult
criticizing his fellow leaders, being in the same
position himself. It's not very difficult to criticize
community leadership when not in their position,
though. As a matter of fact, we have found it quite
easy in the past to offer criticism. And yet how often
do we criticize ourselves as Band members who don't
always hold up our own responsibilities? Do we ever
take into consideration that without our direction,
our leaders are lost? It's our responsibility as Band
members to direct our Chiefs and Councils as to how
they should stand on whatever decisions they have to
make. It is also our responsibility to back up our
Councils when they make those decisions.
Our Chiefs and Councillors are only human. After
being criticized for making decisions, decisions they
are usually forced to make on their own without our
direction, they can become fearful of making any
decision or stand at all. If they knew where their
people stood, maybe they would be in a better
position to speak for their people without the worry
of receiving flack from the membership. And more
importantly, they would be more able to actually do
what we want them to do.
When there is a decision made that we don't
appreciate, we can comfortably say, well, what can I
do about it, I don't have any power in what the
Council decides. But, there are ways to let our Chiefs
and Councils know in which direction we want to go.
There are band membership meetings and one can
simply talk to the Chief directly. How many of us
find excuses for not going to general Band meetings
and then complain when we don't like what decisions
were made during them? And when we do attend,
how often do we speak?
INDIAN W O R L D 22
One of our popular excuses for not getting involved actively in what is happening at the community, provincial, or national level is that it is all politics.
We like to say, oh, that's politics, I don't like to get
involved in politics, that's what we've got a Chief
and Council for. When we really closely examine our
everyday lives, it becomes clear that really we are all
political by nature, because we are Indian people.
The moment we were born and the decision was
made whether we were status or non-status, we
became politicians. We find out later in life that it
seems almost everything we do is in some way a form
of political action. Fishing, hunting, speaking our
own language, building a house, going to the doctor
—they all involve politics somewhere along the line.
Even living on our own land, and thus declaring the
right to our own land, is political. And our lives will
probably continue to be stuck in this political whirlpool for years to come.
After seeing the power generated by the Constitution Express to Ottawa, many people have found that
we do have a lot of power. They felt it while going
across Canada. They watched it have a huge impact
through the media on the federal government. The
Express opened many of our eyes. Now we may be
able to see more clearly that we can all be heard in
issues such as the patriation of the constitution.
Now, with the continuation of the Constitution
Express, this time to Europe, we will again have the
opportunity to back up our Chiefs and show the
strength that is still alive in our people.
While the Express has been in existence, it has
given clearer direction to the leadership as to what
kind of stand they should make. It's easier to make
decisions when you know that there are community
people there to back you up. It's given the Chiefs and
people a chance to work together. Maybe it will lay
the groundwork for a continuing working relationship between the leadership and the people.
Darrell Ned, Editor
OUR WORLD
M E M O R I A L DINNER
Nelson Small Legs Jr. took his life on the Peigan
Reserve in the summer of 1975, in protest of and to
dramatically draw attention to the unhealthy and unchanging living conditions of Indian people.
At the closing of the UBCIC Special General Assembly
at the New Vancouver Indian Friendship Centre a memorial dinner was held to recognize that sacrifice and to
honor his family. They travelled from Alberta to share an
Indian feast with B.C. Indians and to allow us to dance
with the spirit of his son.
It was an emotional gathering of people who have suffered the same sadness at the tragic loss of some member
of their family. It also served as a positive statement of
determination by the Indian People who refuse to give
any more lives to needless death.
That night, the drum gave the people their dance and in
the dance each step was a move closer to making this a
better world for our Indian children and to building a
stronger commitment to our Indian communities and t ur
way of life.
Nelson Small Legs Jr. left a reminder that Indian
people universally are holding close to them—our tie with
the land is what gives us life.
HUNT FAMILY HERITAGE
The sun settled warmly on the tall carved totem poles
in the Great Hall at the Museum of Anthropology.
The people gathered to witness the opening of the
"Hunt Family Heritage" traveling exhibition sponsored
by the Museum of Man. The exhibition is open to the
public for viewing from May 27 to August 30th.
After the opening remarks were given, including Tony
Hunt's explanation of the Hunt family's long unbroken
involvement in recording and preserving their people's
traditions and art forms, the audience was privileged to
see members of the Hunt family dancers perform the
sacred Cedar Bark dances and some of the Head Dress
dances. These were some of the winter dances of the
Kwakiutl, which continued even though officially banned
The exhibition features carvings and an impressive
collection of silkscreen prints. The silkscreen prints
became popular around 1973 with West Coast Artist and
appeared on greeting cards and stationery.
CANOE RACES
Malahat
Lummi
Songhees
Nanaimo
Open Weekend
June 20-21
June 27-28
July 4-5
July 11-12
July 18-19
RODEOS
V A N C O U V E R ISLAND RODEO ASSOCIATION
Nanaimo
July 4-5
INTERIOR RODEO ASSOCIATION
Summerland
July 11-12
WESTERN INDIAN RODEO A N D EXHIBITION
ASSOCIATION
Similkameen
June 28-29 or July 4-5
Oliver
July 18-19
Canim Lake
July 25-26
INDIAN WORLD 23
T H I S
M O N T H :
Our attention this month is focused around gatherings. Indigineous Peoples from around the world formally worked on development of international law at
the Third World Council of Indiginous People's
Assembly held in Australia, (see page 6-7.)
At the Special General Assembly that was held in the
New Vancouver Indian Centre, May 14-15, the people
and leadership once again strongly supported the
Constitution Express to England. (Page 11.) At his same
assembly a ceremony took place at the New Vancouver
Indian Centre. The ceremony was a pole raising and
there is a story on that for you on page 2.
SECOND CLASS M A I L
REGISTRATION N U M B E R 4983
V A N C O U V E R , B.C.
The Nishga people are putting everything they've got
into stopping Amax from dumping tailings into Alice
Arm. However, they have seen some setbacks. See story
on page 4.
Ethel Gardner, who is a 3rd year NITEP student,
takes us to Alberquerque, New Mexico to the Indian
Child Conference which took place on May 17 to 21.
(Pages 16 and 17.) At the end of May many people got
together to see the grand opening of the New Vancouver
Indian Centre, (see page 2.) On the lighter side of the
gathering, Terri Williams and Frank Williams gave an
interesting history of the rodeo each year at Mount
Currie. Photos were also sent in by Victor Peters Jr.
(Page 12-13.)
With the arrival of spring, there will be many more
gatherings of many kinds. Let us know about the ones
you attend.
F R O M : UNION O F B.C. Indian Chiefs
440 West Hastings St.,
Vancouver, B.C. V6B 1L1
}
|
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af om =". c =
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UIs gy
POLE RAISING AT INDIAN CENTRE
Friday May 15, 1981, as the Special General Assembly
at the Vancouver Indian Centre came to a close, a cere-
mony was held. Elders from the Kitimat area dressed up
in their ceremonial outfits and prepared themselves for a
pole raising event. Seven local carvers from around Van-
couver area worked on the totem poles for a good 10
months and then helped in carrying the poles from the
basement to the main floor. It made it feel more strength-
ening because the help was from everyone present.
This showed the people present that we can help each
other, even if it’s just by being there. It gives a special
boost to the artists and to all of us for recognizing our
culture as a people. Throughout the ceremony it was said
that people need each other now more than ever to really
carry on the cultural ways of our ancestors, not only in
our arts and crafts but also through learning as much as
we can of our own languages, so that our ceremonies can
be stronger each time we have them.
VANCOUVER INDIAN CENTRE GRAND OPENING
The powerful heartbeat of our nation was felt at the
grand opening of the Vancouver Indian Centre May 29
and 30. Indian people from many nations gathered toge-
ther. There was even a group of Indians who came from
as far away as Chile to share their songs and dances. An
Aborigine from Australia joined us as well. This interna-
tional unity makes the world stronger because all Abori-
ginal people around the world have basically the same
values as Indian people from here. One of the main
values we share is respect for the mother earth so that her
heart beat will carry on forever.
The Indian Centre provided a great feast for the
people. Barbecued salmon, bannock and clam chowder
was just part of the feast and there was never a shortage
of coffee. The Vancouver Indian Centre shared with the
people in a traditional manner and pleased our Elders
very much. The Elders were honoured with gifts at the
give-away.
There were a variety of styles of drums, songs, dances
and outfits. Everyone was filled with pride in being able
to share their culture with one another. Arts and crafts
from many nations were displayed. Everyone was
welcomed to the Centre, with hopes that they will return
in the years to come. Since the Centre was opened in this
traditional manner, it felt positive that only good would
come from it in the future.
BENEFIT DANCE FOR SAUL BASIL
On the evening of May 8, 1981, there was a dance at
the Swedish Hall in Vancouver held for Saul Basil. It was
held to help him get a wheel chair and medicine after
being paralyzed in a car accident. Lately he was treated
with Indian medicines and the results from these have
helped him to recover faster. Family and friends came
together and all danced to the music of Whytefeather.
~
INDIAN WORLD is the official voice of the
Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs.
It is dedicated to building a strong foundation for
Indian Government by providing an awareness of the
political and social issues affecting the Indians of
British Columbia.
Signed articles and opinions are the views of the
individuals concerned and not necessarily those of
the UBCIC.
Contributors
Editor: Darrell Ned
Assistant Editor: Lorna Bob
Written Contributions: Ethel Gardner, Terri Williams,
Frank Rivers, Bess Brown, Rod Jeffries, Violet
Birdstone, Terry Aleck, Sadie Worn-Staff, Val
Dudoward, Archie Pootlass, Lorna Bob, Millie Poplar,
Pauline Douglas, Reg Percival, Sharon Venne.
' Photographs: UBCIC staff unless credited.
Typesetting: Mary Schendlinger / Pulp Press
Table of Contents
Ont Worlde es We. co ce eks & Fe Ee eee 2
Nishgas Lose Skirmish with Amax ............0+00: 4
Indian Nations Hit British Courts ..............-4+. 5
MBER Cra Biro iiteacs pig ote arate wea ook cra atate eters auerste eae salen 5
Mhird WCIP Assembly vii sss ccceseas esses ee oO
News, News, News ..........e0e0e08 Sa ates a eae
President’s Message .......-.-s-ceececercsveceess 9
England Constitution Express ............e0see8e8 10
Indian National Passports ...........0eee0ee88 eG
Special General Assembly..............0..0000008 11
: Mount Currie Rodeo—A History ...........00000 12
a cases 2 ® Ns aietg cea gee ree pea ae aera eo Gra etn SW a eee ee ele ae 14
ee Updateete tee ass diane Oot ccasaeesererre sae 15
: °"Ce.5.6 66anee? a Indian Child Conference-. oi cisecscce cs coene seer 16
5 ss - Indian People Oppose Canadian Census ........... 17 |
"05. : Express Sponsors Art Auction............-.2.2565 18
*weretecese Book Review—Broken Spirit...........0eeee0eee% 19
Elders lead the pole raising at the New Vancouver GVRD and GVSD D Fined for Pollution ee eh 20
Indian Centre, a tradition that will outlive any Elders Offer Evidence for Court Action............ 21
threat to our peoples’ survival. Editoriak:s 3% cio%s:s's sd teiewiee wis eos ain aie «le vise wacclsve 22
OUT WOT eek os ics tio iw diet w wuslets ste Gia'e wip ne sarees 23
OUR COVER: Now that the weather is getting warmer and summer is coming closer, our people are getting
together for everything from enjoying some fun to discussing the future of our people and our rights. One of
| the lighter gatherings came with the 23rd annual Cultus Lake Festival, June 6-7, 1981.
S
INDIAN WORLD 3
NISHGAS LOSE AMAX
COURT CASE
Amax, the giant multi-national
corporation, which continued to
operate even after the breakage of the
pipeline through which affluent goes
from the mine to the ocean inlet, has
again shut down.
At the time of the breakage in the
pipeline, May 7, 1981, it sprayed
affluent over about 200 meters of
beach at Alice Arm. Fisheries minis-
ter Romeo LeBlanc had stated that if
investigators find sufficient grounds,
charges would be laid.
AMAX DUMPS TAILINGS WITH
FEDERAL APPROVAL
Amax of Canada got its permission
to dump 100 million tonnes of toxic
mine tailing into Alice Arm from a
special regulation passed by an order-
in-council by the federal cabinet in
April 1979,
The mine was closed May 27, at
LeBlanc’s request, after scientists dis-
covered a plume of cloudy tailings in
the inlet approximately four kilome-
ters from the submerged pipeline out-
fall. Federal environment authorities
have confirmed that tailings from the
mine have strayed inside a prohibited
zone of Alice Arm in apparent viola-
tion of federal regulations. Their
laboratory tests have verified mine
tailing were found as a fine plume of
sediment above the allowable 100
meters in depth.
However, the Federal government
has allowed the mine to continue to
dump the toxic tailings into Alice
Arm, despite objections by the
Nishga people, the environmentalists
and the scientists who did the original
environmental study. They also did
studies based on similar mines, which
indicated tailings as unpredictable
and possibly having adverse effects
on sea life. One of the arguments of
Amax and the government has been
that the tailings from the mine would
INDIAN WORLD 4
settle on the ocean floor and would
not disturb the fish. This theory, as
proven before at Rupert’s Inlet on
Vancouver Island, is unpredictable.
A federally appointed panel has
been set up by LeBlanc to review the
decision to allow Amax to deposit
tailings into Alice Arm. Dr. J.E.
McInerney, chairman of the Review
Committee, was also a member of the
environmental review branch that
issued the permit to Amax, allowing
them to dump mine tailings into Alice
Arm. It was on these grounds that the
Nishga Tribal Council along with the
environmental § support groups
decided to boycott the hearings,
citing Dr. McInerney as being a
conflict of interest. Despite the
boycott, the hearings continued.
LEAD IN TAILINGS COULD
CAUSE BRAIN DAMAGE
One of the major fears stressed by
a Fisheries scientist at the hearings
was the presence of lead in the tailings
Michael Waldichuk, the scientist
speaking before the panel, described
lead as being particularly hazardous
to children, if present in their food,
with the potential to cause brain
damage. In fact, he said, they are
trying to put lead on a blacklist of the
prohibited Dumping Control Act.
The millions of dollars that Amax
of Canada is spending on the opera-
tionof the mine, on wages, and envi-
ronmental studies cannot justify the
potential health hazard to the people
of the Nishga Nation, who depend on
all species of salmon and shellfish
which are taken every day from the
Nass River and Alice Arm.
NISHGAS LOSE BID TO HALT
DUMPING
The Nishga lost a battle in Vancou-
ver, Friday May 29, 1981, when the
By Reg Percival
B.C. Supreme Court dismissed a
petition challenging the provincial
permit which allows Amax to dis-
charge its tailings into Alice Arm.
The petition challenged the
authority of H.P. Klassan of the Pol-
lution Control Board waste manage-
ment branch to issue the permit.
However, the court ruled that at the.
time the permit was issued, Klassen
was the assistant director of pollution
control and had the authority to issue
the provincial permit.
Another recent development is that
Liberal Senator, John Godfrey, co-
chairman of the Senate-Commons
regulations Standing Committee,
wrote to LeBlanc May 28th, 1981
advising him that special Federal
sanctions for the Amax mine seem to
be at odds with Parliament purpose.
He requested an explanation by June
23rd, 1981, when the committee will
again be examining Amax. The letter
suggests that the order-in-council that
granted Amax permission to exceed
the allowed affluent levels, interferes
with the Fisheries Act.
AMAX HAS NO SPECIAL
STATUS, LEBLANC CLAIMS
I think that for LeBlanc to state
that Amax of Canada Ltd., has no
special status is ludicrous. The day
that the Liberal cabinet granted
Amax the order-in-council to dump
their mine tailings into Alice Arm it
indeed granted them that special
status.
With all the controversy sur-
rounding the Amax mine recently, I
believe it is about time Romeo Le-
Blanc and his government realize
their mistake, drop their special
order-in-council and grant the Nishga
people and the environmental
support groups the full public inquiry
that they have been demanding. The
evidence produced so far, warrants it.
ABORIGINAL RIGHTS CLAUSES IN
CONSTITUTION AND C-48 EMPTY
Bill C48, the Canada Oil and Gas
Act, has been heavily attacked by
Indian and Inuit leaders for totally
ignoring their land rights and rights
to determine how the land should be
used. Land Claim negotiations are
taking place in the Yukon, Northwest
Territories and the Arctic, but Bill
C48 gives the Minister or officials in
the Department of Mines and Re-
sources the power to grant explora-
tion and drilling rights on all of the
land in question. The Minister or his
officials can order that exploration
and exploitation go ahead. They can
order how, when and what markets
should be used.
Against accusations of Govern-
ment bad faith in LandClaim nego-
tiations, the Minister of Energy and
Resources has added a clause to the
Bill; ‘‘nothing in act abrogates or
derogates from any aboriginal title,
right or claim that the aboriginal peo-
ple may have had prior to the coming
into force of the act.’’ There is no
definition of aboriginal rights. It is
left up to the courts as in the Consti-
tution. But the courts have already
ruled that aboriginal people have no
rights to sub-surface minerals or oil in
the north in the Baker Lake case.
Indian and Inuit leaders say the
clause is meaningless when it comes
to any say over what happens to their
lands. The Government’s position
shows that any concept of self-deter-
mination and title is far from its
mind: ‘‘Should the Dene establish
sub-surface rights, they would be like
any other owner, and get the bene-
fits,’ Munro told a press conference, .
Until land claims are settled, native
people will not receive any revenue
from oil and gas exploitation on their
land.
PETROCANADA GIVEN RIGHTS
OVER UNCEDED
The power to grant or order exploi-
tation or drilling in any land, Indian,
Inuit, Crown or private, is not affected
in any way by the Aboriginal Rights
amendment. Even while native
leaders are fighting the Bill, even
before Bill C48 is passed by the
House of Commons, the Minister of
Indian and Northern Affairs hit the
Dene and [nuit with another an-
nouncement, which effectively proves
the amending clause to be empty of
meaning.
In mid May, the DIA Minister
revealed to the Dene Nation that his
Department had completed negotia-
tions with PetroCanada for oil and
gas survey work in the NWT and the
Arctic. Petrocan has two agreements
covering about three million acres in
the Mackenzie Valley, with another
ten agreement covering another 15
million acres, currently under negoti-
ation. In addition, Petrocan has ex-
ploration rights to 27 million acres in
the eastern Arctic.
The people charge that these agree-
ments prejudice their land claim
negotiations.
On the Board of Petrocan sits
Deputy Minister of Indian Affairs,
Tellier, the writer of the White Paper
in 1969. He is there so that the abori-
ginal peoples’ concerns can be repre-
sented, he says. No Indian or Inuit
representatives have been invited to
sit on the Board and represent their
own interests.
NEGOTIATIONS SHROUDED IN
SECRECY
The Dene people are outraged. The
negotiations were shrouded in secrecy.
The people whose unceded lands were
being leased for drilling were never
informed until the first agreements
were in place.
Against increased and louder
charges of bad faith in land claim
negotiations, the Minister replies still
that if sub-surface rights are won by
the Dene ‘‘it will be like buying a
house with tenants in it. If the Dene
gets ownership they will reap benefits
from Petrocan’s work on the land.”’
The ‘‘owners’’ will have no say on
their land, Government house rules
will still apply. That is not what
most Dene people recognize as their
aboriginal rights to their land. They
call it an outrageous land grab that
makes a mockery of the Aboriginal
Rights clauses in the Constitution and
in Bill C48.
BRITISH LEGAL CASE MOVING
The Union B.C. Indian Chiefs
and the Indian Association of Al-
berta have been working together to
present a legal case in Britain
The legal team at the
Union has prepared a memorandum
of law which was to be presented to
the Attorney-General in Britain
during the week of June 8, 1981.
The purpose of this memorandum
is to set out the legal objections
against patriation. The request is
that the Attorney-General of Britain
refer the legal issues to the Privy
Council, which is the highest Court
in Britain. We are saying that
Britain owes obligations to the
Indian Nations,
Furthermore, we say that the
sovereignty of the Indian Nations
means that there cannot be any
change in the political institutions
and self-government oon _ the
Nations, without consent.
If the Attorney-General agrees to
refer the issue to the Privy Council,
Britain will not deal with the
Canada Act until all these matters
of law have been heard. ;
The second alternative is to
commence an action in the ordinary
courts in Britain, anticipating that
by doing this, the Thatcher Govern-
ment will delay patriation until the
case has been heard. That could be
sometime in October.
INDIAN WORLD 5
The World Council of Indigenous
Peoples (WCIP), an _ international
organization working to protect the
human rights of Indigenous Peoples
throughout the world, ended its Third
General Assembly in Canberra, Aus-
tralia, May 1, 1981.
After five days of meetings be-
tween delegates from 25 countries,
the WCIP General Assembly agreed
in principle to develop an Interna-
tional Law on Indigenous Rights,
with principles concerning Indigen-
ous ideology and philosophy, guide-
lines for Indigenous Peoples’ con-
flicts with corporations and national
governments and a number of resolu-
tions calling upon the world organiza-
tion to help particular Indigenous
groups in their struggle against threats
to their survival.
George Manuel, WCIP President,
was to undergo major heart surgery
and was unable to attend the confer-
ence. However, his message to the
General Assembly received a standing
ovation from the delegates. ‘‘My
mind, spirit and heart will be with
you, however, as you debate, plan
and bring into place for implementa-
tion, Indigenous ideology that our
people want to revive,’’ stated his
message. George Manuel has been
President of the WCIP since the
formation of the organization in
1975.
INDIAN WORLD 6
WCIP TO PURSUE PROTECTION
UNDER LAW OF NATIONS
Delegations from Northern Eur-
ope, North America, Central
America, South America and the
South Pacific agreed to the develop-
ment of an international covenant on
the rights of Indigenous Peoples. The
draft includes sections concerned
with self-determination and political,
economic, social and cultural rights.
Relying on international declarations
already established by agreement
between State Governments, the
WCIP hopes to establish an interna-
tionally binding law which protects
Indigenous Nations under the Law
of Nations. The draft covenant begins:
‘*All peoples have the right to self-
determination. By virtue of that right
Indigenous Peoples may freely deter-
mine their political status and freely
pursue their economic, social and cul-
tural development.’’ It also calls for
the right of Indigenous Peoples to use
their lands and natural resources with-
out interference from states for the
benefit of Indigenous Peoples.
By adopting the covenant in prin-
ciple, the WCIP General Assembly
set in motion a process which will be
undertaken by Indigenous Peoples
during the next two years. It is hoped
‘that the Covenant will be adopted by
the next session of the General
Assembly. When adopted and sent to
the United Nations, it will be the first
time in five hundred years that Indi-
genous Nations formally worked on
the development of international law.
DOCUMENTS PASSED TO
STRENGTHEN MUTUAL
SUPPORT
The Third General Assembly ap-
proved the content of three major
working documents which establish
the guiding principles for mutual sup-
port between Indigenous Nations.
The first of these working documents
centres on the principles of world-
wide Indigenous philosophy and
ideology. The major principles in this
document are that, ‘‘Indigenous phil-
osophy emanates from the centre of
the four directions of the earth—it is
not individualistic, nor linear, but it is
wholistic. Indigenous ideology needs
no authorization nor recognition by
the forces of colonialism, but stands
of its own right. It cannot be related
to the leftist or rightist ideology of the
colonizers.’’
The second document is called
National Issues. It contains principles
for mutual aid and assistance between
Indigenous Nations as they work to
rebuild their nations. The document
also contains specific resolutions
from the delegations describing con-
flicts between Indigenous nations and
nation-states. These resolutions call
upon the member Indigenous nations
to provide aid.
INDIGENOUS NATIONS NOTE
THREATS TO SURVIVAL
The third document is named
Political and Economic Imperialism
in Indigenous Homelands. It is in this
document that the delegates discussed
the effects of nation-states and cor-
porations on the political and econo-
mic life of Indigenous Nations. This
document notes that nation-states
and corporations are trying to destroy
Indigenous Nations through political
assimilation, intimidation and econo-
mic exploitation. It was further noted
that political and economic forces
from the left and the right represent
equal threats to Indigenous Nations.
The document urges, ‘‘In order for us
to survive as Indigenous Nations with
our own distinct culture, economic
views and political systems, we must
discipline ourselves to the common
proposition that we must depend on
co-operative Indigenous interdepen-
dence within our communities.”’
The WCIP General Assembly
chose new executive officers to fill the
positions of President, English-
speaking Vice-President and Spanish-
speaking Vice-President. They will sit
on the WCIP Executive Council until
the Fourth General Assembly, a term
of at least two years. The new officers
and Executive Council of the WCIP
78; BRrryrriyy pin kari
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ne
Soe Wee tee cere,
New WCIP President, (centre), vice-president Milillian and vice-president
Aslak Nils Sara.
include President Jose Carlos Morales
from the Baruca Tribe in Costa Rica
representing Central America; Span-
ish Vice-President Milillian Painemal
from the Mapuche in Chile represent-
ing South America; English Vice-
President Aslak Nils Sara from Sami-
land in Norway representing North-
ern Europe, Executive member Reg
Birch from the Bunaba Miriwung in
Australia representing the South
Pacific and Provisional Executive
member Ralph Eluska from the
Aleute representing North America.
WCIP INTENDS TO REBUILD
INDIGENOUS NATION STATUS
The Assembly of the World Coun-
cil of Indigenous Peoples announced
the intention of Indigenous Nations
to rebuild their national identity and
take their place among the family
of nations. As people long oppressed
by the economic, social and political
systems of colonizing nation-states,
the member Indigenous Nations con-
firmed a world-wide plan to achieve
Indigenous freedom beginning with
the community and developing to the
international level. Freedom for
Indigenous Peoples is now a matter
of practical necessity if Indigenous
Peoples are to survive.
Cultural activities of the Assembly —
included an arts and crafts exhibition
and sale, a traditional meal prepared
by the Torres Strait Islanders of
Australia, a Sami Theatre play, a
giveaway dance by the Indian Nations
of Canada as well as two cultural
evenings of traditional song and
dance with performances by the
Aborigines of Australia, Torres Strait
Islanders, Tahitians, Sami people,
Papa New Guineans, South
American Indians and the Indian Na-*
tions of Canada.
There were about 160 Indians from
various Nations across North Amer-
ica attending the General Assembly
with the majority coming from Al-
berta and British Columbia.
INDIAN WORLD 7
NEWS NEWS NEWS
INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ COMMEMORATION
On May 27, 1981, members of the Guatemala Action
Group of Amnesty International held a commemoration
ceremony on the steps of the old court house at Robson
Square in Vancouver to create public awareness.
The event was in commemoration of the horrible
massacure of 114 native people at Panzos, Guatemala in
1978. Men, women and children were massacred when
they left their homes in the northern part of this country
to protest expropriation of their lands by the ruling gov-
ernment. The only defense they had was their love for the
land.
The UBCIC participated in the commemoration cere-
mony because this type of issue is very close to the heart
of the rights we are fighting for in Canada. Like those
who were massacred at Panzos, the time has come for the
Indian Nations in Canada. The only difference is that
Prime Minister Trudeau and his government are not
using guns and warfare—he is using the patriation of the
Canadian constitution.
UBCIC PRESIDENT RECOVERING
AFTER SURGERY
George Manuel, President of the UBCIC, is making
rapid recovery at the Vancouver General Hospital
following heart surgery on May 25, 1981.
His family announced that he is doing very well, and
responding to treatment. We, the staff of the UBCIC,
miss George around the office and wish him full recovery
and hope that it won’t be too long before he is able to be
home with his family and friends. Instead of flowers,
George requested donations be sent to Union of B.C.
Indian Chiefs.
LIL’WAT NATION RUNNERS
‘The Lil’wat Nation Marathon Relay team is now
getting into shape and gearing up for action. Joggers are
running early in the morning and in the evenings.
A Marathon Event Committee is now meeting to fur-
ther discuss plan s for the 44 runners now training.
Some matters that have to be decided yet are the dates
the Lil’wat Nation will be hosting the event and a name
for the marathon. They are also deciding on which area
each will be running their 3 mile distance.
The Lil’wat Nation has come up with enough runners
to cover their territory in the 1,000 mile Indian relay.
Since the first meeting they have had 44 runners sign up—
11 women and 33 men, which includes all ages, shapes
and forms.
The Mount Currie Chief Leonard Andrew is planning
to pass the ribbon to the neighboring Indian Nation after
the last three miles in his territory.
INDIAN WORLD 8
MUCKAMUCK STRIKE ANNIVERSARY
By Ethel Gardner
We celebrated the third anniversary of the strike by the
workers at the Muckamuck restaurant in Vancouver. It’s
now a tradition we’ve been continuing since June 1, 1978
when the strike began. We proclaimed victory because
our pickets forced Doug Christmas and Jane Erickson,
Muckamuck owners, to close the Indian food restaurant
for the past six months. We won at the Labour Relations
Board, (LRB), on our charges against them of not
bargaining in good faith and for interfering with the
strike-breaking employees applications for certification
to the Northwest Hospitality Association.
We are waiting for the LRB to order Doug and Jane to
bargain with us, but the LRB says they have to hear the ~
strike-breaking employees applications for certification
to the Northwest Hospitality Association, an association
formed by the scabs themselves, before making a final
decision on the action that is to be taken against the
Muckamuck owners.
On behalf of the Service, Office and Retail Workers’
Union of Canada, (SORWUC), I'd like to thank all the
Indian people who supported us by not working at the
Muckamuck during the strike, despite the high
unemployment rate for our people. I’d also like to thank
everyone who refused to cross the picket line to eat at the
restaurant, thus helping us to succeed in this strike.
PRESIDENT’S
MESSAGE _
From the first coming of the Europeans, their govern-
ments have tried to destroy us as a race of people.
In the early 1900’s their strategy was to break the
strong Indian spirit by banning the potlatch, forbidding
the coastal nations to gather; by forbidding us to raise
funds for or gather to protect Aboriginal Rights; and by
hoarding our young into the concentration camp-type
atmosphere of the residential schools where they were
beaten for speaking our languages. This generation
almost lost its identity. The generation after was affected
probably the most, as today we see them working very
hard to understand their language and customs.
The Governments were almost successful in their
efforts to destroy the Indian Nations. We can see the very
disheartening social results in many of our communities:
¢ the young illiterate in the traditional languages and
customs;
® a very evident alcohol problem in many communities;
© still too many violent deaths in our villages;
® many of our young imprisoned.
Canada today is still trying to destroy the Indian Na-
tions of this land. The Trudeau government’s efforts are
equally vicious as that of any previous government. He is
intent on wiping us off the map altogether:
® the 1969 White Paper Policy would have had Canada’s
Indians assimilated by 1974; |
® the Indian Government Bill will have us assimilated by
1987;
® Trudeau’s proposed Constitution could have us totally
assimilated two years after patriation.
His most recent effort is to discontinue funding to
Indian political organizations who oppose the Constitu-
tion, as some political organizations across Canada are
presently experiencing:
“It is my judgment that we should not renew the
funding arrangement, particularly in view of IDIG
[Institute for the Development of Indian Government] —
subordinate status to the NIB. To do so would be
counter to our efforts to cease funding of Indian Poli-
tical Organizations...”’
(Memorandum between Assistant Deputy Minister
Goodwin and Deputy Minister Tellier,
April 16th, 1981).
In 1926, the Allied Tribes of B.C. had renewed their
strength. They went to Ottawa to demand that their
Aboriginal Rights be recognized and the British Govern-
ment be involved in the negotiations. The Canadian Gov-
ernment was able then to silence the Allied Tribes by.
cutting off their right to funds in defence of Aboriginal
Rights. By withholding funds now, Trudeau is forbidding
Indian Nations to gather and organize politically. He
hopes to silence us in the same way. ;
It is my firm belief that the work of the leadership at
the Band level in this province has been very effective in
our efforts to protect our aboriginal rights. The work in
the*communities to relearn our languages, to revive our
traditional laws, to respect our own culture, has given
renewed strength to the Indian people. It is this new
strength that makes the Government fearful. It is this
renewed strength that Trudeau wishes to break down by
his strategy of refusing funding for political organizing
such as ours. ;
The spirit of our Nations to survive and live with the
values and ways we had in the past, is gaining strength,
and it will gain momentum as we continue to pursue
Nationhood.
Yours in Indian Strength,
Acting President
INDIAN WORLD 9
| Senior of ‘the |
\Iberta. We have ‘got
Nay mber. q
assistance when we are ‘ins
Germany, ‘France and — “England —
_ The ale cost will be approximate. a
SPECIAL GENERAL
To meet the task of preserving the
survival of our Indian Nations, a
special emergency General Assembly
was called on May 14 and 15, 1981.
The chiefs and delegates gathered at
the new Vancouver Indian Centre to
discuss and share information con-
cerning patriation of the Canadian
constitution and its devastating con-
sequenices.
If we don’t do that, I’m afraid,
within two or three years we’ll lose all
of our rights. Right up until now we’ve
been strong and I think we should
continue to be strong.’’
PEOPLE CARRY BULK OF
CONSTITUTION OPPOSITION
STRONG SUPPORT FOR
CONSTITUTION EXPRESS
Although attendance by represen-
tatives of Bands was low, the message
throughout the Assembly’ was
consistent with what has been said all
along. That was that the Indian
Nations must continue to oppose,
with any means possible, the
presently written form of Trudeau’s
constitutional package. The Chiefs
strongly supported the Constitution
Express to England, as well as the
other political and legal action, both
in Canada and Britain. They did this
with both a formal resolution,
directing the Union of B.C. Indian
Chiefs to oppose patriation, and their
words.
= ‘ i
Amy Gauthier, from the Blueberry
Band warned, ‘‘The whole federal
government is trying to undermine
the Indian Nations. We’re going to
have to come together as one people,
win this constitution issue, make this
trip oversees, and make it clear that
we’re not going to stop for anything.
Several of the people in attendance
voiced a concern that the Chiefs
aren’t showing enough interest in the
constitution issue. They cited the lack
of Chiefs at the Kamloops Potlatch
and the Special Assembly as proof
and noted that it seemed to be the
people who were the most active in
fighting this crucial issue. George
Manuel voiced this same concern.
“I said everything I could to
persuade the Chiefs to be interested in
this issue, but the interest doesn’t
appear to be strong. But there is
interest from the Band members.
We’re doing something wrong when
the people will turn up when they’re
given an opportunity and the Chiefs
won’t turn out at a meeting such as
this one to talk about such a major
issue.”” ie
WILL PATRIATION MEAN THE
END OF OUR FIGHT?
‘even that
Many people spoke of the fear that
if patriation should occur, it would
mean the end of the Indian Nations
forever, and the end of the fight for
international recognition. However,
some persisted in the belief that it
would be only the beginning of a long
battle.
ASSEMBLY
ee ae
Phillip Paul, from south Van-
couver Island, said, ‘‘I think that we
should prepare ourselves and fully
realize that this struggle is going to go
on and on. It’s going to take a lot of
work and we have to understand it. If
we don’t succeed, and _ the
constitution is brought over here, the
struggle will become even more
intensified. But I don’t think we have
any right to give up. I don’t think we
can talk about quitting or defeat or
if the constitution is
brought here, that things are going to
be over. It will just be the begin-
ning.”’
During the Assembly, a young man
from Bella Coola called on the Chiefs
to stand in a circle to show their care
for those they represent. The
emotional act seemed to sum up the
message of the Assembly and the
message of the people to our leader-
ship—stand strong and together in
this battle for the survival of the
Indian Nations.
INDIAN WORLD 11
Lake Rodeo.
The history of rodeo in Mt. Currie
goes back many years, starting
shortly after the horse and bull were
introduced to the area. Back then
there were no chutes—the rider
simply mounted the horse in the
middle of the field and the winner
Ron James, age 30, of Lillooet, is riding ‘‘Willie Brown’”’ at the 198] Lilloet
emerge.
This new generation was equipped
with the facilities to practice, had
access to the knowledge of the
previous generations, and had the
determination to go all the way. They
expanded their facilities with a buck-
since 1970. What initially spurred him
on was watching his older brother Pat
Williams practice saddle bronc
riding. He got a good start by winning
his first buckle in the bull riding event
in Oak Harbour, Washington State,
in 1971. This win encouraged him to
go on to set bigger goals.
In 1978 he won the B.C. Indian
Rodeo Association Bullriding Cham-
pionship. In 1980 he was the first
Indian to qualify for the Canadian
National Finals Rodeo in the bull
riding event and the same year was
runner-up for the World Indian Bull-
riding Championship.
Burt teaches rodeo at the T’szil
Highschool and holds his own bull
riding school for the young people of
the Mt. Currie area. The young
people are definitely benefiting from
his experience. His latest rodeo
school was held on June 5th, 6th and
7th in Mt. Currie. ‘‘Out of these
schools will spring future Indian bull-
riding champions,’’ Burt said.
Bullfighter—Clowning around?
Some of you know that there are
clowns in rodeos, well here is
MOUNT CURRIE RODEO—
was the person who stayed on the
longest. The main road of Mt. Currie
became the racetrack and competi-
tion in these events was between the
Lil’wat people alone. These events
occurred in the early 40’s and were
known as ‘‘Indian Days’’.
As time went on, there became
fully developed rodeo grounds imme-
diately next to the old reserve. Soon
Mt. Currie was hosting the second
largest rodeo in B.C., then better
known as the May Day Rodeo. This
was achieved mainly through the lea-
dership of Pat Williams and was done
independently by Mt. Currie.
New Rodeo Generation Emerges
The same generation that put these
grounds together were also the first to
compete in other rodeos in B.C.
Through the work and experience of
these people a whole new generation
of cowboys and cowgirls was to
INDIAN WORLD 12
ing machine, became professional
riders, began circulating in rodeos all
over North America and began at-
tending professional radeo schools.
Burt Willlams—Rodeo Star
One of the first to emerge was Burt
Williams, who has been bull riding
someone with this kind of talent. The
only thing is that he does this for a
living. It is known as bull-fighting.
Martin Nelson, age 21, has been
bull-fighting for 6 years. He gained
interest during a rodeo practice in Mt.
Currie in 1975. Martin is now
recognized in the rodeo circuit
Burt Williams is riding “‘Buzzard’’ at Lillooet Lake,
Lg .. t
Ad . coo R= erat
Es ‘eee = 34>) ce a ve SM sree
PHOTOS = VICTOR PETERS JR.
around B.C., Alberta as well as the
United States and has been hired by 6
different stock contractors for 6 dif-
ferent rodeos.
Others have emerged to go on to
notable achievement. Wayne Andrew
has won many professional events in
saddle bronc and bull riding. His
younger brother Nick-o has been
steer riding since the age of ten and
has now advanced to professional
bull riding. Charlotta Andrew and
Faye Nelson have advanced in barrel
racing and P.R. Jones has become a
notable bull rider.
“Generations of History
Professional Rodeo Ground
Constructed
Since Pat Williams’ last rodeo, the
May Day rodeo has been changed to
another location and the name of the
rodeo is now known as the Lillooet
ee _ J
oo al
P. R. Jones ea Mt. Curve mormgci “Blondie. * “They can’t pay me enough
ee
to fight one bull. I do it for myself; it’s my own thing, *
Lake Rodeo. Nick Andrew took over
and has been constructing a new
rodeo arena designed from other
B.C. Rodeo grounds. All the work in
constructing has been volunteer and
Nick has had good support from his
family. His first rodeo in 1979 and
every rodeo since has been organized
on a fully professional level.
During the Lillooet Lake Rodeo, a
10 mile foot race took place on May
18, 1981. It went from Pemberton to
the Rodeo grounds. Allen Adolph, a
well known long distance Indian
runner from Lillooet, took first
place, winning by a very long
distance. His pace brought him into
the rodeo arena with a time of 1 hour
One of the most exciting events is the ‘wild cow milking.”’
rat a.
and 12 minutes. Ten other athletes
participated with each showing much
determination towards placing or
finishing in the event. Foot races have
always been one of the main events in
past Mt. Currie Rodeos.
Young People Get Serious
Nick Andrew also organized for
the young cowboys a Little Britches
Rodeo on May 9th and 10th, 1981.
Nick was quoted then as saying, ‘‘I
wish it didn’t cost so much. We
By Terri M. Williams and Frank
Rivers
would put up more rodeos for these
young people because this is where
they start. It is good to start them off
young, that way they get the feel and
gain the spirit of rodeo.’’
Four cowboys the age of six years
rode for the first time in this rodeo,
including our son, Delmar Rivers. A
whole new generation is emerging to
one day fulfill the dream of Mt.
Currie—having a World Champion.
INDIAN WORLD 13
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INDIAN WORLD 14
UP-DATES
NEWS NEWS
CONSTITUTION EXPRESS FUNDRAISING
By Ron George
Although fund raising in various parts of the province
is being carried out in the usual manner (bake sales,
bingos, raffles, etc.), we have not received many more
_ details than we had in the last issue of Indian World.
As mentioned, larger events such as the Moccathon
and concerts are being planned, but require ‘‘seed’’
money.
We are holding Indian Theme weeks in several shop-
ping malls throughout the lower mainland. We will be
featuring Indian dancing, food, carvers and people with
their handicrafts.
Anyone wishing to set up a raffle, beading or crafts
table in any of these malls, should contact Ron George at
684-0231, or Rose Gee at 325-9403. Some of the malls
have made space available, so we will need more people
and crafts to fill them. We feel that articles in the $5-70
range will sell quickly, however more expensive items are
welcome. The tourist season is approaching and this
market is available.
Outright donations of articles are welcome. However
those who cannot afford to will be charged a 20% fee for
the Express fund. We will also take articles on a consign-
ment basis. |
Meanwhile, carry on with your bingos, raffles, etc., as
they are as necessary as the larger events. With an issue
that is as important to our future generations as any issue
thus far, we’ll make it to England, even if we have to
*‘nickel and dime’’ our way over!!
Kwicksutainuek Band victory
After holding out and not compromising its position
for four long years, the Kwicksutainuek Band has seen
victory in its battle with the B.C. FOrest Products
Company.
Years ago, the Band found out that the B.C. Forest
Products was trespassing on its land, on Dugdemeise
Island, the location of its burial grounds. The company
filled in part of the foreshore and built a logging road on
a corner of the reserve. The company got permission
from the DIA, but the Band had no say in the matter. so,
the Band decided to pursue the matter legally and
politically.
In the end, after using legal and political action, the
Band gained a third-party status and began negotiating
with B.C. Forest Products for a new agreement. The
Kwicksutainuek Band took a strong stand, even refusing
to take 60 acres of land offered by the company, saying
that that 60 acres wasn’t within their Tribal territory. The
Band said that they didn’t have any right to take the land
and that the company had no right to offer it. It is land
within the territory of the Nimpkish people.
Probably the most important aspects of the case were
that the Band didn’t back down and that it was able to act
as a full third-party participant in negotiations with the
company and the provincial government.
FRANCIS HAINES CASE
In February of 1978 Francis Haines was charged with
hunting moose out of season without a permit, after Fish
and Wildlife officers found a moose carcass in Francis’
yard.
Francis Haines, a Chilcotin, has been fighting the case
on the grounds of aboriginal hunting rights for the past
three years. Finally, in October of 1978, Judge Barnett
found him not guilty, agreeing that Indian people do
have the right to hunt for food all year long. However,
the case was immediately appealed by the Province.
Judge Perry, the Appeal Court judge, found Francis
guilty, but wanted Judge Barnett to sentence him.
However, Barnett said that since he found him not guilty
in the first place, he didn’t want to sentence Francis. And
that’s where the case stands today—in a stalemate with
the Indian person again trapped in the middle.
MORE HUNTING RESTRICTIONS
On June 7, 1981, Chief Howard Wale from the
Gitanmaax Band contacted the UBCIC office requesting
action on what the provincial government calls the
Limited Entry Hunting 81-82. The main concern about
the Limited Entry, expressed by Chief Wale, was that
everyone, including status Indian people who plan to
hunt in various areas or regions, must fill in a Licence
Application Limited Entry Form.
All entries are required to be sent to Victoria and be
drawn on a certain date. If your name is selected (drawn),
it would allow you to hunt.
Chief Howard Wale instructed the UBCIC to co-
ordinate a meeting with Chiefs whose areas would be
affected by the restriction. We are in the process of
scheduling a meeting with the minister of the environ-
ment, Stephen Rogers, and Attorney-General Allan
Williams, to be held in Victoria.
Further meetings will be held concerning the. limited
hunting. You will be kept up to date. For more informa-
tion, contact Steven Basil at the UBCIC, 684-0231.
INDIAN WORLD 15
CHILD CONFERENCE FOCUSES
ON INDIAN VALUES |
The third National Indian Child
Conference, sponsored by the Chil-
dren’s Federation, was held in Albu-
querque, New Mexico, May 17-21.
The theme of the conference was The
Indian Family Foundation for ‘the
Future. Effie Dressler, a Washoe In-
dian who chaired the conference, ex-
_ NATIO
pants, there were about 30 to 40
people from B.C. alone. Several
students from the University of Brit-
ish Columbia were sent through the
NITEP program and students in
social work attended as well. The
Professional Native Women’s Associ-
ation sent a few women including
ONAL
INDIAN CHE tD CONFERENCE |
pressed hope that the conference
would provide us with all the skills,
enthusiasm and determination to
work together as advocates for the
children and youth, our most valua-
ble resource.
The overwhelming number of
workshops led by highly skilled ex-
perts, mostly Indian, in their respec-
tive fields, shared with the partici-
pants creative ways of being advocates
for children, and especially ways of
preventing problems that can develop.
The general workshop categories
were Mental Health, Education,
Health and the Handicapped, and
Youth Issues. The variety of work-
shops offered during each session
made it a chore to decide on which to
attend.
Of the approximately 1,800 partici-
INDIAN WORLD 16
REN
&
Angie Todd-Dennis, Verna Eneas,
Karen Schyler and Rita Peters, and
others. The Chilliwack Area Indian
Council sent several people to the.
conference as well. They were going
to gather information to bring back
to the Council. People from other
areas of B.C. were also there and
brought back new information and
skills to share and use. One thing that
I was delighted to discover was that
many of the participants were not
professionals, were just interested
and concerned parents. A good num-
ber even brought their children.
CHILDREN CAUGHT IN :
MIDDLE OF VALUE CONFLICTS
Wayne Hanson and Margaret
Eisenbise, Sioux Indians from the
San Francisco Bay area, where there
By Ethel Gardner
is a population of about 80,000 In-
dians, gave an overview of the value
conflicts between American Indians
and the dominant society and their
resulting implications. They
mentioned that because men spend
more time as workers and family pro-
viders, they tend to become less
exposed to their culture than Indian —
women. As a result, Indian women
remain stronger in their Indian values
than men. Women, then, are usually
the ones who teach and preserve the
culture. Wynne Hanson spoke of the
Americans’ difficulty in wunder-
standing Indian peoples’ lack of
interest in materialism. She related a
story about a young man who told his
Anglo counsellor he was going to
send his recent earnings to his
mother. The counsellor tried to tell
him to send only a little. The young
man didn’t want to see that counsel-_
lor again because the man just didn’t
respect or understand his values.
Hanson says Indian people are more
community-oriented than individual-
istic. Often this results in conflict
when non-Indians are counselling
Indians.
Herbert Benally and McCleman
Hall demonstrated and explained
how the Dialectic Method, as devel-
oped by Paulo Friere, can be used to
help students look critically at their
world and act instead of being mere
objects responding to change. This
approach was highly recommended
for working with teenage youth to
make them understand why they are
the way they are, in order to do some-
thing about changing themselves for
the better.
_ WEATHER A FACTOR IN
FAMILY TROUBLES IN NORTH
Yvonne Walker and Leigh To-
warak spoke of the hardships exper-
jenced by our northern Indian and
Inuit neighbours and the methods of
intervention and prevention used.
They said that two and a half months
of darkness and severe weather that
keeps families cooped up in their
homes causes frustrations resulting in
a higher rate of alcoholism, child
abuse, suicide and other forms of
violence than at any other time. Wal-
ders says that although Alaska has a
lot of money, human services are not
a priority for funding. Although they
‘still have to use the band-aid approach,
agencies are using prevention pro-
grams as much as possible.
One prevention program involves
sending youth to a fishing camp with
the Elders. For many Elders, the fish
is their main food source. Indian and
Inuit youth learn from the Elders and
at the same time become useful pro-
viders in the community. Another
program the northern agencies have is
involving foster parents make deci-
sions about moving children from
foster home to foster home. Many
foster parents don’t like the idea of
moving a child many times. Because
children often have to deal with dif-
ferent agencies, conflict sometimes
arises about what the agencies do
Wa
with the children. They have formed
an inter-agency committee to try to
prevent the conflicts. Walder also
said that when dealing with the many
violent crimes in northern communi-
ties, ‘creative sentencing’ is necessary
because each community has a differ-
ent value system, different customs,
and different ways of handling
family issues.
An excellent workshop, led by
Joann Morris, explained how parents
and other Indian community mem-
bers can learn to become advocates
for Indian students. She gave many
examples of unfair treatment and dis-
cussed how to handle such situations.
Some problems were: the taunting by
other children, prejudiced materials
being taught about Indian people,
biased information kept in student
files, and others. She said it’s better
to go to the right person with some-
one rather than to go alone, to take
notes, to present the problems
directly in a calm manner, and to
remember that there is always
someone higher up to see.
There is just so much I could write
about what happened at the Indian
Child Conference. I’d be happy to
share any other information I have
with anyone interested.
CANADIAN CENSUS MEETS
The 1981 Census, carried out by
Statistics Canada, is an issue that is
directly related to Indian Govern-
ment. The Census also ties is with the
proposed patriation of the constitu-
tion. The federal government refused
to allow our First Nations to partici-
pate in the Constitutional talks, and
yet expects our people to fill out these
census forms,
Statistics Canada, in its propagan-
da material on the Census, went to
great lengths to emphasize to Indian
groups, organizations, Bands and
individuals that if our people didn’t
fill out the forms, our funding might
be affected. The propaganda sug-
gested that the government funds us
on a per capita basis.
As almost any Indian person in
British Columbia knows, this simply
is not true. Funding on a per capita
basis is not a part of the*Indian reality
at all levels in British Columbia.
There is no standard. Some Bands
have taken the position that the
membership has directed their leader-
ship—their Indian Government—to
have nothing to do with the census.
Chief Andy Thomas of the Esquimalt
Band said that his people directed
him on behalf of their Indian Govern-
ment to uphold their citizenship as
members of an Indian Nation by
ignoring the Census Canada process.
Statistics Canada, anticipating great
resistance to the 1981 Census, warned
people that not filling out the forms
would mean a fine and/or a jail
sentence.
However, there are no reported
cases in the law books of charges
under Section 29 of the Statistics Act.
Summary convictions, under Section
OPPOSITION
29, for not filling out the form, calls
for a maximum $500 fine or a
maximum 3-month jail sentence, or
both.
Two years ago, Renee Taylor of
Alert Bay refused to participate in the
Census, saying that the Census taker
should go to her Indian Government.
The case went to court, and the
Census people could not prove their
case against her. While some Band
members are simply acknowledging
the Census process, there is another
legal-political action available to
Bands.
Band by-laws can be drawn up,
protecting the people from such
intrusions as the Census. This is an
assertive action, as opposed to the
other action of reacting to the Census
by not participating.
INDIAN WORLD 17
CONSTITUTION EXPRESS
SPONSORS ART AUCTION
Over 200 works from Indian Art-
ists and Carvers are being stored and
catalogued in preparation for the
major three-day auction of Indian
art. The auction will be held at the
new Vancouver Indian Centre
October 4th, 5th and 6th, 1981 and is
sponsored by the Constitution
Express.
Internationally known Indian auc-
tioneer Doug Allard from Montana
has accepted the invitation to lead
this major art event.
Invitations for the Auction are
being sent to all major centres in
Canada and the United States. Artists
asked Ted Pappas to organize this
event, «fter he organized a similar
auction very successfully last year.
We are now busy contacting Indian
artists, carvers, printmakers, jewel-
lers, designers, bead and leather
workers all over the country to contri-
bute to the Auction.
® You can contribute your work
outright with all proceeds going
towards the Indian Constitution
Express; or
® You can contribute one or two
pieces outright and place a num-
ber on consignment. The rate is
80% to the artist and 20% to the
Express; or
® You can put all your work on
consignment at the same rates.
Articles can be sent to: Indian Art
Auction, c/o Pappas Furs and Indian
Traders, 459 Hamilton Street, Van-
couver, V6B 2P9. Instructions on
what pieces are outright contributions
and what works are for consignment
should be made clear. Receipts will be
sent immediately.
For maximum promotion of your
work and of the Art Auction, your
works should be received. by August
31st, at the very latest. We are accept-
ing donations now.
That will also give us time to make
a good quality photo catalogue. Ad-
mission to the Auction will be by
catalogue only.
Artists and craftspeople will gain
exposure to the North American mar-
ket by taking part in this event. With
your submissions, therefore, we would
appreciate a short biography. Titles
of works, if any, should also be in-
cluded.
Notice for the Art Auction will be
sent to San Francisco, Los Angeles,
Phoenix, New York, Montreal, Tor-
onto, Calgary, Edmonton, Victoria,
Seattle, Portland. Media coverage
will also be arranged.
The Indian Constitution Express
will be very costly. But, how do you
count the cost of our very survival?
We have to organize and finance our-
selves, our continued existence as
Indian people depends on it. The
Constitution Express is also a very
definite statement of our survival.
For hundreds of years we have with-
stood every attempt to wipe us out.
We have survived poverty and
disease, education, being moved from
our traditional lands, the banning of
our languages and religion. We have
survived assimilation. Our artists tri-
umphantly portray the strength, the
courage, the beauty and the unique-
ness of our Indian people. They give
us the strength and the inspiration to
remain true to ourselves, and proud.
Pappas Furs and Indian Traders
specialists in
‘North American Indian Materials,
Artifacts, Rare Old Collectors Items,
Jewellery, Baskets, Carvings, etc.
WE BUY, SELL, AND TRADE
FREE APPRAISALS
459 Hamilton St. at Victory Square Vancouver, B.C.
V6B 2P9
681-6391
yy)
INDIAN WORLD 18
BROKEN SPIRIT
BY LEONARD G. DICK
Book Review by Bess Brown
Broken Spirit covers a wide range of issues concerning
Indian people today. Leonard Dick focuses mainly on
the causes of the social and economic problems faced by
Indian people and offers his opinions of solutions to alle-
viate them. He includes such subjects as alcoholism,
criminal justice, Indian organizations and Indian
politicians.
Undoubtedly, the most interesting and the most
controversial topics discussed in Broken Spirit are those
which deal with Indian organizations and Indian politi-
cians. In the past there has been very little written
concerning the internal workings of either Indian
organizations or their politicians. After reading what
Dick has to say about them, I am certain the politicians
will wish they had remained untouched by well-intentioned
authors as Dick.
If we were to believe Dick’s assessment of Indian
politicians, we would be obliged to think that they are
individuals whose only concern is for their own achieve-
ments and successes, and not that of the people they are
supposed to represent. Dick also makes a very interesting
observation about the hiring practices of Indian organi-
zations. He is of the impression that the majority of the
organizations practice nepotism, that is, show favoritism
towards their relatives and friends when hiring takes
place.
If someone examined the personnel of Indian organiza-
tions in B.C., it could be possible to argue that nepotism
does indeed exist in them. However, in the large
majority of cases, Indian politicians aren’t even involved
in the hiring process.
Indian people today. Leonard Dick focuses mainly on
politicians may be valid at certain times and to some
degree, I am of the opinion that for the most part, the
politicians are working for the betterment of the
people they represent and not themselves.
The politicians aren’t the only individuals who incur
Dick’s wrath. The sharp-tongued author also reserves
some of his righteous indignation for Indian people who
work for the government. These people, he states, are
“condoning discrimination, prejudice, poor health
standards, poor education, poverty conditions and a wel-
fare existence for Indian people.’’ Another issue Dick
discusses is alcoholism and its effects on Indian people.
The high crime rate among Indian people is one effect
highlighted. Dick then discusses at some length the short-
comings of the judicial system of Canada in general, as it
applies to Indian people. And so it goes, from issue to
issue. Dick is always finding someone to blame for all the
weaknesses he thinks are exhibited by Indian people. It
makes me wonder exactly what Dick hoped to accomplish
by writing such a book. It certainly wasn’t to enhance an
already shaky image of Indians. Page after page we are
confronted with the terrible examples of Indian people,
without a thought to discussing the good things that are
being carried out.
Broken Spirit portrays us as being either too dependent
on government funding to do anything for ourselves, or
as egotistical, power-hungry individuals succeeding in
white society at the expense of our ‘‘Indian brothers and
sisters.”’
In the opening pages of the book, Dick makes the
statement, ‘‘It is my contention that Indian people have
been mollycoddled and babied for too long and this
practice has only brought social problems to the popula-
tion.”’ He calls this constructive criticism. If a non-Indian
made a statement such as that we’d hear outcries of pre-
judice from Indian people. But, since it was made by a
person of Native descent, it is regarded as acceptable.
This is a double standard that I haven’t been able to come
to terms with. Two people can say exactly the same thing
but one is making his statement out of ignorance because
his skin colour is wrong. Though there are some interest-
ing aspects to Broken Spirit, I would not recommend it as
it contains too many negative stereotypes of Indian
people.
INDIAN WORLD 19
Sewage Kills Thousands of Salmon
CORPORATIONS GET OFF EASY
Last July, 1980, the Union of B.C.
Indian Chiefs laid charges under the
Fisheries Act against the Greater
Vancouver Regional District (GVRD)
and Greater Vancouver Sewerage and
Drainage District (GVSDD). Effluent
overflowed the sewage deposit into
the mouth of the Fraser River and
killed thousands of sea animals who
inhabited the vicinity. Amongst the
dead sea animals sighted on July 8th,
1980 by a Federal Fisheries scientist
were thousands of salmon found
floating belly-up around the getty,
which is the drainage route from the
Iona Sewage Treatment plant into the
Pacific Ocean.
STALL TACTICS EMPLOYED BY
GVRD/GVSDD LAWYER
The first hearing was scheduled for
January 19, 1981 in the Richmond
Provincial Court. The lawyer for
GVRD and GVSDD at that time
managed to seize the opportunity to
claim that the Provincial Court had
lost jurisdiction over the case because
they hadn’t been brought back to the
courts every seven days as is under the
court’s procedure. The case was then
brought before the Supreme Court.
The lawyer for the GVRD and
GVSDD then stood up to say that
they had abandoned their case.
However, the judge ruled that we had
a case.
The Iona Case was then brought
back to the Richmond Provincial
Court for the hearing, but again the
lawyer for the GVRD and GVSDD
delayed the hearing. His clients,
Allan Emmott (chairman of the
GVRD) and Frank Bunnell (ex-Com-
missioner of the GVSDD) failed to
appear.
The apparent intention of the ac-
cused, stalling for time, was more
than evident to the public and cer-
tainly gave them even a more unfav-
ourable reputation. Perhaps the
tactics were that we may tire and drop
INDIAN WORLD 20
the case but we weren’t just going to
give up since the charges were already
laid. We wanted the truth brought
before the people.
TRIAL FINALLY HELD
On April 29th, the trial finally
went forward after a last futile at-
tempt by the GVRD lawyer to further
stall the case. Technical and scientific
evidence was given by the Depart-
ment of Oceans and Fisheries, the
Provincial Pollution Control Board,
and the Fishing Portfolio Head on
behalf of the Union of B.C. Indian
Chiefs, because of the detrimental
effects the poisoning has on all
marine life, especially the salmon.
The salmon affected are salmon who -
swim up the Fraser River and its estu-
aries to spawn. More than 80 Indian
communities depend on these salmon
for food each year. The impact of the
pollution on the salmon is yet to be
fully determined. However, the mere
fact that this pollution does kill the
marine life by depriving them of
oxygen and that thousands of salmon
were killed before they were even able
to swim upstream to spawn, has been
brought to the people’s attention.
By Violet Birdstone
There has to be a joint effort by the
Federal government, the Provincial
governments, the Municipal govern-
ments, and the Indian Nations, to
conserve our marine resources.
CONVICTIONS BROUGHT
AGAINST CORPORATIONS
The provincial court charged each
branch of the regional districts a
$5,000 fine on May 7. $10,000 is a
mere pittance compared to the dam-
age they have caused, but the fact
remains that many people are now
aware that they are able to charge
these multi-million dollar corpora-
tions for polluting the environment.
These multi-million dollar corpora-
tions can be held responsible for any
damage they cause through their utter
carelessness and disregard for the
wildlife. They do this to save a few
dollars,
The small fine was not what the
UBCIC was looking for. There were
many factors we wanted resolved,
such as the installation of a better
treatment system, tighter controls by
the municipal government, and stricter
by-laws. We were left with the option
of appealing our case within 30 days
FOR COURT ACTION
The UBCIC legal team has gath-
ered the needed evidence to bring ac-
tion against the DIA for the illegal
surrender in the 1940s of Montney
reserve near Fort St. John. The evi-
dence comes from Elders who lived
on Montney reserve at the time. Some
of the evidence is translated from
Beaver to English, and from Cree to
English. The evidence brings us to the
Sept. 22, 1945 surrender meeting
which took place at Rose Prairie.
The evidence gathered is remem-
bered partially by the Elders from the
Doig and Blueberry Bands. They re-
member using the land they lost for
grazing their horses, berry picking
and fishing during the summer time.
Some of the people used to plant gar-
dens. This was their way of life before
_ the surrender of their land to the DIA
in 1948.
PEOPLE’S SURVIVAL
DEPENDED ON THE LAND
LOST
_ Clarence Apsassin, interpreter for
Cree, translated for Theresa Cheeky-
ass, one of those who gave evidence.
She is an 80 year old woman from
Doig Band. Theresa said everybody
on the Montney Reserve used to have
a lot of horses. She couldn’t count
them, she said, but there were many
horses that moved to Montney during
the summer time. The horses fed on
that land since everything was plenti-
ful on Montney. She said there were
cows using the land for feeding.
Before the meeting took place,
Theresa, her two girls and- her
husband were camped at Blueberry
Bridge. They were on a hunting trip
at the time. They were visited by
Chief Succoni’s oldest son and he
told her about the possibility of their
land being sold. Her feelings immedi-
ately at the mention of selling the
Reserve were that their land in no way
should leave their hands. That is the
same feeling that has continued to
remain strongly in their hearts.
When the two Bands arrived at
Rose Prairie Sept. 22, 1945, they were
going to get their yearly Treaty
money. She said there was a whole
bunch of people camped there who
said that DIA called a meeting to see
if the Bands would sell their land. At
the meeting, Chief Succoni asked the
Beaver people whether they wanted to
sell the reserve. The people said they
didn’t want to sell. Then the transla-
tor, Phillip Darcy, asked the Cree
people if they wanted the Reserve to
be sold. Again there was strong
response that no, they didn’t want to
sell. She said Chief Succoni and Joe
Apsassin were tricked. They were
promised a lot of money, but after
the promises the Bands didn’t receive
their money from the surrender. Only
once does Theresa remember every-
terest on the money. At that time 5%
interest was considered to be good.
DIA PROMISES PROVED TO BE
EMPTY .
- From what Joe Galibois put down
in his notes, he said he understands
from his own writing that it took the
chiefs from the two Bands quite a
while before they even came close to
the paper that they were told to sign.
First Joe Apsassin, head councillor
for the Cree people, signed, then
Chief Succoni of the Beavers signed.
As soon as he signed the paper, some
of the people came forward. How-
ever, not many people signed. Most
of them didn’t trust the DIA.
Besides dollars, the department
made other promises to the Bands.
DIA told them that they would get
proper housing and education for the
body getting paid. They received only
$10 each.
The Indian Agent for the DIA at
that time was Joe Galibois, who just
started working for the Fort St. John
district that September. He was picked
by J.L: Grew, who chaired the meet-
ing, to take notes. However, Galibois
stated at the hearings in September,
1980, that at the time he did not know
anything at all about what the sur-
render meant. Mr. Grew told the
Chief and the headman through in-
terpreters that if they gave up their
lands, the Bands would get a large
sum of money. He claimed as well
that for each year, the Dominion of
Canada would pay the Band 5% in-
children. But, like the money, these
promises were never kept either. In
the end, the land was sold, even
though the people opposed it. The
young people and the Elders especi-
ally had strong feelings about the
sale.
this now brings us to date. The
Bands have brought actions against
the department, including breach of
trust, breach of treaty, mismanage-
ment and fraud. The evidence that
was given at the hearings is to be used
by the UBCIC legal team in the legal
action. They are now waiting for a
trial date to be set, so that Doig and
Blueberry can continue their fight for
their rightful lands.
INDIAN WORLD 21
~EDITORIAL
Recently, at a major conference, one of our leaders
discussed his concern about the complacent attitude
of many of our leaders and people. He was con-
cerned that at a time like this with the patriation of
the Canadian Constitution possibly just over the
horizon, we have to have strong leaders and people
like never before. However, he said he didn’t think
we do have enough of them. This leader said that
there didn’t seem to be the same strength and concern
for our people by our Councils, as there was when
the Canadian Government attempted to destroy our
rights in 1969 with the White Paper Policy.
The leader speaking must have found it difficult
criticizing his fellow leaders, being in the same
position himself. It’s not very difficult to criticize
community leadership when not in their position,
though. As a matter of fact, we have found it quite
easy in the past to offer criticism. And yet how often
do we criticize ourselves as Band members who don’t
always hold up our own responsibilities? Do we ever
take into consideration that without our direction,
our leaders are lost? It’s our responsibility as Band
members to direct our Chiefs and Councils as to how
they should stand on whatever decisions they have to
make. It is also our responsibility to back up our
Councils when they make those decisions.
Our Chiefs and Councillors are only human. After
being criticized for making decisions, decisions they
are usually forced to make on their own without our
direction, they can become fearful of making any
decision or stand at all. If they knew where their
people stood, maybe they would be in a better
position tospeak for their people without the worry
of receiving flack from the membership. And more
importantly, they would be more able to actually do
what we want them to do.
When there is a decision made that we don’t
appreciate, we can comfortably say, well, what can I
do about it, I don’t have any power in what the
_ Council decides. But, there are ways to let our Chiefs
and Councils know in which direction we want to go.
There are band membership meetings and one can
simply talk to the Chief directly. How many of us
find excuses for not going to general Band meetings
and then complain when we don’t like what decisions
were made during them? And when we do attend,
how often do we speak?
XN
INDIAN WORLD 22
One of our popular excuses for not getting in-
volved actively in what is happening at the communi-
ty, provincial, or national level is that it is all politics,
We like to say, oh, that’s politics, I don’t like to get
involved in politics, that’s what we’ve got a Chief
and Council for. When we really closely examine our
everyday lives, it becomes clear that really we are all
political by nature, because we are Indian people.
The moment we were born and the decision was
made whether we were status or non-status, we
became politicians. We find out later in life that it
seems almost everything we do is in some way a form
of political action. Fishing, hunting, speaking our
own language, building a house, going to the doctor |
—they all involve politics somewhere along the line.
Even living on our own land, and thus declaring the
right to our own land, is political. And our lives will
probably continue to be stuck in this political whirl-
pool for years to come.
After seeing the power generated by the Constitu-
tion Express to Ottawa, many people have found that
we do have a lot of power. They felt it while going ©
across Canada. They watched it have a huge impact |
through the media on the federal government. The
Express opened many of our eyes. Now we may be
able to see more clearly that we can all be heard in
issues such as the patriation of the constitution.
Now, with the continuation of the Constitution
Express, this time to Europe, we will again have the
opportunity to back up our Chiefs and show the
strength that is still alive in our people.
While the Express has been in existence, it has
given clearer direction to the leadership as to what
kind of stand they should make. It’s easier to make
decisions when you know that there are community
people there to back you up. It’s given the Chiefs and
people a chance to work together. Maybe it will lay
the groundwork for a continuing working relation-
ship between the leadership and the people.
- Darrell Ned, Editor
4
HUNT FAMILY HERITAGE
The sun settled warmly on the tall carved totem poles
in the Great Hall at the Museum of Anthropology.
The people gathered to witness the opening of the
*‘Hunt Family Heritage’’ traveling exhibition sponsored
by the Museum of Man. The exhibition is open to the
public for viewing from May 27 to August 30th.
After the opening remarks were given, including Tony
Hunt’s explanation of the Hunt family’s long unbroken
involvement in recording and preserving their people’s
traditions and art forms, the audience was privileged to
see members of the Hunt family dancers perform the
sacred Cedar Bark dances and some of the Head Dress
dances. These were some of the winter dances of the
Kwakiutl, which continued even though officially banned
The exhibition features carvings and an impressive
collection of silkscreen prints. The silkscreen prints
became popular around 1973 with West Coast Artist and
appeared on greeting cards and stationery.
MEMORIAL DINNER
Nelson Small Legs Jr. took his life on the Peigan
Reserve in the summer of 1975, in protest of and to
dramatically draw attention to the unhealthy and un-
changing living conditions of Indian people.
At the closing of the UBCIC Special General Assembly
at the New Vancouver Indian Friendship Centre a mem-
orial dinner was held to recognize that sacrifice and to
honor his family. They travelled from Alberta to share an
Indian feast with B.C. Indians and to allow us to dance
with the spirit of his son.
It was an emotional gathering of people who have suf-
fered the same sadness at the tragic loss of some member
of their family. It also served as a positive statement of
determination by the Indian People who refuse to give
any more lives to needless death.
That night, the drum gave the people their dance and in
the dance each step was a move closer to making this a
better world for our Indian children and to building a
stronger commitment to our Indian communities and t ur
way of life.
Nelson Small Legs Jr. left a reminder that Indian
people universally are holding close to them—our tie with
the land is what gives us life.
CANOE RACES
MRSA 2 Gas o 5S 4s BES Rs HE eee Eee June 20-21
RUIN 055 Be ops ver coloe nescence emi mimymior niece leieem rae June 27-28
Songhees......... Swememeiearsecowontesioua teen July 4-5
NETO Vcc asec neces seme eMe RTE July 11-12
Open: Weekends occ cccrwseccneeewenciccwer July 18-19
RODEOS
VANCOUVER ISLAND RODEO ASSOCIATION
PNAS s orca mie esitenewany eiewntwlead eee July 4-5
INTERIOR RODEO ASSOCIATION
PUMUMETIANG -, 65 cs EN ERS CEE SSS ARES July 11-12
WESTERN INDIAN RODEO AND EXHIBITION
ASSOCIATION
SIMUMAMCEN 4 6 ok aed OWesiiesces June 28-29 or July 4-5
CNV GES is £55,555 ES ESS owe RR Re ee July 18-19
ari T and Tete 4. once: esa ce eco ce:epoieierniavejmvere-asesamaonee July 25-26
INDIAN WORLD 23
Part of Indian World - volume 4, number 2 (May – June 1981)