Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs Up-Date - Issue no. 7 (September, 1984) · UBCIC Periodicals

Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs Up-Date - Issue no. 7 (September, 1984)

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Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs Up-Date - Issue no. 7 (September, 1984)

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1.06-01.07 UBCIC Up-Date

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UNION OF B.C. INDIAN CHIEFS UP-DATE

440 WEST HASTINGS STREET
VANCOUVER, B.C. V6B 1L1
TELEPHONE: (604) 684-0231

TELEX: 04-54220

TO: TRIBAL COUNCILS AND BANDS
FROM: UNION OF B.C. INDIAN CHIEFS

DATE: September, 1984

Issue No. 7

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT - Chief Saul Terry:

Having lost patience entirely with the administration by Indian Affairs, the
Chilcotin Nation Action Group occupied the Williams Lake District Office of the
D.I.A. on August 22nd in order to close it down forever. The Chilcotin Nation
feels that they must handle their own affairs in order to better strengthen

their economy. ‘They feel that Indian Affairs' services promote dependency rather
than self-reliance.

As President of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs I was requested by the Chilcotin
Chiefs to act as Chaimman during the negotiations with Regional Director-General
Dr. Owen Anderson on August 28th. In addition, the Chilcotin Chiefs requested

the support of this organization for their initiative. In this regard, I believe
the position of UBCIC is very clear—-the D.I.A.'s promotion of dependency rather
than self-reliance denies the right of self-determination and it must cease. The

Canadian Government must recognize Indian Self-govermment and all that emanates
from Title to our homelands.

In support of the Chilootin Chiefs, I immediately telexed the leaders of the
three national parties, John Turmer, Brian Mulroney and Ed Broadbent expressing
the same message to each of them regarding Indian control of Indian Government.
I reminded them that in 1975 Indian offices in the southern interior of B.C.
were closed, specifically the Kamloops and Vernon District Offices, which at
that time were serving the Shuswap, Thompson, Okanagan and Kootenay Indian
Peoples. ‘These Peoples wished to advance the concept of Indian control of
Indian Affairs. The Government of Canada, through Indian and Northern Affairs,
fought long and hard against such an effort succeeding.

In 1978 the Lillooet Tribal Council joined these groups to form the Central |
Interior Tribal Councils. As the Lillooet Bands were still utilizing a District
office, a comparative study was done to determine whether a District Office did
indeed assist Indian people in meeting their needs. The comparision showed that
there was really no difference between those that had a District Office staffed
by at least 65 personnel to others staffed by fifteen. In our view this supported
our belief that the problem deeper than that of service by personnel. It is me
of policy-making to address the difficulties we face. If real changes are to
occur, the Indian people must be the policy-makers and that has been the position
of these Indian Bands over the years: Indian Control of Indian Government.

As a result of the negotiations carried out with Dr. Anderson on August 28, John

_ Renny was appointed as the Department negotiator to carry out the four week
‘maximum time-table for closure of the Williams Lake District Office. At that

meeting, two Shuswap Chiefs and Carrier Chiefs agreed that the District Office
should be closed down, however, they felt the timing of the closure had to be
considered further. Dr. Anderson, too, agreed that it should be closed, but
felt there were a nunber of questions to be resolved first regarding the transfer
of authority from District Office to the Indian Govemrents.

These questions will be the subject of intense discussions over the next four
weeks and will result in either the closure of the District Office there or the
resumed occupation of it. If further Action of this nature is required by the
Chilcotin Nation, I would, therefore, strongly urge Chiefs and Indian Citizens

who are interested in shutting down the District Offices in their area to

contact Chief David Quilt of the Stone Creek Band for further up-dates. In the
meantime, I will however, continue to keep you informed through the UBCIC Up-date.

---2 Update 7 “q

CHILCOTIN NATION ACTION GROUP CLOSES DOWN WILLIAMS LAKE DIA OFFICE :

The Department of Indian Affairs office in Williams Lake received a helping hand
from the Chilootin Nation Action Group August 22 in closing down its operations
there. Chilcotin Chiefs and Supporters took over the office in midweek and
returned throughout the following days in an effort to speed up the process of
Phasing out the Department and gaining control of their own lands and resources.
Stone Band Chief David Quilt described the action as a means of guaranteeing
Indian Self-government. "The DIA say they want to lock after us, but the staff
are living off our welfare that should be going into economic development. If
we talk about Indian Self-government, we must talk about control of the money
from treasury. That is the Only thing that will get Indian people Self-govern- —
ment," he said. Chief Daniel Case of the Alexis Creek Band said the Chilcotin
Nation Action Group undertook this action to speed up the proposals made last
January by representatives of Tribal Councils, Bands and the DIA at a planning
symposium to phase out the Department.

Regional Director-General for Indian Affairs Dr. Owen Anderson met with the
representatives of the Chilootin Nation Action Group on August 27 in Williams
Lake. Following the meeting, Anderson promised some changes could be made fair-
ly quickly to move in the direction of Indian Self-government, but he explained
“the changes can't happen all at once." Chief Quilt said the group will occupy
the District Office again in four weeks if there is no real progress by then.

INDIAN JURISDICTION OVER CITIZENSHIP DENTED BY MINISTER: Canadian Immigration
Minister John Roberts denied Indian jurisdiction over matters of citizenship in
his letter of July 15th to the Nuxalk Nation advising they turn over four Nuxalk ©
citizens for deportation from Canada. In the letter, the Minister informed
hereditary Chief Lawrence Pootlass a warrant for the arrest of a Nuxalk family
of four had been issued. The family includes Sami activist Nils Sonby, his wife
and two young daughters. They were formally adopted into the Nuxalk Nation dur-

ing a traditional potlatch ceremony last year and are now citizens of the Nuxalk
Nation. | |

"Alta-Kautokeino" which would displace Sami people from their traditicnal terri-
tory and result in social, economic and environmental destruction to their com
munities. Assisted by the World Council of Indigenous Peoples, Sonby was able
to gain sanctuary with the Nuxalk Nation. His family later joined him.

In a press conference called at the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs office on August
15th, Chief Pootlass responded to the Minister by informing him the Nuxalk Nation
would not accept any interference in their internal affairs. Chief Pootlass also |
called upon the Minister to retract his statements regarding the issue of warrants i
of arrest for the family. ‘The following is the complete text of the statement !
released by the Nuxalk Nation in response to the Minister:

NUXALK NATION STATEMENT CONCERNING NUXALK CITIZENSHIP IN RESPONSE TO CANADA'S
MINISTER OF EMPLOYMENT AND IMMIGRATION — We the Nuxalk Government, in response

to a letter dated July 30, 1984, which we received from Canada's Minister of
Employment and Immigration, do hereby openly declare that we will no longer stand
by and allow Canada to interfere in the intemal affairs of our Nuxalk Nation,
especially with our Nuxalk citizenship.

Canada's interference in our intemal affairs is evidenced by the Minister of
Employment and Immigration's Main statements in his letter. .

"Although you indicate Mr. Somby and his family have been adopted by the Nuxalk
Nation, they are not legally eligible for registration under the Indian Act, and,

consequently, cannot take advantages of the provisions in the Immigration Act for — |
registered Indians." |

The Indian Act, especially Section 12(1) (b) , is Canada's instrument of interfer-
ence in our internal affairs. ‘Therefore we openly proclaim that from this day
on that all Nuxalk peoples, whether they be known as "status Indians" or "non-
status" shall be returned to their rightful place, their Nuxalk homeland umder
the full Nuxalk Government powers and Nuxalk citizenship jurisdiction.

We the Nuxalk Government have decl

ared this position on Nuxalk Citizenship to the
International World Community. On

July 31, 1984, we confirmed our powers and

...3 Update 7

jurisdiction over Nuxalk citizenship in our statement to the United Nations work-
ing group on Indigenous populations at Palais De Nations, Geneva, Switzerland.
The key points in our statement are:

1. The Creator, with Supreme sovereignty over all worldly matters, created the

territorial lands, waters, air and all the natural resources of the Nuxalk ,
including the Nuxalk peoples. |

2. The Nuxalk territory, encompassing 7000 square miles, is situated adjacent
to territories of other neighbouring Indigenous Peoples along the Northern
_ Pacific Coast of Upper North America.

3. The Nuxalk people, with sovereign powers vested in them by the Creator,
formed a potlatch system of Nuxalk Government based on trust, respect,
honour and sharing of wealth for all things created. |

. 4

4. The Potlatch system of Nuxalk Goverment carried out the Nuxalk Peoples's

inherent aboriginal title and rights within the Nuxalk territory.

2- The Nuxalk people know they hold aboriginal title and rights to all the
territorial lands, waters, air and all its natural resources, including
the Nuxalk people, within the Nuxalk territory.

6. Recently, the Nuxalk Government, through the potlatch system have adopted
new citizens and made them part of the Nuxalk Indigenous population.

As stated earlier, both to the Canada Minister of Employment and Immigration and
the United Nations Working Group on Indigenous Populations the Nuxalk Government
will no longer allow Canada to interfere in the intemal affairs of our Nuxalk .
Nation, especially with our powers and jurisdiction over Nuxalk citizenship.

As our Nuxalk Peoples, those wrongfully branded as "non-status Indians" (a
majority of whom are our Nuxalk women) by Canada, retum to their rightful place
with Nuxalk citizenship ratified by our potlach system of Nuxalk Government we
call on Canada's Minister of Employment and Immigration to retract his statement:
“The Sonbys are now residing illegally in Canada and a warrant for their arrest
has been issued". ;

KAMLOOPS BAND PLANS BRIDGE BLOCKADE IF MONEY OWED THEM IS NOT PAID: "The Chief
of the Kamloops Indian Band says Band menbers will bloctade the new Halston
Crossing Bridge here during its official opening September 17th unless the Federal
Government releases money owed the Band for land used as an access to the bridge.
Chief Mary Leonard said Tuesday (August 29th), 'Not one car will cross that bridge
until we have been given our money.' The Halston Crossing Bridge will provide a
second route for city traffic to cross the North Thompson River. It has been |
constructed by the B.C. Ministry of Highways. The ministry negotiated access to
Kamloops Indian Band land for bridge construction, Band Administrator Randy
McDonnell said. The financial settlement was placed into a trust fimd until a
Federal Order-in-Council could be made transferring the land from federal juris-
diction to the Province. the transfer has never been authorized, so the money

_ has never been released to the Band, McDonnell said." ("The Sun", August 29)

B.C. FINANCE MINISTER HUGI CURTIS TO HIT THE ROAD FOR TAXATION CONSULTATION:
Socred Minister Hugh Curtis will begin a series of public meetings starting the
first week of September to study "taxation and economic development" throughout
the Province. Curtis' tour of 27 cities and tawns starts September 5th in Port
Hardy and wraps up Novenber 6th in Qualicum-Parksville, he announced August 28th.
Two days are scheduled for Vancouver: October 15th and 16th in the Robson Square
Media Centre. Curtis plans to be in North Vancouver on October 30th, in Surrey
October 3lst, in Chilliwack and Abbotsford on Novenber Ist and in Maple Ridge
Novenber 2nd. All meetings will start at 9:00 a.m. except Abbotsford, which
will begin at 2:00 p.m. Curtis said he wanted to listen to and receive ideas
and suggestions on ways and means of adjusting Provincial Taxes to encourage
adaptation to the new economic reality. ("The Sun", August 29)

...4 Update 7

Indian Governments may wish to watch for Mr. Curtis' arrival in their area to

raise their concerns over this Province's concerted attack against lawful exemp-
tions from Provincial taxation set out in the Indian Act.

INDIAN CHILDREN--STILL VICTIMS OF GENOCIDE: Genocide is defined as the "committ- ©
ment of acts with intent to destroy or decimate a national, ethnic, racial, or
religious group." Under the United Nations' "Convention on the Prevention and
Punishment of the Crime of Genocide" the forced transferral of children of one
group into another is considered an act of genocide. Under the tems of that
U.N. Convention Indian Nations and Peoples have been victims of genocide for
countless generations and through a variety of devious means, but one of the
most agonizing has been the theft of Indian children. No rational mind can
explain away the terrible implications of the entire residential school system
and its consequences as being anything other than "genocidal". There is no
question that the massive destruction to our communities was the direct intent ;
of that schooling system. Today the residential schools are gone, but the govern-
ments have been able to replace that system with another, equally insidious, form

of stealing our children--through the apprehension of them and the placement of
them into the non-Indian foster home system.

Indian control of Indian children is still an urgent priority for Indian Govern-
ments as we are all aware there still remains a disproportionate nunber of our
children in custody of the Provincial Governments. ‘The horrifying statistics
regarding the loss of our children, however, do not tell the real agony facing
each child once removed from his or her family and commmity. A few months ago
we ran a story of a young Dakota-Ojibway boy facing a lengthy term in prison for
the brutality he endured after being taken fromhis family in Manitoba. The
following story, published on August 15th in "The Sun", tells of another tradgedy.

FOSTER CHILD FREEZES TRYING TO RETURN HOME: "EDMONTON(CP)--A nine year old Indian
foster child died accidently when he tried to walk 200 kilometres to his hone in

Fort MacKay, Alta., on an icy winter day, Judge Delores Hansen says in a fatality
inquiry report. |

The frozen body of Wayne Rolland was found January 3rd beside a tree stump in the
Lake Athabasca delta, 650 kilometres northeast of Edmonton, a day after he had
run away from a foster home in Fort Chipewyan, Alta.

"In view of the circumstances...there are no recommendations for the prevention
of similar deaths," Hansen, a provincial court judge, said ina report.

Hansen listed hypothermia or exposure as the cause of death.

The boy's body was found six kilometres south of Fort Chipewyan. His dog was
found alive nearby, curled in a cone of ice.

Chief Dorothy McDonald of the Fort McKay Indian Band said similar deaths could

have been prevented if apprehended children were placed in foster homes or group
homes in their own commmnity."

NISHNAWBE-ASKT NATION REGAINS CONTROL OVER ITS OWN CHILDREN: Under the headline
"Natives to provide child care as major step toward self-rule" "The Globe &
Mail" reported August 23rd that recent statistics in Ontario show that 70 per
cent of status Indian children placed for adoption are still being placed into
non-Indian homes...But that will soon stop under the agreement reached between
the Nishnawbe-Aski Nation and the Ontario Ministry of Community and Social
Services. ‘The report stated: "In a major step toward self-government, Indian
people in Northem Ontario will provide their own child and family services
within their communities. Robert McDonald, Deputy Minister for Ontario's Minis-—
try of Community and Social Services, signed a Memorandum of Agreement yesterday
with the Chiefs of the Nishnawbe-Aski Nation, formerly Treaty Nine, at the

Nation's annual conference in a remote community about 600 kilometres north of
Thunder Bay, Ontario.

“The agreement says that child and family services, previously under the juris-
diction of the Children's Aid Society, will be transferred over the next five

--.5 Update 7

years to forty-two Indian commmities in the Nishnawbe area, which stretches
across Northern Ontario above the Canadian National Railways line....Rather

than taking children off reserves and placing them in non-Indian homes as the
society has done since it was allowed on the reserves in 1965, the Indian-run
system will place children in local homes with relatives or friends. 'We're
relieved it finally happened,' said Bill Nothing, Deputy Grand Chief of the

Nation. ‘Indian children always went to aunts or grandparents if there was

trouble at home (before 1965). It's not some new idea-we always did that before.'"

GENSTAR-IT DUMPS PLANS FOR HAZARDOUS WASTE DUMP SITE NEAR ASHCROFT: ‘The Bonaparte
Band will not have a hazardous waste dump site located right next to its reserve,
for now at least. Genstar-IT Corporation, which had received Provincial Govern-
ment approval for the project, decided at the end of July that it was ynot "econ-
omically viable" to proceed. The project called for toxic waste incineration
residue to be solidified in containers and transported to a burial site near
Ashcroft, an area which had been selected by the Province for its soil and dry
climate. But Genstar felt B.C. would not produce sufficient toxic wastes for
_its site to be profitable and felt the project would only be economically viable

if the government permitted Genstar to import toxic waste from the U.S. side of
the border as well.

The decision is a relief to residents of the Ashcroft area. However, a variety
of groups who had banded together to stop the project at. Ashcroft joined forces
August ll, to further press the Provincial Goverment for a province-wide infor-
mation campaign about, and a public inquiry into, toxic waste treatment and
Storage. ‘The newly formed "Hazardous Waste Management Coalition", which includes
the Lillocet Tribal Council, Greenpeace, the Sierra Club of Western Canada and
others, will be working to press the Government for more public say on B.C.'s
waste management. Darlene Taylor is attending coalition meetings as environmen-
tal health representative for the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs.

HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT REQUIRES CONSTRUCTIVE COOPERATION: In the wake of
Genstar/IT's withdrawal of their proposal for a hazardous waste management sys-
tem in the province, representatives of seventeen different organizations from
across the province met in Vancouver August llth, to found a "Hazardous Waste
Management Coalition". In a press release issued after the meeting, Coalition
representatives had this to say: "It is the intent of the Coalition to tum
what has been a confrontational atmosphere concerning hazardous waste manage-
ment into an atmosphere of constructive cooperation. The Coalition believes
that the withdrawal of the Genstar/IT proposal provides an excellent opportunity

for renewed efforts to develop the best possible hazardous waste management
system for British Columbia. :

During its meeting the Coalition developed a plan to help facilitate dialogue
on this sensitive issue. Specifically, the Coalition developed a detailed public
information and consultation process. Essential elements of the process include:
a province-wide information and education program, opportunities for informal
public review and consultation, a full formal ptblic inquiry, and intervenor and
evaluation funding. Specific mechanisms for implementation were also detailed.
The Coalition will be requesting an early meeting with the Minister of Environ-
ment to present and discuss its plan. A conmittee has been struck for this pur-
pose composed of representatives from the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, the
Lillocet Tribal Council, West Coast Environmental Law, B.C. Public Interest

Research Group, Sierra Club and the Canadian Association of Industrial and
Allied Workers.

OKANAGAN INDIAN LEARNING INSTITUTE WILL NOT CLOSE ITS DOORS: Despite an announce-
ment to the contrary; the Okanagan Indian Learning Institute will not be shutting
down, Jeff Smith, Education Director for the Institute, announced August 20th.
Smith said the Department of Indian Affairs had agreed to provide $15,000 to the
Institute and the money would be used to continue critical areas of its current
mandate. This includes: a) Completion of its analysis of the Needs Assessment
Survey of the Okanagan and Kootenay Bands. Over 400 individual Band menbers were

e--6 Update 7

interviewed to determine the present levels of educational attainment, job
status and future goals; b) Completion of its Master Plan in Education; and
Cc) Detailing of course content for training.

The money will last until the Fall, then the Okanagan Indian Learning Institute
will again seek core funding. "There are no guarantees, no conmmittments, nor
is there any kind of security with this job," said Education Director, Jeff
Smith. "We will continve to fight for this Operation because we know and many
Other people know that what we are trying to do is the real answer to the needs
of Indian Governments in education. ‘The general public should also note that
our work is not a fringe operation, nor is it a frivolous expense. If our plans |
are put in place, it will save the Treasury Board thousands of dollars. By doing |
the work ourselves, we would save the public the huge government administrative
costs, but more importantly, we would be working to achieve the end goal of .
breaking the dependency cycles of social welfare service costs, court costs, and
other costs related to existing social conditions on reserves," ‘added Smith.

1984 B.C. CONFERENCE ON HUMAN RIGHTS: "Down, but not out!" That's the feeling
among B.C. human rights groups and organizations since the passage of the Prov-
incial Government's widely-criticized Human Rights Act and the recent appoint—
ment of the controversial Human Rights Council. Human Rights groups, churches,
labour and students are now coming back with new strategies to fight for human
rights in the 80's. The 1984 B.C. Conference on Human Rights slated for mid-
September plans to bring together all individuals and groups concemed with
human rights in the Province and around the world.

"The deterioration of human rights is not unique to B.C." said conference organ-
izer John Graham. "By relating the B.C. experience to international economic
forces and the Third World this conference should provide useful insights into
combatting human rights abuses in B.C." The conference is co-sponsored by the
B.C. Human Rights Coalition and the B.C. Canadian Council for Intemational
Cooperation. It will be held at the University of Victoria from Septenber 21st

Canadian Human Rights Commission Chairperson Gordon Fairweather, former B.C. oe
Human Rights Branch Director Kathleen Ruff, Professor Dale Gibson of the Manitcba |
Human Rights Commission and Roman Catholic Bishop of Victoria Remi de Roo will
address the conference. A few noted international speakers are also expected to
attend. The conference has received strong endorsments from the Most Reverend
Edward Scott, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada; the Reverend Dr. Clark
MacDonald, Moderator of the United Church of Canada; the B.C. Federation of
Labour; Oxfam-Canada; thé B.C. Coalition of the Disabled; the Canadian Confed-
eration of Students (Pacific Region); the Affiliation of Multicultural Societies
and Services Agencies of B.C.; Vancouver Mayor Mike Harcourt as well as a nunber
of M.P.'s and M.L.A.'s. A major grant from the Secretary of State, serge Joyal

provided some funds for the conference, but organizers are seeking additional
funding from other sources.

For those Indian Governments wishing to participate in this conference, further
information is available from Mark Tatchell at (604) 382-3012.

GREETINGS FROM THE RESOURCE CENTRE: As most Bands and Indian Organizations are
aware, the UBCIC has an incredible Resource Centre that is capable of responding
to most Indian Bands' special research need. ‘The Resource Centre is set up
basically as a Land Claims Centre, although it does have extensive materials
that relate to health and social development, Band training, Indian education,

Indian fishing rights, taxation, economic development, Indian Government and
the Canadian Constitution.

The Resource Centre is now issuing Library Permits. The cost of these permits
per year is: for Consultants - $35.00; Institutional Borrower cards - $50.00;
and for post-secondary students - $10.00. If you require an application for a
UBCIC Library Permit please phone or write to the UBCIC Resource Centre.

Although these services used to be provided for free , the high cost of repairing
and replacing lost material has made it necessary to implement these user fees.

...7 Update 7

It is hoped that these fees will not deter any person, Indian Band or Indian
organization from utilizing this excellent source of information for all. who
are involved in Land Claims research. The Resource Centre welcomes all comments

and suggestions in regards to this policy. Please write or phone for a copy of
_ the complete Resource Centre Policy Statement if needed.

CANADIAN EXECUTIVE SERVICE OVERSEAS--NATIVE PROGRAMS OFFERED: Recently retired
professional and business people are available to donate their time and abili-
ties as 'volunteer-consultants' to Indian people in Canada, we have been advised
by the Canadian Executive Services Overseas (CESO). In an information letter »
from their Vancouver office, the Service stated: |

."CESO'S purpose is to provide advisory services to Native clients whoi request
professional assistance in economic development, community affaixs, education,

social counselling, i.e. alcchol abuse, and in other areas where aid is needed.
The CESO advisor will respond to the client's needs by helping to identify new
Opportunities, review the local human and natural resources as well as evaluate
various altematives for projects. He/she will advise On additional sources of
funding from both inside and outside government. Depending on the assignment
the volunteer may also consider job creation objectives and the training needs
of Native people. CESO, therefore, represents a valuable source of support in
addition to that available fran other agencies."

CESO services are offered at no cost to the Native clients. They are a volun-

teer service and work solely with the client's present and long term interests
in mind.

Since not all problems, of course, have simple solutions; the CESO advisors
either possess the "knowhow" to help people or know where to cbtain it. Recently,
CESO has brought many new advisors to our Native Roster, giving us a broader
range of expertise to assist the Native people in their undertakings.

The following are some of the fields covered by CESO advisors: Accounting;
Administration; Arts & Crafts; Cattle/Poultry/Swine; Co-operatives/Credit Unions ;
Educational/Vocational Administration: Engineering/Construction; Farming;
Forestry/Saw Milling; Fishing; Garment Manufacturing; Horticulture; Hotel/Motel/
Restaurant; Housing; Local Government; Merchandising; Natural Resources Develop-
ment; Small Business; Store Operations and Trucking/Transportation. :

There are a number of ways by which Native people may cbtain the services of a
CESO volunteer or team of volunteers through the following appropriate spons@ring
agency.

- through the Department of Indian Affairs. Discuss the request with the
Regional or District DIAND Officer responsible for the area, or forward it to
him in the form of a letter of Band Council Resolution.

- through the Department of Regional Industrial Expansion, Special ARDA program.
Discuss the request with the program or liaison officer Or include it with the
Special ARDA Part I Application...

= Or further information regarding this service may be cbtained from: CESO,
Suite 780, 475 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, B.C. V6B 4M9 Phone: 689-7401.

CARRIER ELDERS GAIN CULTURAL FUNDS: A group of Carrier Elders from the Smi thers
area received confirmation in mid-August of a $3,425.00 grant from the Federal
Government's New Horizons Program. The grant will be used by the Wet'Suvet'En
Chadehdunee (Carrier Indian) to organize craft and cultural programs for the
Elders of the Smithers and surrounding areas. ‘The Elders! group also plans to
play a key role in a training camp for their young people by teaching traditional
Survival, crafts and food preparation techniques. New Horizons is a program of
the Department of National Health and Welfare which funds projects by groups of
seniors enabling them to remain active and involved in their commnity. The

office is located at #104 - 1525 West 8th Avenue, Vancouver, B.C. V6J 1T5 and
Phone: 732-4303.

—_—O

...8 Update 7

ANNOUNCEMENTS: The Union of B.C. Indian Cheifs 16th Annual General Assenbly is
tentatively set for October 23rd, 24th and 25th to be held in Vancouver. Once
conference facilities have been determined notices will be sent out to Bands.

Chiefs Council will be meeting at UBCIC office on September llth & 12th, 1984.

World Council of Indigenous Peoples Fourth General Assenbly will take place on
Septenber 20th through 30th in Panama City, Panama.

INTERNATIONAL SILENCE DOES NOTHING TO STOP THE DEATH OF GUATEMALAN INDIAN PEOPLE: |
There is a terrible wailing and mouming occurring right now over the death of
some small Indian child, perhaps a pregnant mother or maybe even an old man who
had given wisely and kindly of his life for his commmity. ‘he ‘grieving goes on
almost daily, but not enough voices are raised in protest internationally to stop
the torture or the massacres of these people. The horror will continue for the
Guatemalan Indian people, even deteriorate further, if people of conscience do
not respond to the cry for help from our brothers and sisters to the south.

The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs have long been aware of the uncomprising brutality
of the Guatemalan Government towards the Indian people of that country, a brutal-

ity which has resulted in over a million and a half people being displaced from
their communities and over 100,000 refugees fleeing across the border into Mexico
for survival. In late 1982, Grand Chief George Manuel visited the refugees in
the Mexican camps and described for us all the sorrowful conditions facing our
people in these camps. In recent months this office has received ongoing infor-

mation on the rapid deterioration of the plight of the Indian refugees which is
cause for still further concem.

"On April 30th of this year, a contingent of 200 Guatemalan soldiers, as well as
another unidentified group dressed in civilian clothes, co-ordinated in three
groups, entered Mexican territory attacking a Guatemalan refugee camp called

"El Chupadero'. This camp of more than 1,300 people was attacked at 2:10 a.m.
and this continued for five hours. The result of that aggression aside from the
terror experienced by the refugees, who were pursued for four kilometres to the
outskirts of Las Delicias,; was the death of six people. The bodies were savagely
beaten: one little boy, less than five years old, with the skull blown apart by
gunfire, the ears and genitals cut off; a woman, 8 month's pregnant was also
assassinated, her body showing signs of beatings (as did the other victims), and
her throat cut. Unfortunately this event is but the latest and most severe link
in a chain of violations and aggressions against refugee camps and the Mexican
people, which began three years ago. It has left both Guatemalan refugees and
some Mexicans dead, and other kidnapped, tortured and terrorized. ‘These raids,
on land as well as by air, have penetrated sometimes up to thirty kilometres

inside Mexican territory." (Commmique from the Diocese of San Cristobal de las
Casas, Chiapas, Mexico--May 3, 1984).

As a result, the Mexican Government has recently formulated a policy of forced
relocation of the refugees to another state in Mexico, several hundreds of miles
away. The refugees have opposed this forced relocations for a variety of reasons.
During the last month several refugees have been killed by the Mexican Army and
now thousands of refugees have been scattered in the jungle without food and
tools. Several refugee camps have been totally destroyed.

RESISTANCE TO RELOCATION CREATES HAVOC IN THE REFUGEE CAMPS: "Large numbers of
refugees, backed up by many Mexican and intemational organizations have expressed
strong opposition to the relocation plan. One major concem for the Guatemalans
is the distance which they are being moved away from their native lands. Most see
their stay in Mexico as temporary and plan to return to Guatemala sometime in the
near future. Another problem is the trip to the new settlements. Most of the
refugees are women, children and elderly people and many are in poor health. The
trek, which took some twenty-five hours for the first peor ee for many
of the refugees. A large portion of the border camps are loca in jungle regions
and complicating matters, the rainy season is now in full swing, impeding trans-
portation and aggravating health conditions.

"Many refugees, meanwhile, have actively resisted the government's attempts to |
move them. When the first group was transferred from the Las Delicias camp COMAR

(the Mexican Refugee Relief Committee) had planned to transport 200 people. Follow-
ing extensive conversations with refugee leaders, however, COMAR was forced to take

...9 Update 7

only ninety six because no more would agree to go. Father Samuel Ruiz, a bishop
from the State of Chiapas (where the refugee camps are located) , reported in an
open letter to the press that at the end of June, 4,000 refugees of the 5,000 in
the Puerto Rico border camp were hiding in the jungle to escape the relocation.
Resistant refugees propose that rather than relocate to Campeche, the government
should only move them a short distance away from the border 'to avoid incursions
by the Guatemalan Army.'" (Central American Report, July 6, 1984).

Throughout July, in order to Carry out this forced relocation, the Mexican
Government has applied numerous tactics. On July 11, the Diocese of San Cristobal
de las Casas issued the following press release: "Since the beginning of the
present month, the Army and Navy of Mexico have surrounded five thousand refugees
in the Lacondon jungle. ‘The entry of food supplies to this area has not been
allowed. ‘The little food that the refugees have left, they have reserved for the
Children and sick people.

4
"One July 4th, the military totally destroyed the refugee camp of Puerto Rico, as
well as all the food that had been there. They destroyed the dugout canoes of
the Guatemalan refugees so that they could not leave to find more food, and they
carried off all tools -- without these the refugees cannot survive in the jungle.
On July 5th, the Mexican military tortured and assassinated three refugees from

the Ixcan refugee camp, whose bodies were abandonned on July 6th, on the landing
strip of the same camp."

“There are Guatemalan military among the Mexicans. The Guatemalan Army, for its
part, is on the border (only a few hundred meters from the refugee camp). ‘The
refugees are thus surrounded on the one side by Guatemalan troops and on the

other by Mexican troops. The Mexican soldiers have threatened to place a circle

of fire around this refugee camp. The lives of 5,000 refugees are in danger. If
within twenty four hours the seige is not broken, the refugees will begin to die.
The refugees are urgently requesting food. They also request the presence of UNHCR
(United Nations High Commission on Refugees) representatives in Mexico and Geneva,
as well as other intemational commissions to go and prove the existence of the

terror that the Mexican military has sown. Many refugees are being relocated to
Campeche by means of terror and beatings."

The most recent information, received in mid-August, is that the Mexican military
has now mobilized many thousands more of the refugees. Countless thousands who
were forced to flee their Guatemalan homeland and now fleeing into the jungles of

Mexico to escape this relocation. ‘The Mexican Government has reportedly issued
an ultimatum to them: accept relocation or be deported back to Guatemala.

URGENT ACTION REQUEST: The situation for the refugees is critical, but they are
caught in a very delicate diplomatic situation. Mexico is one of the few countries
that has in fact accepted Indian refugees from Guatemala. (Canada, for example,
has accepted possibly only three or four Indian refugees. United States also has
made it extremely difficult for Indian people to receive asylum there.) Because
Mexico is the only hope for survival for the refugees, they do not wish to offend
their host country. On the other hand, they resist Mexico's efforts to relocate
them. ‘The refugees are requesting urgent intemational support therefore to stop
the relocation, but request that individuals or Organizations commend the Mexican
Government for receiving the refugees and granting them asylum.

'. The refugees are requesting support on the following points:

1. Oppose plans to relocate them from the Mexican state of Chiapas.

2. Request that those camps located too close to the border be relocated a fey
kilometres further inside, but not hundreds of kilometres away in other states
of Mexico.

3. Request that those camps that are already located a suitable distance fram the
border be allowed to remain where they are, due to their greater security from
Guatemalan army incursions. .

4. Request that the distribution of food and humanitarian aid by church people
and non-govermmental organizations be permitted to continue, and that the
human rights of the refugees be respected.

letters of telegrams of support may be sent to the following: |
Lic. Miguel de la Madrid Hurtado lic. Bernardo Sepulveda Sr. Leonardo Franco

President of Mexico Secretaria de Relaciones United Nations High

Los Pinos . Exteriores Commission on Refugees
Mexico 18, D.F. L. Cardenas YR Flores in Mexico

MEXICO Magon Presidente Masaryk, 29

Mexico 3, D.F., MEXICO: Mexico 5, D.F., MEXICO

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