Periodical
Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs Newsletter (Fall 1995)
- Title
- Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs Newsletter (Fall 1995)
- Is Part Of
- 1.06-01.08 Union of BC Indian Chiefs Newsletter
- 1.06.-01 Newsletters and bulletins sub-series
- Date
- September 1995
- Language
- english
- Identifier
- 1.06-01.08-06.04
- pages
- 12
- Table Of Contents
-
INSIDE THIS ISSUE...
2. Message from the President
3. Elijah Harper calls for Sacred
Assembly
4. Institute of Indigenous Government
Resource Centre Update
5. UBCIC 27th Annual General Assembly
6. Nuxalk Nation
8. Gustafsen Lake
Indigenous Perspectives
11. Announcements - Contributor
- Chief Saul Terry
- Wendy Ancell
- Percey Rosette
- Bonita Lawerence
- Hallie Bruce
- Jurgen Boden
- Elke Boden
- Cherly Morgan
- Rod Cunningham
- Type
- periodical
- Transcription (Hover to view)
-
Union ofB. C. Indian Chiefs
NEWSLETTER
FALL 1995
PRISONERS OF POLITICS
RCMP Invade unceded Nuxalk Nation Territory, Hereditary Chiefs, Elders, andF.A.N.Supp
arrested at Fog Creek - Bella Coola, B. C.
Approximately 40 R C M P
moved in on a peaceful
blockade
at Ista (Fog Creek)
on unceded N u x a l k Nation territory
50 k m west o f B e l l a Coola this
morning at approximately 8:30 a.m.
and are presently i n the process o f
enforcing an i l l e g a l injunction
ordering people out of the area. Radio
communications from the camp were
initially being j a m m e d from an
unknown source, but recent reports
that have managed to get through
confirm that there are six R C M P
boats at the site, including two very
large catamarans. The R C M P have
already arrested at least 18 people,
including two N u x a l k hereditary
chiefs and elders, a n d R C M P
climbers are heading up trees in an
attempt to apprehend tree-sitters.
There were approximately 40
Nuxalk and supporters at the camp
this morning, and more boats full o f
supporters from the N u x a l k Nation
are heading out to the site at this
time. Staff Sergeant L a r r y Babcock
of the Prince Rupert subdivision who
is heading the operation stated this
INSIDE THIS ISSUE...
morning that a l l those arrested
would be processed on one o f the
R C M P boats, where they would
be given the option of signing a
undertaking as the terms o f their
release, after which they would be
released at the site. The terms o f
release i n these sanations often
include a prohibition from going
back into the area of the blockade,
and none o f those arrested are
agreeing to sign such a release
since they do not acknowledge any
jurisdiction other than N u x a l k
j u r i s d i c t i o n over N u x a l k
t e r r i t o r y . T h e most r e c e n t
communications suggest that a l l
the arrestees are "being t a k e n
straight to Vancouver to appear
before me Supreme Court because
of this refusal.
IN CUSTODY: Nuxalk Hereditary Chiefs Ed Moody and
Charlie Nelson arrested in logging blockade are handcuffed
together in Vancouver.
( PRISONERScontinuedonpage2)
Vancouver Sun, Wed. Sept 27.1995
4. Institute of Indigenous Government
Resource Centre Update
2. Message from the President
5. U B C I C 27th Annual General Assembly
3. Elijah Harper calls for Sacred
Assembly
6. Nuxalk Nation
FALL 1995
This is not merely another
logging blockade, the N u x a l k
N a t i o n is i n the process o f
reoccupying their traditional lands.
8. Gustafsen Lake
Indigenous Perspectives
11. Announcements
1
UBCIC NEWS
Message From The President:
Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs presentation on the proposed Firearms A
Bill C-68 to the Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs
I
n the presentation to the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional
Affairs the Union o f B . C . Indian Chiefs told Committee members that the proposed
Firearms A c t (Bill C-68) legislation will have a very real and very direct impact on the dayto-day lives of First Nation people. More so than on the rest of Canada, both rural and urban.
B i l l C-68 will make us criminals. When the possession and use o f hunting rifles is made
near impossible by unjust laws the result w i l l be that entire families and communities will have
a harder time putting meat on the table. This w i l l force many of our people no increased
dependence on social assistance and other means o f state sponsored support. This is a fact.
The government o f Canada has not factored these very real social and economic costs into its
analysis of the costs o f implementing this legislation.
The net effect o f this legislation is that it criminalizes being Indian. It represents an
unwarrented and unacceptable intrusion into the day-to-day lives of First Nation people. The
proposed Firearms A c t does not constitute a mere infringement, but rather a whole scale
criminalization of traditional aboriginal practices. The Firearms A c t for all intents and purposes will extinguish the aboriginal
right to hunt.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The Union of B . C . Indian Chiefs recommended the following amendments to B i l l C-68 the proposed Firearms Act:
1.
That the following clause be inserted into the act:
This act does not apply to aboriginal people to the extent that aboriginal people use, own or
possess firearms for the purpose o f exercising their inherent aboriginal rights to hunt and trap
as recognized under section 35 o f the Constitution A c t 1982.
2.
That a statutory defense provision be inserted into the Canadian Criminal Code amendments which reflect the fact that
the inherent aboriginal rights to hunt and trap are constitutionally protected and cannot and must not be criminalized. This
statutory defense would apply to the provisions which criminalize the mere possession, use or transport o f a firearm without a
registration certificate or license.
It is not the suggestion of the Union of B . C . Indian Chiefs that the statutory defense apply where a firearm is used in committing
a crime. However, it is absolutely essential that the mere possession, transport, or use o f a firearm, when done is a means o f
practising an inherent right to hunt or trap must not be criminalized.
(PRISONERS continuedfrom page 1)
To this end they have begun the construction o f several traditional structures at Ista and other sites around their territory,
and yesterday constructed a smokehouse at Ista so they could begin processing fish at the site. Interfore employees, who
arrived with the R C M P this morning, promptly smashed the smokehouse with a sledgehammer and drove their equipment
up the road so they could resume road building operations.
-30Forest Action Network
2
FALL 1995
UBCIC NEWS
HARPER CALLS FOR SACRED ASSEMBLY TO
ADDRESS ABORIGINAL ISSUES
M.P.
CALLS FOR HEALING AND RECONCILIATION IN FACE OF VIOLENCE AND FRUSTRATION
(FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: SEPTEMBER 13, 1995
Churchill
M.P. Elijah Harper
is calling for a "Sacred
Assembly" of Aboriginal and non
Aboriginal spiritual leaders to provide
counsel and promote reconciliation in
the face of rising frustration in First
Nations communities.
"First Nations have lost not just
our land and control over our lives, but
also our connection to an ancient
spirituality that has nurtured our peoples
for centuries,'' said Harper. ' 'Now we
have been working through the courts
and through the political process to
reclaim our land and our right to selfgovernment, but something is missing
from the process. The spiritual element
has been missing.
" T h e idea of the Sacred
Assembly is not just to provide counsel
in finding that spiritual element, but also
to promote reconciliation. We can't
achieve reconciliation until the harm
which has been done to our peoples is
acknowledged," said Harper. "Lawyers
and politicians aren't always willing to
do that because they think it's an
admission of liability. But some of
Canada's churches have been willing to
do this and it has helped the healing
process in our communities. That
reconciliation is necessary i f Canada's
going to heal."
Harper said he has been in contact
with spiritual leaders, both Aboriginal
and non-Aboriginal, across the country,
— OTTAWA)
"We can't achieve reconciliation until the harm which has
been done to our peoples is acknowledged"
- Elijah Harper, M.P. and they have expressed enthusiasm for
the idea. He hopes to establish a
working group as soon as possible, as the
Assembly w i l l be able to provide
direction to communities, leadership and
government as they deal w i t h
increasingly urgent situations.
Harper, who is joining Indian
Affairs Minister Ron Irwin in meeting
with community leaders at Camp
Ipperwash, Ontario today, said this was
particularly important in the face of
growing frustration and violent standoffs across Canada. "When I look at the
stand-offs and the frustration, and also at
the problems that affect many more of
our communities, l i k e suicide,
alcoholism, and hopelessness, I see the
effects of that spiritual loss. I see people
who are trying to fill an emptiness, who
are struggling to find something," he
said.
"But because we've lost so much
of that spirituality, many of us our
misguided. They turn to drugs and
alcohol, they turn to material things, and
some of them turn to violence. When I
look at some of the people at the standoffs I see people who want to get in touch
with our land and our communities and
our spiritualism, but they seem cut off
from i t , " he said.
"Indian Nations must exercise
and control their own jurisdictions and
their territory. They must exercise law
and order on their own land. And they
have to show the Canadian public that
they have the capability and the ability,"
said Harper.
' 'By offering spiritual counsel to
our communities, by addressing the
spiritual poverty that afflicts our
communities, the Sacred Assembly can
help to achieve that by restoring
confidence in our leadership and
promoting good government"
While more details on the Sacred
Assembly are not available right now,
Harper said he would be acting on it as
soon as possible. ' 'Many people are
laying the ground work and praying for
the success of this Sacred Assembly. We
must sustain the culture, values, and
traditions that have sustained us for
generations."
-30Contact: Lome Hanks, Parliamentary
Assistant to Elijah Harper, M_P.
(613) 992-3018
Elijah Harper M.P. will be guest speaking at the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs Traditional Feast
during their 27th Annual General Assembly, October 25, 1995 @ 7:00 p.m. in Kamloops, B.C. in
the Kamloops Indian Band Dining Room.
FALL 1995
3
UBCIC NEWS
Institute of Indigenous Government
The Institute of Indigenous
Government welcomed its first students
in mid September marking the launch of
the Institute's Associate Degree and
Certificate programs.
Students arrived from Ontario,
Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and
regions throughout British Columbia to
become part of Canada's first
autonomous degree-granting First Nation
post-secondary institution. After a two
day orientation, classes were under way just days after renovations were
completed.
The Institute's campus at 342
Water Street occupies the third and
fourth floors of the building situated near
the gateway of Gastown . The facilities
include classrooms, a student lounge, the
UBCIC Resource Centre, study areas, an
information centre and administrative
offices.
The Student Support Services
Coordinator, Bernice Heather, who also
instructs and coordinates the extension
program, has an important role at the
Institute. Bernice will offer students
support as they develop leadership,
study, problem-solving and cultural
skills.
A study workshop has already
been scheduled and Bernice will assist in
other areas such as goal-setting, career
planning, communications and
interpersonal skills. The Institute also
offers personal and academic
c o u n s e l l i n g , w h i l e E l d e r s w i l l be
available to offer guidance.
Five courses are being offered
during the Fall semester: History of
Colonization and Indigenous Resistance,
Indigenous Society, Culture and Identity,
Fundamentals of Economic and Social
Development, Indigenous Nations,
International Organizations and the
United States, and Records Management
for Indigenous Government.
Detailed course offerings and a
student handbook for the Spring
semester are expected to be available by
mid-October. The Institute will be
sending information packages
throughout the province and to other
regions at that time. To date, inquiries
have come from throughout Canada and
from such centres in the United States as
New York City and Arizona.
In the meantime you may want to
grab a pen - our phone and fax numbers
Resource Centre
With restricted access to the
Resource Centre in place over the summer,
it often looked very quiet in the library. The
Resource Centre staff, however, have never
been busier.
Many decisions were made
regarding cataloguing and classification,
including our own in-house adaptation of
the Library of Congress classification
scheme and the design of appropriate
subject heading for our collection. Many
hours were spent, for example, expanding
the LC classification scheme to cover all
aspects of self-government and the many
areas of aboriginal title and rights. Then we
began the long task of re-cataloguing and
classifying the entire collection. That
project will be ongoing and will remain a
priority.
Getting ready for the first
Institute of Indigenous Government
students meant many other tasks had to be
done over the summer as well. There were,
4
and still are, many transitions to go through
in becoming a library which serves a postsecondary institution. The Resource Centre
staff have worked very hard to put new
policies, procedures, and collection
materials in place. It is hoped that we can
have a multi-media workstation in the
Resource Centre within the year for users
to access the new automated catalog, CDR O M reference sources, and online library
catalogs of other post-secondary and public
libraries. We now have a borrower card for
Vancouver Public Library and the
University of British Columbia. The IIG
will soon become a member of the
provincial post-secondary interlibrary
network. We will be able to borrow books
and get journal articles from libraries all
over North America.
We continue to develop the
collection for researchers. The B.C.
Archives newspaper file and index on
microfiche is on order. This source will
change on October 5th. Our new phone
number is: (604) 602-9555, while our fax
number is: (604) 602-3400. Contact the
registrar, Darell Gaddie, if you require
an admissions package. The information
officer, Lorraine Passchier, is available
to help with the distribution of brochures
and handbooks.
Finally here is a list of some key
staff members at the Institute. In future
newsletters, we will offer a more indepth look at the Institute, its students
and its faculty.
Paul Chartrand, President
Herb Strongeagle, Bursar
Darell Gaddie, Registrar
Dan Gottesman, Academic Dean and
Professor
Sylvia Walsh, Director of Program
Planning and Development and
Associate Professor
Bernice Heather, Instructor and Student
Support Services & Extension
Coordinator
Theo Collins, Assistant Professor
Alejandro Palacios, Assistant Professor
& International Program Coordinator
Andres (Lix) Lopez, Sessional Lecturer
Sandie Bradley, Sessional Lecture
allow subjects access to old B.C.
newspapers.
We have added many books to the
collection over the summer tad I am
including a short select list of some of those
tides. If you need further information about
any of them call us in the Resource Centre.
The list was generated from the records in
our automated catalog.
I have become familiar during the
summer with some of the excellent sites
available on the Internet for getting
aboriginal materials. If anyone has access
to the Internet or is thinking of' 'getting
connected", I can provide a list of Internet
sites. Perhaps I can cover theInternetin
more detail in future newsletters.
In the meantime, there is an
invaluable information source here for our
member bands. Call us anytime. If we can
not provide the information, we will do our
best to tell you who can
Wendy Ancell, Librarian
FALL 1995
UBCIC NEWS
(draft agenda continued)
October 25,1995
Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs
9:00 a.m.:
Opening Prayer
9:15 a.m.:
Chair: Opening Remarks
9:30 a.m.:
Panel: International Indigenous Struggles for
Justice at the United Nations: Ted Moses,
Grand Council of the Crees of Quebec
(Resolutions)
You are cordially invited
27th Annual General Assembly
"OUR SACRED LANDS"
October 24, 25, 26, 1995
Kamloops Indian Band Gymnasium
345 Yellowhead Highway
Kamloops, B . C .
DRAFT AGENDA
LUNCH BREAK
1:30p.m.:
Overview of the Institute of Indigenous
Government. Paul Chartrand, Interim President
of the IIG.
2:00 p.m.:
Nominations for UBCIC President
Candidates Speeches
4:30 p.m.:
Closing Prayer; Adjournment of Day 2
7:00 p.m.:
T R A D I T I O N A L F E A S T : Elijah Harper M.P.,
Guest Speaker,
October 24,1995
8:30 a.m.:
Registration
9:00 a.m.:
Call to order; Entry of Flags; Opening Prayer
9:30 a.m.:
Ratification of Chair, Agenda and
Committees. Words of Welcome:
Chief Manny Jules
10:00 a.m.:
October 26,1995
9:00 a.m.:
Opening Prayer
9:15 a.m.:
Chair: Opening Remarks
9:30 a.m.:
Returning Officer explains election procedures.
Election for UBCIC President
Announcement of election results
Presidential acceptance speech
Panel: Responsibilities to Our Sacred Lands.
Glen Douglas, Grand Chief Archie Jack,
Chief Scotty Holmes, Ted Moses (Resolutions)
LUNCH BREAK
LUNCH BREAK
1:30p.m.:
President's Address & Principles of Treaty
Making. Chief Saul Terry, Bridge River
2:00 p.m.:
Panels: Indian Jurisdiction and Federal
Responsibilities. Health: Carole Dawson;
Education: Verna Stager (Resolutions)
3:00 p.m.:
Fishing: Tribal Chief Mike Leach, Chief Frances
Laceese, Chief Frank Boucher, Chief Bob Pasco
(Resolutions)
4:00 p.m.:
Closing Prayer, Adjournment, Day 1
FALL 1995
1:30 P . M . :
UBCIC Annual Reports
Adoption of 1994 Minutes
Audit and resolution: Arnold Peters,
Finance Manager
Legal: Mandell Pinder
Joint Policy Council: Dan Gottesmar^
Policy Director
Claims Research: Leigh Ogston,
Research Director
Resolutions
3:00 p.m.:
Closing Prayer; Adjournment of 27th A.G.A.
5
UBCIC NEWS
NUXALK NATION GOVERNMENET
First of all we would like to acknowledge Tatau,
the Creator, through Manakays, the Great Spirit,
for all that he has provided since the beginning of
time and still provides today
"Ministry of Forests is issuing illegal permits to
Interfor to Log in Nuxalk Territory."
(September 27, 1995)
SOVEREIGNTY
The word " S O V E R E I G N T Y " is one that
many of our people do not know the meaning of. It is a
word that will be used many times during this gathering of
ours and it is important for all of our people to understand
it.
Our " S O V E R E I G N T Y " is our traditional ways! It
is our fishing, hunting, ceremonies, laws, stories, songs,
potlatches, and dances. Our " S O V E R E I G N T Y " is a
sacred gift handed down to us by Tatau, our Creator. It is
something that was never given to us by any government or
business.
Our " S O V E R E I G N T Y " is not the Canadian
government laws! Our " S O V E R E I G N T Y " is not the
British Columbian laws!
These two levels of governments do not have any
right to practise their man made laws over our laws that
were handed down to us from the Creator.
Our " S O V E R E I G N T Y " is when we hunt, when we
fish and where we fish! Our " S O V E R E I G N T Y " is our
plant foods and medicines! Our " S O V E R E I G N T Y " is our
traditional way of life.
No other nation is given the permission to define our
" S O V E R E I G N T Y " ! A s long as we keep our
" S O V E R E I G N T Y " we shall survive as a nation!
For the future of our Children, Grandchildren, and
Children yet unborn...
The N U X A L K N A T I O N opposes any clear-cutting and
logging practices of Interfor within the Nuxalk Nation's
Traditional Territories. Nuxalk Nation Territory is unceded
land. Nuxalk Nation has never entered or signed any
agreements with the Government. We do not honour the
B . C . Treaty Commission Process because it extinguishes our
title and rights.
Interfor has been logging in our territory for awhile
now. We have never consented to allow Interfor to log i n
our territories. Yet, they continue to log even when we
demanded them to stop.
We have been opposing Interior's plans to log ever
since we were made aware of the logging plans. Last
summer, we strongly opposed any illegal logging plans
for Talyu Hotsprings.
Our voices still have not been recognized! We are a
nation of people and oppose developments i n our territories
that is destructive to the land and all that flows from i t
There has been destruction of our sacred sites, forests,
traditional village sites and historic burial grounds. This
continues to happen today, and we will no longer stand by
and watch this destruction of our territory.
We " T H A N K " a l l groups out there for supporting us
- in calling for a STOP to all the destruction within our
Nuxalk Territory. We especially thank the Forest Action
Network (FAN) for all their support i n standing by our
Nuxalk Nation Elders, Nuxalk Nation Hereditary Chiefs and
the Nuxalkmc.
For the future of our children, grandchildren and children yet
unborn...
Way!
Way!
6
FALL 1995
UBCIC NEWS
Jailed Action Defenders to Appear
Before Supreme Court
B E L L A C O O L A , B.C. - Fourteen people arrested
yesterday on contempt of court charges for defending unceded
Nuxalk land from destruction by International Forest Products
( I N T E R F O R ) w i l l appear before the Supreme Court i n
Vancouver today at 10:00 a.m. The arrestees, who were flown
to Vancouver yesterday evening and held overnight i n the PreTrial Detention Centre, include 8 Nuxalkmc, of which three are
hereditary chiefs and three are elders, one Ojibway activist from
Manitoba, and 5 non native activists from the Forest Action
Network.
A delegation of Nuxalkmc who drove through the night
down from Bella Coola will be at the courthouse this morning
to pray, sing, and support their people in court. They will be
joined by natives and non-natives from the Vancouver area who
support the Nuxalk and Forest Action Network's struggle for
recognition of Nuxalk sovereignty and protection of the land.
The demonstrators will also be expressing their outrage at the
jailing of elders and traditional leaders for carrying out their
traditional duties of protecting the land.
The fourteen who are to appear at court today, as well as
eight others, were arrested yesterday at Ista (Fog Creek) on
King Island, approximately 50 kms west of Bella Coola, when
R C M P invaded the Nuxalk traditional territory which Nuxalk
people and their invited guests were beginning to reoccupy.
Fourteen of those arrested refused to sign terms of release which
required them to acknowledge jurisdiction other than Nuxalk
jurisdiction over the land they were on; the undertaking
required them to obey the B . C . Supreme Court's injunction
forbidding them from defending Nuxalk land from illegal
logging, as well as forbidding them from moving freely in
Nuxalk territory by barring them from returning to Ista (Fog
Creek).
Interior brought twice the usual amount of machinery
and equipment to the site yesterday morning in their eagerness
to resume their destruction of the old-growth forests of the
Great Coast Forest.
-30-
Statement made by Hereditary Chief Qwatsinas
(Edward Moody) from the Pretrial Centre in Vancouve
(September 27, 1995)
Ista (Fogg Creek): I see that the loggers have rights, the road
builders have rights, the logging companies have rights, and
they have the R C M P with them to back up their rights. We as
the Hereditary Chiefs and Nuxalkmc are protecting and
defending our forest and our land and our rights. There is no
law enforcement or the R C M P to enforce our rights. In order
for us to protect and defend Ista we have to do it ourselves.
Under the B . C . Treaty Commission process the loggers, the
road builders, the logging companies, and the R C M P are at the
negotiations table and I see that they are i n a major conflict of
interest.
We are not signing the release forms here based on our
principles and morals. As Hereditary Chiefs, we can't accept
guilt on behalf of our people, we can't sign release forms on
that basis, that we would accept the destruction of the forests of
Ista.
We call ourselves political prisoners. We're opposing the
destruction of Ista, and we stand by that. They came to defend
what they believe in. They took us prisoners because of what
we did. It's not an enforcement issue, its a political and
environmental and human issue.
We are going to stand fast in what we believe in.
Way!
Make your presence felt in a real and powerful issue of our
times. Your help is needed to protect indigenous rights and the
forests!
For more information contact:
Nuxalk Nation (604)799-5376
Forest Action Network (604) 251-2477
Vancouver Temerate Rainforest Action
Coalition (604) 251-3190
Forest Action Network 251-2477
UBCIC NEW LETTER DEADLINE
I f y o u have any material that y o u w o u l d l i k e to see i n the next edition o f the U n i o n o f B . C .
Indian Chiefs Newsletter, please forward to our V a n c o u v e r office by fax o r m a i l as soon as
p o s s i b l e to the attention o f " U B C I C N E W S L E T T E R " .
W e w o u l d appreciate the volume o f
information be kept to a m i n i m u m so others can benefit from this service. Please do not fax
business cards. N e x t deadline is N o v e m b e r 1 5 , 1 9 9 5 . O u r n e w address is 5th F l o o r - 3 4 2 Water
Street, V a n c o u v e r , B . C . V 6 B 1 B 6 . O u r phone and fax n u m b e r w i l l remain the same. Phone
(604)684-0231 Fax:(604)684-5726.
FALL 1995
7
UBCIC NEWS
=
INDIGENOUS NATIONS PERSPECTIVES
SHUSWAP A G R E E TO P E A C E F U L SOLUTION
C O N F E D E R A C Y O F SIX N A T I O N S
B i g Lake, August 24, 1995
August 28, 1995
The Shuswap people, who remain true to the Creator and
the Land of our Ancestors, seek a peaceful resolution to a crises
which has been going on for 139 years.
Domestic Laws, which we have no hand in signing, do
not apply here. Tribal councils of so-called "chiefs" paid by
the Government of Canada do not speak for us.
We have never ceded or sold our territory. Anyone
claiming title to our stolen lands should be compensated by the
government of British Columbia and our lands returned to us.
The legal precedence protecting our rights as Indigenous
Peoples have never been heard. We agree to lay down our arms
after receiving a guarantee of diplomatic immunity from
prosecution for all members of this camp, and audiences with
our representative Bruce Clark and the Queen's Privy Council
and Governor General of Canada. The purpose of these
hearings must be a formal ruling of the legitimacy of claim.
We believe that when the true Canadian law is applied it
will be clear who are the true caretakers of this land.
Attention: Sergeant Montague
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Re: Gustafsen Lake Confrontation
Sergeant Montague, we at the Confederacy of Treaty Six First
Nations in central Alberta are deeply concerned with what has
transpired i n the last 48 hours at Gustafsen Lake, B . C . .
Although we may not fully agree with these people on their
issue, we cannot see the answer to this confrontation to be to
massacre these people. We call on you to stop any kind of
armed attack and to attempt to resolve this issue in a peaceful
manner. You should be aware that your response will have
repercussions across Canada and North America. A peaceful
solution will enhance future relations between First Nations and
non-First Nations people. Massacre will only serve to instigate
mistrust and hate. Sergeant Montague, this is a short message
to you. We pray to the Creator that you will act wisely upon
this request.
Signed
Thank you.
Percy Rosette Faithkeeper
Chiefs, Councillors, Elders, and the First Nations of Treaty Six.
c.c. Mike Harcourt (604) 387-0087 Fax
INNU NATION CALLS FOR RCMP TO WITHDRAW FROM GUSTAFSEN LAKE
August 31, 1995 (Sheshatshiu) The Innu Nation today called on the R C M P to withdraw from their siege of the Sundancers
encampment at Gustafsen Lake, and condemned the B . C . provincial government for their response to the situation.
"The situation at Gustafsen Lake gravely concerns the Innu Nation. As Innu, we have often experienced the heavy hand of
R C M P intervention when defending our land and rights. Force has never resolved anything. It creates instability and tension,
and may lead to bloodshed and violence. It is the coward's w a y , " stated Daniel A s h i n i , Director of Innu Rights and
Environment.
The B . C . Premier, Attorney General, and the R C M P have misrepresented the Sundancers as terrorists, renegades
and trespassers. But their aspirations are shared by many aboriginal peoples across Canada. British Columbia like QuebecLabrador, is unceded aboriginal land. Our nations' ownership of our land has never been extinguished. We have never given
up our right to practice our spirituality. We see fair nation-to-nation negotiation, not police intervention, as the only way to
resolve the crises that the Province and police have precipitated," continued Ashini. "Premier Harcourt and Attorney General
Ujjal Dosanjh must take the blame for creating a confrontation which could result in violence. Rather than dealing fairly and
directly with the Sundancers, they chose to respond to the Sundander's legitimate concerns with police state tactics.
-30Daniel Ashini (709) 497-8398
8
FALL 1995
UBCIC NEWS
AROUND GUSTAFSEN LAKE
L E T T E R T O UNION OF B.C. INDIAN CHIEFS
F R O M : Staff and volunteers at C H R Y Radio, North York,
Ontario
We wish to convey to the Shuswap Sundancers our heartfelt
support. We applaud their courage in taking this difficult stand,
and we wish them to know that there are many people across
Canada, both Native and non Native, who support their actions,
who want the current federal and provincial regimes to rectify
past injustices by respecting Native sovereignty and working in
good faith towards a just settlement of land claims N O T
extinguishment of aboriginal title. We are sending faxes to
Prime Minister John Chretien urging the federal government to
deal on a nation to nation basis with the Shuswap and other
nations in the territory known as British Columbia.
We hope you can convey this to the Shuswap Defenders.
Thank you for sending us faxes, and we urge you to continue to
keep us informed.
Bonita Lawrence
on behalf of staff and volunteers at C H R Y community radio
L E T T E R T O PRIME MINISTER JEAN CHRETIEN
August 29, 1995
PENTICTON INDIAN BAND
August 28, 1995 - W e are outraged by the Harcourt
government's treacherous attempt to politically exploit the
Gustafsen Lake incident. The Harcourt government has
demonstrated that it is more than willing to trade the blood of
both the Native and the non-Native people of the Sundance
camp for ballots in the upcoming Provincial election Rather
than pursue a peaceful resolution of the standoff, the Harcourt
government has chosen to pursue a strategy of purposeful
provocation. The exchange of gunfire between R C M P Emergency Response Team members and camp occupants are
undeniable evidence of the results of such a totally irresponsible
adventuristic strategy. We condemn the Harcourt government
and the R C M P for their police state mentality.
R a c i a l tensions i n the P r o v i n c e of B . C . shall
escalate to historically unprecedented levels in the event that
people of the Sundance camp are killed by the RCMP. Without
question, there shall be serious repercussions throughout the
province of B . C . in the aftermath of a massacre of the people
occupying the Sundance camp.
It is incumbent upon the Harcourt government to make
absolutely every conceivable attempt to seek a peaceful
resolution of this standoff. In this regard, the Premier and
members of his Cabinet should make every attempt to meet with
Native leaders within the area for the purpose of establishing a
negotiating climate that shall lead to a peaceful resolution of
this situation.
We are writing to request that the federal government
Anything less is simply unacceptable.
learn from the mistakes of Oka, and settle the standoff at
Gustafsen Lake by dealing on a nation to nation basis with the
-30Shuswap and other nations of the territory now known as
British Columbia.
For further information: Stewart Phillip, Okanagan Nation
We do not believe that the Shuswap Sundancers at
Gustafsen Lake are "terrorists," or that this issue shall be
viewed as a matter of " l a w and order". We believe that, just as Oka, this confrontation is the fruit of despair, of Native peoples who
have tried through legal channels to defend their territories, but who have continuously been obstructed through bad fain on the part
of provincial and federal bureaucrats. We urge the federal government to get involved with the issue - the standoff at Gustafsen
Lake cannot be ignored. What about the federal government's historic obligation to protect the interests of the Aboriginal peoples?
How can the federal government stand aside and ignore the demands of the Shuswap and other native nations who want their
historic title to the land recognized and protected? Your current policy of doing nothing will only result in more standoffs, more
confrontations, as more and more communities are driven to confronting the Canadian state through \iolence, when negotiations fail
through governmental bad faith. The result will be more and more millions of taxpayer's money spent on police actions to suppress
uprisings which could never have happened i f the federal government respected who really owns this land. Canada deserves the bad
image it is getting for human rights violations internationally i f it will not deal honorably with Aboriginal peoples at hone.
We strongly urge you, M r . Chretien, to address the current occupation at Gustafsen Lake. The Shuswap Defenders should not
have to resort to violence in order to be heard.
Sincerely,
Bonita Lawrence
on behalf of staff and volunteers at C H R Y Radio
FALL 1995
GUSTAFSEN LAKE (Continued an page 10)
9
UBCIC NEWS
GUSTAFSEN LAKE (Continuedfrom page 9)
Statement on the standoff at Gustafsen Lake
by Chief Saul Terry
President, Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs
August 28, 1995
Since 1990, the Federal Government has refused to discuss nationam gravely concerned over the escalating confrontation
to-nation option for negotiations with our respective peoples.
taking place at Gustafsen Lake in the territory of the
Shuswap Nation. For
Instead, they have
over two weeks, the
steadfastly defended
Ms. Halie Bruce
R C M P , the Attorney
their B . C . Treaty
Exec. Assistant
General and the media
C o m m i s s i o n
UNION OF B.C. INDIAN CHIEFS
have gone to great
extinguishment
Vancouver, B.C.
lengths to discredit the
p r o c e s s to t h e
Canada
Shuswap sundancers
exclusion of all other
and their supporters at
options
and
Dear Ms. Bruce:
Gustafsen L a k e as
possibilities. As
dangerous fanatics in
recently as June 23,
Thank you for your fax of August 29 along with the various newspaper reports and
order to justify the use
19 9 5 ,
B . C
commentaries.
of armed force to
Aboriginal Affairs
A s I mentioned to you on the telephone the other day, we had sent Chief Saul Terry's
remove them from the
Minister
John
Press Release about the confrontation at Gustafsen lake to our friend at the daily newspaper
Sundance grounds. In
Cashore wrote to me
"Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung", as well as through our friends of the German section
recent days, the R C M P
and the Hon. R o n
to Amnesty International, International Secretariate, in London, England (fax number
has chosen to cut off
Irwin, Minister of
England 171-956-1157), as well as to the Canadian section of Amnesty International in
communications and
Indian Affairs, urging
Vanier, Ontario (fax number Canada 613-744-7667). The same I have sent to our Dene
isolate the sundancers
Canada and the Union
friend in the federal government in Ottawa, Ms. Ethel Blondin-Andrew.
even further, contrary
of
B . C . Indian Chiefs
To all of them, we have now offered to send what you have faxed us (the newspaper
to the strategy usually
"to
meet at the earliest
reports) as background information, and I hope they will request to obtain the media reports.
followed by police when
oprx)itunity
to begin
O f course, Amnesty International in Canada - who in our eyes would be a good' 'mediator''
trying to de-escalate and
w
o
r
k
t
o
w
ards a
in the terrible conflict - as well as Ms. Blondin-Andrew will be aware of what has been and
peacefully resolve
[nation-to-nation]
is going on at Gustafsen Lake.
s i m i l a r emergency
treaty process for those
We can only hope with all of you that the confrontation will end in a more or less
situations involving
First
Nations who
peaceful way, since otherwise we foresee grave and large problems between the Native
firearms. In trying to
have
not
joined the
population in B . C . and in Canada and the non-Native population, which would surely be the
discredit and isolate the
B
.
C
Treaty
worst development for the future of peoples and lands.
sundancers, the R C M P
Commission." Yet
a n d the A t t o r n e y
the
Federal
Please do keep me informed about any news in this horrible confrontation.
General are laying the
Government
goundwork
for
continues to refuse. It
Sincerely
bloodshed — needless
now appears there is
bloodshed. I condemn
more concern by the
Jurgen and Elke Boden
the R C M P and the
governments
that the
Alouette Verlag
Attorney General for the
so-called'' squatters''
dangerous provocative course they have embarked upon. I call
at Gustafsen Lake will " u n d e r m i n e " the B . C . Treaty
upon them immediately to cease and desist before it is too late.
Commission process than about constructive alternatives. If the
situation
at Gustafsen Lake is to be resolved peacefully and future
The positions expressed by the sundancers on their nations'
confrontations
are to be avoided, a nation-to-nation- alternative to
sovereignty and aboriginal title and rights are not "extremist."
the
B.C.
Treaty
Commission must be developed and implemented
They are shared by many Indian peoples across this province.
as
soon
as
possible.
British Columbia is unceded Indian land. Our nations' ownership
I
of their respective territories (our aboriginal title) has never been
extinguished. We are not "squatters" or trespassers i n our own
homelands. Recognition and accommodation of our aboriginal
title and rights must be negotiated on a nation-to-nation basis with
Canada. Our people demand JUSTICE and RECOGNITION but
whenever they stand up for their rights, they are subjected to the
R U L E OF L A W and P O L I C E S T A T E TACTICS!
10
In conclusion, I am willing to meet with sandancers at
Gustafsen Lake, if requested and if there is any possibility that my
involvement would be helpful i n bringing about a just, honorable
and peaceful resolution to the confrontation.
-30-
FALL 1995
UBCIC NEWS
HEALING OUR SPIRIT
August 1, 1995
October 12, 1995
Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs
Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs
Dear Sir/Madame:
Re: Recruitment of First Nations Big Sisters
Currently, B i g Sisters is working to recruit First
Nations B i g Sisters to fill the needs of the significant number
of First Nations Little Sisters in the Lower Mainland.
If anyone is interested or would like more information
on becoming a "Big Sister", a First Nations Counsellor will be
made available to do a group presentation or meet individually.
For further information please contact me, Cheryl
Morgan at (604) 873-4525.
Yours truly,
To: All First Nations
Greetings to Chiefs, Elders, Ladies and Gentlemen] For those
of you who don't know about our organization we would like to
take a moment to tell you who we are and what our mandate is
as well as some upcoming functions that we would like to have
more involvement and support from First Nations.
Our Goals are to:
Increase the awareness of H I V and ADDS in both urban and
rural First Nations Communities.
Provide educational workshops throughout B . C . on the prevention of HIV and AIDS.
Advocacy and support to individuals living with HIV and
ADDS, as well as to their families and caregivers.
Cherly Morgan
Increase community accessibility to HIV and AIDS, educational
materials and resources.
The Union of B. C. Indian Chiefs would like to extend their
thanks and appreciation to Monique Cote formerly Good)
Increase acceptance of people living with HIV and AIDS.
for her commitment and dedicaton to the Chiefs Mask
Bookstore & Gallery for the past 2 1/2 years. A job wellWe will be having our 3rd Annual General Meeting on November 16, 1995 from 5:00 - 9:00 p.m. A n agenda will be sent
done Monique & good luck,!
shortly to all members. At this time we will also be having
Board elections, and you must be a member to vote
For more information about Healing Our Spirit we would be
happy to meet with you. (604) 879-0906
Grand Council Treaty #5 Election Results
A s a result of the Treaty #3 elections held on October
4, 5, 6, 1995, effective immediately, the following are
the Grand Councils elected political representatives.
Grand Chief
Kenora Tribal Area Chief
Dryden Tribal Area Chief
Fort Frances T i b a l Area C h i e f
Sincerely,
Rod Cunningham Vice President
E l i Manciamin
Alfred Sinclair
Roy Napish
Willie Wilson
Should you require further clarification on this matter,
please do not hesitate to call our office at (807) 5484214.
Meegwetch!
"This should be good... he's eaten the whole
bowlful of tobacco and now he's smoking a potato"
FALL 1995
11
UBCIC NEWS
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Please m a k e cheque or m o n e y order payable to:
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CHIEFS MASK B O O K S T O R E
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12
FALL 1995
Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs
NEWSLETTER
FALL 1995
PRISONERS OF POLITICS
RCMP Invade unceded Nuxalk Nation Territory, Hereditary Chiefs, Elders, and F-A.N. Supporters
arrested at Fog Creek - Bella Coola, B.C.
/ppproximately 40 RCMP
_AA moved in on a peaceful
V blockade at Ista (Fog Creek)
on unceded Nuxalk Nation territory
50 km west of Bella Coola this
morning at approximately 8:30 a.m.
and are presently in the process of | %
enforcing an illegal injunction
ordering people out of the area. Radio
communications from the camp were
initially being jammed from an
unknown source, but recent reports
that have managed to get through
confirm that there are six RCMP
boats at the site, including two very
large catamarans. The RCMP have
already arrested at least 18 people,
including two Nuxalk hereditary
chiefs and elders, and RCMP
climbers are heading up trees in an | } :
attempt to apprehend tree-sitters.
There were approximately 40
Nuxalk and supporters at the camp
this moming, and more boats full of | : iS
supporters from the Nuxalk Nation
eee
2
ee ay)
*
EER) f i EA
morning that all those arrested
would be processed on one of the
RCMP boats, where they would
be given the optios of signing a
undertaking as the terms of their
release, after which they would be
released at the site. The terms of
release in these siuations often
include a prohibiben from going
back into the area of the blockade,
and none of those arrested are
agreeing to sign sach a release
since they do not accnowledge any
jurisdiction other than Nuxalk
jurisdiction over Nuxalk
territory. The most recent
communications suggest that all
the arrestees are deing taken
straight to Vancosver to appear
before tne Supreme Court because
of this refusal.
This is not merely another
logging blockade, the Nuxalk
Nation is in the process of
: ._ | IN CUSTODY: Nuxalk Hereditary Chiefs Ed Moody and | reoccupying their tredrtional lands.
are heading out to the site at this | O.,1:¢ Nelson arrested in logging blockade are handcuffed
time. StaffSergeant Larry Babcock | tooether in Vancouver. ( PRISONERS continued on page 2)
of the Prince Rupert subdivision who
is heading the operation stated this Vancouver Sun, Wed. Sept. 27, 1995
4. Institute of Indigenous Government 8. Gustafsen Lake
INSIDE THIS ISSUE... Resource Centre Update Indigenous Perspectives
2. Message from the President
3. Elijah Harper calls for Sacred
Assembly
5. UBCIC 27th Annual General Assembly
6. Nuxalk Nation
11. Announcements
6
FALL 1995
UBCIC NEWS
Message From The President:
Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs presentation on the proposed Firearms Act
Bill C-68 to the Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs
‘Tl / n the presentation to the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional
i} @- Affairs the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs told Committee members that the proposed
Firearms Act (Bill C-68) legislation will have a very real and very direct impact on the day-
to-day lives of First Nation people. More so than on the rest of Canada, both rural and urban.
Bill C-68 will make us criminals. When the possession and use of hunting mfles 1s made
near impossible by unjust laws the result will be that entire families and communes will have
a harder time putting meat on the table. This will force many of our people 10 increased
dependence on social assistance and other means of state sponsored support. This is a fact.
The government of Canada has not factored these very real social and economic costs into its
analysis of the costs of implementing this legislation.
The net effect of this legislation is that it criminalizes being Indian. It represents an
unwarrented and unacceptable intrusion into the day-to-day lives of First Natioz people. The
proposed Firearms Act does not constitute a mere infringement, but rather 2 whole scale
criminalization of traditional aboriginal practices. The Firearms Act for all intents and purposes will extinguish ihe aboriginal
right to hunt.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs recommended the following amendments to Bill C-68 the proposed Firearms Act:
1, That the following clause be inserted into the act:
This act does not apply to aboriginal people to the extent that aboriginal people use, own or
possess firearms for the purpose of exercising their inherent aboriginal rights to hunt and trap
as recognized under section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.
2. _Thata statutory defense provision be inserted into the Canadian Criminal Code amendments which reflecs the fact that
the inherent aboriginal nghts to hunt and trap are constitutionally protected and cannot and must not be crimz=2lized. This
statutory defense would apply to the provisions which criminalize the mere possession, use or transport of a firezrm without a
registration certificate or license.
It is not the suggestion of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs that the statutory defense apply where a firearm Is used a committing
a crime. However, it is absolutely essential that the mere possession, transport, or use of a firearm, when done 2s a means of
practising an inherent right to hunt or trap must not be criminalized.
e
(PRISONERS continued from page 1)
To this end they have begun the construction of several traditional structures at Ista and other sites around the= termtory,
and yesterday constructed a smokehouse at Ista so they could begin processing fish at the site. Interfore empi:vees, who
arrived with the RCMP this moming, promptly smashed the smokehouse with a sledgehammer and drove their zquipment
up the road so they could resume road building operations.
-30-
Forest Action Network
9) FALL 1995
UBCIC NEWS
HARPER CALLS FOR SACRED ASSEMBLY TO
ADDRESS ABORIGINAL ISSUES
M.P CALLS FOR HEALING AND RECONCILIATION IN FACE OF VIOLENCE AND FRUSTRATION
(FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE; SEPTEMBER 13, 1995 -- OTTAWA)
£ © , burchill M.-P. Elijah Harper
Wa” is calling for a ‘‘Sacred
Assembly’ of Aboriginal and non
Aboriginal spiritual leaders to provide
counsel and promote reconciliation in
the face of rising frustration in First
Nations communities.
‘First Nations have lost not just
our land and control over our lives, but
also our connection to an ancient
spirituality that has nurtured our peoples
for centuries,’’ said Harper. ‘““Now we
have been working through the courts
and through the political process to
reclaim our land and our right to self-
government, but something is missing
from the process. The spiritual element
has been missing.
**The idea of the Sacred
Assembly is not just to provide counsel
in finding that spiritual element, but also
to promote reconciliation. We can’t
achieve reconciliation until the harm
which has been done to our peoples is
acknowledged,’’ said Harper. ““Lawyers
and politicians aren’t always willing to
do that because they think it’s an
admission of liability. But some of
Canada’s churches have been willing to
do this and it has helped the healing
process in our communities. That
reconciliation is necessary if Canada’s
going to heal.”’
Harper said he has been in contact
with spiritual leaders, both Aboriginal
and non-Aboriginal, across the country,
We can't achieve reconciliation until the harm which has
been done to our peoples is acknowledged"
- Elijah Harper, M_P. -
and they have expressed enthusiasm for
the idea. He hopes to establish a
working group as soon as possible, as the
Assembly will be able to provide
direction to communities, leadership and
government as they deal with
increasingly urgent situations.
Harper, who is joining Indian
Affairs Minister Ron Irwin in meeting
with community leaders at Camp
Ipperwash, Ontario today, said this was
particularly important in the face of
growing frustration and violent stand-
offs across Canada. ‘‘When I look at the
stand-offs and the frustration, and also at
the problems that affect many more of
our communities, like suicide,
alcoholism, and hopelessness, I see the
effects of that spiritual loss. I see people
who are trying to fill an emptiness, who
are struggling to find something,’ he
said,
““But because we’ve lost so much
of that spirituality, many of us our
misguided. They turn to drugs and
alcohol, they turn to material things, and
some of them turn to violence. When I
look at some of the people at the stand-
offs I see people who want to get in touch
with our land and our communities and
our spiritualism, but they seem cut off
from it,”’ he said.
‘Indian Nations must exercise
and control their own jurisdictions and
their termtory. They must exercise law
and order on their own land. And they
have to show the Canadian public that
they have the capability and the ability,”’
said Harper.
**By offering spiritual counsel to
our communities, by addressing the
spiritual poverty that afflicts our
communities, the Sacred Assembly can
help to achieve that by restoring
confidence in our leadership and
promoting good government.”’
While more details on the Sacred
Assembly are not available nght now,
Harper said he would be acting on it as
soon as possible. ‘“Many people are
laying the ground work and praying for
the success of this Sacred Assembly. We
must sustain the culture, values, and
traditions that have sustained us for
generations.”’
-30-
Contact: Lorne Hanks, Parliamentary
Assistant to Elijah Harper, MP.
(613) 992-3018
Elijah Harper M.P. will be guest speaking at the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs Traditional Feast
during their 27th Annual General Assembly, October 25, 1995 @ 7:00 p.m. in Kamloops, B.C. in
the Kamloops Indian Band Dining Room.
PALL 199)
UBCIC NEWS
Institute o rf Indigenous Government
The Institute of Indigenous
Government welcomed its first students
in mid September marking the launch of
the Institute’s Associate Degree and
Certificate programs.
Students arrived from Ontario,
Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and
regions throughout British Columbia to
become part of Canada’s first
autonomous degree-granting First Nation
post-secondary institution. After a two
day orientation, classes were under way -
just days after renovations were
completed.
The Institute’s campus at 342
Water Street occupies the third and
fourth floors of the building situated near
the gateway of Gastown . The facilities
include classrooms, a student lounge, the
UBCIC Resource Centre, study areas, an
information centre and administrative
offices.
The Student Support Services
Coordinator, Bernice Heather, who also
instructs and coordinates the extension
program, has an important role at the
Institute. Bernice will offer students
support as they develop leadership,
study, problem-solving and cultural
skills.
A study workshop has already
been scheduled and Bernice will assist in
other areas such as goal-setting, career
planning, communications and
interpersonal skills. The Institute also
offers personal and academic
counselling, while Elders will be
available to offer guidance.
Five courses are being offered
during the Fall semester: History of
Colonization and Indigenous Resistance,
Indigenous Society, Culture and Identity,
Fundamentals of Economic and Social
Development, Indigenous Nations,
International Organizations and the
United States, and Records Management
for Indigenous Government.
Detailed course offerings and a
student handbook for the Spring
semester are expected to be available by
mid-October. The Institute will be
sending information packages
throughout the province and to other
regions at that time. To date, inquiries
have come from throughout Canada and
from such centres in the United States as
New York City and Arizona.
In the meantime you may want to
prab a pen -- our phone and fax numbers
change on October 5th. Our new phone
number is: (604) 602-9555, while our fax
number is: (604) 602-3400. Contact the
registrar, Darell Gaddie, if you require
an admissions package. The information
officer, Lorraine Passchier, is available
to help with the distribution of brochures
and handbooks.
Finally here is a list of some key
staff members at the Institute. In future
newsletters, we will offer a more in-
depth look at the Institute, its students
and its faculty.
Paul Chartrand, President
Herb Strongeagle, Bursar
Darell Gaddie, Registrar
Dan Gottesman, Academic Dean and
Professor
Sylvia Walsh, Director of Program
Planning and Development and
Associate Professor
Bernice Heather, Instructor and Student
Support Services & Extension
Coordinator
Theo Collins, Assistant Professor
Alejandro Palacios, Assistant Professor
& International Program Coordinator
Andres (Lix) Lopez, Sessional] Lecturer
Sandie Bradley, Sessional Lecnire
Resource Centre
With restricted access to the
Resource Centre in place over the summer,
it often looked very quiet in the library. The
Resource Centre staff, however, have never
been busier.
Many decisions were made
regarding cataloguing and classification,
including our own in-house adaptation of
the Library of Congress classification
scheme and the design of appropriate
subject heading for our collection. Many
hours were spent, for example, expanding
the LC classification scheme to cover all
aspects of self-government and the many
areas of aboriginal title and nghts. Then we
began the long task of re-cataloguing and
classifying the entire collection. That
project will be ongoing and will remain a
priority.
Getting ready for the first
Institute of Indigenous Government
students meant many other tasks had to be
done over the summer as well. There were,
and still are, many transitions to go through
in becoming a library which serves a post-
secondary institution. The Resource Centre
staff have worked very hard to put new
policies, procedures, and collection
materials in place. It is hoped that we can
have a multi-media workstation in the
Resource Centre within the year for users
to access the new automated catalog, CD-
ROM reference sources, and online library
catalogs of other post-secondary and public
libraries. We now have a borrower card for
Vancouver Public Library and the
University of British Columbia. The IG
will soon become a member of the
provincial post-secondary interlibrary
network. We will be able to borrow books
and get journal articles from libranes all
over North America.
We continue to develop the
collection for researchers. The B.C.
Archives newspaper file and index on
microfiche is on order. This source will
allow subjects access to old B.C.
newspapers.
We have added many books to the
collection over the summer end | am
including a short select list of some of those
titles. If you need further information about
any of them call us in the Resource Centre.
The list was generated from the records in
our automated catalog.
I have become familiar Guning the
summer with some of the excelent sites
available on the Internet for getting
aboriginal materials. If anyone has access
to the Intermet or is thinking of ‘‘getnng
connected”’, I can provide a hst of Internet
sites. Perhaps J can cover the Icternet in
more detail in future newsletters.
In the meantime, there is an
invaluable mformation source here for our
member bands. Call us anytime. If we can
not provide the information, we will do our
4
best to tell you who can
= -
Wendy Anceil, Librarian
FALL 1995
Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs
You are cordially invited
27th Annual General Assembly
"OUR SACRED LANDS"
October 24, 25, 26, 1995
Kamloops Indian Band Gymnasium
345 Yellowhead Highway
Kamloops, B.C.
DRAFT AGENDA
October 24, 1995
UBCIC NEWS
(draft agenda continued)
October 25, 1995
9:00 a.m.:
9:15 a.m:
9:30 a.m.:
1:30 p.m.:
2:00 p.m.:
4:30 p.m.:
7:00 p.m.:
Opening Prayer
Chair: Opening Remarks
Panel: International Indigenous Stroggles for
Justice at the United Nations: Ted Moses,
Grand Council of the Crees of Quebec
(Resolutions)
LUNCH BREAK
Overview of the Institute of Indigenous
Government. Paul Chartrand, Interim President
of the IG,
Nominations for UBCIC President
Candidates Speeches
Closing Prayer; Adjournment of Davy 2
TRADITIONAL FEAST: Elijah Harper M.P.,
Guest Speaker,
8:30a.m.: Registration October 26, 1995
9:00 a.m.: Call to order; Entry of Flags; Opening Prayer 9:00 a.m.: Opening Prayer ©-
9:30a.m.: Ratification of Chair, Agenda and 9-15 ean aie tne Renee ‘
Committees. Words of Welcome: eae auae@pening Remarks
Chie{ Manny ditles 9:30a.m.: Returning Officer explains election procedures.
.. Election for UBCIC President
10:00 a.m.: Panel: Responsibilities to Our Sacred Lands. Announce menborelection ceailis
Glen Douglas, Grand Chief Archie Jack, Presidential acceptance speech
Chief Scotty Holmes, Ted Moses (Resolutions)
LUNCH BREAK
LUNCH BREAK
1:30 P.M.: UBCIC Annual Reports
1:30 p.m.: President's Address & Principles of Treaty Adoption of 1994 Taree
Making. Chief Saul Terry, Bridge River Audit and resolution: Arnold Peters,
Fi Manaze
2:00 p.m.: Panels: Indian Jurisdiction and Federal Legal: Mandell Pin _ a
Responsibilities. Health: Carole Dawson, Joint Policy Council: Dan Gottesmar.
Education: Verna Stager (Resolutions) , Policy Dire élor
Claims Research: Leigh Ogston,
3:00 p.m.: = Fishing: Tribal Chief Mike Leach, Chief Frances R me oF ee fog
Laceese, Chief Frank Boucher, Chief Bob Pasco Resolutions
(Resolutions)
; 3:00 p.m.: Closing Prayer; Adjournment of 27th A.G.A.
4:00 p.m.: Closing Prayer, Adjournment, Day 1 P ee Tey :
FALL 1995
UBCIC NEWS
NUXALK NATION GOVERNMENET
First of all we would like to acknowledge Tatau,
the Creator, through Manakays, the Great Spirit,
for all that he has provided since the beginning of
time and still provides today
SOVEREIGNTY
The word ‘““SOVEREIGNTY’”’ is one that
many of our people do not know the meaning of. It is a
word that will be used many times during this gathering of
ours and it is important for all of our people to understand
it.
Our “SOVEREIGNTY”? is our traditional ways! It
is our fishing, hunting, ceremonies, laws, stories, songs,
potlatches, and dances. Our ‘““SOVEREIGNTY”’ is a
sacred gift handed down to us by Tatau, our Creator. It is
something that was never given to us by any government or
business.
Our ““SOVEREIGNTY’”’ is not the Canadian
government laws! Our ““SOVEREIGNTY’’ is not the
British Columbian laws!
These two levels of governments do not have any
right to practise their man made laws over our laws that
were handed down to us from the Creator.
Our ‘“SOVEREIGNTY’”’ is when we hunt, when we
fish and where we fish! Our ‘““SSOVEREIGNTY”’ is our
plant foods and medicines! Our “‘SOVEREIGNTY”’ is our
traditional way of life.
No other nation is given the permission to define our
““SOVEREIGNTY’’! As long as we keep our
“SOVEREIGNTY ’”’ we shall survive as a nation!
For the future of our Children, Grandchildren, and
Children yet unborn...
Way!
"Ministry of Forests is issuing illegal permits to
Interfor to Log in Nuxalk Territory."
(September 27, 1995)
The NUXALK NATION opposes any clear-cutting and
logging practices of Interfor within the Nuxalk Nation’s
Traditional Termitories. Nuxalk Nation Territory is unceded
land. Nuxalk Nation has never entered or signed any
agreements with the Government. We do not honour the
B.C. Treaty Commission Process because it extinguishes our
title and rights.
Interfor has been logging in our territory for awhile
now. We have never consented to allow Interfor to log in
our territories. Yet, they continue to log even when we
demanded them to stop.
We have been opposing Interfor’s plans to log ever
since we were made aware of the logging plans. Last
summer, we strongly opposed any illegal logging plans
for Talyu Hotsprings.
Our voices still have not been recognized! We area
nation of people and oppose developments in our territories
that is destructive to the land and all that flows from it.
There has been destruction of our sacred sites, forests,
traditional village sites and historic burial grounds. This
continues to happen today, and we will no longer stand by
and watch this destruction of our territory.
We ““THANK”’ all groups out there for supporting us
- in calling for a STOP to all the destruction within our
Nuxalk Territory. We especially thank the Forest Action
Network (FAN) for all their support in standing by our
Nuxalk Nation Elders, Nuxalk Nation Hereditary Chiefs and
the Nuxaikmce,
For the future of our children, grandchildren and children yet
unborn...
Way!
FALL 1995
Jailed Action Defenders to Appear
Before Supreme Court
BELLA COOLA, B.C. - Fourteen people arrested
yesterday on contempt of court charges for defending unceded
Nuxalk land from destruction by International Forest Products
(INTERFOR) will appear before the Supreme Court in
Vancouver today at 10:00 a.m. The arrestees, who were flown
to Vancouver yesterday evening and held overnight in the Pre-
Trial Detention Centre, include 8 Nuxalkmc, of which three are
hereditary chiefs and three are elders, one Ojibway activist from
Manitoba, and 5 non native activists from the Forest Action
Network.
A delegation of Nuxalkmc who drove through the night
down from Bella Coola will be at the courthouse this moming
to pray, sing, and support their people in court. They will be
joined by natives and non-natives from the Vancouver area who
support the Nuxalk and Forest Action Network’s struggle for
recognition of Nuxalk sovereignty and protection of the land.
The demonstrators will also be expressing their outrage at the
jailing of elders and traditional leaders for carrying out their
traditional duties of protecting the land.
The fourteen who are to appear at court today, as well as
eight others, were arrested yesterday at Ista (Fog Creek) on
King Istand, approximately 50 kms west of Bella Coola, when
RCMP invaded the Nuxalk traditional territory which Nuxalk
people and their invited guests were beginning to reoccupy.
Fourteen of those arrested refused to sign terms of release which
required them to acknowledge jurisdiction other than Nuxalk
jurisdiction over the land they were on; the undertaking
required them to obey the B.C. Supreme Court’s injunction
forbidding them from defending Nuxalk land from illegal
logging, as well as forbidding them from moving freely in
Nuxalk territory by barring them from returning to Ista (Fog
Creek).
Interfor brought twice the usual amount of machinery
and equipment to the site yesterday morning in their eagerness
to resume their destruction of the old-growth forests of the
Great Coast Forest.
-30-
Forest Action Network 251-2477
UBCIC NEWS
Statement made by Hereditary Chief Qwatsinas
(Edward Moody) from the Pretrial Centre in Vancouver
(September 27, 1995)
Ista (Fogg Creek): I see that the loggers have rights. the road
builders have rights, the logging companies have rights, and
they have the RCMP with them to back up their rights. We as
the Hereditary Chiefs and Nuxalkmc are protecting and
defending our forest and our land and our rights. There is no
law enforcement or the RCMP to enforce our rights. In order
for us to protect and defend Ista we have to do it ourselves.
Under the B.C. Treaty Commission process the loggers, the
road builders, the logging companies, and the RCMP are at the
negotiations table and I see that they are in a major conflict of
interest.
We are not signing the release forms here based on our
principles and morals. As Hereditary Chiefs, we can’t accept
guilt on behalf of our people, we can't sign release forms on
that basis, that we would accept the destruction of the forests of
Ista.
We call ourselves political prisoners. We’re opposing the
destruction of Ista, and we stand by that. They came to defend
what they believe in. They took us prisoners because of what
we did. It’s not an enforcement issue, its a political and
environmental and human issue.
We are going to stand fast in what we believe in.
Way!
Make your presence felt in a real and powerful issue of our
times. Your help is needed to protect indigenous rights and the
forests!
For more information contact:
Nuxalk Nation (604) 799-5376
Forest Action Network (604) 251-2477
Vancouver Temerate Rainforest Action
Coalition (604) 251-3190
UBCIC NEWLETTER DEADLINE
If you have any material that you would like to see in the next edition of the Union of B.C.
Indian Chiefs Newsletter, please forward to our Vancouver office by fax or mail 2s soon as
possible to the attention of "UBCIC NEWSLETTER”. We would appreciate the volume of
information be kept to a minimum so others can benefit from this service. Please do not fax
business cards. Next deadline is November 15, 1995. Ournew address is 5th Floor - 342 Water
Street, Vancouver, B.C. V6B 1B6. Our phone and fax number will remain the same. Phone
(604) 684-0231 Fax: (604) 684-5726.
FALL 1993
UBCIC NEWS
INDIGENOUS NATIONS PERSPECTIVES
SHUSWAP AGREE TO PEACEFUL SOLUTION
Big Lake, August 24, 1995
The Shuswap people, who remain true to the Creator and
the Land of our Ancestors, seek a peaceful resolution to a crises
which has been going on for 139 years.
Domestic Laws, which we have no hand in signing, do
not apply here. Tribal councils of so-called ‘‘chiefs’’ paid by
the Government of Canada do not speak for us.
We have never ceded or sold our territory. Anyone
claiming title to our stolen lands should be compensated by the
government of British Columbia and our lands returned to us.
The legal precedence protecting our rights as Indigenous
Peoples have never been heard. We agree to lay down our arms
after receiving a guarantee of diplomatic immunity from
prosecution for all members of this camp, and audiences with
our representative Bruce Clark and the Queen’s Privy Council
and Governor General of Canada. The purpose of these
hearings must be a formal ruling of the legitimacy of claim.
We believe that when the true Canadian law is applied it
will be clear who are the true caretakers of this land.
Signed
Percy Rosette Faithkeeper
CONFEDERACY OF SIX NATIONS
August 28, 1995
Attention: Sergeant Montague
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Re: Gustafsen Lake Confrontation
Sergeant Montague, we at the Confederacy of Treaty Six First
Nations in central Alberta are deeply concerned with what has
transpired in the last 48 hours at Gustafsen Lake, B.C..
Although we may not fully agree with these people on their
issue, we cannot see the answer to this confrontation to be to
massacre these people. We call on you to stop any kind of
armed attack and to attempt to resolve this issue in a peaceful
manner. You should be aware that your response will have
repercussions across Canada and North America. A peaceful
solution will enhance future relations between First Nations and
non-First Nations people. Massacre will only serve to instigate
mistrust and hate. Sergeant Montague, this is a short message
to you. We pray to the Creator that you will act wisely upon
this request.
Thank you.
Chiefs, Councillors, Elders, and the First Nations of Treaty Six.
c.c. Mike Harcourt (604) 387-0087 Fax
INNU NATION CALLS FOR RCMP TO WITHDRAW FROM GUSTAFSEN LAKE
August 31, 1995 (Sheshatshiu) The Innu Nation today called on the RCMP to withdraw from their siege of the Sundancers
encampment at Gustafsen Lake, and condemned the B.C. provincial government for their response to the situation.
“*The situation at Gustafsen Lake gravely concerns the Innu Nation. As Innu, we have often experienced the heavy hand of
RCMP intervention when defending our land and rights. Force has never resolved anything. It creates instability and tension,
and may lead to bloodshed and violence. It is the coward’s way,’’ stated Daniel Ashini, Director of Innu Rights and
Environment.
The B.C. Premier, Attorney General, and the RCMP have misrepresented the Sundancers as terrorists, renegades
and trespassers. But their aspirations are shared by many aboriginal peoples across Canada. British Columbia, like Quebec-
Labrador, is unceded aboriginal land. Our nations’ ownership of our land has never been extinguished. We have never given
up our right to practice our spirituality. We see fair nation-to-nation negotiation, not police intervention, as the only way to
resolve the crises that the Province and police have precipitated,’’ continued Ashini. ‘‘Premier Harcourt and Attorney General
Ujjal Dosanjh must take the blame for creating a confrontation which could result in violence. Rather than dealing fairly and
directly with the Sundancers, they chose to respond to the Sundander’s legitimate concerns with police state tactics.
-30-
Daniel Ashini (709) 497-8398
FALL 1995
UBCIC NEWS
AROUND GUSTAFSEN LAKE
LETTER TO UNION OF B.C. INDIAN CHIEFS PENTICTON INDIAN BAND
FROM: Staff and volunteers at CHRY Radio, North York, August 28, 1995 --We are outraged by the Harcourt
Ontario government’s treacherous attempt to politically exploit the
Gustafsen Lake incident. The Harcourt government has
We wish to convey to the Shuswap Sundancers our heartfelt demonstrated that it is more than willing to trade the blood of
support. We applaud their courage in taking this difficult stand, | both the Native and the non-Native people of the Sundance
and we wish them to know that there are many people across camp for ballots in the upcoming Provincial election. Rather
Canada, both Native and non Native, who support their actions, than pursue a peaceful resolution of the standoff, the Harcourt
who want the current federal and provincial regimes to rectify government has chosen to pursue a strategy of purposeful
past injustices by respecting Native sovereignty and working in provocation. The exchange of gunfire between RCMP -
good faith towards a just settlement of land claims NOT Emergency Response Team members and camp occupants are
extinguishment of aboriginal title. We are sending faxes to undeniable evidence of the results of such a totally irresponsible
Prime Minister John Chretien urging the federal government to adventunistic strategy. We condemn the Harcourt government
deal on a nation to nation basis with the Shuswap and other and the RCMP for their police state mentality.
nations in the territory known as British Columbia. Racial tensions in the Province of B.C. shall
We hope you can convey this to the Shuswap Defenders. escalate to historically unprecedented levels in the event that
Thank you for sending us faxes, and we urge you to continue to people of the Sundance camp are killed by the RCMP. Without
keep us informed. question, there shall be serious repercussions throughout the
province of B.C. in the aftermath of a massacre of the people
Bonita Lawrence occupying the Sundance camp.
It is incumbent upon the Harcourt government to make
on behalf of staff and volunteers at CHRY community radio absolutely every conceivable attempt to seek a peaceful
resolution of this standoff. In this regard, the Premier and
members of his Cabinet should make every attempt to meet with
Native leaders within the area for the purpose of establishing a
negotiating climate that shall lead to a peaceful resolution of
this situation.
LETTER TO PRIME MINISTER JEAN CHRETIEN
August 29, 1995
We are writing to request that the federal government
learn from the mistakes of Oka, and settle the standoff at
Gustafsen Lake by dealing on a nation to nation basis with the
Shuswap and other nations of the territory now known as
British Columbia.
We do not believe that the Shuswap Sundancers at
Gustafsen Lake are ‘‘terrorists,’’ or that this issue shall be
viewed as a matter of ‘‘law and order’. We believe that, just as Oka, this confrontation is the fruit of despair, of Native zeoples who
have tried through legal channels to defend their territories, but who have continuously been obstructed through bad faita on the part
of provincial and federal bureaucrats. We urge the federal government to get involved with the issue - the standoff at Gestafsen
Lake cannot be ignored. What about the federal government’s historic obligation to protect the interests of the Aborigin:! peoples?
How can the federal government stand aside and ignore the demands of the Shuswap and other native nations who want their
historic title to the land recognized and protected? Your current policy of doing nothing will only result in more stando=s, more
confrontations, as more and more communities are driven to confronting the Canadian state through violence, when negzctiations fail
through governmental bad faith. The result will be more and more millions of taxpayer’s money spent on police actions to suppress
uprisings which could never have happened if the federal government respected who really owns this land. Canada deserves the bad
image it is getting for human rights violations internationally if it will not deal honorably with Aboriginal peoples at hore.
We strongly urge you, Mr. Chretien, to address the current occupation at Gustafsen Lake. The Shuswap Defenders should not
have to resort to violence in order to be heard.
Anything less is simply unacceptable.
-30-
For further information: Stewart Phillip, Okanagan Nation
Sincerely,
Bonita Lawrence
on behalf of staff and volunteers at CHRY Radio GUSTAFSEN LAKE (Continued on page 10)
FALL 199) 9
UBCIC NEWS
GUSTAFSEN LAKE (Continued from page 9)
am gravely concerned over the escalating confrontation
taking place at Gustafsen Lake in the territory of the
Shuswap Nation. For
over two weeks, the
RCMP, the Attorney
General and the media
have gone to great
lengths to discredit the
Shuswap sundancers
and their supporters at
Gustafsen Lake as
dangerous fanatics in
order to justify the use
of armed force to
remove them from the
sundance grounds. In
recent days, the RCMP
has chosen to cut off
communications and
isolate the sundancers
even further, contrary
to the strategy usually
followed by police when
trying tode-escalate and
peacefully resolve
similar emergency
Situations involving
firearms. In trying to
discredit and isolate the
sundancers, the RCMP |
and the Attorney
General are laying the
goundwork for
bloodshed -- needless
bloodshed. I condemn
the RCMP and the
Attorney General for the
Statement on the standoff at Gustafsen Lake
by Chief Saul Terry
President, Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs
August 28, 1995
Ms. Halie Bruce
Exec. Assistant
UNION OF B.C. INDIAN CHIEFS
Vancouver, B.C.
Canada
Dear Ms. Bruce:
Thank you for your fax of August 29 along with the various newspaper reports and
commentaries.
As I mentioned to you on the telephone the other day, we had sent Chief Saul Terry’s
Press Release about the confrontation at Gustafsen lake to our friend at the daily newspaper
“*Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung’’, as well as through our friends of the German section
to Amnesty International, International Secretariate, in London, England (fax number
England 171-956-1157), as well as to the Canadian section of Amnesty International in
Vanier, Ontario (fax number Canada 613-744-7667). The same I have sent to our Dene
friend in the federal government in Ottawa, Ms. Ethel Blondin-Andrew.
To all of them, we have now offered to send what you have faxed us (the newspaper
reports) as background information, and I hope they will request to obtain the media reports.
Of course, Amnesty International in Canada - who in our eyes would be a good ‘‘mediator’’
in the terrible conflict - as well as Ms. Blondin-Andrew will be aware of what has been and
is going on at Gustafsen Lake.
We can only hope with all of you that the confrontation will end in a more or less
peaceful way, since otherwise we foresee grave and large problems between the Native
population in B.C. and in Canada and the non-Native population, which would surely be the
worst development for the future of peoples and lands.
Please do keep me informed about any news in this horrible confrontation.
Sincerely
Jurgen and Elke Boden
Alouette Verlag
Since 1990, the Federal Government has refused to discuss nation-
to-nation option for negotiations with our respective peoples.
Instead, they have
steadfastly defended
their B.C. Treaty
Commission
extinguishment
process to the
exclusion of all other
options and
possibilities. As
recently as June 23,
1993, 8.C
Aboriginal Affairs
Minister John
Cashore wrote to me
and the Hon. Ron
Irwin, Minister of
Indian Affairs, urging
Canada andthe Union
of B.C. Indian Chiefs
““to meet at the earliest
opportunity to begin
work towards a
[nation-to-nation]
treaty process for those
First Nations who
have not joined the
B.C Treaty
Commission.”’ Yet
the Federal
Government
continues to refuse. It
now appears there is
more concern by the
governments that the
so-called “‘squatters”’
dangerous provocative course they have embarked upon. I call
upon them immediately to cease and desist before it is too late.
The positions expressed by the sundancers on their nations’
sovereignty and aboriginal title and rights are not “‘extremist.”’
They are shared by many Indian peoples across this province.
British Columbia is unceded Indian land. Our nations’ ownership
of their respective territories (our aboriginal title) has never been
extinguished. We are not ‘‘squatters’’ or trespassers in our own
homelands, Recognition and accommodation of our aboriginal
title and rights must be negotiated on a nation-to-nation basis with
Canada. Our people demand JUSTICE and RECOGNITION but
whenever they stand up for their rights, they are subjected to the
RULE OF LAW and POLICE STATE TACTICS!
at Gustafsen Lake will ‘‘undermine’’ the B.C. Treaty
Commission process than about constructive alternatives. If the
situation at Gustafsen Lake is to be resolved peacefully and future
confrontations are to be avoided, a nation-to-nation- alternative to
the B.C. Treaty Commission must be developed and implemented
as soon as possible.
In conclusion, ] am willing to meet with sandancers at
Gustafsen Lake, if requested and if there is any possibility that my
involvement would be helpful in bringing about a just, honorable
and peaceful resolution to the confrontation.
-30-
10
FALL 1995
August 1, 1995
Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs
Dear Sir/Madame:
Re: Recruitment of First Nations Big Sisters
Currently, Big Sisters is working to recruit First
Nations Big Sisters to fill the needs of the significant number
of First Nations Little Sisters in the Lower Mainland.
If anyone is interested or would like more information
on becoming a “Big Sister", a First Nations Counsellor will be
made available to do a group presentation or meet individu-
ally.
For further information please contact me, Cheryl
Morgan at (604) 873-4525.
Yours truly,
Cherly Morgan
The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs would like to extend their
thanks and appreciation to Monique Cote (formerly Good)
for her commitment and dedicaton to the Chiefs Mask
Bookstore & Gallery for the past 2 1/2 years. A job well
done Monique & good luck. !
Grand Council Treaty #3 Election Results
As a result of the Treaty #3 elections held on October
4,5, 6, 1995, effective immediately, the following are
the Grand Councils elected political representatives.
Grand Chief Eli Mandamin
Kenora Tribal Area Chief Alfred Sinclair
Dryden Tribal Area Chief Roy Napish
Fort Frances Tibal Area Chief Willie Wilson
Should you require further clarification on this matter,
please do not hesitate to call our office at (807) 548-
4214.
Meegwetch!
UBCIC NEWS
HEALING OUR SPIRIT
October 12, 1995
Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs
To: All First Nations
Greetings to Chiefs, Elders, Ladies and Gentlemen! For those
of you who don't know about our organization we would like to
take a moment to tell you who we are and what our mandate is
as well as some upcoming functions that we would like to have
more involvement and support from First Nations.
Our Goals are to:
Increase the awareness of HIV and AIDS in both urban and
rural First Nations Communities.
Provide educational workshops throughout B.C. on the preven-
tion of HIV and AIDS.
Advocacy and support to individuals living with HIV and
AIDS, as well as to their families and caregivers.
Increase community accessibility to HIV and AIDS. educational
materials and resources.
Increase acceptance of people living with HIV and AIDS.
We will be having our 3rd Annual General Meeting on Novem-
ber 16, 1995 from 5:00 - 9:00 p.m. An agenda will be sent
shortly to all members. At this time we will also be having
Board elections, and you must be a member to vote.
For more information about Healing Our Spirit we would be
happy to meet with you. (604) 879-0906
Sincerely,
Rod Cunningham, Vice President
"This should be good... he’s eaten the whole
bowlful of tobacco and now he's smoking a rotato’”
FALL 199)
11
UBCIC NEWS
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FALL 1995
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Union ofB. C. Indian Chiefs
NEWSLETTER
FALL 1995
PRISONERS OF POLITICS
RCMP Invade unceded Nuxalk Nation Territory, Hereditary Chiefs, Elders, andF.A.N.Supp
arrested at Fog Creek - Bella Coola, B. C.
Approximately 40 R C M P
moved in on a peaceful
blockade
at Ista (Fog Creek)
on unceded N u x a l k Nation territory
50 k m west o f B e l l a Coola this
morning at approximately 8:30 a.m.
and are presently i n the process o f
enforcing an i l l e g a l injunction
ordering people out of the area. Radio
communications from the camp were
initially being j a m m e d from an
unknown source, but recent reports
that have managed to get through
confirm that there are six R C M P
boats at the site, including two very
large catamarans. The R C M P have
already arrested at least 18 people,
including two N u x a l k hereditary
chiefs and elders, a n d R C M P
climbers are heading up trees in an
attempt to apprehend tree-sitters.
There were approximately 40
Nuxalk and supporters at the camp
this morning, and more boats full o f
supporters from the N u x a l k Nation
are heading out to the site at this
time. Staff Sergeant L a r r y Babcock
of the Prince Rupert subdivision who
is heading the operation stated this
INSIDE THIS ISSUE...
morning that a l l those arrested
would be processed on one o f the
R C M P boats, where they would
be given the option of signing a
undertaking as the terms o f their
release, after which they would be
released at the site. The terms o f
release i n these sanations often
include a prohibition from going
back into the area of the blockade,
and none o f those arrested are
agreeing to sign such a release
since they do not acknowledge any
jurisdiction other than N u x a l k
j u r i s d i c t i o n over N u x a l k
t e r r i t o r y . T h e most r e c e n t
communications suggest that a l l
the arrestees are "being t a k e n
straight to Vancouver to appear
before me Supreme Court because
of this refusal.
IN CUSTODY: Nuxalk Hereditary Chiefs Ed Moody and
Charlie Nelson arrested in logging blockade are handcuffed
together in Vancouver.
( PRISONERScontinuedonpage2)
Vancouver Sun, Wed. Sept 27.1995
4. Institute of Indigenous Government
Resource Centre Update
2. Message from the President
5. U B C I C 27th Annual General Assembly
3. Elijah Harper calls for Sacred
Assembly
6. Nuxalk Nation
FALL 1995
This is not merely another
logging blockade, the N u x a l k
N a t i o n is i n the process o f
reoccupying their traditional lands.
8. Gustafsen Lake
Indigenous Perspectives
11. Announcements
1
UBCIC NEWS
Message From The President:
Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs presentation on the proposed Firearms A
Bill C-68 to the Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs
I
n the presentation to the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional
Affairs the Union o f B . C . Indian Chiefs told Committee members that the proposed
Firearms A c t (Bill C-68) legislation will have a very real and very direct impact on the dayto-day lives of First Nation people. More so than on the rest of Canada, both rural and urban.
B i l l C-68 will make us criminals. When the possession and use o f hunting rifles is made
near impossible by unjust laws the result w i l l be that entire families and communities will have
a harder time putting meat on the table. This w i l l force many of our people no increased
dependence on social assistance and other means o f state sponsored support. This is a fact.
The government o f Canada has not factored these very real social and economic costs into its
analysis of the costs o f implementing this legislation.
The net effect o f this legislation is that it criminalizes being Indian. It represents an
unwarrented and unacceptable intrusion into the day-to-day lives of First Nation people. The
proposed Firearms A c t does not constitute a mere infringement, but rather a whole scale
criminalization of traditional aboriginal practices. The Firearms A c t for all intents and purposes will extinguish the aboriginal
right to hunt.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The Union of B . C . Indian Chiefs recommended the following amendments to B i l l C-68 the proposed Firearms Act:
1.
That the following clause be inserted into the act:
This act does not apply to aboriginal people to the extent that aboriginal people use, own or
possess firearms for the purpose o f exercising their inherent aboriginal rights to hunt and trap
as recognized under section 35 o f the Constitution A c t 1982.
2.
That a statutory defense provision be inserted into the Canadian Criminal Code amendments which reflect the fact that
the inherent aboriginal rights to hunt and trap are constitutionally protected and cannot and must not be criminalized. This
statutory defense would apply to the provisions which criminalize the mere possession, use or transport o f a firearm without a
registration certificate or license.
It is not the suggestion of the Union of B . C . Indian Chiefs that the statutory defense apply where a firearm is used in committing
a crime. However, it is absolutely essential that the mere possession, transport, or use o f a firearm, when done is a means o f
practising an inherent right to hunt or trap must not be criminalized.
(PRISONERS continuedfrom page 1)
To this end they have begun the construction o f several traditional structures at Ista and other sites around their territory,
and yesterday constructed a smokehouse at Ista so they could begin processing fish at the site. Interfore employees, who
arrived with the R C M P this morning, promptly smashed the smokehouse with a sledgehammer and drove their equipment
up the road so they could resume road building operations.
-30Forest Action Network
2
FALL 1995
UBCIC NEWS
HARPER CALLS FOR SACRED ASSEMBLY TO
ADDRESS ABORIGINAL ISSUES
M.P.
CALLS FOR HEALING AND RECONCILIATION IN FACE OF VIOLENCE AND FRUSTRATION
(FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: SEPTEMBER 13, 1995
Churchill
M.P. Elijah Harper
is calling for a "Sacred
Assembly" of Aboriginal and non
Aboriginal spiritual leaders to provide
counsel and promote reconciliation in
the face of rising frustration in First
Nations communities.
"First Nations have lost not just
our land and control over our lives, but
also our connection to an ancient
spirituality that has nurtured our peoples
for centuries,'' said Harper. ' 'Now we
have been working through the courts
and through the political process to
reclaim our land and our right to selfgovernment, but something is missing
from the process. The spiritual element
has been missing.
" T h e idea of the Sacred
Assembly is not just to provide counsel
in finding that spiritual element, but also
to promote reconciliation. We can't
achieve reconciliation until the harm
which has been done to our peoples is
acknowledged," said Harper. "Lawyers
and politicians aren't always willing to
do that because they think it's an
admission of liability. But some of
Canada's churches have been willing to
do this and it has helped the healing
process in our communities. That
reconciliation is necessary i f Canada's
going to heal."
Harper said he has been in contact
with spiritual leaders, both Aboriginal
and non-Aboriginal, across the country,
— OTTAWA)
"We can't achieve reconciliation until the harm which has
been done to our peoples is acknowledged"
- Elijah Harper, M.P. and they have expressed enthusiasm for
the idea. He hopes to establish a
working group as soon as possible, as the
Assembly w i l l be able to provide
direction to communities, leadership and
government as they deal w i t h
increasingly urgent situations.
Harper, who is joining Indian
Affairs Minister Ron Irwin in meeting
with community leaders at Camp
Ipperwash, Ontario today, said this was
particularly important in the face of
growing frustration and violent standoffs across Canada. "When I look at the
stand-offs and the frustration, and also at
the problems that affect many more of
our communities, l i k e suicide,
alcoholism, and hopelessness, I see the
effects of that spiritual loss. I see people
who are trying to fill an emptiness, who
are struggling to find something," he
said.
"But because we've lost so much
of that spirituality, many of us our
misguided. They turn to drugs and
alcohol, they turn to material things, and
some of them turn to violence. When I
look at some of the people at the standoffs I see people who want to get in touch
with our land and our communities and
our spiritualism, but they seem cut off
from i t , " he said.
"Indian Nations must exercise
and control their own jurisdictions and
their territory. They must exercise law
and order on their own land. And they
have to show the Canadian public that
they have the capability and the ability,"
said Harper.
' 'By offering spiritual counsel to
our communities, by addressing the
spiritual poverty that afflicts our
communities, the Sacred Assembly can
help to achieve that by restoring
confidence in our leadership and
promoting good government"
While more details on the Sacred
Assembly are not available right now,
Harper said he would be acting on it as
soon as possible. ' 'Many people are
laying the ground work and praying for
the success of this Sacred Assembly. We
must sustain the culture, values, and
traditions that have sustained us for
generations."
-30Contact: Lome Hanks, Parliamentary
Assistant to Elijah Harper, M_P.
(613) 992-3018
Elijah Harper M.P. will be guest speaking at the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs Traditional Feast
during their 27th Annual General Assembly, October 25, 1995 @ 7:00 p.m. in Kamloops, B.C. in
the Kamloops Indian Band Dining Room.
FALL 1995
3
UBCIC NEWS
Institute of Indigenous Government
The Institute of Indigenous
Government welcomed its first students
in mid September marking the launch of
the Institute's Associate Degree and
Certificate programs.
Students arrived from Ontario,
Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and
regions throughout British Columbia to
become part of Canada's first
autonomous degree-granting First Nation
post-secondary institution. After a two
day orientation, classes were under way just days after renovations were
completed.
The Institute's campus at 342
Water Street occupies the third and
fourth floors of the building situated near
the gateway of Gastown . The facilities
include classrooms, a student lounge, the
UBCIC Resource Centre, study areas, an
information centre and administrative
offices.
The Student Support Services
Coordinator, Bernice Heather, who also
instructs and coordinates the extension
program, has an important role at the
Institute. Bernice will offer students
support as they develop leadership,
study, problem-solving and cultural
skills.
A study workshop has already
been scheduled and Bernice will assist in
other areas such as goal-setting, career
planning, communications and
interpersonal skills. The Institute also
offers personal and academic
c o u n s e l l i n g , w h i l e E l d e r s w i l l be
available to offer guidance.
Five courses are being offered
during the Fall semester: History of
Colonization and Indigenous Resistance,
Indigenous Society, Culture and Identity,
Fundamentals of Economic and Social
Development, Indigenous Nations,
International Organizations and the
United States, and Records Management
for Indigenous Government.
Detailed course offerings and a
student handbook for the Spring
semester are expected to be available by
mid-October. The Institute will be
sending information packages
throughout the province and to other
regions at that time. To date, inquiries
have come from throughout Canada and
from such centres in the United States as
New York City and Arizona.
In the meantime you may want to
grab a pen - our phone and fax numbers
Resource Centre
With restricted access to the
Resource Centre in place over the summer,
it often looked very quiet in the library. The
Resource Centre staff, however, have never
been busier.
Many decisions were made
regarding cataloguing and classification,
including our own in-house adaptation of
the Library of Congress classification
scheme and the design of appropriate
subject heading for our collection. Many
hours were spent, for example, expanding
the LC classification scheme to cover all
aspects of self-government and the many
areas of aboriginal title and rights. Then we
began the long task of re-cataloguing and
classifying the entire collection. That
project will be ongoing and will remain a
priority.
Getting ready for the first
Institute of Indigenous Government
students meant many other tasks had to be
done over the summer as well. There were,
4
and still are, many transitions to go through
in becoming a library which serves a postsecondary institution. The Resource Centre
staff have worked very hard to put new
policies, procedures, and collection
materials in place. It is hoped that we can
have a multi-media workstation in the
Resource Centre within the year for users
to access the new automated catalog, CDR O M reference sources, and online library
catalogs of other post-secondary and public
libraries. We now have a borrower card for
Vancouver Public Library and the
University of British Columbia. The IIG
will soon become a member of the
provincial post-secondary interlibrary
network. We will be able to borrow books
and get journal articles from libraries all
over North America.
We continue to develop the
collection for researchers. The B.C.
Archives newspaper file and index on
microfiche is on order. This source will
change on October 5th. Our new phone
number is: (604) 602-9555, while our fax
number is: (604) 602-3400. Contact the
registrar, Darell Gaddie, if you require
an admissions package. The information
officer, Lorraine Passchier, is available
to help with the distribution of brochures
and handbooks.
Finally here is a list of some key
staff members at the Institute. In future
newsletters, we will offer a more indepth look at the Institute, its students
and its faculty.
Paul Chartrand, President
Herb Strongeagle, Bursar
Darell Gaddie, Registrar
Dan Gottesman, Academic Dean and
Professor
Sylvia Walsh, Director of Program
Planning and Development and
Associate Professor
Bernice Heather, Instructor and Student
Support Services & Extension
Coordinator
Theo Collins, Assistant Professor
Alejandro Palacios, Assistant Professor
& International Program Coordinator
Andres (Lix) Lopez, Sessional Lecturer
Sandie Bradley, Sessional Lecture
allow subjects access to old B.C.
newspapers.
We have added many books to the
collection over the summer tad I am
including a short select list of some of those
tides. If you need further information about
any of them call us in the Resource Centre.
The list was generated from the records in
our automated catalog.
I have become familiar during the
summer with some of the excellent sites
available on the Internet for getting
aboriginal materials. If anyone has access
to the Internet or is thinking of' 'getting
connected", I can provide a list of Internet
sites. Perhaps I can cover theInternetin
more detail in future newsletters.
In the meantime, there is an
invaluable information source here for our
member bands. Call us anytime. If we can
not provide the information, we will do our
best to tell you who can
Wendy Ancell, Librarian
FALL 1995
UBCIC NEWS
(draft agenda continued)
October 25,1995
Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs
9:00 a.m.:
Opening Prayer
9:15 a.m.:
Chair: Opening Remarks
9:30 a.m.:
Panel: International Indigenous Struggles for
Justice at the United Nations: Ted Moses,
Grand Council of the Crees of Quebec
(Resolutions)
You are cordially invited
27th Annual General Assembly
"OUR SACRED LANDS"
October 24, 25, 26, 1995
Kamloops Indian Band Gymnasium
345 Yellowhead Highway
Kamloops, B . C .
DRAFT AGENDA
LUNCH BREAK
1:30p.m.:
Overview of the Institute of Indigenous
Government. Paul Chartrand, Interim President
of the IIG.
2:00 p.m.:
Nominations for UBCIC President
Candidates Speeches
4:30 p.m.:
Closing Prayer; Adjournment of Day 2
7:00 p.m.:
T R A D I T I O N A L F E A S T : Elijah Harper M.P.,
Guest Speaker,
October 24,1995
8:30 a.m.:
Registration
9:00 a.m.:
Call to order; Entry of Flags; Opening Prayer
9:30 a.m.:
Ratification of Chair, Agenda and
Committees. Words of Welcome:
Chief Manny Jules
10:00 a.m.:
October 26,1995
9:00 a.m.:
Opening Prayer
9:15 a.m.:
Chair: Opening Remarks
9:30 a.m.:
Returning Officer explains election procedures.
Election for UBCIC President
Announcement of election results
Presidential acceptance speech
Panel: Responsibilities to Our Sacred Lands.
Glen Douglas, Grand Chief Archie Jack,
Chief Scotty Holmes, Ted Moses (Resolutions)
LUNCH BREAK
LUNCH BREAK
1:30p.m.:
President's Address & Principles of Treaty
Making. Chief Saul Terry, Bridge River
2:00 p.m.:
Panels: Indian Jurisdiction and Federal
Responsibilities. Health: Carole Dawson;
Education: Verna Stager (Resolutions)
3:00 p.m.:
Fishing: Tribal Chief Mike Leach, Chief Frances
Laceese, Chief Frank Boucher, Chief Bob Pasco
(Resolutions)
4:00 p.m.:
Closing Prayer, Adjournment, Day 1
FALL 1995
1:30 P . M . :
UBCIC Annual Reports
Adoption of 1994 Minutes
Audit and resolution: Arnold Peters,
Finance Manager
Legal: Mandell Pinder
Joint Policy Council: Dan Gottesmar^
Policy Director
Claims Research: Leigh Ogston,
Research Director
Resolutions
3:00 p.m.:
Closing Prayer; Adjournment of 27th A.G.A.
5
UBCIC NEWS
NUXALK NATION GOVERNMENET
First of all we would like to acknowledge Tatau,
the Creator, through Manakays, the Great Spirit,
for all that he has provided since the beginning of
time and still provides today
"Ministry of Forests is issuing illegal permits to
Interfor to Log in Nuxalk Territory."
(September 27, 1995)
SOVEREIGNTY
The word " S O V E R E I G N T Y " is one that
many of our people do not know the meaning of. It is a
word that will be used many times during this gathering of
ours and it is important for all of our people to understand
it.
Our " S O V E R E I G N T Y " is our traditional ways! It
is our fishing, hunting, ceremonies, laws, stories, songs,
potlatches, and dances. Our " S O V E R E I G N T Y " is a
sacred gift handed down to us by Tatau, our Creator. It is
something that was never given to us by any government or
business.
Our " S O V E R E I G N T Y " is not the Canadian
government laws! Our " S O V E R E I G N T Y " is not the
British Columbian laws!
These two levels of governments do not have any
right to practise their man made laws over our laws that
were handed down to us from the Creator.
Our " S O V E R E I G N T Y " is when we hunt, when we
fish and where we fish! Our " S O V E R E I G N T Y " is our
plant foods and medicines! Our " S O V E R E I G N T Y " is our
traditional way of life.
No other nation is given the permission to define our
" S O V E R E I G N T Y " ! A s long as we keep our
" S O V E R E I G N T Y " we shall survive as a nation!
For the future of our Children, Grandchildren, and
Children yet unborn...
The N U X A L K N A T I O N opposes any clear-cutting and
logging practices of Interfor within the Nuxalk Nation's
Traditional Territories. Nuxalk Nation Territory is unceded
land. Nuxalk Nation has never entered or signed any
agreements with the Government. We do not honour the
B . C . Treaty Commission Process because it extinguishes our
title and rights.
Interfor has been logging in our territory for awhile
now. We have never consented to allow Interfor to log i n
our territories. Yet, they continue to log even when we
demanded them to stop.
We have been opposing Interior's plans to log ever
since we were made aware of the logging plans. Last
summer, we strongly opposed any illegal logging plans
for Talyu Hotsprings.
Our voices still have not been recognized! We are a
nation of people and oppose developments i n our territories
that is destructive to the land and all that flows from i t
There has been destruction of our sacred sites, forests,
traditional village sites and historic burial grounds. This
continues to happen today, and we will no longer stand by
and watch this destruction of our territory.
We " T H A N K " a l l groups out there for supporting us
- in calling for a STOP to all the destruction within our
Nuxalk Territory. We especially thank the Forest Action
Network (FAN) for all their support i n standing by our
Nuxalk Nation Elders, Nuxalk Nation Hereditary Chiefs and
the Nuxalkmc.
For the future of our children, grandchildren and children yet
unborn...
Way!
Way!
6
FALL 1995
UBCIC NEWS
Jailed Action Defenders to Appear
Before Supreme Court
B E L L A C O O L A , B.C. - Fourteen people arrested
yesterday on contempt of court charges for defending unceded
Nuxalk land from destruction by International Forest Products
( I N T E R F O R ) w i l l appear before the Supreme Court i n
Vancouver today at 10:00 a.m. The arrestees, who were flown
to Vancouver yesterday evening and held overnight i n the PreTrial Detention Centre, include 8 Nuxalkmc, of which three are
hereditary chiefs and three are elders, one Ojibway activist from
Manitoba, and 5 non native activists from the Forest Action
Network.
A delegation of Nuxalkmc who drove through the night
down from Bella Coola will be at the courthouse this morning
to pray, sing, and support their people in court. They will be
joined by natives and non-natives from the Vancouver area who
support the Nuxalk and Forest Action Network's struggle for
recognition of Nuxalk sovereignty and protection of the land.
The demonstrators will also be expressing their outrage at the
jailing of elders and traditional leaders for carrying out their
traditional duties of protecting the land.
The fourteen who are to appear at court today, as well as
eight others, were arrested yesterday at Ista (Fog Creek) on
King Island, approximately 50 kms west of Bella Coola, when
R C M P invaded the Nuxalk traditional territory which Nuxalk
people and their invited guests were beginning to reoccupy.
Fourteen of those arrested refused to sign terms of release which
required them to acknowledge jurisdiction other than Nuxalk
jurisdiction over the land they were on; the undertaking
required them to obey the B . C . Supreme Court's injunction
forbidding them from defending Nuxalk land from illegal
logging, as well as forbidding them from moving freely in
Nuxalk territory by barring them from returning to Ista (Fog
Creek).
Interior brought twice the usual amount of machinery
and equipment to the site yesterday morning in their eagerness
to resume their destruction of the old-growth forests of the
Great Coast Forest.
-30-
Statement made by Hereditary Chief Qwatsinas
(Edward Moody) from the Pretrial Centre in Vancouve
(September 27, 1995)
Ista (Fogg Creek): I see that the loggers have rights, the road
builders have rights, the logging companies have rights, and
they have the R C M P with them to back up their rights. We as
the Hereditary Chiefs and Nuxalkmc are protecting and
defending our forest and our land and our rights. There is no
law enforcement or the R C M P to enforce our rights. In order
for us to protect and defend Ista we have to do it ourselves.
Under the B . C . Treaty Commission process the loggers, the
road builders, the logging companies, and the R C M P are at the
negotiations table and I see that they are i n a major conflict of
interest.
We are not signing the release forms here based on our
principles and morals. As Hereditary Chiefs, we can't accept
guilt on behalf of our people, we can't sign release forms on
that basis, that we would accept the destruction of the forests of
Ista.
We call ourselves political prisoners. We're opposing the
destruction of Ista, and we stand by that. They came to defend
what they believe in. They took us prisoners because of what
we did. It's not an enforcement issue, its a political and
environmental and human issue.
We are going to stand fast in what we believe in.
Way!
Make your presence felt in a real and powerful issue of our
times. Your help is needed to protect indigenous rights and the
forests!
For more information contact:
Nuxalk Nation (604)799-5376
Forest Action Network (604) 251-2477
Vancouver Temerate Rainforest Action
Coalition (604) 251-3190
Forest Action Network 251-2477
UBCIC NEW LETTER DEADLINE
I f y o u have any material that y o u w o u l d l i k e to see i n the next edition o f the U n i o n o f B . C .
Indian Chiefs Newsletter, please forward to our V a n c o u v e r office by fax o r m a i l as soon as
p o s s i b l e to the attention o f " U B C I C N E W S L E T T E R " .
W e w o u l d appreciate the volume o f
information be kept to a m i n i m u m so others can benefit from this service. Please do not fax
business cards. N e x t deadline is N o v e m b e r 1 5 , 1 9 9 5 . O u r n e w address is 5th F l o o r - 3 4 2 Water
Street, V a n c o u v e r , B . C . V 6 B 1 B 6 . O u r phone and fax n u m b e r w i l l remain the same. Phone
(604)684-0231 Fax:(604)684-5726.
FALL 1995
7
UBCIC NEWS
=
INDIGENOUS NATIONS PERSPECTIVES
SHUSWAP A G R E E TO P E A C E F U L SOLUTION
C O N F E D E R A C Y O F SIX N A T I O N S
B i g Lake, August 24, 1995
August 28, 1995
The Shuswap people, who remain true to the Creator and
the Land of our Ancestors, seek a peaceful resolution to a crises
which has been going on for 139 years.
Domestic Laws, which we have no hand in signing, do
not apply here. Tribal councils of so-called "chiefs" paid by
the Government of Canada do not speak for us.
We have never ceded or sold our territory. Anyone
claiming title to our stolen lands should be compensated by the
government of British Columbia and our lands returned to us.
The legal precedence protecting our rights as Indigenous
Peoples have never been heard. We agree to lay down our arms
after receiving a guarantee of diplomatic immunity from
prosecution for all members of this camp, and audiences with
our representative Bruce Clark and the Queen's Privy Council
and Governor General of Canada. The purpose of these
hearings must be a formal ruling of the legitimacy of claim.
We believe that when the true Canadian law is applied it
will be clear who are the true caretakers of this land.
Attention: Sergeant Montague
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Re: Gustafsen Lake Confrontation
Sergeant Montague, we at the Confederacy of Treaty Six First
Nations in central Alberta are deeply concerned with what has
transpired i n the last 48 hours at Gustafsen Lake, B . C . .
Although we may not fully agree with these people on their
issue, we cannot see the answer to this confrontation to be to
massacre these people. We call on you to stop any kind of
armed attack and to attempt to resolve this issue in a peaceful
manner. You should be aware that your response will have
repercussions across Canada and North America. A peaceful
solution will enhance future relations between First Nations and
non-First Nations people. Massacre will only serve to instigate
mistrust and hate. Sergeant Montague, this is a short message
to you. We pray to the Creator that you will act wisely upon
this request.
Signed
Thank you.
Percy Rosette Faithkeeper
Chiefs, Councillors, Elders, and the First Nations of Treaty Six.
c.c. Mike Harcourt (604) 387-0087 Fax
INNU NATION CALLS FOR RCMP TO WITHDRAW FROM GUSTAFSEN LAKE
August 31, 1995 (Sheshatshiu) The Innu Nation today called on the R C M P to withdraw from their siege of the Sundancers
encampment at Gustafsen Lake, and condemned the B . C . provincial government for their response to the situation.
"The situation at Gustafsen Lake gravely concerns the Innu Nation. As Innu, we have often experienced the heavy hand of
R C M P intervention when defending our land and rights. Force has never resolved anything. It creates instability and tension,
and may lead to bloodshed and violence. It is the coward's w a y , " stated Daniel A s h i n i , Director of Innu Rights and
Environment.
The B . C . Premier, Attorney General, and the R C M P have misrepresented the Sundancers as terrorists, renegades
and trespassers. But their aspirations are shared by many aboriginal peoples across Canada. British Columbia like QuebecLabrador, is unceded aboriginal land. Our nations' ownership of our land has never been extinguished. We have never given
up our right to practice our spirituality. We see fair nation-to-nation negotiation, not police intervention, as the only way to
resolve the crises that the Province and police have precipitated," continued Ashini. "Premier Harcourt and Attorney General
Ujjal Dosanjh must take the blame for creating a confrontation which could result in violence. Rather than dealing fairly and
directly with the Sundancers, they chose to respond to the Sundander's legitimate concerns with police state tactics.
-30Daniel Ashini (709) 497-8398
8
FALL 1995
UBCIC NEWS
AROUND GUSTAFSEN LAKE
L E T T E R T O UNION OF B.C. INDIAN CHIEFS
F R O M : Staff and volunteers at C H R Y Radio, North York,
Ontario
We wish to convey to the Shuswap Sundancers our heartfelt
support. We applaud their courage in taking this difficult stand,
and we wish them to know that there are many people across
Canada, both Native and non Native, who support their actions,
who want the current federal and provincial regimes to rectify
past injustices by respecting Native sovereignty and working in
good faith towards a just settlement of land claims N O T
extinguishment of aboriginal title. We are sending faxes to
Prime Minister John Chretien urging the federal government to
deal on a nation to nation basis with the Shuswap and other
nations in the territory known as British Columbia.
We hope you can convey this to the Shuswap Defenders.
Thank you for sending us faxes, and we urge you to continue to
keep us informed.
Bonita Lawrence
on behalf of staff and volunteers at C H R Y community radio
L E T T E R T O PRIME MINISTER JEAN CHRETIEN
August 29, 1995
PENTICTON INDIAN BAND
August 28, 1995 - W e are outraged by the Harcourt
government's treacherous attempt to politically exploit the
Gustafsen Lake incident. The Harcourt government has
demonstrated that it is more than willing to trade the blood of
both the Native and the non-Native people of the Sundance
camp for ballots in the upcoming Provincial election Rather
than pursue a peaceful resolution of the standoff, the Harcourt
government has chosen to pursue a strategy of purposeful
provocation. The exchange of gunfire between R C M P Emergency Response Team members and camp occupants are
undeniable evidence of the results of such a totally irresponsible
adventuristic strategy. We condemn the Harcourt government
and the R C M P for their police state mentality.
R a c i a l tensions i n the P r o v i n c e of B . C . shall
escalate to historically unprecedented levels in the event that
people of the Sundance camp are killed by the RCMP. Without
question, there shall be serious repercussions throughout the
province of B . C . in the aftermath of a massacre of the people
occupying the Sundance camp.
It is incumbent upon the Harcourt government to make
absolutely every conceivable attempt to seek a peaceful
resolution of this standoff. In this regard, the Premier and
members of his Cabinet should make every attempt to meet with
Native leaders within the area for the purpose of establishing a
negotiating climate that shall lead to a peaceful resolution of
this situation.
We are writing to request that the federal government
Anything less is simply unacceptable.
learn from the mistakes of Oka, and settle the standoff at
Gustafsen Lake by dealing on a nation to nation basis with the
-30Shuswap and other nations of the territory now known as
British Columbia.
For further information: Stewart Phillip, Okanagan Nation
We do not believe that the Shuswap Sundancers at
Gustafsen Lake are "terrorists," or that this issue shall be
viewed as a matter of " l a w and order". We believe that, just as Oka, this confrontation is the fruit of despair, of Native peoples who
have tried through legal channels to defend their territories, but who have continuously been obstructed through bad fain on the part
of provincial and federal bureaucrats. We urge the federal government to get involved with the issue - the standoff at Gustafsen
Lake cannot be ignored. What about the federal government's historic obligation to protect the interests of the Aboriginal peoples?
How can the federal government stand aside and ignore the demands of the Shuswap and other native nations who want their
historic title to the land recognized and protected? Your current policy of doing nothing will only result in more standoffs, more
confrontations, as more and more communities are driven to confronting the Canadian state through \iolence, when negotiations fail
through governmental bad faith. The result will be more and more millions of taxpayer's money spent on police actions to suppress
uprisings which could never have happened i f the federal government respected who really owns this land. Canada deserves the bad
image it is getting for human rights violations internationally i f it will not deal honorably with Aboriginal peoples at hone.
We strongly urge you, M r . Chretien, to address the current occupation at Gustafsen Lake. The Shuswap Defenders should not
have to resort to violence in order to be heard.
Sincerely,
Bonita Lawrence
on behalf of staff and volunteers at C H R Y Radio
FALL 1995
GUSTAFSEN LAKE (Continued an page 10)
9
UBCIC NEWS
GUSTAFSEN LAKE (Continuedfrom page 9)
Statement on the standoff at Gustafsen Lake
by Chief Saul Terry
President, Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs
August 28, 1995
Since 1990, the Federal Government has refused to discuss nationam gravely concerned over the escalating confrontation
to-nation option for negotiations with our respective peoples.
taking place at Gustafsen Lake in the territory of the
Shuswap Nation. For
Instead, they have
over two weeks, the
steadfastly defended
Ms. Halie Bruce
R C M P , the Attorney
their B . C . Treaty
Exec. Assistant
General and the media
C o m m i s s i o n
UNION OF B.C. INDIAN CHIEFS
have gone to great
extinguishment
Vancouver, B.C.
lengths to discredit the
p r o c e s s to t h e
Canada
Shuswap sundancers
exclusion of all other
and their supporters at
options
and
Dear Ms. Bruce:
Gustafsen L a k e as
possibilities. As
dangerous fanatics in
recently as June 23,
Thank you for your fax of August 29 along with the various newspaper reports and
order to justify the use
19 9 5 ,
B . C
commentaries.
of armed force to
Aboriginal Affairs
A s I mentioned to you on the telephone the other day, we had sent Chief Saul Terry's
remove them from the
Minister
John
Press Release about the confrontation at Gustafsen lake to our friend at the daily newspaper
Sundance grounds. In
Cashore wrote to me
"Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung", as well as through our friends of the German section
recent days, the R C M P
and the Hon. R o n
to Amnesty International, International Secretariate, in London, England (fax number
has chosen to cut off
Irwin, Minister of
England 171-956-1157), as well as to the Canadian section of Amnesty International in
communications and
Indian Affairs, urging
Vanier, Ontario (fax number Canada 613-744-7667). The same I have sent to our Dene
isolate the sundancers
Canada and the Union
friend in the federal government in Ottawa, Ms. Ethel Blondin-Andrew.
even further, contrary
of
B . C . Indian Chiefs
To all of them, we have now offered to send what you have faxed us (the newspaper
to the strategy usually
"to
meet at the earliest
reports) as background information, and I hope they will request to obtain the media reports.
followed by police when
oprx)itunity
to begin
O f course, Amnesty International in Canada - who in our eyes would be a good' 'mediator''
trying to de-escalate and
w
o
r
k
t
o
w
ards a
in the terrible conflict - as well as Ms. Blondin-Andrew will be aware of what has been and
peacefully resolve
[nation-to-nation]
is going on at Gustafsen Lake.
s i m i l a r emergency
treaty process for those
We can only hope with all of you that the confrontation will end in a more or less
situations involving
First
Nations who
peaceful way, since otherwise we foresee grave and large problems between the Native
firearms. In trying to
have
not
joined the
population in B . C . and in Canada and the non-Native population, which would surely be the
discredit and isolate the
B
.
C
Treaty
worst development for the future of peoples and lands.
sundancers, the R C M P
Commission." Yet
a n d the A t t o r n e y
the
Federal
Please do keep me informed about any news in this horrible confrontation.
General are laying the
Government
goundwork
for
continues to refuse. It
Sincerely
bloodshed — needless
now appears there is
bloodshed. I condemn
more concern by the
Jurgen and Elke Boden
the R C M P and the
governments
that the
Alouette Verlag
Attorney General for the
so-called'' squatters''
dangerous provocative course they have embarked upon. I call
at Gustafsen Lake will " u n d e r m i n e " the B . C . Treaty
upon them immediately to cease and desist before it is too late.
Commission process than about constructive alternatives. If the
situation
at Gustafsen Lake is to be resolved peacefully and future
The positions expressed by the sundancers on their nations'
confrontations
are to be avoided, a nation-to-nation- alternative to
sovereignty and aboriginal title and rights are not "extremist."
the
B.C.
Treaty
Commission must be developed and implemented
They are shared by many Indian peoples across this province.
as
soon
as
possible.
British Columbia is unceded Indian land. Our nations' ownership
I
of their respective territories (our aboriginal title) has never been
extinguished. We are not "squatters" or trespassers i n our own
homelands. Recognition and accommodation of our aboriginal
title and rights must be negotiated on a nation-to-nation basis with
Canada. Our people demand JUSTICE and RECOGNITION but
whenever they stand up for their rights, they are subjected to the
R U L E OF L A W and P O L I C E S T A T E TACTICS!
10
In conclusion, I am willing to meet with sandancers at
Gustafsen Lake, if requested and if there is any possibility that my
involvement would be helpful i n bringing about a just, honorable
and peaceful resolution to the confrontation.
-30-
FALL 1995
UBCIC NEWS
HEALING OUR SPIRIT
August 1, 1995
October 12, 1995
Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs
Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs
Dear Sir/Madame:
Re: Recruitment of First Nations Big Sisters
Currently, B i g Sisters is working to recruit First
Nations B i g Sisters to fill the needs of the significant number
of First Nations Little Sisters in the Lower Mainland.
If anyone is interested or would like more information
on becoming a "Big Sister", a First Nations Counsellor will be
made available to do a group presentation or meet individually.
For further information please contact me, Cheryl
Morgan at (604) 873-4525.
Yours truly,
To: All First Nations
Greetings to Chiefs, Elders, Ladies and Gentlemen] For those
of you who don't know about our organization we would like to
take a moment to tell you who we are and what our mandate is
as well as some upcoming functions that we would like to have
more involvement and support from First Nations.
Our Goals are to:
Increase the awareness of H I V and ADDS in both urban and
rural First Nations Communities.
Provide educational workshops throughout B . C . on the prevention of HIV and AIDS.
Advocacy and support to individuals living with HIV and
ADDS, as well as to their families and caregivers.
Cherly Morgan
Increase community accessibility to HIV and AIDS, educational
materials and resources.
The Union of B. C. Indian Chiefs would like to extend their
thanks and appreciation to Monique Cote formerly Good)
Increase acceptance of people living with HIV and AIDS.
for her commitment and dedicaton to the Chiefs Mask
Bookstore & Gallery for the past 2 1/2 years. A job wellWe will be having our 3rd Annual General Meeting on November 16, 1995 from 5:00 - 9:00 p.m. A n agenda will be sent
done Monique & good luck,!
shortly to all members. At this time we will also be having
Board elections, and you must be a member to vote
For more information about Healing Our Spirit we would be
happy to meet with you. (604) 879-0906
Grand Council Treaty #5 Election Results
A s a result of the Treaty #3 elections held on October
4, 5, 6, 1995, effective immediately, the following are
the Grand Councils elected political representatives.
Grand Chief
Kenora Tribal Area Chief
Dryden Tribal Area Chief
Fort Frances T i b a l Area C h i e f
Sincerely,
Rod Cunningham Vice President
E l i Manciamin
Alfred Sinclair
Roy Napish
Willie Wilson
Should you require further clarification on this matter,
please do not hesitate to call our office at (807) 5484214.
Meegwetch!
"This should be good... he's eaten the whole
bowlful of tobacco and now he's smoking a potato"
FALL 1995
11
UBCIC NEWS
UNION OF B. C. INDIAN CHIEFS
SUBSCRIPTION F O R M
NAME:
FOR OFFICE USE O N L Y
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Please m a k e cheque or m o n e y order payable to:
UNION OF B.C. INDIAN CHIEFS, 5TH F L O O R - 342
WATER STREET, VANCOUVER, B.C., V6B 1A1
CHIEFS MASK B O O K S T O R E
ARTS & CRAFTS
BOOKS
GALLERY
- FIRST NATIONS
- ABORIGINAL
- JEWELLY (GOLD AND
SILVER)
ISSUES
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-LAW
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MUSIC
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CALL, WRITE OR
DROP IN TODAY!
- AND MUCH
MORE!
CONSIGNMENT ITEMS ACCEPTED
Owned and operated b y the U n i o n o f B . C . Indian Chiefs
12
FALL 1995
Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs
NEWSLETTER
FALL 1995
PRISONERS OF POLITICS
RCMP Invade unceded Nuxalk Nation Territory, Hereditary Chiefs, Elders, and F-A.N. Supporters
arrested at Fog Creek - Bella Coola, B.C.
/ppproximately 40 RCMP
_AA moved in on a peaceful
V blockade at Ista (Fog Creek)
on unceded Nuxalk Nation territory
50 km west of Bella Coola this
morning at approximately 8:30 a.m.
and are presently in the process of | %
enforcing an illegal injunction
ordering people out of the area. Radio
communications from the camp were
initially being jammed from an
unknown source, but recent reports
that have managed to get through
confirm that there are six RCMP
boats at the site, including two very
large catamarans. The RCMP have
already arrested at least 18 people,
including two Nuxalk hereditary
chiefs and elders, and RCMP
climbers are heading up trees in an | } :
attempt to apprehend tree-sitters.
There were approximately 40
Nuxalk and supporters at the camp
this moming, and more boats full of | : iS
supporters from the Nuxalk Nation
eee
2
ee ay)
*
EER) f i EA
morning that all those arrested
would be processed on one of the
RCMP boats, where they would
be given the optios of signing a
undertaking as the terms of their
release, after which they would be
released at the site. The terms of
release in these siuations often
include a prohibiben from going
back into the area of the blockade,
and none of those arrested are
agreeing to sign sach a release
since they do not accnowledge any
jurisdiction other than Nuxalk
jurisdiction over Nuxalk
territory. The most recent
communications suggest that all
the arrestees are deing taken
straight to Vancosver to appear
before tne Supreme Court because
of this refusal.
This is not merely another
logging blockade, the Nuxalk
Nation is in the process of
: ._ | IN CUSTODY: Nuxalk Hereditary Chiefs Ed Moody and | reoccupying their tredrtional lands.
are heading out to the site at this | O.,1:¢ Nelson arrested in logging blockade are handcuffed
time. StaffSergeant Larry Babcock | tooether in Vancouver. ( PRISONERS continued on page 2)
of the Prince Rupert subdivision who
is heading the operation stated this Vancouver Sun, Wed. Sept. 27, 1995
4. Institute of Indigenous Government 8. Gustafsen Lake
INSIDE THIS ISSUE... Resource Centre Update Indigenous Perspectives
2. Message from the President
3. Elijah Harper calls for Sacred
Assembly
5. UBCIC 27th Annual General Assembly
6. Nuxalk Nation
11. Announcements
6
FALL 1995
UBCIC NEWS
Message From The President:
Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs presentation on the proposed Firearms Act
Bill C-68 to the Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs
‘Tl / n the presentation to the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional
i} @- Affairs the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs told Committee members that the proposed
Firearms Act (Bill C-68) legislation will have a very real and very direct impact on the day-
to-day lives of First Nation people. More so than on the rest of Canada, both rural and urban.
Bill C-68 will make us criminals. When the possession and use of hunting mfles 1s made
near impossible by unjust laws the result will be that entire families and communes will have
a harder time putting meat on the table. This will force many of our people 10 increased
dependence on social assistance and other means of state sponsored support. This is a fact.
The government of Canada has not factored these very real social and economic costs into its
analysis of the costs of implementing this legislation.
The net effect of this legislation is that it criminalizes being Indian. It represents an
unwarrented and unacceptable intrusion into the day-to-day lives of First Natioz people. The
proposed Firearms Act does not constitute a mere infringement, but rather 2 whole scale
criminalization of traditional aboriginal practices. The Firearms Act for all intents and purposes will extinguish ihe aboriginal
right to hunt.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs recommended the following amendments to Bill C-68 the proposed Firearms Act:
1, That the following clause be inserted into the act:
This act does not apply to aboriginal people to the extent that aboriginal people use, own or
possess firearms for the purpose of exercising their inherent aboriginal rights to hunt and trap
as recognized under section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.
2. _Thata statutory defense provision be inserted into the Canadian Criminal Code amendments which reflecs the fact that
the inherent aboriginal nghts to hunt and trap are constitutionally protected and cannot and must not be crimz=2lized. This
statutory defense would apply to the provisions which criminalize the mere possession, use or transport of a firezrm without a
registration certificate or license.
It is not the suggestion of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs that the statutory defense apply where a firearm Is used a committing
a crime. However, it is absolutely essential that the mere possession, transport, or use of a firearm, when done 2s a means of
practising an inherent right to hunt or trap must not be criminalized.
e
(PRISONERS continued from page 1)
To this end they have begun the construction of several traditional structures at Ista and other sites around the= termtory,
and yesterday constructed a smokehouse at Ista so they could begin processing fish at the site. Interfore empi:vees, who
arrived with the RCMP this moming, promptly smashed the smokehouse with a sledgehammer and drove their zquipment
up the road so they could resume road building operations.
-30-
Forest Action Network
9) FALL 1995
UBCIC NEWS
HARPER CALLS FOR SACRED ASSEMBLY TO
ADDRESS ABORIGINAL ISSUES
M.P CALLS FOR HEALING AND RECONCILIATION IN FACE OF VIOLENCE AND FRUSTRATION
(FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE; SEPTEMBER 13, 1995 -- OTTAWA)
£ © , burchill M.-P. Elijah Harper
Wa” is calling for a ‘‘Sacred
Assembly’ of Aboriginal and non
Aboriginal spiritual leaders to provide
counsel and promote reconciliation in
the face of rising frustration in First
Nations communities.
‘First Nations have lost not just
our land and control over our lives, but
also our connection to an ancient
spirituality that has nurtured our peoples
for centuries,’’ said Harper. ‘““Now we
have been working through the courts
and through the political process to
reclaim our land and our right to self-
government, but something is missing
from the process. The spiritual element
has been missing.
**The idea of the Sacred
Assembly is not just to provide counsel
in finding that spiritual element, but also
to promote reconciliation. We can’t
achieve reconciliation until the harm
which has been done to our peoples is
acknowledged,’’ said Harper. ““Lawyers
and politicians aren’t always willing to
do that because they think it’s an
admission of liability. But some of
Canada’s churches have been willing to
do this and it has helped the healing
process in our communities. That
reconciliation is necessary if Canada’s
going to heal.”’
Harper said he has been in contact
with spiritual leaders, both Aboriginal
and non-Aboriginal, across the country,
We can't achieve reconciliation until the harm which has
been done to our peoples is acknowledged"
- Elijah Harper, M_P. -
and they have expressed enthusiasm for
the idea. He hopes to establish a
working group as soon as possible, as the
Assembly will be able to provide
direction to communities, leadership and
government as they deal with
increasingly urgent situations.
Harper, who is joining Indian
Affairs Minister Ron Irwin in meeting
with community leaders at Camp
Ipperwash, Ontario today, said this was
particularly important in the face of
growing frustration and violent stand-
offs across Canada. ‘‘When I look at the
stand-offs and the frustration, and also at
the problems that affect many more of
our communities, like suicide,
alcoholism, and hopelessness, I see the
effects of that spiritual loss. I see people
who are trying to fill an emptiness, who
are struggling to find something,’ he
said,
““But because we’ve lost so much
of that spirituality, many of us our
misguided. They turn to drugs and
alcohol, they turn to material things, and
some of them turn to violence. When I
look at some of the people at the stand-
offs I see people who want to get in touch
with our land and our communities and
our spiritualism, but they seem cut off
from it,”’ he said.
‘Indian Nations must exercise
and control their own jurisdictions and
their termtory. They must exercise law
and order on their own land. And they
have to show the Canadian public that
they have the capability and the ability,”’
said Harper.
**By offering spiritual counsel to
our communities, by addressing the
spiritual poverty that afflicts our
communities, the Sacred Assembly can
help to achieve that by restoring
confidence in our leadership and
promoting good government.”’
While more details on the Sacred
Assembly are not available nght now,
Harper said he would be acting on it as
soon as possible. ‘“Many people are
laying the ground work and praying for
the success of this Sacred Assembly. We
must sustain the culture, values, and
traditions that have sustained us for
generations.”’
-30-
Contact: Lorne Hanks, Parliamentary
Assistant to Elijah Harper, MP.
(613) 992-3018
Elijah Harper M.P. will be guest speaking at the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs Traditional Feast
during their 27th Annual General Assembly, October 25, 1995 @ 7:00 p.m. in Kamloops, B.C. in
the Kamloops Indian Band Dining Room.
PALL 199)
UBCIC NEWS
Institute o rf Indigenous Government
The Institute of Indigenous
Government welcomed its first students
in mid September marking the launch of
the Institute’s Associate Degree and
Certificate programs.
Students arrived from Ontario,
Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and
regions throughout British Columbia to
become part of Canada’s first
autonomous degree-granting First Nation
post-secondary institution. After a two
day orientation, classes were under way -
just days after renovations were
completed.
The Institute’s campus at 342
Water Street occupies the third and
fourth floors of the building situated near
the gateway of Gastown . The facilities
include classrooms, a student lounge, the
UBCIC Resource Centre, study areas, an
information centre and administrative
offices.
The Student Support Services
Coordinator, Bernice Heather, who also
instructs and coordinates the extension
program, has an important role at the
Institute. Bernice will offer students
support as they develop leadership,
study, problem-solving and cultural
skills.
A study workshop has already
been scheduled and Bernice will assist in
other areas such as goal-setting, career
planning, communications and
interpersonal skills. The Institute also
offers personal and academic
counselling, while Elders will be
available to offer guidance.
Five courses are being offered
during the Fall semester: History of
Colonization and Indigenous Resistance,
Indigenous Society, Culture and Identity,
Fundamentals of Economic and Social
Development, Indigenous Nations,
International Organizations and the
United States, and Records Management
for Indigenous Government.
Detailed course offerings and a
student handbook for the Spring
semester are expected to be available by
mid-October. The Institute will be
sending information packages
throughout the province and to other
regions at that time. To date, inquiries
have come from throughout Canada and
from such centres in the United States as
New York City and Arizona.
In the meantime you may want to
prab a pen -- our phone and fax numbers
change on October 5th. Our new phone
number is: (604) 602-9555, while our fax
number is: (604) 602-3400. Contact the
registrar, Darell Gaddie, if you require
an admissions package. The information
officer, Lorraine Passchier, is available
to help with the distribution of brochures
and handbooks.
Finally here is a list of some key
staff members at the Institute. In future
newsletters, we will offer a more in-
depth look at the Institute, its students
and its faculty.
Paul Chartrand, President
Herb Strongeagle, Bursar
Darell Gaddie, Registrar
Dan Gottesman, Academic Dean and
Professor
Sylvia Walsh, Director of Program
Planning and Development and
Associate Professor
Bernice Heather, Instructor and Student
Support Services & Extension
Coordinator
Theo Collins, Assistant Professor
Alejandro Palacios, Assistant Professor
& International Program Coordinator
Andres (Lix) Lopez, Sessional] Lecturer
Sandie Bradley, Sessional Lecnire
Resource Centre
With restricted access to the
Resource Centre in place over the summer,
it often looked very quiet in the library. The
Resource Centre staff, however, have never
been busier.
Many decisions were made
regarding cataloguing and classification,
including our own in-house adaptation of
the Library of Congress classification
scheme and the design of appropriate
subject heading for our collection. Many
hours were spent, for example, expanding
the LC classification scheme to cover all
aspects of self-government and the many
areas of aboriginal title and nghts. Then we
began the long task of re-cataloguing and
classifying the entire collection. That
project will be ongoing and will remain a
priority.
Getting ready for the first
Institute of Indigenous Government
students meant many other tasks had to be
done over the summer as well. There were,
and still are, many transitions to go through
in becoming a library which serves a post-
secondary institution. The Resource Centre
staff have worked very hard to put new
policies, procedures, and collection
materials in place. It is hoped that we can
have a multi-media workstation in the
Resource Centre within the year for users
to access the new automated catalog, CD-
ROM reference sources, and online library
catalogs of other post-secondary and public
libraries. We now have a borrower card for
Vancouver Public Library and the
University of British Columbia. The IG
will soon become a member of the
provincial post-secondary interlibrary
network. We will be able to borrow books
and get journal articles from libranes all
over North America.
We continue to develop the
collection for researchers. The B.C.
Archives newspaper file and index on
microfiche is on order. This source will
allow subjects access to old B.C.
newspapers.
We have added many books to the
collection over the summer end | am
including a short select list of some of those
titles. If you need further information about
any of them call us in the Resource Centre.
The list was generated from the records in
our automated catalog.
I have become familiar Guning the
summer with some of the excelent sites
available on the Internet for getting
aboriginal materials. If anyone has access
to the Intermet or is thinking of ‘‘getnng
connected”’, I can provide a hst of Internet
sites. Perhaps J can cover the Icternet in
more detail in future newsletters.
In the meantime, there is an
invaluable mformation source here for our
member bands. Call us anytime. If we can
not provide the information, we will do our
4
best to tell you who can
= -
Wendy Anceil, Librarian
FALL 1995
Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs
You are cordially invited
27th Annual General Assembly
"OUR SACRED LANDS"
October 24, 25, 26, 1995
Kamloops Indian Band Gymnasium
345 Yellowhead Highway
Kamloops, B.C.
DRAFT AGENDA
October 24, 1995
UBCIC NEWS
(draft agenda continued)
October 25, 1995
9:00 a.m.:
9:15 a.m:
9:30 a.m.:
1:30 p.m.:
2:00 p.m.:
4:30 p.m.:
7:00 p.m.:
Opening Prayer
Chair: Opening Remarks
Panel: International Indigenous Stroggles for
Justice at the United Nations: Ted Moses,
Grand Council of the Crees of Quebec
(Resolutions)
LUNCH BREAK
Overview of the Institute of Indigenous
Government. Paul Chartrand, Interim President
of the IG,
Nominations for UBCIC President
Candidates Speeches
Closing Prayer; Adjournment of Davy 2
TRADITIONAL FEAST: Elijah Harper M.P.,
Guest Speaker,
8:30a.m.: Registration October 26, 1995
9:00 a.m.: Call to order; Entry of Flags; Opening Prayer 9:00 a.m.: Opening Prayer ©-
9:30a.m.: Ratification of Chair, Agenda and 9-15 ean aie tne Renee ‘
Committees. Words of Welcome: eae auae@pening Remarks
Chie{ Manny ditles 9:30a.m.: Returning Officer explains election procedures.
.. Election for UBCIC President
10:00 a.m.: Panel: Responsibilities to Our Sacred Lands. Announce menborelection ceailis
Glen Douglas, Grand Chief Archie Jack, Presidential acceptance speech
Chief Scotty Holmes, Ted Moses (Resolutions)
LUNCH BREAK
LUNCH BREAK
1:30 P.M.: UBCIC Annual Reports
1:30 p.m.: President's Address & Principles of Treaty Adoption of 1994 Taree
Making. Chief Saul Terry, Bridge River Audit and resolution: Arnold Peters,
Fi Manaze
2:00 p.m.: Panels: Indian Jurisdiction and Federal Legal: Mandell Pin _ a
Responsibilities. Health: Carole Dawson, Joint Policy Council: Dan Gottesmar.
Education: Verna Stager (Resolutions) , Policy Dire élor
Claims Research: Leigh Ogston,
3:00 p.m.: = Fishing: Tribal Chief Mike Leach, Chief Frances R me oF ee fog
Laceese, Chief Frank Boucher, Chief Bob Pasco Resolutions
(Resolutions)
; 3:00 p.m.: Closing Prayer; Adjournment of 27th A.G.A.
4:00 p.m.: Closing Prayer, Adjournment, Day 1 P ee Tey :
FALL 1995
UBCIC NEWS
NUXALK NATION GOVERNMENET
First of all we would like to acknowledge Tatau,
the Creator, through Manakays, the Great Spirit,
for all that he has provided since the beginning of
time and still provides today
SOVEREIGNTY
The word ‘““SOVEREIGNTY’”’ is one that
many of our people do not know the meaning of. It is a
word that will be used many times during this gathering of
ours and it is important for all of our people to understand
it.
Our “SOVEREIGNTY”? is our traditional ways! It
is our fishing, hunting, ceremonies, laws, stories, songs,
potlatches, and dances. Our ‘““SOVEREIGNTY”’ is a
sacred gift handed down to us by Tatau, our Creator. It is
something that was never given to us by any government or
business.
Our ““SOVEREIGNTY’”’ is not the Canadian
government laws! Our ““SOVEREIGNTY’’ is not the
British Columbian laws!
These two levels of governments do not have any
right to practise their man made laws over our laws that
were handed down to us from the Creator.
Our ‘“SOVEREIGNTY’”’ is when we hunt, when we
fish and where we fish! Our ‘““SSOVEREIGNTY”’ is our
plant foods and medicines! Our “‘SOVEREIGNTY”’ is our
traditional way of life.
No other nation is given the permission to define our
““SOVEREIGNTY’’! As long as we keep our
“SOVEREIGNTY ’”’ we shall survive as a nation!
For the future of our Children, Grandchildren, and
Children yet unborn...
Way!
"Ministry of Forests is issuing illegal permits to
Interfor to Log in Nuxalk Territory."
(September 27, 1995)
The NUXALK NATION opposes any clear-cutting and
logging practices of Interfor within the Nuxalk Nation’s
Traditional Termitories. Nuxalk Nation Territory is unceded
land. Nuxalk Nation has never entered or signed any
agreements with the Government. We do not honour the
B.C. Treaty Commission Process because it extinguishes our
title and rights.
Interfor has been logging in our territory for awhile
now. We have never consented to allow Interfor to log in
our territories. Yet, they continue to log even when we
demanded them to stop.
We have been opposing Interfor’s plans to log ever
since we were made aware of the logging plans. Last
summer, we strongly opposed any illegal logging plans
for Talyu Hotsprings.
Our voices still have not been recognized! We area
nation of people and oppose developments in our territories
that is destructive to the land and all that flows from it.
There has been destruction of our sacred sites, forests,
traditional village sites and historic burial grounds. This
continues to happen today, and we will no longer stand by
and watch this destruction of our territory.
We ““THANK”’ all groups out there for supporting us
- in calling for a STOP to all the destruction within our
Nuxalk Territory. We especially thank the Forest Action
Network (FAN) for all their support in standing by our
Nuxalk Nation Elders, Nuxalk Nation Hereditary Chiefs and
the Nuxaikmce,
For the future of our children, grandchildren and children yet
unborn...
Way!
FALL 1995
Jailed Action Defenders to Appear
Before Supreme Court
BELLA COOLA, B.C. - Fourteen people arrested
yesterday on contempt of court charges for defending unceded
Nuxalk land from destruction by International Forest Products
(INTERFOR) will appear before the Supreme Court in
Vancouver today at 10:00 a.m. The arrestees, who were flown
to Vancouver yesterday evening and held overnight in the Pre-
Trial Detention Centre, include 8 Nuxalkmc, of which three are
hereditary chiefs and three are elders, one Ojibway activist from
Manitoba, and 5 non native activists from the Forest Action
Network.
A delegation of Nuxalkmc who drove through the night
down from Bella Coola will be at the courthouse this moming
to pray, sing, and support their people in court. They will be
joined by natives and non-natives from the Vancouver area who
support the Nuxalk and Forest Action Network’s struggle for
recognition of Nuxalk sovereignty and protection of the land.
The demonstrators will also be expressing their outrage at the
jailing of elders and traditional leaders for carrying out their
traditional duties of protecting the land.
The fourteen who are to appear at court today, as well as
eight others, were arrested yesterday at Ista (Fog Creek) on
King Istand, approximately 50 kms west of Bella Coola, when
RCMP invaded the Nuxalk traditional territory which Nuxalk
people and their invited guests were beginning to reoccupy.
Fourteen of those arrested refused to sign terms of release which
required them to acknowledge jurisdiction other than Nuxalk
jurisdiction over the land they were on; the undertaking
required them to obey the B.C. Supreme Court’s injunction
forbidding them from defending Nuxalk land from illegal
logging, as well as forbidding them from moving freely in
Nuxalk territory by barring them from returning to Ista (Fog
Creek).
Interfor brought twice the usual amount of machinery
and equipment to the site yesterday morning in their eagerness
to resume their destruction of the old-growth forests of the
Great Coast Forest.
-30-
Forest Action Network 251-2477
UBCIC NEWS
Statement made by Hereditary Chief Qwatsinas
(Edward Moody) from the Pretrial Centre in Vancouver
(September 27, 1995)
Ista (Fogg Creek): I see that the loggers have rights. the road
builders have rights, the logging companies have rights, and
they have the RCMP with them to back up their rights. We as
the Hereditary Chiefs and Nuxalkmc are protecting and
defending our forest and our land and our rights. There is no
law enforcement or the RCMP to enforce our rights. In order
for us to protect and defend Ista we have to do it ourselves.
Under the B.C. Treaty Commission process the loggers, the
road builders, the logging companies, and the RCMP are at the
negotiations table and I see that they are in a major conflict of
interest.
We are not signing the release forms here based on our
principles and morals. As Hereditary Chiefs, we can’t accept
guilt on behalf of our people, we can't sign release forms on
that basis, that we would accept the destruction of the forests of
Ista.
We call ourselves political prisoners. We’re opposing the
destruction of Ista, and we stand by that. They came to defend
what they believe in. They took us prisoners because of what
we did. It’s not an enforcement issue, its a political and
environmental and human issue.
We are going to stand fast in what we believe in.
Way!
Make your presence felt in a real and powerful issue of our
times. Your help is needed to protect indigenous rights and the
forests!
For more information contact:
Nuxalk Nation (604) 799-5376
Forest Action Network (604) 251-2477
Vancouver Temerate Rainforest Action
Coalition (604) 251-3190
UBCIC NEWLETTER DEADLINE
If you have any material that you would like to see in the next edition of the Union of B.C.
Indian Chiefs Newsletter, please forward to our Vancouver office by fax or mail 2s soon as
possible to the attention of "UBCIC NEWSLETTER”. We would appreciate the volume of
information be kept to a minimum so others can benefit from this service. Please do not fax
business cards. Next deadline is November 15, 1995. Ournew address is 5th Floor - 342 Water
Street, Vancouver, B.C. V6B 1B6. Our phone and fax number will remain the same. Phone
(604) 684-0231 Fax: (604) 684-5726.
FALL 1993
UBCIC NEWS
INDIGENOUS NATIONS PERSPECTIVES
SHUSWAP AGREE TO PEACEFUL SOLUTION
Big Lake, August 24, 1995
The Shuswap people, who remain true to the Creator and
the Land of our Ancestors, seek a peaceful resolution to a crises
which has been going on for 139 years.
Domestic Laws, which we have no hand in signing, do
not apply here. Tribal councils of so-called ‘‘chiefs’’ paid by
the Government of Canada do not speak for us.
We have never ceded or sold our territory. Anyone
claiming title to our stolen lands should be compensated by the
government of British Columbia and our lands returned to us.
The legal precedence protecting our rights as Indigenous
Peoples have never been heard. We agree to lay down our arms
after receiving a guarantee of diplomatic immunity from
prosecution for all members of this camp, and audiences with
our representative Bruce Clark and the Queen’s Privy Council
and Governor General of Canada. The purpose of these
hearings must be a formal ruling of the legitimacy of claim.
We believe that when the true Canadian law is applied it
will be clear who are the true caretakers of this land.
Signed
Percy Rosette Faithkeeper
CONFEDERACY OF SIX NATIONS
August 28, 1995
Attention: Sergeant Montague
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Re: Gustafsen Lake Confrontation
Sergeant Montague, we at the Confederacy of Treaty Six First
Nations in central Alberta are deeply concerned with what has
transpired in the last 48 hours at Gustafsen Lake, B.C..
Although we may not fully agree with these people on their
issue, we cannot see the answer to this confrontation to be to
massacre these people. We call on you to stop any kind of
armed attack and to attempt to resolve this issue in a peaceful
manner. You should be aware that your response will have
repercussions across Canada and North America. A peaceful
solution will enhance future relations between First Nations and
non-First Nations people. Massacre will only serve to instigate
mistrust and hate. Sergeant Montague, this is a short message
to you. We pray to the Creator that you will act wisely upon
this request.
Thank you.
Chiefs, Councillors, Elders, and the First Nations of Treaty Six.
c.c. Mike Harcourt (604) 387-0087 Fax
INNU NATION CALLS FOR RCMP TO WITHDRAW FROM GUSTAFSEN LAKE
August 31, 1995 (Sheshatshiu) The Innu Nation today called on the RCMP to withdraw from their siege of the Sundancers
encampment at Gustafsen Lake, and condemned the B.C. provincial government for their response to the situation.
“*The situation at Gustafsen Lake gravely concerns the Innu Nation. As Innu, we have often experienced the heavy hand of
RCMP intervention when defending our land and rights. Force has never resolved anything. It creates instability and tension,
and may lead to bloodshed and violence. It is the coward’s way,’’ stated Daniel Ashini, Director of Innu Rights and
Environment.
The B.C. Premier, Attorney General, and the RCMP have misrepresented the Sundancers as terrorists, renegades
and trespassers. But their aspirations are shared by many aboriginal peoples across Canada. British Columbia, like Quebec-
Labrador, is unceded aboriginal land. Our nations’ ownership of our land has never been extinguished. We have never given
up our right to practice our spirituality. We see fair nation-to-nation negotiation, not police intervention, as the only way to
resolve the crises that the Province and police have precipitated,’’ continued Ashini. ‘‘Premier Harcourt and Attorney General
Ujjal Dosanjh must take the blame for creating a confrontation which could result in violence. Rather than dealing fairly and
directly with the Sundancers, they chose to respond to the Sundander’s legitimate concerns with police state tactics.
-30-
Daniel Ashini (709) 497-8398
FALL 1995
UBCIC NEWS
AROUND GUSTAFSEN LAKE
LETTER TO UNION OF B.C. INDIAN CHIEFS PENTICTON INDIAN BAND
FROM: Staff and volunteers at CHRY Radio, North York, August 28, 1995 --We are outraged by the Harcourt
Ontario government’s treacherous attempt to politically exploit the
Gustafsen Lake incident. The Harcourt government has
We wish to convey to the Shuswap Sundancers our heartfelt demonstrated that it is more than willing to trade the blood of
support. We applaud their courage in taking this difficult stand, | both the Native and the non-Native people of the Sundance
and we wish them to know that there are many people across camp for ballots in the upcoming Provincial election. Rather
Canada, both Native and non Native, who support their actions, than pursue a peaceful resolution of the standoff, the Harcourt
who want the current federal and provincial regimes to rectify government has chosen to pursue a strategy of purposeful
past injustices by respecting Native sovereignty and working in provocation. The exchange of gunfire between RCMP -
good faith towards a just settlement of land claims NOT Emergency Response Team members and camp occupants are
extinguishment of aboriginal title. We are sending faxes to undeniable evidence of the results of such a totally irresponsible
Prime Minister John Chretien urging the federal government to adventunistic strategy. We condemn the Harcourt government
deal on a nation to nation basis with the Shuswap and other and the RCMP for their police state mentality.
nations in the territory known as British Columbia. Racial tensions in the Province of B.C. shall
We hope you can convey this to the Shuswap Defenders. escalate to historically unprecedented levels in the event that
Thank you for sending us faxes, and we urge you to continue to people of the Sundance camp are killed by the RCMP. Without
keep us informed. question, there shall be serious repercussions throughout the
province of B.C. in the aftermath of a massacre of the people
Bonita Lawrence occupying the Sundance camp.
It is incumbent upon the Harcourt government to make
on behalf of staff and volunteers at CHRY community radio absolutely every conceivable attempt to seek a peaceful
resolution of this standoff. In this regard, the Premier and
members of his Cabinet should make every attempt to meet with
Native leaders within the area for the purpose of establishing a
negotiating climate that shall lead to a peaceful resolution of
this situation.
LETTER TO PRIME MINISTER JEAN CHRETIEN
August 29, 1995
We are writing to request that the federal government
learn from the mistakes of Oka, and settle the standoff at
Gustafsen Lake by dealing on a nation to nation basis with the
Shuswap and other nations of the territory now known as
British Columbia.
We do not believe that the Shuswap Sundancers at
Gustafsen Lake are ‘‘terrorists,’’ or that this issue shall be
viewed as a matter of ‘‘law and order’. We believe that, just as Oka, this confrontation is the fruit of despair, of Native zeoples who
have tried through legal channels to defend their territories, but who have continuously been obstructed through bad faita on the part
of provincial and federal bureaucrats. We urge the federal government to get involved with the issue - the standoff at Gestafsen
Lake cannot be ignored. What about the federal government’s historic obligation to protect the interests of the Aborigin:! peoples?
How can the federal government stand aside and ignore the demands of the Shuswap and other native nations who want their
historic title to the land recognized and protected? Your current policy of doing nothing will only result in more stando=s, more
confrontations, as more and more communities are driven to confronting the Canadian state through violence, when negzctiations fail
through governmental bad faith. The result will be more and more millions of taxpayer’s money spent on police actions to suppress
uprisings which could never have happened if the federal government respected who really owns this land. Canada deserves the bad
image it is getting for human rights violations internationally if it will not deal honorably with Aboriginal peoples at hore.
We strongly urge you, Mr. Chretien, to address the current occupation at Gustafsen Lake. The Shuswap Defenders should not
have to resort to violence in order to be heard.
Anything less is simply unacceptable.
-30-
For further information: Stewart Phillip, Okanagan Nation
Sincerely,
Bonita Lawrence
on behalf of staff and volunteers at CHRY Radio GUSTAFSEN LAKE (Continued on page 10)
FALL 199) 9
UBCIC NEWS
GUSTAFSEN LAKE (Continued from page 9)
am gravely concerned over the escalating confrontation
taking place at Gustafsen Lake in the territory of the
Shuswap Nation. For
over two weeks, the
RCMP, the Attorney
General and the media
have gone to great
lengths to discredit the
Shuswap sundancers
and their supporters at
Gustafsen Lake as
dangerous fanatics in
order to justify the use
of armed force to
remove them from the
sundance grounds. In
recent days, the RCMP
has chosen to cut off
communications and
isolate the sundancers
even further, contrary
to the strategy usually
followed by police when
trying tode-escalate and
peacefully resolve
similar emergency
Situations involving
firearms. In trying to
discredit and isolate the
sundancers, the RCMP |
and the Attorney
General are laying the
goundwork for
bloodshed -- needless
bloodshed. I condemn
the RCMP and the
Attorney General for the
Statement on the standoff at Gustafsen Lake
by Chief Saul Terry
President, Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs
August 28, 1995
Ms. Halie Bruce
Exec. Assistant
UNION OF B.C. INDIAN CHIEFS
Vancouver, B.C.
Canada
Dear Ms. Bruce:
Thank you for your fax of August 29 along with the various newspaper reports and
commentaries.
As I mentioned to you on the telephone the other day, we had sent Chief Saul Terry’s
Press Release about the confrontation at Gustafsen lake to our friend at the daily newspaper
“*Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung’’, as well as through our friends of the German section
to Amnesty International, International Secretariate, in London, England (fax number
England 171-956-1157), as well as to the Canadian section of Amnesty International in
Vanier, Ontario (fax number Canada 613-744-7667). The same I have sent to our Dene
friend in the federal government in Ottawa, Ms. Ethel Blondin-Andrew.
To all of them, we have now offered to send what you have faxed us (the newspaper
reports) as background information, and I hope they will request to obtain the media reports.
Of course, Amnesty International in Canada - who in our eyes would be a good ‘‘mediator’’
in the terrible conflict - as well as Ms. Blondin-Andrew will be aware of what has been and
is going on at Gustafsen Lake.
We can only hope with all of you that the confrontation will end in a more or less
peaceful way, since otherwise we foresee grave and large problems between the Native
population in B.C. and in Canada and the non-Native population, which would surely be the
worst development for the future of peoples and lands.
Please do keep me informed about any news in this horrible confrontation.
Sincerely
Jurgen and Elke Boden
Alouette Verlag
Since 1990, the Federal Government has refused to discuss nation-
to-nation option for negotiations with our respective peoples.
Instead, they have
steadfastly defended
their B.C. Treaty
Commission
extinguishment
process to the
exclusion of all other
options and
possibilities. As
recently as June 23,
1993, 8.C
Aboriginal Affairs
Minister John
Cashore wrote to me
and the Hon. Ron
Irwin, Minister of
Indian Affairs, urging
Canada andthe Union
of B.C. Indian Chiefs
““to meet at the earliest
opportunity to begin
work towards a
[nation-to-nation]
treaty process for those
First Nations who
have not joined the
B.C Treaty
Commission.”’ Yet
the Federal
Government
continues to refuse. It
now appears there is
more concern by the
governments that the
so-called “‘squatters”’
dangerous provocative course they have embarked upon. I call
upon them immediately to cease and desist before it is too late.
The positions expressed by the sundancers on their nations’
sovereignty and aboriginal title and rights are not “‘extremist.”’
They are shared by many Indian peoples across this province.
British Columbia is unceded Indian land. Our nations’ ownership
of their respective territories (our aboriginal title) has never been
extinguished. We are not ‘‘squatters’’ or trespassers in our own
homelands, Recognition and accommodation of our aboriginal
title and rights must be negotiated on a nation-to-nation basis with
Canada. Our people demand JUSTICE and RECOGNITION but
whenever they stand up for their rights, they are subjected to the
RULE OF LAW and POLICE STATE TACTICS!
at Gustafsen Lake will ‘‘undermine’’ the B.C. Treaty
Commission process than about constructive alternatives. If the
situation at Gustafsen Lake is to be resolved peacefully and future
confrontations are to be avoided, a nation-to-nation- alternative to
the B.C. Treaty Commission must be developed and implemented
as soon as possible.
In conclusion, ] am willing to meet with sandancers at
Gustafsen Lake, if requested and if there is any possibility that my
involvement would be helpful in bringing about a just, honorable
and peaceful resolution to the confrontation.
-30-
10
FALL 1995
August 1, 1995
Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs
Dear Sir/Madame:
Re: Recruitment of First Nations Big Sisters
Currently, Big Sisters is working to recruit First
Nations Big Sisters to fill the needs of the significant number
of First Nations Little Sisters in the Lower Mainland.
If anyone is interested or would like more information
on becoming a “Big Sister", a First Nations Counsellor will be
made available to do a group presentation or meet individu-
ally.
For further information please contact me, Cheryl
Morgan at (604) 873-4525.
Yours truly,
Cherly Morgan
The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs would like to extend their
thanks and appreciation to Monique Cote (formerly Good)
for her commitment and dedicaton to the Chiefs Mask
Bookstore & Gallery for the past 2 1/2 years. A job well
done Monique & good luck. !
Grand Council Treaty #3 Election Results
As a result of the Treaty #3 elections held on October
4,5, 6, 1995, effective immediately, the following are
the Grand Councils elected political representatives.
Grand Chief Eli Mandamin
Kenora Tribal Area Chief Alfred Sinclair
Dryden Tribal Area Chief Roy Napish
Fort Frances Tibal Area Chief Willie Wilson
Should you require further clarification on this matter,
please do not hesitate to call our office at (807) 548-
4214.
Meegwetch!
UBCIC NEWS
HEALING OUR SPIRIT
October 12, 1995
Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs
To: All First Nations
Greetings to Chiefs, Elders, Ladies and Gentlemen! For those
of you who don't know about our organization we would like to
take a moment to tell you who we are and what our mandate is
as well as some upcoming functions that we would like to have
more involvement and support from First Nations.
Our Goals are to:
Increase the awareness of HIV and AIDS in both urban and
rural First Nations Communities.
Provide educational workshops throughout B.C. on the preven-
tion of HIV and AIDS.
Advocacy and support to individuals living with HIV and
AIDS, as well as to their families and caregivers.
Increase community accessibility to HIV and AIDS. educational
materials and resources.
Increase acceptance of people living with HIV and AIDS.
We will be having our 3rd Annual General Meeting on Novem-
ber 16, 1995 from 5:00 - 9:00 p.m. An agenda will be sent
shortly to all members. At this time we will also be having
Board elections, and you must be a member to vote.
For more information about Healing Our Spirit we would be
happy to meet with you. (604) 879-0906
Sincerely,
Rod Cunningham, Vice President
"This should be good... he’s eaten the whole
bowlful of tobacco and now he's smoking a rotato’”
FALL 199)
11
UBCIC NEWS
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Part of Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs Newsletter (Fall 1995)