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Union of BC Indian Chiefs Historic Newsletters
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Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs [Up-Date](April 1988)
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Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs [Up-Date](April 1988)
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1.06-01.07 UBCIC Up-Date
1.06.-01 Newsletters and bulletins sub-series
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April 1988
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U N I O N O F B.C. I N D I A N CHIEFS A p r i l 1988 NEWS ITEM FROM MUSGAMAGW-TSAWATAINEUK OF KINGCOME I N L E T , B.C. The Musgamagw-Tsawataineuk will be c e l e b r a t i n g t h e 50th Anniversary o f t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n o f t h e i r St. George's Anglican Church and King George V Totem Pole. More importantly t h e celebration w i l l f o c u s on t h e c o m m i t t m e n t , energy and d e d i c a t i o n r e m i n i s c e n t o f t h e i r a n c e s t o r s whose memory i s very much c h e r i s h e d by t h e i r descendants. The f e s t i v i t i e s w i l l b e g i n on 18 M a y 1 9 8 8 a n d c o n c l u d e on 22 May 1988. The t o t e m p o l e i s i l l u s t r a t i v e o f t h e four bands oft h e Musgamagw-Tsawataineuk . The t o p f i g u r e r e p r e s e n t s t h e Thunderbird, c r e s t o f t h e G w a - W a - a i n e u k o f Hope Town, t h e s e c o n d f i g u r e t h e W o l f r e p r e s e n t s t h e c r e s t o f t h e A h - K w a m i s h o f Wakeman Sound, t h e t h i r d f i g u r e t h e Raven r e p r e s e n t s t h e Tsawataineuk o f Kingcome I n l e t and t h e l a s t f i g u r e on t h e p o l e t h e C e d a r Man represents t h e Kwicksutaineuk o f Gilford Island. These four t r i b e s w i l l each p l a y h o s t on a l t e r n a t i n g d a y s that w i l l i n c l u d e sports, s p i r i t u a l , p o l i t i c a l and entertainment events w i t h p a r t i c i p a n t s from t h r o u g h o u t t h e Kwakiutl Nation and i n c l u d i n g members o f t h e S l i a m m o n Band as w e l l as some guests from other bands. * * * STANDING C O M M I T T E E ON A B O R I G I N A L A F F A I R S TO HEAR U B C I C P R E S I D E N T AND MEMBERS OF UBCIC CHIEFS COUNCIL ON A P R I L 2 7 , 1 9 8 8 . Chief Saul Terry, P r e s i d e n t o f t h e U n i o n o f B.C. I n d i a n Chiefs and a m e m b e r o f t h e U B C I C C h i e f s C o u n c i l , Tom D e n n i s w i l l appear t o m a k e p r e s e n t a t i o n b e f o r e t h e S T A N D I N G C O M M I T T E E ON A B O R I G I N A L A F F A I R S R E G A R D I N G THE I M P A C T OF B I L L C - 3 1 o n A p r i l 27 1988. This p r e s e n t a t i o n represents and encompasses t h e c o n c e r n s brought to t h e UBCIC by v a r i o u s bands, t r i b a l c o u n c i l s and Indian organizations. The final draft will be a v a i l a b l e upon request from our office. + * * SUBMISSION DENTAL FROM HEALTH CONSULTATION WORKER SERVICES - PRIVATIZED PAYMENT OF B I L L S In J u l y , 1 9 8 7 , t h e c o n t r a c t f o rpayment o f d e n t a l s e r v i c e s t o I n d i a n p e o p l e w a s a w a r d e d t o a N a t i o n a l g r o u p c a l l e d B L U E CROSS. (Blue Cross i n B r i t i s h Columbia i s c a l l e d Medical Services Association.) This p r i v a t i z a t i o n o f d e n t a l p a y m e n t s was i n t e n d e d to improve t h e handling o f accounts submitted by d e n t i s t s . The process f o r payment was t o b e s p e e d e d up through contract r e q u i r e m e n t t h a t D e n t i s t s be p a i d o n a m o n t h l y b a s i s . It appears that this intended improvement i n dental not be o c c u r r i n g . A f e w r e p o r t s i n d i c a t e t h a t some s t i l l having t o wait s e v e r a l months t o obtain services they had provided t o Indian clients. p a y m e n t s may dentists are payment f o r - 2 - The c o n t r a c t between Medical S e r v i c e s and Blue Cross i s open to change in June of each year and i s r e n e w a b l e on a three year basis. T h i s b e i n g t h e c a s e , i t w o u l d be w o r t h w h i l e f o r bands to w r i t e to M e d i c a l S e r v i c e s i n f o r m i n g them of problems t h a t a r e e n c o u n t e r e d by d e n t i s t s or band members. This type of information w i l l e n s u r e t h a t b o t h p o l i c y and o n g o i n g p l a n s f o r Dental S e r v i c e s r e f l e c t the needs of the community people. It is e s p e c i a l l y important that problems encountered through p r i v a t i z a t i o n o f d e n t a l p a y m e n t s be d e a l t w i t h a s t h e y occur. The f i r s t a t t e m p t a t p r i v a t i z i n g o f a p a r t of h e a l t h s e r v i c e s i s c o n s i d e r e d a model f o r p r i v a t i z i n g o t h e r n o n - i n s u r e d services. * SUMMARY: * * H O S P I T A L S O C I A L W O R K E R S V I E W OF THE MAJOR E X P E R I E N C E D BY H O S P I T A L I Z E D N A T I V E INDIANS. In t h e past s e v e r a l months, the Health m e e t i n g s with the S o c i a l Work D i r e c t o r s of Vancouver. The intent of these meetings were: a. to obtain information on hospital services for summary i n an I N F O R M A T I O N 1 988) . b. to identify I n d i a n s who DIRECTORY the types have been to PROBLEMS Liaison worker h e l d the major h o s p i t a l s in bands (mailed out April, by native of problems encountered hospitalized. Generally, t h e same t y p e s of p r o b l e m s were i d e n t i f i e d a t most o f the h o s p i t a l s . The main problems are l i s t e d , including some suggestions on how bands might a s s i s t t h e i r members i n p r e v e n t i n g them. 1. Travel and Accomodation. Often people who t r a v e l t o V a n c o u v e r to o b t a i n medical are discharged from h o s p i t a l and do n o t have t r a v e l accommodation p l a n s in p l a c e . These people may discharged sooner than p l a n n e d or are d i s c h a r g e d friday when most offices ( i n c l u d i n g band o f f i c e s ) c l o s e d for the weekend. O f t e n p a r t of the d i s c h a r g e p i n c l u d e r e n t a l or purchase of s p e c i a l equipment wheelchair, walker, etc.). The can p r o b l e m s c r e a t e d by be k e p t t o a m i n i m u m unplanned or a v o i d e d or unexpected by: care and be l a t e have lans (eg. discharges a. m a k i n g d i s c h a r g e a r r a n g e m e n t s f o r accommodation, and e q u i p m e n t a t t h e t i m e o f admission, or b. Informing hospital S o c i a l Workers about emergency t r a n s f e r s to a lower mainland h o s p i t a l , especially i f special arrangements are r e q u i r e d on d i s c h a r g e . This a d v a n c e n o t i c e to the h o s p i t a l w i l l a l l o w the s o c i a l workers enough time to begin to set up plans for discharge. In most c a s e s , t i m e l y a n x i e t y an individual away f r o m home. planning w i l l reduce the might experience w h i l e in t r a v e l , hospital stress and a hospital 2. Lonliness and 3 - Fear F o r some p e o p l e , b o t h a l a r g e h o s p i t a l and t h e c i t y i t s e l f are new experiences that c o u l d cause c o n s i d e r a b l e fear. This l e v e l of fear can i n t e r f e r e with medical care, especially i f a person s i g n s t h e m s e l v e s out of t h e hospital before treatment is complete. One p o s s i b l e means f o r d e a l i n g w i t h t h i s p r o b l e m w o u l d be for bands to i d e n t i f y at l e a s t one i n - c i t y f a m i l y or c o m m u n i t y m e m b e r who w o u l d be a b l e t o p r o v i d e s u p p o r t t o t h e person admitted to the h o s p i t a l . This support p e r s o n ' s name c o u l d be made a v a i l a b l e t o e i t h e r t h e h o s p i t a l social worker o r be g i v e n t o t h e i n d i v i d u a l who i s l e a v i n g the community. Often an e l d e r who does not speak e n g l i s h w e l l or a person who i s k n o w n t o be v e r y a n x i o u s m i g h t b e n e f i t f r o m t h i s type of system. b. Loneliness is a particular problem for children, long term patients, and the terminally i l l . While Medical Services does meet the costs f o r one f a m i l y member t o t r a v e l to Vancouver, hospital social workers are of the o p i n i o n that t h i s may n o t be e n o u g h . In s p e c i a l cases, s u c h as t h a t o f c h i l d r e n and t h e t e r m i n a l l y i l l , more t h a n one f a m i l y member may n e e d s t o be p r e s e n t w h i l e t h e s e p e o p l e a r e i n h o s p i t a l . This need to e x t e n d t r a v e l c o s t s t o more t h a n one f a m i l y member has been presented to Medical S e r v i c e s . However, m o r e w o r k n e e d s t o be d o n e i f a n y c h a n g e i s t o be made with t h i s policy. In a d d i t i o n , UBCIC w i l l continue to support e f f o r t s by a c i t y agency which i s attempting to obtain funds to continue with their program which provided h o s p i t a l visitation and support services to Indians. 3 Cultural Misunderstandings. A lack of understanding on t h e p a r t o f h o s p i t a l workers may at times i n t e r f e r e w i t h b o t h c o m m u n i c a t i o n and treatment provided to n a t i v e Indian p a t i e n t s . This is recognized as a long standing problem which s o c i a l workers are particularly interested in doing something about. As a f o l l o w up t o t h e s e m e e t i n g s , the Health L i a i s o n worker w i l l be p r o v i d i n g a c u l t u r a l education c l i n i c at the G.F. Strong h o s p i t a l . If considered successful, this c l i n i c will be p r o v i d e d at o t h e r hospitals. 4. Failure to carry out follow-up medical care after discharge. Both doctors and s o c i a l workers present serious concerns a b o u t t h e f a c t t h a t I n d i a n p a t i e n t s o f t e n do n o t c a r r y out d i r e c t i o n s for continued care once they have returned to t h e i r home c o m m u n i t y . Such care might i n c l u d e taking medication f o r a period of time, doing e x e r c i s e s , or using special equipment. A lack of t h i s type of care either intereferes with recovery or, o f t e n i n the case of children, results in re-admissions to the hospital. In d e a l i n g w i t h at the community the importance home. t h i s p r o b l e m f o l l o w up w o r k n e e d s t o be d o n e level t o r e m i n d i n d i v i d u a l s and families of of c a r r y i n g out t h e i r treatment w h i l e at I n many i n s t a n c e s , h o s p i t a l social workers find themselves having t o a c t as g o - b e t w e e n f o r M e d i c a l S e r v i c e s and the p a t i e n t . There is a concern that n a t i v e Indian patients consider these hospital social w o r k e r s t o be t h e s a m e a s p r o v i n c i a l social workers. This i m m e d i a t e l y s e t s up a b a r r i e r t h a t i n t e r f e r e s w i t h any a s s i s t a n c e s t h e y m i g h t be a b l e t o provide. 4 - H o s p i t a l s o c i a l workers have also s a i d t h a t one o f t h e m o r e frequent causes f o r h o s p i t a l admissions are r e l a t e d to motor vehicle accidents. They a l s o s u g g e s t e d t h a t c o m m u n i t y e d u c a t i o n i s r e q u i r e d t o p r e v e n t t h e s e t y p e s o f a c c i d e n t s from o c c u r r i n g . If to you h a v e any q u e s t i o n s , s u g g e s t i o n s , o r h e a l t h l i a i s o n , p l e a s e b r i n g t h e m t o my Carole D a w s o n , UBCIC Health Liaison * DIRECTORY ideas that are attention. related Worker. * * SUBSTANCE ABUSE S E R V I C E S IN B R I T I S H COLUMBIA 1988 The s e c o n d e d i t i o n o f t h e DIRECTORY i s once a g a i n jointly s p o n s o r e d by B.C. M i n i s t r y o f H e a l t h a n d t h e K a i s e r S u b s t a n c e Abuse Foundation. This 116 page b o o k l e t contains program d e s c r i p t i o n s o f both I n d i a n and n o n - I n d i a n Programs t h a t a r e a v a i l a b l e throughout B r i t i s h Columbia. Information content i n c l u d e s c o s t s , i f any, l o c a t i o n , p r o g r a m l e n g t h , and p r o g r a m t a r g e t groups. Copies of t h i s booklet c a n be o b t a i n e d from the Health C o n s u l t a t i o n P r o g r a m a t t h e UBCIC h e a d o f f i c e i n V a n c o u v e r . * The UBCIC For more Palmer. Resource Centre w i l l information please * * b e o p e n f o r b u s i n e s s May 1 6 call the UBCIC L i b r a r i a n : 1988. Dave Chiefs' Mask, I n d i a n A r t and B o o k s t o r e w i l l be o p e n i n g sometime i n May. The s t o r e i s l o c a t e d i n t h e m a i n f l o o r o f o u r b u i l d i n g at 73 W a t e r S t r e e t . Herman Thomas has been h i r e d t o c o o r d i n a t e the book s t o r e opening. Do n o t h e s i t a t e t o come a n d b r o w s e and s p e n d some o f y o u r m o n i e s i n o u r s t o r e . * * * INDIAN AFFAIRS S P A L L U M C H E E N INDIAN BAND—CHILD W E L F A R E P R O G R A M CANADA M r . Nelson A . Riis (Kamloops — Shuswap): M r Speaker, the chief, the council, and the Spallumcheen Indian Band members reject the Minister of Indian Affairs' ( M r . M c K n i g h t ) recent proposed child welfare program. T h e y reject not only the policy but also the so-called consultation process. They believe that by transferring jurisdiction over native children's welfare to provincial Governments the federal Government is actually breaching its trust responsibility for Indian people and is playing politics with the lives of Indian children. House of Commons Debates VOLUME 129 • NUMBER 293 • 2nd SESSION • !3nl PARLIAMENT OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Seven years ago this band began its own child welfare program based on a thoughtful and well developed band bylaw which gave the band members the right to administer their own child welfare programs, which they have done exception-ally provincial Governments. Friday, April 22, 1988 If native self-government is to be a reality in Canada, those bands which presently have complete jurisdiction and responsibility over their child welfare programs must be able to continue to act in that fashion. Speaker: The Honourable John A.Fraser,P.C, Q C INDIAN AFFAIRS S A S K A T C H E W A N A N D MANITOBA L A N D CLAIMS CANADA M r . Rod Murphy (Churchill): M r . Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Indian Affairs. During the state of severe unemployment on Indian reserves in western Canada, and the fact that native people need a secure land base in order to develop their opportunities and gel away from the welfare cycle that exists, why has the Minister reneged on the Saskatchewan formula as it applies to the provision of land and entitlement lands to the bands in that province? W h y has he reneged on the agreement with the Manitoba chiefs and the Manitoba Government which was initialled by his officials over a year ago which would have provided the land base which those people so badly need 1 House of Commons Debates VOLUME 129 • NUMBER 286 • 2nd SESSION • J3rd PARLIAMENT Point of Order H o n . B i l l M c K n i g h t ( M i n i s t e r of Indian Affairs and Northern Development): M r Speaker, there are two parts to that important question. OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Wednesday, April 13, 1988 The Saskatchewan formula, which has been in effect since 1979, has only seen two transfers of land lake place. The entitlement bands in Saskatchewan have changed their decision from that originally of land to land and, in some cases, cash, and to some land which is not rural but urban. To calculate the quantum to those changes, it was necessary to review the policy of the Government of Canada The date of first survey is still in place. Without prejudice, the Government of Canada will meet that dale of first survey entitlement. Speaker: The Honourable John A. Fraser, P.C.. Q.C. W i t h respect to M a n i t o b a , the Manitoba Government initialled a memorandum among officials that allowed for the Government of Canada to purchase in southern M a n i t o b a all the land necessary for entitlement, completely excluding any responsibility by the Government of Manitoba to provide much needed land to Indian entitlement bands in that province. M r . Speaker The H o n . member for Humber—Port au Port—St. Barbe rises on a point of order. w INDIAN AFFAIRS LUBICON LAKE INDIAN BAND L A N D C L A I M - T R A N S F E R OF LAND Mr. Keith Penner (Cochrane—Superior): M r . Speaker, I direct my question to the Deputy Prime Minister. T h e offer made yesterday to the Lubicon Indian Band is based on the band's population as of 1940. O f course, that population is much larger today. In fact, the land offered is only one-third of that claimed by the band House of Commons Debates Yesterday's offer was described by the Minister as an interim offer, and Chief O m i n a y a K said thai no interim reserve is acceptable unless a process is clearly established to reach a final settlement. VOLUME 129 • NUMBER 265 • 2nd SESSION . 33rd PARLIAMENT OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Friday, March 4, 1988 What assurances did Canada seek and obtain from the Province of A l b e r t a that when negotiations have been successfully completed and additional land is to be given to the Lubicon Indian Band, that the province will in fact transfer that land? W i l l they do that or will it still be necessary for Canada to take the province to court in order to acquire that additional land? Hon. Bernard Valcourt (Minister of Slate (Small Businesses and Tourism) and Minister of State (Indian Affairs and Northern Development)): M r Speaker, what has to be realized is that this is an important step in the resolution of this important issue concerning the Lubicon Indian Band land claim. T h e setting up of this reserve and transfer of land by the province is an indication of the willingness of both Canada a n d Alberta to deal with the issue. W h a t is important is that this transfer of land will be made without prejudice to the position of the parties involved. It does not affect the right of the band Speaker: ThehonourableJohn A. Fraser, P.C, Q.C. to seek additional reserve lands through negotiations or court action. A l l we can say is that we are hopeful, this important step having been taken, we will be able to resolve the whole issue through negotiations. Mr. Penner: I listened carefully to the answer a n d it lacked clarity. I gather somewhere in there is a yes. Alberta is prepared to give up additional land when a final negotiation process has been completed USE OF HON. E. DAVIE F U L T O N AS MEDIATOR FISHERIES M r . K e i t h Penner ( C o c h r a n e — S u p e r i o r ) : M y s u p p l e m e n t a r y q u e s t i o n d e a l s w i t h the n e g o t i a t i o n p r o c e s s . Is the G o v e r n m e n t o f C a n a d a now p r e p a r e d t o use the H o n . E. D a v i e F u l t o n a s a m e d i a t o r , as r e q u e s t e d b y the b a n d and as the S t a n d i n g C o m m i t t e e o n A b o r i g i n a l A f f a i r s and N o r t h e r n D e v e l o p m e n t r e c o m m e n d e d t o the H o u s e ? INDUSTRY STOPPAGE IN B C —GATT RULING M r . J i m Fulton (Skeena): M r . Speaker, work in the B . C . F i s h i n g i n d u s t r y has been slopped t o d a y to protest the i n c o m p e t e n c e o f the Minister of Fisheries a n d O c e a n s ( M r . S i d d o n ) a n d t h e M i n i s t e r for I n t e r n a t i o n a ! T r a d e (Miss C a r n e y ) . T h e s e t w o M i n i s t e r s fail to p r o t e c t t h e B C fishing i n d u s t r y before the G A T T panel, w h i c h has m a d e a p r e l i m i n a r y r u l i n g w h i c h c o u l d cost B . C . 7 , 5 0 0 fishing i n d u s t r y j o b s . H o n . Bernard V a l c o u r t ( M i n i s t e r of State ( S m a l l B u s i nesses and T o u r i s m ) and M i n i s t e r o f State (Indian Affairs and N o r t h e r n D e v e l o p m e n t ) ) : M r . S p e a k e r , I i n d i c a t e d that the w i l l i n g n e s s o f the P r o v i n c e o f A l b e r t a to t r a n s f e r t h i s a m o u n t o f l a n d for the r e s e r v e is a n i n d i c a t i o n o f the p o s i t i o n o f the p r o v i n c e w h i c h a l s o w a n t s t h i s r e s o l v e d T h e question o f w h a t n u m b e r o f f u r t h e r a c r e s o r s q u a r e m i l e s c o u l d result w i l l c o m e out o f the n e g o t i a t i n g p r o c e s s T h e Progressive Conservatives combined with B . C ' s S o c i a l i W i t h r e s p e c t t o the l a t t e r p a r t o f his q u e s t i o n c o n c e r n i n g the C r e d i t a r e the l e t h a l c o m b i n a t i o n of gutlessness a n d sheer m e d i a t o r , the M i n i s t e r o f I n d i a n A f f a i r s and N o r t h e r n i n c o m p e t e n c e . F o l l o w i n g t h e feeble a n d f a i l i n g a t t e m p t s b e f o r e D e v e l o p m e n t has o n m a n y o c c a s i o n s i n d i c a t e d the p o s i t i o n o f the G A T T p a n e l , t h e T o r i e s b u m b l e d a g a i n b y s i g n i n g i n t o C a n a d a i n that r e g a r d . W e h a v e i n d i c a t e d to the b a n d a n d all t h eMulroney— Reagan deal a guarantee to a b i d e by G A T T p a r t i e s i n v o l v e d m a n y t i m e s that w e were r e a d y t o use the r u l i n g s , a n d then b u m b l e d again b y protecting a l l p r o v i n c i a l c o n c l u s i o n s o f M r . F u l t o n ' s r e p o r t as a b a s i s for n e g o t i a t i o n s . F i s h e r i e s r e g u l a t i o n s e x c e p t for B . C . , a n d t h e n b u m b l e d a g a i n B e c a u s e M r . F u l t o n a l r e a d y m a d e c e r t a i n findings and h a s b y f a i l i n g to negotiate forcefully with the U . S . to h e a d o f f a i n d i c a t e d his p o s i t i o n , w e d o not feel that he c a n act as a r u l i n g b y G A T T later this m o n t h . m e d i a t o r . It w o u l d b e t a n t a m o u n t to h a v i n g one o f the p a r t i e s c h o o s e not o n l y the j u r y but the j u d g e a n d the p a r t i e s at the It i s c l e a r n o w t h a t t h e B . C . f i s h i n g i n d u s t r y d e s e r v e s t h e s a m e t a b l e . W e w i l l not g o i n that d i r e c t i o n . s u p p o r t o f w o r k i n g p e o p l e across the c o u n t r y t o c o u n t e r t h e i n c o m p e t e n c e o f the M i n i s t e r o f Fisheries w h o has p l a c e d a $ 7 5 0 m i l l i o n B . C . f i s h i n g i n d u s t r y at r i s k . It is t i m e f o r s o m e p o l i t i c a l w i l l , a n attribute sadly l a c k i n g i n t h e M u l r o n e y V a n d e r Z a l m a d m i n i s t r a t i o n s . T h e y have been c a u g h t t r y i n g t o g i v e a w a y C a n a d i a n j o b s . It is t i m e for a l l C a n a d i a n s t o s a y DO. House of Commons Debates INDIAN AFFAIRS VOLUME 129 NUMBER 266 2nd SESSION 33rd PARLIAMENT REINSTATEMENT O F W O M E N O N R E S E R V E S — L A C K OF HOUSING Mrs. Therese Killens ( S a i n t - M i c h e l — A h u n t s i c ) : M r Speaker, the federal Government is preventing women who recently regained Indian status from getting decent housing on reserves The ambiguous position of the Conservative Government is forcing native women into unwholesome competition with their own people for one of the basic necessities of life, housing. OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Monday, March 7, 1988 About 95,000 people have applied to Ottawa for reinstatement to the reserves across the country and most of them arc women. They have applied for housing on reserves because the 1985 legislation. B i l l C - 3 1 , now allows women and their children to return to the reserves if they so wish. You will recall. M r . Speaker, that these women lost their Indian status because they married white men or someone other than a status Indian. However, the problem is that although the Government provided special funding for reserve housing for reinstated women, it did not give band councils clear criteria about how it was to be spent The result is that money is being spent for general housing needs. Speaker: The Honorable John A. Fraser, P C , Q.C. Some H o n . Members: Time! NATIVE L A N D CLAIMS—FISHING BY-LAWS M r s . Mr. Ted Schellenberg (Nanaimo—Alberni): M a d a m Killens: There is already not enough money for Indian Speaker, it is my duty and honour to present petitions from housing on reserves— 611 British Columbians who are protesting the present process of native land claim negotiations in our province. Some Hon. Members: Time! In particular, the petitioners request that the Government of M r s . Killens: —so once again the women are paying the Canada pass an Order in Council pursuant to Section 73 of the price. Indian A c t placing all Indian Band fishing by-laws under the authority of the Fisheries A c t of Canada, and instruct the federal Nishga claim negotiator, and all other Indian claims negotiators, that Indian land claims are not to be settled by granting fish from the public Fisheries of Canada to the exclusive use of the claimants. FISHERIES SITUATION IN GASPE—REQUEST T H A T Q U O T E BE S E C U R E D WITHIN 200 MILE Z O N E M r . Charles-Eugene M a r i n (Gaspe): M r . Speaker, the Gaspe peninsula once more is faced with a plant shutdown. The Purdel Inc. group decided not to reopen its ground fish line in Riviere-au-Renard, putting some 300 seasonal employees out of work. One of the reasons given by the company is the impossibility to obtain raw materials. It feels a fishing quota within the 200-mile zone would have been a solution to the problem. Y o u will remember, M r . Speaker, that in December 1987 fishing industry groups in Quebec were denied access to the 200-mile zone by the Minister of Fisheries and Ocean ( M r . Siddon). In view of the increasingly sad situation of the fishing industry in Quebec, it was agreed on my request that a meeting would take place in Gaspe within two weeks, in order to regroup the Quebec fishing industry and to resume discussions on the possible access of Quebec to the 200-mile zone. U n t i l a longer-term solution is found I a m certain, M r . Speaker, that this Government will help the people in Riviereau-Renard overcome that unhappy experience. FISHERIES SCALLOP FISHERY IN BAY O F F U N D Y - I S S U A N C E O F LICENCES M r . George Henderson (Egmont): M r Speaker, my question is for whoever is responding today for the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans. In October. 1986, the inshore and offshore sectors of the scallop fishery in the Bay of Fundy area came up with a management plan for this very important resource For instance, all sides agreed that the fishing zone for New Brunswick fishermen would be extended to the middle of the Bay of Fundy. House of Commons Debates VOLUME 129 NUMBER 262 2nd SESSION 33rd PARLIAMENT Now we learn that the Minister has issued licences which allow some of these same fishermen to fish over the entire B a y . Why has the Minister taken this decision which violates the 1986 scallop agreement? HOD. John C. Crosbie (Minister of Transport): M r Speaker, as all Members know, life is never as simple as we would like it to be The situation is that there were three individuals who said they had certain historical rights with regard to fishing for scallop stocks in the Bay of Fundy area. They appealed to the Atlantic Fisheries Licence Appeal Board. The Atlantic Fisheries Licence Appeal Board heard their cases, two in 1986, and one last year, and recommended that they should receive a full Bay of Fundy scallop licence. OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Tuesday, March 1, 1988 The Minister gave this careful consideration. After all, this is a ruling of the appeal board and these individual fishermen could suffer if they did not get the licences. The Minister decided that individual justice should be done and that they should get the licences Speaker:TheHonourableJohn A. Fraser. P C , Q C. In one case there was a long-standing involvement in the scallop fishery and in the other cases there was historical connection with the scallop fishery. That is the explanation. These three cases were heard and that was the recommendation of the appeal board. INDIAN AFFAIRS POLICE PROGRAM ON ONTARIO RESERVES M r . John Parry (Kenora—Rainy River): Mr. Speaker, in the absence of the Minister of Indian Affairs I would like to ask the Solicitor General a question concerning the status of Indian policing in the Province of Ontario. The Solicitor Genera] may or may not know that the federal Government has refused so far to increase its share of funding of the present program and that the Indian chiefs of Ontario do not want to see this program become dependent on the provincial Government for its funding for obvious constitutional reasons. Since half the reserve communities in Ontario do not have resident police protection, I wonder if I could ask the Government what it is prepared to do to extend that police protection to those communities that need it. House of Commons Debates VOLUME 129 N U M B E R 269 2nd SESSION 33rd PARLIAMENT OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Thursday, March 10, 1988 Speaker: The Honourable John A.Fraser,P C , Q.C. M r . Stan Schellenberger (Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development): M r . speaker, the Minuter of Indian Affairs is aware of the difficulty and it in consultation with the Minuter of the Ontario Government. We are looking very closely it what alternatives are available, but I will take the Hon. Member's question as notice and seek further advice for him from the Minuter. FUR TRAPPING I N D U S T R Y BRITISH PLANS TO LABEL FUR PRODUCTS—EFFECT ON LIVELIHOOD OF C A N A D I A N TRAPPERS M r . Dave Nickerson (Western A r c t i c ) : M r . Speaker, my question is addressed to the Secretary of Stale for External Affairs. Bowing to the propaganda of the anti-trapping law, the Government of Great Britain has announced plans to label fur products as having been caught in steel-jawed leg-hold traps HOUSE OF COMMONS DEBATES VOLUME 129 NUMBER 253 2nd SESSION 33rd PARLIAMENT OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) What action has Canada taken to forestall this threat to the livelihood of our trappers? W i l l Canada retaliate against this restraint of trade? Right H o n . Joe Clark (Secretary of State for External Affairs): M r . Speaker, I was surprised by that announcement by the British Minister. W e will oppose it, and we will Tight it. It constitutes a very serious threat to the livelihood of Indian, Metis, and Inuit Canadians who depend upon the fur industry to live. Wednesday, February 10, 1988 Speaker: The Honourable John A.Fraser,P.C, Q.C. INDIAN AFFAIRS L U B I C O N BAND L A N D C L A I M — N O R T H E R N ALBERTA PULP MILL PROJECT—TIMBER RIGHTS M r . J i m Fulton (Skeena): M r . Speaker, my question is directed to the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development. As the Minister will know, on Monday Premier G e t t y announced plans for an untendered transfer of harvesting rights to the Daishowa pulp project, some 11,000 square miles of northern Alberta, which is an area over 100 times the size of the area sought by the Lubicon Band for settlement. Since parts of these lands that were announced on M o n d a y are those sought by the Lubicon Band and, we must assume, by C r o w n Canada, as the basis for the settlement o f the outstanding Lubicon claim, has the Minister expressed concern to the Government of Alberta about the proposed transfer of these lands and the fact that it will be harmful to a peaceful and just settlement of the Lubicon claim? Hon. Bill M c K n i g h t ( M i n i s t e r of Indian Affairs and Northern Development): M r . Speaker, the way the announcement was made yesterday in Alberta on the transfer of forestry management to assist in the development of a large scale pulp plant in northern Alberta was indeed unnecessary and unhelpful. Some of the lands that were prescribed are indeed lands which may be transferred to Lubicon when we have reached a settlement. I can assure the Hon. M e m b e r that the 25 square miles originally put forward by Alberta in 1940 have been excluded from that forestry management, and any lands that will be transferred to Canada to settle that outstanding claim, as is Alberta's obligation, will be transferred and exempted from the forestry management agreement between Daishowa and the Province of Alberta. • (1430) A g a i n , as Minister of Indian Affairs or as Minister responsible for western diversification, I was not consulted on what is solely a provincial prerogative. G R A N T MADE FROM WESTERN DIVERSIFICATION F U N D M r . J i m Fulton (Skeena): M r . Speaker, perhaps the M i n i s t e r could rise, wearing his hat in terms of western diversification at the same time as aboriginal affairs, and explain to the people of Canada and, in particular, the Lubicon people and the people of Alberta, why the Minister participated i n the announcement by announcing an economic participation in terms of $9.5 million, in the project? 1 must say that I particularly regret that there was virtually no advance warning to this Government by the Government of Great Britain in bringing in this matter. I will be pursuing it personally with the British Foreign Secretary, and with others. Hon. Bill M c K n i g h t (Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development): M r . Speaker, I am pleased the Hon Member has drawn a distinction between an economic initiative taken by the Province of Alberta, the Government of Canada, and Daishowa, and the land claims which we both wish to see proceed to settlement. Hopefully, there will be a negotiated settlement. The reason the Government of Canada through the Western Diversification Fund was pleased to participate with the Daishowa and the Province of Alberta was that over 600 direct jobs will be created in northern Alberta, some 2,000 years of person employment in construction, indirect benefits to a part of western Canada and a part of northern Alberta which has suffered economic decline, particularly in the oil and gas industry under the National Energy Program which was available to those people in the past. This initiative was undertaken with major, major foreign investment to benefit people in western Canada, particularly in the Peace River region LAND CLAIM—REQUEST THAT MEDIATOR BE APPOINTED M r . J i m Fulton (Skeena): M r . Speaker, my supplementary question is directed to the Prime Minister. Yesterday John Diefenbaker's former Minister of Justice, the H o n . E. Davie Fulton, staled that in his judgment, as a former Minister of Justice, as a politician, and as a well-respected Canadian, he rated the Lubicon crisis, on a scale of one to 10, as a 10 in terms of tragedy. The Prime Minister has now heard from the Minister responsible for aboriginal affairs. What the Government of Alberta has done is unhelpful in resolving the situation. M r . E . Davie Fulton has publicly offered his services, which are requested by the Lubicon band. That has been blocked so far by the Minister responsible for aboriginal affairs. W i l l the Prime Minister show the leadership he has shown in the past, for example, on South Moresby— Some H o n . Members: Hear, hear! M r . Fulton: —and satisfy himself in discussions with the Minister responsible for aboriginal affairs that the appointment of E . Davie Fulton at this point in time would be helpful, because the eyes of the world are on the Calgary Olympics and on how Canada has mishandled (he Lubicon case to date. H o n . B i l l M c K n i g h t (Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development): M r Speaker, every Member in this House hopes that the settlement of the Lubicon claim can be proceeded through negotiation. The Lubicon band walked away in July from bilateral negotiations under the leadership of M r . Tasse on behalf of Canada. It refused to, negotiate bilaterally in November with M r . Malone, whom I appointed negotiator. It had up until January 29 last to enter into negotiations. That time of negotiation, unfortunately, has passed. Canada has sent a letter of request to the Government of Alberta outlining the needs of Canada and the needs of U N I T E D N A T I O N S H U M A N RIGHTS C O M M I S S I O N RESOLUTIONS AFFECTING ABORIGINAL PEOPLES M r . J i m Fulton (Skeena): M r . Speaker, my question is for the Deputy Prime Minister. As he knows, the United Nations H u m a n Rights Commission is today considering three matters of substantial importance to the aboriginal peoples of Canada: the designation of 1992 as the International Year o f Indigenous Rights; the drafting of international standards on the treatment of indigenous peoples, and the appointment of a United Nations official to examine and report on treaties. CANADA House of Commons Debates W i l l the Deputy Prime Minister rise today in the House and stale unequivocally that Canada endorses those three principles? VOLUME 129 • NUMBER 259 • 2nd SESSION • 33rd PARLIAMENT H o n . Bernard Valcourt (Minister of State (Small B u s i nesses and Tourism) and Minister of State (Indian Affairs and Northern Development)): M r . Speaker, C a n a d a is supportive of the important work of the Working G r o u p on Indigenous Populations in developing global standards on indigenous rights. Canada considers that the proposed treaty study, as currently drafted, will divert both attention and resources from the universal scope of W G I P s work. The proposed treaty study would focus on only a small number of countries— OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Thursday, February 25, 1988 Some H o n . Members: Oh, oh! M r . Valcourt: Maybe the Liberals are not interested in the fate of our native people but they should at least be courteous enough to listen to the answer. Speaker:TheHonourable John A. Fraser, P.O. Q.C. Canada's position is that we would prefer to have the proposal referred back to the W G I P for further consideration or for it to be broadened. GOVERNMENT POLICY M r . J i m Fulton (Skeena): M r . Speaker, my supplementary question is for the Deputy Prime Minister. I am sure he is aware, having listened to the Minister who has just responded, that these three principles will be set off for at least four years and that, combined with what we find in this week's Estimates with cuts to comprehensive claims, lands reserves and trust, economic development and self-government for aboriginal people in Canada, it is now abundantly clear that the assimilalionist policies of this Conservative Government arc the same ones that are found in the Nielsen Task Force report, the Buffalo j u m p of (he 1950s. H o n . D o n Mazankowski (Deputy Prime M i n i s t e r , President of the Privy Council and President of the Treasury Board): M r . Speaker, when the Hon M e m b e r talks about the Estimates, perhaps he may want to explain to the natives and the people of Canada why he and his Party voted against some J29 million for additional expenditures relating to native people for economic and social development and Indian selfgovernment. House of Commons Debates VOLUME 129 • NUMBER 251 • 2nd SESSION • )3rd PARLIAMENT OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Monday, February 8, 1988 Spelter: The Honourable John A . Irn^er, P . C . . Q . C . INDIAN AFFAIRS CONDITION OF SCHOOL IN FORT A L B A N Y O N J A M E S BAY M r . K e i t h Penner (Cochrane—Superior): M r . Speaker, Fort A l b a n y is a small Indian community on the western shore of James Bay. There are 130 children, from kindergarten to grade eight, who attend the local school. Their school is a fire trap. The school's fire hazards were brought to the attention of the Department of Indian Affairs in 1986, and again in 1987, with little response. A recent evaluation by an architectural firm from Winnipeg slates that the fire detection, fire alarm and fire-fighting systems are completely inadequate. The firm recommends closing the school immediately. The firm states: " W i t h o u t over-emphasizing the situation, we suggest that the lives of the children are hanging in the balance". The Minister must move quickly to make this school safe from the threat of fire. Plans for the construction of a new school, scheduled for completion in four years, must be accelerated Prompt action now can prevent a disaster. ABORIGINAL RIGHTS BRITISH COLUMBIA—NISHGA COUNCIL'S CLAIM CANADA House of Commons Debates VOLUME 129 • NUMBER 257 • 2nd SESSION • 33rd PARLIAMENT OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Tuesday, February 23, 1988 Speaker The Honourable John A.Fraser,P.C., Q.C. M r . J i m Fulton (Skeena): M r . Speaker, my question is for the Right H o n . Prime Minister. Since September 4, 1984, the Prime Minister has never once spoken out in support of what is apparently his own government policy to settle comprehensive aboriginal claims in British Columbia. Since the only active negotiation is with the Nishga T r i b a l Council in the Nass Valley, and since there has been no progress on this claim since 1984, will the Prime Minister take this opportunity to endorse the policy of negotiated settlement and assure Canadians that the steps necessary to achieve settlement will in fact be taken now? Hon. Bill Mcknight ( M i n i s t e r of Indian Affairs and Northern Development): M r . Speaker, under the leadership of the Prime Minister, my colleague, the H o n . Minister of State, implemented a new comprehensive claims policy after consulting with Indian leadership in Canada. W e went forward after the implementation of that was announced in December 1986 Presently six claims are under active negotiation in Canada. 1 hope they can be settled. If we cannot come to a settlement on the six active negotiations, we will proceed down the list and attempt to conclude negotiations with those outstanding claimants. The necessity of settlement really implies co-operation, which we have had from the claimant groups and hope will continue. REQUEST T H A T MINISTER MEET INDIAN CHIEFS M r . J i m Fulton (Skeena): M r . Speaker, my supplementary question is directed to the Prime Minister The Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development talks about cooperation. The Lytton and M o u n t Currie bands have been attempting to meet with the Minister of Indian Affairs regarding the Stein Valley since 1985, and have been refused. The Minister has refused to meet with them, including even today. W i l l the Prime Minister lake the opportunity to meet with Chief Ruby Dunstan and Chief Leonard Andrew who are here in Ottawa today seeking the Prime Minister's assistance and, if not, will he appoint a Minister of Indian Affairs who will meet with aboriginal people? Right H o n . Brian Mulroney (Prime M i n i s t e r ) : M r . Speaker, I am somewhat surprised by the prefatory nature of the comments of my hon. friend with regard to our commitment to aboriginal rights. I had the privilege of chairing two First Ministers, conferences in Canada, seeking justice for our aboriginal people and seeking the appropriate constitutional amendment that would deliver that justice. W e came extremely close to securing an historic agreement. We have to try again. If I may say so, I, along with many others, was instrumental in working out an agreement that I believe was satisfactory to the native people and all the environmental groups with regard to South Moresby in British Columbia. That was a landmark settlement;* which very much favoured the aboriginal presence and economic development in British Columbia. W e have introduced a number of comprehensive initiatives. It is with a great deal of pleasure that I regularly meet with aboriginal leaders here and across the country. I have done so from the day I was sworn in and will continue to do so on a regular, ongoing basis. A n y time that it is in any way productive, I will be happy to do so. WILDLIFE GREAT BLUE H E R O N S — E F F E C T OF DIOXIN C O N T A M I N A T I O N M r . J i m Manly ( C o w i c h a n — M a l a h a t — T h e Islands): M r Speaker, last year not a single egg hatched from a 52 nest colony of great blue herons at Crofton, British Columbia Fragments of the eggs were found to have traces of dioxin. O n Monday the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans ( M r . Siddon) provided information on testing of shellfish from waters around pulp mills at Crofton and Nanaimo. The lab confirmed an earlier study released by Greenpeace showing traces of dioxin in shellfish at the Harmac pulp mill. House of Commons Debates VOLUME 129 NUMBER 244 2nd SESSION 33rd PARLIAMENT OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Thursday, January 28, 1988 Speaker:TheHonourableJohn A. Fraser, P.C, Q C The Department of National Health and Welfare has assured Canadians that the level of contamination is well below the level of risk. We await the findings of the Department of the Environment as to the affects on wildlife. The issue of dioxin contamination is not new, but not until late last fall did the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the Department of the Environment initiate a national program to determine dioxin levels around Canadian pulp mills. It was only because of the publicity for the Greenpeace study that the single testing lab of the Department o f Fisheries and Oceans pushed the B.C. samples to the head of the line. Since the Greenpeace report was released, M a c M i l l a n Bloedel announced it would stop dioxin contamination near company mills by M a r c h 31, by using a different process I applaud the action M a c M i l l a n Bloedel has taken. However. 1 wonder if it would have found the substitute sooner if the federal Government had given this issue a higher priority and had begun testing sooner. PENDING DECISION ON EXPORTS OF UN PROCESSED S A L M O N M r . J i m M a n l y ( C o w i c h a n — M a l a h a t — T l x Islands): M r Speaker, my question is directed to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans. A t the G A T T meeting in Geneva next week, Canada will try to get a postponement of the final G A T T decision on restrictions on Canadian exports of unprocessed pink or sockeye salmon or herring. I understand that the United States is being very obstructionist in this attempt. The following week in Washington there will be an attempt to have bilateral talks to reach a mutually satisfactory solution to this problem. W i l l the Minister assure representatives of the West Coast fisheries industry that they will be able to 33rd PARLIAMENT participate in the negotiating team, either as full members of the team or at least to be present in the room as official observers? House of Commons Debates VOLUME 129 • NUMBER 245 • 2nd SESSION • OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Friday, January 29, 1988 Speaker:The*HonourableJohn A.Fraser.P.C,Q.C. Hon. Thomas Siddon (Minister of Fisheries and Oceans): M r . Speaker, this is a most important question. I can assure the H o n . Member, as I and my colleague, the Minister for International Trade, assured industry representatives in the month of December, that they will be fully involved in the development of Canada's response ;and our course o f action as a result of the G A T T panel recommendation. There is no imminent timetable. Canada will not agree to a decision being taken at the meeting in Geneva next week and we are seeking, through multinational approaches to other members of the G A T T council who have similar concerns, a remedy of this issue which would prevent the council taking a decision that is detrimental to Canada's interest. W e continue to work with the American industry and Government. We are somewhat optimistic that a bilateral solution to the problem might well be found through the meetings to which the H o n . Member referred. UNION OF B.C. INDIAN CHIEFS PLEASE DO NOT REMOVE FROM THE RESOURCE CENTRE April 1988 NEWS ITEM FROM MUSGAMAGW-TSAWATAINEUK OF KINGCOME INLET, B.C. The Musgamagw-Tsawataineuk will be celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the construction of their St. George's Anglican Church and King George V Totem Pole. More importantly the celebration will focus on the committment, energy and dedication reminiscent of their ancestors whose memory is very much cherished by their descendants. The festivities will begin on 18 May 1988 and conclude on 22 May 1988. The totem pole is illustratiye of the four bands of the Musgamagw-Tsawataineuk. The top figure represents the Thunderbird, crest of the Gwa-Wa-aineuk of Hope Town, the second figure the Wolf represents the crest of the Ah-Kwamish of Wakeman Sound, the third figure the Raven represents the Tsawataineuk of Kingcome Inlet and the last figure on the pole the Cedar Man represents the Kwicksutaineuk of Gilford Island. These four tribes will each play host on alternating days that will include sports, spiritual, political and entertainment events with participants from throughout the Kwakiutl Nation and including members of the Sliammon Band as wel! as some guests from other bands. STANDING COMMITTEE ON ABORIGINAL AFFAIRS TO HEAR UBCIC PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF UBCIC CHIEFS COUNCIL ON APRIL 27, 1988. Chief Saul Terry, President of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs and a member of the UBCIC Chiefs Council, Tom Dennis wil] appear to make presentation before the STANDING COMMITTEE ON ABORIGINAL AFFAIRS REGARDING THE IMPACT OF BILL C-31 on April 27 1988. This presentation represents and encompasses the concerns brought to the UBCIC by various bands, tribal councils and Indian organizations. The final draft will be available upon request from our office. SUBMISSION FROM HEALTH CONSULTATION WORKER DENTAL SERVICES - PRIVATIZED PAYMENT OF BILLS In July, 1987, the contract for payment of dental services to Indian people was awarded to a National group called BLUE CROSS. (Blue Cross in British Columbia is called Medical Services Association.) This privatization of dental payments was intended to improve the handling of accounts submitted by dentists. The process for payment was to be speeded up through contract requirement that Dentists be paid on a monthly basis. It appears that this intended improvement in dental payments may not be occurring. A few reports indicate that some dentists are still having to wait several months to obtain payment for services they had provided to Indian clients. The contract between Medica! Services and Blue Cross is open to change in June of each year and is renewable on a three year basis. This being the case, it would be worthwhile for bands to write to Medical Services informing them of problems that are encountered by dentists or band members. This type of information will ensure that both policy and ongoing plans for Dental Services reflect the needs of the community people. It is especially important that problems encountered through privatization of dental payments be dealt with as they occur. The first attempt at privatizing of a part of health services is considered a model for privatizing other non-insured services. SUMMARY: HOSPITAL SOCIAL WORKERS VIEW OF THE MAJOR PROBLEMS EXPERIENCED BY HOSPITALIZED NATIVE INDIANS. In the past several months, the Health Liaison worker held meetings with the Social Work Directors of the major hospitals in Vancouver. The intent of these meetings were: a. to obtain information on hospital services for summary in an INFORMATION DIRECTORY to bands (mailed out April, 1988). b. to identify the types of problems encountered by native Indians who have been hospitalized. Generally, the same types of problems were identified at most of the hospitals. The main problems are listed, including some Suggestions on how bands might assist their members in preventing them. 1. Travel and Accomodatican. Often people who travel to Vancouver to obtain medical care are discharged from hospital and do not have travel and accommodation plans in place. These people may be discharged sooner than planned or are discharged late friday when most offices (including band offices) have closed for the weekend. Often part of the discharge plans include rental or purchase of special equipment (eg. wheelchair, walker, etc.). The problems created by unplanned or unexpected discharges can be kept to a minimum or avoided by: a. making discharge arrangements for travel, accommodation, and equipment at the time of hospital admission, or b. Informing hospital Social Workers about emergency transfers to a tower mainland hospital, especially if special arrangements are required on discharge. This advance notice to the hospital will allow the social workers enough time to begin to set up plans for discharge. In most cases, timely planning will reduce the stress and anxiety an individual might experience while in a hospital away from home. 2. Lonliness and Fear For some people, both a large hospital and the city itself are new experiences that could cause considerable fear. This level of fear can interfere with medical care, especially if a person signs themselves out of the hospital before treatment is complete. One possible means for dealing with this problem would be for bands to identify at least one in-city family or community member who would be able to provide support to the person admitted to the hospital. This support person's name could be made available to either the hospital social worker or be given to the individual who is leaving the community. Often an elder who does not speak english well or a person who is known to be very anxious might benefit from this type of system. b. Loneliness is a particular problem for children, long term patients, and the terminally il 1. While Medical Services does meet the costs for one family member to travel to Vancouver, hospital social workers are of the opinion that this may not be enough. In special cases, such as that of children and the terminally i111, more than one family member may needs to be present while these people are in hospital. This need to extend travel costs to more than one family member has been presented to Medica! Services. However, more work needs to be done if any change is to be made with this policy. In addition, UBCIC will continue to support efforts by a city agency which is attempting to obtain funds to continue with their program which provided hospital visitation and support services to Indians. 3 Cultural Misunderstandings. A lack of understanding on the part of hospital workers may at times interfere with both communication and treatment provided to native Indian patients. This is recognized as a long standing problem which social workers are particularly interested in doing something about. As a follow up to these meetings, the Health Liaison worker will be providing a cultura! education clinic at the G.F. Strong hospital. If considered successful, this clinic wil! be provided at other hospitals. 4. Failure to carry out follow-up medical care after discharge. Both doctors and social! workers present serious concerns about the fact that Indian patients often do not carry out directions for continued care once they have returned to their home community. Such care might include taking medication for a period of time, doing exercises, or using special equipment. A lack of this type of care either intereferes with recovery or, often in the case of children, results in re-admissions to the hospital. In dealing with this problem fol low up work needs to be done at the community level to remind individuals and families of the importance of carrying out their treatment while at home. In many instances, hospital social workers find themselves having to act as go-between for Medical Services and the patient. There is a concern that native Indian patients consider these hospital social workers to be the same as provincial social workers. This immediately sets up a barrier that interferes with any assistances they might be able to provide. Hospital social workers have also said that one of the more frequent causes for hospital admissions are related to motor vehicle accidents. They also suggested that community education is required to prevent these types of accidents from occurring. If you have any questions, suggestions, or ideas that are related to health liaison, please bring them to my attention. Carole Dawson, UBCIC Health Liaison Worker. DIRECTORY SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES IN BRITISH COLUMBIA 1988 The second edition of the DIRECTORY is once again jointly sponsored by B.C. Ministry of Health and the Kaiser Substance Abuse Foundation, This 4116 page booklet contains program descriptions of both Indian and non-Indian Programs that are available throughout British Columbia. Information content includes costs, if any, location, program length, and program target groups. Copies of this booklet can be obtained from the Health Consultation Program at the UBCIC head office in Vancouver. x*« * * The UBCIC Resource Centre will be onen for business May 16, 1988. For more information please call the UBCIC Librarian - Dave Palmer. Chiefs' Mask, Indian Art and Bookstore will be opening sometime in May. The store is located in the main floor of our building at 73 Water Street. Herman Thomas has been hired to coordinate the book store opening. Do not hesitate to come and browse and spend some of your monies in our Store. CANADA Bouse of Commons Debates VOLUME i729 * NUMBER 293 * Ind SESSION . 33rd PARLIAMENT OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Friday, April 22, 1988 Speaker: The Honourable Joan A. Fraser, PC, Q.C / * a APR 191988 UNION OF BC, INDIAN CHEERS CANADA Bouse of Commons Debates VOLUME 129 5 NUMBER 286 * and SESSION . 33rd PARLIAMENT OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Wednesday, April 13, 1988 Speaker: The Honourable Jobn A. Fraser, PC. Q.C. INDIAN AFFAIRS SPALLUMCHEEN INDIAN BAND—CHILD WELFARE PROGRAM Mr. Nelson A. Riis (Kamloops—Shuswap): the chief, the council, and the Suallurantca Teach members reject the Minister of Indian Affairs’ (Mr McKnight) recent proposed child welfare Program. They reject not only the policy but also the so-called consultation Process. They ‘believe that by transferring jurisdiction over native children’s welfare to provincial Governments the federal! Government is actually breaching its trust responsibility for py people and is playing politics with the lives of Indian ren. Seven years ago this band began its own child welfare program based on a thoughtful and well developed band by- law which gave the band members the right to administer their own child welfare programs, which they have done-exception- aly well. They do not wish now to surrender this jurisdiction to provincial Governments. if native self-government is to be a reality in Canada, those bands which presently have complete jurisdiction and responsi- bility over their child welfare programs must be able to continue to act in that fashion. INDIAN AFFAIRS SASKATCHEWAN AND MANITOBA LAND CLAIMS Mr. Rod Murphy (Churchill): Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Indian Affairs. During the state of severe unemployment on Indian reserves in western Canada, and the fact that native people need a secure land base in order to develop their opportunities and get away from the welfare cycle that exists, why has the Minister reneged on the Sas- katchewan formula as it applies to the provision of land and entitlement lands to the bands in that province? Why has he reneged on the agreement with the Manitoba chiefs and the Manitoba Government which was initialled by his officials over a year ago which would have provided the land base which those people so badly need? Point of Order Hon. Bill McKnight (Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development): Mr. Speaker, there are two parts to that important question. The Saskatchewan formula, which has been in effect since 1979, has only seen two transfers of land take place. The entitlement bands in Saskatchewan have changed their decision from that originally of !and to land and, in some cases, cash, and to some land which is not rural but urban. To calculate the quantum to those changes, it was necessary to review the policy of the Government of Canada The date of first survey is still in place. Without prejudice. the Government of Canada will meet that date of first survey entitlement. With respect to Manitoba, the Manitoba Government initialled a memorandum among officials that allowed for the Government of Canada to purchase in southern Manitoba all the land necessary for entitlement, completely excluding any responsibility by the Government of Manitoba to provide much needed Jand to Indian entitlement bands in that province. Mr. Speaker: The Hon. member for Humber—Port au Port—S1. Barbe rises on a point of order. VOLUME Ee oe House of Commons Debates NUMBER 265 © 2nd SESSION s J3rd PARLIAMENT OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Friday, March 4, 1988 Speaker: The Honourable John A. Fraser, P.C_, Qc. FISHERIES INDUSTRY STOPPAGE IN B.C.—GATT RULING Mr. Jim Fulton (Skeena): Mr. Speaker, work in the B.C. fishing industry has been stopped today to protest the incompetence of the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans (Mr. Siddon) and the Minister for Fnternational Trade (Miss Carney). These two Ministers fail to protect the B.C. fishing industry before the GATT panel, which has made a prelim- inary ruling which could cost B.C. 7,500 fishing industry jabs. The Progressive Conservatives combined with B.C 's Social | Credit are the lethal combination of gutlessness and sheer incompetence. Following the feeble and failing attempts before the GATT panel, the Tories bumbied again by signing in to the Mulroney-Reagan deal a guarantee to abide by GATT rulings, and then bumbled again by protecting all provincial fisheries regulations except for B.C., and then bumbled again by failing to negotiate forcefully with the U.S. to head off a ruling by GATT later this month. Nt is clear now that the B.C. fishing industry deserves the support of working people across the country to counter the meompetence of the Minister of Fisheries who has placed s $750 million B.C. fishing industry at risk. It is time for some political will, an attribute sadly lacking in the Mulroney- Vander Zalm administrations. They have been caught trying to give away Canadian jobs. It is time for all Canadians to say no. INDIAN AFFAIRS LUBICON LAKE INDIAN BAND LAND CLAIM—TRAWSFER OF Mr. Keith Penner (Cocbrane—Superior): Mr. Speaker, | direct my question to the Deputy Prime Minister. The offer made yesterday to the Lubicon Indian Band is based on the band’s population as of 1940. Of course, that population is much larger today. In fact, the land offered is only one-third of that claimed by the band. Yesterday's offer was described by the Minister as an interim offer, and Chief Ominayak said that no interim reserve is acceptable unless a process is clearly established to reach a final settlement. What assurances did Canada seek and obtain from the Province of Alberta that when negotiations bave been success- fully completed and additional land is to be given to the Lubicon Indian Band, that the province will in fact transfer that land? Will they do that or will it still be necessary for Canada to take the province to court in order to acquire that additional land? Hon. Bernard Valcourt (Minister of State (Smal! Busi- nesses and Tourism) and Minister of State (Indian Affairs avd Northern Development)): Mr. Speaker, what has to be realized is that this is an important step in the resolution of this important issue concerning the Lubicon Indian Band land claim. The setting up of this reserve and transfer of land by the province is an indication of the willingness of both Canada and Alberta to deal with the issue. What is important is that this transfer of land will be made without prejudice to the position of the parties involved. It does not affect the right of the band to seek additional reserve lands through negotiations or court action. All we can say is that we are hopeful, this important step having been taken, we will be able to resolve the whole issue through negotiations. Mr. Penser: I listened carefully to the answer and it lacked clarity. | gather somewhere in there is a yes, Alberta is prepared to give up additional land when a final negotiation process has been completed USE OF HON. £. DAVIE FULTON AS MEDIATOR Mr. Keith Penner (Cochrane—Superior): My supplemen- lary question deals with the negotiation process. Is the Government of Canada now prepared to use the Hon. E. Davie Fulton as a mediator, as requested by the band and as the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development recommended to the House? Hon. Bernard Vatcourt (Minister of State (Small Busi- pesses and Tourism) and Minister of State (Indian Affairs and Northern Development)): Mr. Speaker, [ indicated that the willingness of the Province of Alberta 10 transfer this amount of land for the reserve is an indicalion of the position of the province which also wants this resolved. The question of what number of further acres or square miles could result will come out of the negotiating process With respect to the latter part of his question concerning the mediator, the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development has on many occasions indicated the position of Canada in that regard. We have indicated to the band and all parties involved many times thal we were ready to use the conclusions of Mr. Fulton’s report as a basis for negotiations. Because Mr. Fulton already made certain findings and has indicated his position, we do not feel that he can act as a mediator. It would be tantamount to having one of ihe parties choose not only the jury but the judge and the parties at the same table. We will not go in that direction. CANADA Mouse of Commons Debates INDIAN AFFAIRS 2nd SESSION 3rd -PARLLAMENT VOLUME 129 NUMBER 266 " REINSTATEMENT OF WOMEN ON RESERVES—LACK OF HOUSING Mrs. Therese Killens (Saint-Miche—Ahuntsic): Mr Speaker, the federal Government is preventing women who GFA REPORT recently regained Indian status from getting decent housing on (HANSARD) reserves. The ambiguous position of the Conservative Govern- ment is forcing native women into unwholesome competition with their own people for one of the basic necessities of life, housing. Monday, March 7, 1988 About 95,000 people have applied to Ottawa for reinstate- ment to the reserves across the country and most of them are women. They have applied for housing on reserves because the 1985 legislation, Bill C-31, now allows women and their children to return to the reserves if they so wish. You will recall, Mr. Speaker, that these women lost their Indian status because they married white men or someone other than a status Indian. However, the problem is that Speaker: The Honourable John A. Fraser, P.C., Q.C. although the Government provided special funding for reserve housing for reinstated women, it did not give band councils clear criteria about how it was to be spent. The result is that money is being spent for general housing needs. . 1 1 NATIVE LAND CLAIMS—FISHING BY-LAWS Some Hon. Members: Time! Mr. Ted Schellenberg (Nanaimo—Alberni): Madam Mrs. Killens: There is already not enough money for Indian Speaker, it is my duty and honour to present petitions from housing on reserves— 611 British Columbians who are protesting the present process Some Hon. Members: Time! of native land claim negotiations in our province. : : : In particular, the petitioners request that the Government of Mrs. Killeas: --so once again the women are paying the Canada pass an Order in Council pursuant to Section 73 of the price. Indian Act placing all Indian Band fishing by-laws under the authority of the Fisheries Act of Canada, and instruct the federal Nishga claim negotiator, and all other Indian claims negotiators, that Indian land claims are not to be seitled by granting fish from the public Fisheries of Canada to the exclusive use of the claimants. FISHERIES SITUATION IN GASPE—REQUEST THAT QUOTE BE SECURED WITHIN 200-MILE ZONE Mr. Chartes-Eugene Marin (Gaspe): Mr. Speaker, the Gaspe peninsula once more is faced with a plant shutdown. The Purdel Inc. group decided not to reopen its ground fish line in Riviere-au-Renard, putting some 300 seasonal employees out of work. One of the reasons given by the company is the impossibility to obtain raw materials. It feels a fishing quota within the 200-mile zone would have been a solution to the problem. You will remember, Mr. Speaker, that in December 1987 fishing industry groups in Quebec were denied access to the 200-mile zone by the Minister of Fisheries and Ocean (Mr. Siddon). In view of the increasingly sad situation of tiie fishing industry in Quebec, it was agreed on my request that a meeting would take place in Gaspe within two weeks, in order to regroup the Quebec fishing industry and to resume discus- sions on the possible access of Quebec to the 200-mile zone. Until a longer-term solution is found I am certain, Mr. Speaker, that this Government will help the people in Riviere- au-Renard overcome thal unhappy experience. FISHERIES SCALLOP FISHERY IN BAY GF FUNDY —ISSUANCE OF LICENCES Mr. George Henderson (Egmont): Mr. Speaker, my question 1s for whoever is responding today for the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans. In October, 1986, the inshore and offshore sectors of the scallop fishery in the Bay of Fundy area came up with a management plan for this very important resource. For instance, all sides agreed that the fishing zone for New Brunswick fishermen would be extended to the middle Bouse of Commons Debates — he Bay of Fundy. Now we learn that the Minister has issued licences which allow some of these same fishermen to fish over the entire Bay. YORUME: 143 EMBER 26t 2nd SESSION Jind PARLIAMENT Why has the Minister taken this decision which violates the 1986 scallop agreement? Hon. Joha C. Crosbie (Minister of Transport): Mr Speaker, as all Members know, life is never as simple as we OFFICIAL REPORT would like it 10 be. The situation is that there were three GHARSARD) individuals who said they had certain historical rights with regard to fishing for scallop stocks in the Bay of Fundy area. They appealed to the Atlantic Fisheries Licence Appeal Board. The Atlantic Fisheries Licence Appeal Board heard their Tuesday, March 1, 1988 cases, two in 1986, and one last year, and recommended that they should receive a full Bay of Fundy scallop licence. The Minister gave this careful consideration. Affer all, this is a ruling of the appeal board and these individual fishermen could suffer if they did not get the licences. The Minister decided that individual justice should be done and thai they should get the licences In one case there was a long-standing involvement in the mipenkicti: Ke Wibnodieslkee Latin oA rater, RAs Ges scallop fishery and in the other cases there was historical connection with the scallop fishery. That is the explanation. These three cases were heard and that was the recommenda- tion of the appeal board. INDIAN AFFAIRS POLICE PROGRAM ON ONTARIO RESERVES Mr. Jobs Parry (Keoora—Rainy River): Mr. Speaker, in the absence of the Minister of Indian Affairs I would like to ask the Solicitor General a question concerning the status of Indian policing in the Province of Ontario. The Solicitor General may or may not know that the federal Government has refused so far to increase its share of funding of the present program and that the Indian chiefs of Ontario do not want to see this program become dependent on the provincia! Governmeat for its funding for obvious constitution- al reasons. Since half the reserve communities in Ontario do not have resident police protection, I wonder if I could ask the Bouse of Commons Debates — Feierraens Hs & prepared to do to extend that police Mr. Stan Scheileaberger (Parilamen Sec to VOLUME 129 NUMBER 269 and SESSION 33rd PARLIAMEN /inister of Indian Affairs and Northera Derlopeaty: Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Indian Affairs is aware of the me difficulty and is in consultation with the Minister of the Ontario Governmcat. We are looking very closely at what alternatives are available, but f will take the Hon. Member's vee as notice and seek further advice for him from the OFFICIAL REPORT {HANSARD) Thursday, March 10, 1988 Speaker: The Honourable Joba A. Fraser, P.C., Q.C. pFCE\G FEB 1 G!938 UNICY OF ac, INDian CHIETS FUR TRAPPING INDUSTRY BRITISH PLANS TO LABEL FUR PRODUCTS—EFFECT ON LIVELIHOOD OF CANADIAN TRAPPERS Mr. Dave Nickerson (Western Arctic): Mr. Speaker, my question is addressed to the Secretary of State for External Affairs. Bowing to the propaganda of the anti-trapping law, the Government of Great Britain has announced plans to label fur products as having been caught in steel-jawed leg-hold traps. What action has Canada taken to forestall this threat to the livelihood of our trappers? Will Canada retaliate against this restraint of trade? DS tae CANADA Bouse of Commons Debates VOLUME 129 . NUMBER 253 . 2nd SESSION . Jird PARLIAMENT Right Hon. Joe Clark (Secretary of State for External Affairs); Mr. Speaker, | was surprised by that announcement by the British Minister. We will oppose it, and we will fight it. It constitutes a very serious threat to the livelihood of Indian, OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Métis, and Inuit Canadians who depend upon the fur industry to live. Wednesday, February 10, 1988 1] must say that I particularly regret that there was virtually no advance warning to this Government by the Government of Great Britain in bringing in this matter. | will be pursuing it personally with the British Foreign Secretary, and with others. Speaker: The Honourable John A. Fraser, P.C., Q.C. INDIAN AFFAIRS LUBICON BAND LAND CLAIM—NORTHERN ALBERTA PULP MILL PROJECT—TIMBER RIGHTS Mr. Jim Fulton (Skeena): Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development. As the Minister will know, on Monday Premier Getty announced plans for an untendered transfer of harvest- ing rights to the Daishowa pulp project, some 11,000 square miles of northern Alberta, which is an area over 100 times the size of the area sought by the Lubicon Band for settlement. Since parts of these lands that were announced on Monday are those sought by the Lubicon Band and, we must assume, by Crown Canada, as the basis for the settlement of the outstanding Lubicon claim, has the Minister expressed concern to the Government of Alberta about the proposed transfer of these lands and the fact that it will be harmful to a peaceful and just settlement of the Lubicon claim? Hon. Bill McKnight (Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development): Mr. Speaker, the way the announce- ment was made yesterday in Alberta on the transfer of forestry management to assist in the development of a large scale pulp plant in northern Alberta was indeed unnecessary and unhelpful. Some of the lands that were prescribed are indeed lands which may be transferred to Lubicon when we have reached a settlement. ] can assure the Hon. Member that the 25 square miles originally put forward by Alberta in 1940 have been excluded from that forestry management, and any lands that will be transferred to Canada to settle that outstanding claim, as is Alberta's obligation, will be transferred and exempted from the forestry management agreement between Daishowa and the Province of Alberta. @ (1430) Again, as Minister of Indian Affairs or as Minister respon- sible for western diversification, I was not consulted on what is solely a provincial prerogative. GRANT MADE FROM WESTERN DIVERSIFICATION FUND Mr. Jim Fulton (Skeena): Mr. Speaker, perhaps the Minister could rise, wearing his hat in terms of western diversification at the same time as aboriginal affairs, and explain to the people of Canada and, in particular, the Lubicon people and the people of Alberta, why the Minister participat- ed in the announcement by announcing an economic participa- tion in terms of $9.5 million, in the project? Hon. Bill McKnight (Minister of Indian Affairs and Northero Development): Mr. Speaker, | am pleased the Hon. Member has drawn a distinction between an economic initiative taken by the Province of Alberta, the Government of Canada, and Daishowa, and the land claims which we both wish to see proceed to settlement. Hopefully, there will be a negotiated settlethent. The reason the Government of Canada through the Western Diversification Fund was pleased to participate with the Daishowa and the Province of Alberta was that over 600 direct jobs will be created in northern Alberta, some 2,000 years of person employment in construction, indirect benefits to a part of western Canada and a part of northern Alberta which has suffered economic decline, particularly in the oi! and gas industry under the National Energy Program which was available to those people in the past. This initiative was undertaken with major, major foreign investment to benefit people in western Canada, particularly in the Peace River region. LAND CLAIM—REQUEST THAT MEDIATOR BE APPOINTED Mr. Jim Fulton (Skeena): Mr. Speaker, my supplementary question is directed to the Prime Minister. Yesterday John Diefenbaker’s former Minister of Justice, the Hon. E. Davie Fulton, stated that in his judgment, as a former Minister of Justice, as a politician, and as a well-respected Canadian, he rated the Lubicon crisis, on a scale of one to 10, as a 10 in terms of tragedy. The Prime Minister has now heard from the Minister responsible for aboriginal affairs. What the Govern- ment of Alberta has done is unhelpful in resolving the situa- tion. Mr. E. Davie Fulton has publicly offered his services, which are requested by the Lubicon band. That has been blocked so far by the Minister responsible for aboriginal affairs. Will the Prime Minister show the leadership he has shown in the past, for example, on South Moresby— Some Hon. Members: Hear, hear! Mr. Fulton: —and satisfy himself in discussions with the Minister responsible for aboriginal affairs that the appoint- ment of E. Davie Fulton at this point in time would be helpful, because the eyes of the world are on the Calgary Olympics and on how Canada has mishandled the Lubicon case to date. Hon. Bill McKnight (Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development): Mr. Speaker, every Member in this House hopes that the settlement of the Lubicon claim can be proceeded through negotiation. The Lubicon band walked away in July from bilateral negotiations under the leadership of Mr. Tassé on behalf of Canada. It refused to, negotiate bilaterally in November with Mr. Malone, whom I appointed negotiator. It had up until January 29 last to enter into negoliations. That time of negotiation, unfortunately, has passed. Canada has sent a letter of request to the Government of Alberta outlining the needs of Canada and the needs of / RLEIVED CANADA Bouse of Commons Debates VOLUME 129 s NUMBER 259 * Ind SESSION * J3r¢d PARLIAMENT OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Thursday, February 25, 1988 Speaker: The Honourable John A. Fraser, P.C., @.C. /eetehy FEB 1 21982 UNION OF Be INDIAN CHICRg Bouse of Commons Debates VOLUME 129 ‘ OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Monday, February 8, 1988 Speaker: The Honourable John A. Fraser, P.C., Q.C. NUMBER 251 . 2nd SESSION . Jind PARLIAMENT UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION RESOLUTIONS AFFECTING ABORIGINAL PEOPLES Mr. Jim Fultoa (Skeena): Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Deputy Prime Minister. As he knows, the United Nations Human Rights Commission is today considering three matters of substantia! importance to the aboriginal peoples of Canada: the designation of 1992 as the International Year of Indige- nous Rights: the drafting of international standards on the trealment of indigenous peoples, and the appointment of a United Nations official to examine and report on treaties. Will the Deputy Prime Minister rise today in the House and state unequivocally that Canada cadorses those three princi- ples? Hon. Bernard Valcourt (Minister of State (Smal! Busi- nesses and Tourism) and Minister of State (Indian Affairs and Northern Development)): Mr. Speaker, Canada is supportive of the important work of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations in developing global! standards on indigenous rights. Canada considers that the proposed treaty study, as currently drafted, will divert both attention and resources from the universal scope of WGIPs work. The proposed treaty study would focus on only a small number of countries— Some Hon. Members: Oh, oh! Mr. Valcourt: Maybe the Liberals are not interested in the fate of our native people but they should at least be courteous enough to listen to the answer. Canada's position is that we would prefer to have the proposal referred back to the WGIP for further consideration or for it to be broadened. GOVERNMENT POLICY Mr. Jim Fulton (Skeena): Mr. Speaker, my supplementary question is for the Deputy Prime Minister. | am sure he is aware, having listened to the Minister who has just responded, that these three principles will be set off for at least four years and that, combined with what we find in this week’s Estimates with cuts to comprehensive claims, lands reserves and trust, economic development and self-government for aborigina! people in Canada, it is now abundantly clear that the assimila- tionist policies of this Conservative Government are the same ones that are found in the Nielsen Task Force report, the Buliato Jump of che 138Gs. Hon. Don Mazaokowski (Deputy Prime Minister, Presi- dent of the Privy Council and President of the Treasury Board): Mr. Speaker, when the Hon. Member tatks about the Estimates, perhaps he may want to explain to the natives and the people of Canada why he and his Party voted agains1 some $29 mitlion for additional expenditures relating to native people for economic and social development and Indian self- government. INDIAN AFFAIRS CONDITION OF SCHOOL IN FORT ALBANY ON JAMES BAY Mr. Keith Peaner (Cochrane—Superior): Mr. Speaker, Fort Albany is a smal] Indian community on the western shore of James Bay. There are 130 children, from kindergarten to grade eight, who attend the local school. Their school is a fire trap, Tie school’s fire hazards were brought to the attention of the Department of Indian Affairs in 1986, and again in 1987, with little response. A recent evaluation by an architectural firm from Winnipeg states that the fire detection, fire alarm and fire-fighting systems are completely inadequate. The firm recommends closing the school immediately. The firm states: “Without over-emphasizing the situation, we suggest that the lives of the children are hanging in the balance”, The Minister must move quickly to make this school safe from the threat of fire. Plans for the construction of a new school, scheduled for completion in four years, must be accelerated. Prompt action now can prevent a disaster. CANADA Bouse of Commons Debates VOLUME 129 NUMBER 257 —® tad SESSION . 33rd PARLIAMENT OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Tuesday, February 23, 1988 Speaker: The Honourable John A. Fraser, P.C.. QC. ABORIGINAL RIGHTS BRITISH COLUMBIA—NISHGA COUNCIL'S CLAIM Mr. Jim Fulton (Skeema): Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Right Hon. Prime Minister. Since September 4, 1984, the Prime Minister has never once spoken out in support of what is apparently his own government policy to settle comprehensive aboriginal claims in British Columbia. Since the only active negotiation is with the Nishga Tribal! Council in the Nass Valley, and since there has been no progress on this claim since 1984, will the Prime Minister take this opportunity to endorse the policy of negotiated settlement and assure Canadians that the steps necessary to achieve settlement will in fact be taken now? Hon. Bill McKeight (Minister of Indian Affairs and Northera Development): Mr. Speaker, under the leadership of the Prime Minister, my colleague, the Hon. Minister of State, implemented a new comprehensive claims policy after consulting with Indian leadership in Canada. We went forward after the implementation of that was announced in December 1986 Presently six claims are under active negotiation in Canada, t hope they can be settled. If we cannat come to a settlement on the six active negotiations, we will proceed down the list and attempt to conclude negotiations with those outstanding claimants. The necessity of settlement realy implies co-operation, which we have had from the claimant groups and hope will continue. REQUEST THAT MINISTER MEET INDIAN CHIEFS Mr. Jim Fultoo (Skeena): Mr. Speaker, my supplementary question is directed to the Prime Minister. The Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development talks about co- operation. The Lytton and Mount Currie bands have been attempting to meet with the Minister of Indian Affairs regarding the Stein Walley since 1985, and have been refused. The Minister has refused to meet with them, including even today. Will the Prime Minister take the opportunity to meet with Chief Ruby Dunstan and Chief Leonard Andrew who are here in Ottawa today seeking the Prime Minister's assistance and, if not, will he appoint a Minister of Indian Affairs who will meet with aboriginal people? Right Hoo. Brian Mulroney (Prime Minister): Mr. Speaker, | am somewhat surprised by the prefatory nature of the comments of my hon. [friend with regard to our commit- ment to aboriginal! rights. I had the privilege of chairing two First Ministers, confer- ences in Canada, seeking justice for our aboriginal people and seeking the appropriate constitutional amendment that would deliver that justice. We came extremely close to securing an historic agreement. We have to try again. If | may say so, J, along with many others, was instrumental in working out an agreement that ] believe was satisfactory to the nalive people and all the environmental groups with regard to South Moresby in British Columbia. That was a landmark settlement which very much favoured the aboriginal presence and economic development in British Columbia. We have introduced a aumber of comprehensive initiatives. Lis with a great deal of pleasure that [ regularly meet with aboriginal leaders here and across the country. I have done so from the day ] was sworn in and will continue to do so on a regular, ongoing basis. Any time that it is in any way produc- tive, I will be happy to do so. Re House of Commons Debates VOLUME 12 NUMBER 244 2ad SESSION OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Thursday, January 28, 1988 Speaker: The Hopourable John A. Fraser, P.C, Q.C reff ry \ FEBO3 82g UNION oe , NOIAN Cri rs y 5 CANADA Wouse of Commons Debates 33rd PARLIAMENT VOLUME 129 . NUMBER 245 . OFFICIAL REPORT (CHANSARD) Friday, January 29, 1988 Speaker: The Honourable John A. Fraser, PC. Q.C. ind SESSION ® 33rd PARLLAMENT WILDLIFE GREAT BLUE HERONS—EFFECT OF DIOXIN CONTAMINATION Mr. Jim Maaly (Cowichan—Malahat—The Islands): Mr Speaker, last year not a single egg hatched from a $2 nest colony of great blue herons at Crofton, British Columbia Fragments of the eggs were found to have traces of dioxin. On Monday the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans (Mr. Siddon) provided information on testing of shellfish from waters around pulp mills at Crofton and Nanaimo. The lab confirmed an earlier study released by Greenpeace showing traces of dioxin in shellfish at the Harmac pulp mill. The Department of National Health and Welfare has assured Canadians that the level of contamination is well below the level of risk. We await the findings of the Depart- ment of the Environment as to the affects on wildlife. The issue of dioxin contamination is not new, but not until late tast fall did the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the Department of the Environment initiate a national Program to determine dioxin levels around Canadian puip mills. It was only because of the publicity for the Greenpeace study that the single testing lab of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans pushed the B.C. samples to the head of the line. Since the Greenpeace report was released, MacMillan Bloedel announced it would stop dioxin contamination near company mills by March 31, by using a different process. | applaud the action MacMillan Bloedel has taken. However, I wonder if it would have found the substitute sooner if the federal Government had given this issue a higher Priority and had begun testing sooner. PENDING DECISION ON EXPORTS OF UNPROCESSED SALMON Mr. Jim Manly (Cowichao—Malahat--The Islands): Mr Speaker, my question is directed to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans. At the GATT mecting in Geneva next week, Canada will try to get a postponement of the fina} GATT decision on restrictions on Canadian exports of unprocessed pink or sockeye salmon or herring. 1 understand that the United States is being very obstructionist in this attempt. The following week in Washington there will be an atlempt to have bilateral talks to reach a mutually satisfactory solution to this problem. Will the Minister assure representatives of the West Coast fisheries industry that they will be able to participate in the negotiating team, cither as full members of the team or at least to be present in the room as official observers? Hon. Thomas Siddoa (Minister of Fisheries and Oceans): Mr. Speaker, this is a most important question. I can assure the Hon. Member, as I and my colleague, the Minister for International Trade, assured industry representatives in the month of December, that they will be fully involved in the development of Canada’s response 2nd our course of action as a result of the GATT panel recommendation. There is no imminent timetable. Canada will not agree to a decision being taken al the meeting in Geneva next week and we are seeking, through multinational approaches to other members of the GATT council who have similar concerns, a remedy of this issue which would prevent the council taking a decision that is detrimental to Canada’s interest. We continue to work with the American industry and Government. We are somewhat optimistic that a bilateral solution to the problem might well be found through the meetings to which the Hon. Member referred.
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