Periodical
Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs Newsletter (Winter 1995)
- Title
- Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs Newsletter (Winter 1995)
- Is Part Of
- 1.06-01.08 Union of BC Indian Chiefs Newsletter
- 1.06.-01 Newsletters and bulletins sub-series
- Date
- December 1995
- Language
- english
- Identifier
- 1.06-01.08-06.05
- pages
- 12
- Table Of Contents
-
INSIDE THIS ISSUE...
2. Message from the President
3. UBCIC Press Releases
4. Vahalla Wilderness Society
5. Letters to Dianne Marleau
Minister of Health & Welfare Canada
6. Resource Centre Update
7. Education Update
8. Ts'peten Defenders
9. Nuxalk Nation
10. Quatsino First Nation
11. Peace and Dignity Journeys 1996 - 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
WINTER 1995
Institute ofIndigenous Government Opens with
Vancouver Ceremony
Canada's first degree-granting First Nation post-secondary institution was officially opened today (November 24,1995) by Chief
Saul Terry, President of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Cashore and the Hon. Ethel BlondinAndrew, Secretary of State for Training and Youth, at a ceremony in Vancouver.
"The Institute of Indigenous Government is a milestone in the recognition of the principle of Indian control of Indian
education at the post-secondary level," Chief Terry said. "It is a step toward realizing our Peoples' goal of self-determination. The
Institute is committed to success, success for our students and success for our Nations."
"The Institute also stands as a success for the Joint Policy Council, which was
created in 1993 by the Union and the province to establish a govemment-to-government
relationship and address issues of mutual importance," Chief Terry said, "It must be
INSIDE THIS ISSUE...
counted a success also for the recognition and support being provided by Human Resource
Development Canada. I am very pleased that the Hon. Ethel Blondin-Andrew is here to
represent the Federal Government on this historic occasion."
2. Message from the President
The Institute was established by the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs in 1991. It was
3. UBCIC Press Releases
designated a provincial Institute in May, 1995 and, in parallel, was vested by the UBCIC
with the power to grant academic degrees pursuant to First Nation jurisdiction over the
4. Vahalla Wilderness Society
education of their citizens. The IIG admitted its first students to its certificate and
5. Letters to Dianne Marleau
degree programs in September.
The Institute's academic focus is Indigenous Government Studies, with four areas
Minister of Health & Welfare Canada
of specialization: political development and leadership; indigenous government
6. Resource Centre Update
administration; economic and social development; and international indigenous relations.
The Institute offers full-time and part-time programs. Course credits earned at the
7. Education Update
IIG are recognized as Open University of B. C. credits under a joint credentials agreement
8. Ts'peten Defenders
signed in May.
The Institute houses the UBCIC Resource Centre Library, one of the largest
9. Nuxalk Nation
specialized
collections on indigenous peoples in North America. Extension
10. Quatsino First Nation
courses, innovative distance learning and an international program will characterize the
11. Peace and Dignity Journeys 1996
unique development of the Institute over the next five years. Within five years, up to 80%
of the IIG's courses are expected to be delivered in regional centres and First Nation
communities through the extension program and by distance learning delivered in
collaboration with the Open University of B.C. IIG extension courses will be offered
beginning in January, 1996. The IIG campus is located at 342 Water Street in Vancouver.
Have a safe and
Happy Holiday!
WINTER
1995
Contact:
Chief Saul Terry, President
Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs
(604) 684-0231
Paul Chartrand, Interim President
Institute of Indigenous Government
(604) 602-9555
UBCIC NEWS
Message From The President:
Beware of the Political Grinch
It is that time of
year when the Christian world celebrates the
Christmas season and all
that it represents. Christmas may be looked at as
the year end assessment
but for indigenous Peoples it may be seen as a
window into next years political agenda. What does
the federal government have on its Christmas shopping list for us?
We know that the following are matters that are
on that shopping list.
1969 White Paper Policy (implementation via program
devolution)
Federal Fisheries Strategy
Indian Act Amendments
Self-Government (Municipal) Models
Program Budget Cutbacks
B.C. Treaty Commission
Gun Control Legislation
B.C. Gambling Houses
Elimination of Indian Health Services
When we look closely at the above listings of
federal legislation, policy changes and program devolution or transfers we realize that this list represents an
effort to totally assimilate our Peoples into the Canadian society. All this without benefit of proper and
honourable negotiations.
If we give in to these federal plans, our political
reality will be torn apart and reassembled as simple
municipal models of government. Our social policies
will continue to be controlled by federal and provincial
governments. Our economies will continue to be held
as ransom for co-operation in self-government negotiations. Our cultures and spirituality will continue to
2
be tolerated so long as we do not define spirituality as
religion.
While we participate in the Christian celebration
of the birth of Christ at this time of year, one cannot
help but shake ones head at the irony that the values
espoused by the Christian colonials are the very values
they (the Christians) broke in their trespass into our
homelands.
When we celebrate at year's end, let us celebrate
our continued survival as distinct Peoples and redouble our efforts and determination to preserve the
benefits that arise from our unextinguished Aboriginal
Title.
Let us tell the federal government to keep their
Christmas shopping list in their 'Hope Chest'.
On behalf of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, may you
and yours have a very Merry Christmas and Happy
New Year.
UBCIC ANNUAL CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE
The Union of B. C. Indian Chiefs invites you to join with us in
celebrating the season at our annual Open House on Thursday,
December 14th, 1995 from 12:00 Noon to 4:00 p.m. at our
Vancouver Office located at 5th Floor - 342 Water Street.
Donation boxes will be set-up for non-perishable food items
and toys. A l l donations will be given to the Vancouver
Aboriginal Friendship Centre Children's Christmas Party on
December 16th. Toys for children over 12 years will be
handed out as door prizes at the Kid's party. Please give
generously.
UBCIC ANNUAL CHRISTMAS BREAK
Please be advised that the UBCIC Vancouver and Kamloops
Offices will be closed for the Christmas break beginning
Friday, December 22, 1995 and re-opening on Tuesday,
January 2nd, 1996.
We wish you and yours a safe and MerryChristmasand look
forward to working with you in the New Year!
WINTER 1995
UBCIC NEWS
U.B.C.I.C. PRESS RELEASES
Chief Saul Terry elected to sixth term as President Chiefs Union and Indian Homemakers Express
of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs - Land Question,
Concern About Safety of Native Women
Health and Education urgent priorities.
Vancouver, B.C., November 2, 1995 - The Union of B.C.
Indian Chiefs and the Indian Homemakers Association of B.C.
issued a joint statement expressing their concern about the
safety of First Nation people, especially women.
Both organizations are concerned that a potential serial
killer is preying on women in Vancouver's Eastside. It is well
known that a number of Native women have been murdered or
gone missing from the area in recent years.
Chief Saul Terry, President of the Union of B.C. Indian
Chiefs had these comments:
"Police need to have a more effective means of alerting
the Native population to be on guard, especially in a situation
where there is the suggestion that someone is preying on native
women.
How many Native people are missing? How many
Native people have died violently? Do their families even
know? We need to establish a system which tracks the violence
done to Native peoples. How can we work together with the
police to prevent more unnecessary deaths, especially of Native
women who are at greater risk.?"
Jennie Blankinship, President of the Indian Homemakers
Association of B.C. had these comments:
"Women working the streets use other names to hide
their identity. If something happened to them the authorities
have no way of informing family members. Manystreetpeople
are victims of circumstances beyond their control, which
ultimately leaves them vulnerable and at a higher risk of attack.
The Indian Homemakers Association has received
requests from the Native community to look out for 'missing'
family members or friends.
Both organizations call upon First Nation people, who
have been unable to contact a friend or relative living in the
Vancouver or Lower Mainland area, to contact their local
Union of BC Indian Chiefs says issues, political
RCMP detachment or Vancouver City Police and file a missing
conflicts remain despite Harcourt resignation persons report. In addition, people are urged to contact the
offices of the Indian Homemakers or the Union of B.C. Indian
Vancouver, B.C. November 15, 1995 - The Union Of B.C.
Chiefs to inform them once they have filed a missing persons
Indian Chiefs responded today to the resignation of Premier
report.
Harcourt, stating that fundamental issues on recognition of
aboriginal title and rights in British Columbia remain largely
Contacts: Chief Saul Terry (604)684-0231
unaffected by the Premier's decision. "Over the past three
Jennie Blankinship (604) 684-0231
years, the Provincial Government has been going backwards
(604) 876-0944
on recognition of the aboriginal title and rights of our
respective Peoples," said Chief Saul Terry, President of the
Union. "Crises and confrontations have occurred in many of
our territories because of the policies of the Harcourt
Government, especially its promotion of the extinguishment of
B.C. Treaty Process. I doubt that a change in leadership will
significantly affect this situation in the short-term and the
potential for conflict remains.
VANCOUVER, B.C., October 27, 1995 -- First Nation
delegates from across British Columbia have elected Chief Saul
Terry to a sixth consecutive term as President of the Union of
B.C. Indian Chiefs. Chief Terry, from Bridge River Band
(Xwisten) of the Stl'atl'imx Nation (Lillooet Tribe), was first
elected UBCIC President in 1983 and continues as the Union's
longest-serving chief executive. The vote was held at the
UBCIC's 27th Annual General Assembly in Kamloops, B.C.
Chief Terry congratulated Grand Chief Archie Jack of
the Penticton Band, Okanagan Nation on his candidacy for
UBCIC President and the important role that he and his
community are playing in advancing the recognition of
aboriginal title and rights in their territory. "We are all
brothers and sisters in the struggle to protect our rights and
defend our homelands,'' Chief Terry stated. ' "This Assembly
has strongly reaffirmed that the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs is
on the right road — the Indian road - in continuing to insist
upon the recognition of our respective Peoples' nationhood,
sovereignty and jurisdiction in our territories. The renewed
confidence expressed by the Elders, Chiefs and delegates at the
Assembly means the Union will continue to reject the
extinguishment B.C. Treaty Commission process and its
ultimate goal of genocide and termination. The Union will
renew its discussions with Canada on a positive nation-tonation alternative for settling the Land Question in British
Columbia. The Union will also be stepping up its efforts on
behalf of our Peoples to protect our aboriginal rights to health
and education. In particular, we will be making every effort to
ensure continuation of non-insured health benefits to our
Peoples and to reverse the underfunding and off-loading of
Indian education by the federal government.
WINTER 1995
3
UBCIC NEWS
Television footage of the current military attack upon
Valhalla Wilderness Society protesters
show people fleeing their homes amidst puddles of oil
McCrory Calls for Sanctions Against Shell Oil
November 16, 1995 - As thousands of Nigerian people
were forced out of their homes and beaten or killed by a brutal
military government, environmentalist Colleen McCrory issued
a plea for immediate international sanctions against Nigerian
Oil, as well as worldwide sanctions against use of Shell Oil.
The military action is an endeavor to crush massive protests
about the execution of nine environmental activists. With their
leader, Ken Saro-Wiwa, they were hung for their efforts to
bring about the restoration of the Ogoniland region of Nigeria,
an area ravaged by Shell Oil's operations.
"I appreciate the fact that the Commonwealth countries
just suspended Nigeria for two years, but it's obviously not
enough," said McCrory. "The suspension only means a
withdrawal of aid money. Commonwealth countries intend to
go on importing Nigerian oil during those two years. In the
face of Nigeria's accelerated oppression of its people, Canada
and these other countries must refuse to be influenced by the
bribe inherent in their reliance on Nigerian oil." Canada
imported $600 million worth of oil from Nigeria last year.
(Globe and Mail, Nov. 9, 1995)
Since 1958, Shell, in furtherance of their exploitation of
Nigeria, has made the corrupt Nigerian government an actual
partner. The Nigerian government owns 70% of Shell Nigeria,
the company exploiting Nigerian oil resources. It has taken $30
billion worth of oil from the area, while leaving the Ogoni
people in poverty, their farms andfisheriesdevastated by oil
pollution and acid rain. Faced with massive protests and a
demands by the people for an environmental cleanup, Shell
withdrew from the area two years ago. It then asked the
Nigerian government, its partner, for aid in resuming
operations in Ogoniland.
Recently Greenpeace uncovered a secret internal
Nigerian government memo dated May 12, 1994, which said,
"Shell operations still impossible unless ruthless military
operations are undertaken for smooth economic activities to
commence.' It goes on to recommend that 400 soldiers
undertake "wasting operations" of "especially vocal
individuals" to bring Shell back.
left by Shell. "Shell Nigeria and Shell Canada are subsidiaries
of Shell International," said McCrory. " This is one
gargantuan multinational corporation, working in partnerships
with the government's pro-shell attacks on protesters."
McCrory charged that Shell is not exonerated by its last
minute request to save the lives of the nine men. ''Where was
Shell last year when 100 civilians were slaughtered by the
government for their protests" She asks, "Where was Shell
when the nine men were kept in prison for eight months before
the executions, or when Mr. Saro-Wiwa was chained to a wall
for 64 days? Just the fact of their withdrawal from the area
when faced with demands for environmental restoration makes
them responsible. What good is superficial, last-minute request
to spare the protesters when they should have been in there
cleaning up their mess and stopping their environmental
destruction? Instead, they generated this entire situtation by
withdrawing when cleanup demands were made aid requesting
governmental aid to deal with protesters who they said were
hampering their operations.
Saro-Wiwa, winner of the prestigious Goldman
Environmental Award, condemned Shell Oil for "the crime of
the company's war against the Ogoni people." Inhisclosing
statement to the military tribunal which condemned him to
death, he said, "There is no doubt in my mind that the
ecological war that the company has waged in the Delta will be
called to question sooner than later and the crimesofthat war
duly punished.
McCrory said, "They would never be allows! to do this
kind of environmental damage in the wealthycountries,and if
oil spills occurred, they would have to be cleaned up. This is
only one of many ways the giant multinational corporations of
rich countries are exploiting impoverished peopleinpoor
countries with the collusion of their own governments"
"Shell stands to be the beneficiary of theexecutionsby
getting to operate in Ogoniland without environmental
safeguards and restoration, and without protests from a brutally
oppressed people. The benefits run straight to Shell
International, and to the countries who importNigerianoil, as
well as to the people who can buy that oil for cheaper prices"
-30Contact: Valhalla Wilderness Society (604) 358-2333
UBCIC Newsletter 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 as soon as
possible to the attention of "UBCIC N E W S L E T T E R " . 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. Suggestions or comments are always welcome. Next deadline is January
15, 1996. Remember, our new address is 5th Floor - 342 Water Street, Vancouver, B . C .
V6B 1B6. Our phone and fax number remain the same. Phone (604) 684-0231 Fax: (604)
684-5726.
4
WINTER 1995
UBCIC NEWS
LETTERS TO DIANE MARLEAU
MINISTER OF HEALTH & WELFARE CANADA
October 30, 1995
Hon. Dianne Marleau, M,P,
Minster of Health & Welfare Canada
House of Commons
OTTAWA, Ontario
K1A 0A6
Dear Madame Minister:
We, the Union of B..C Indian Chiefs, have just concluded our
27th Annual General Assembly where we discussed the issue of
our Peoples right to health benefits. The restructuring of the
health care system that your Department is considering will
eliminate non-insured health benefits to the majority of First
Nations peoples.
As you know, our Peoples are among the poorest of the
poor in this country. Statistics consistently show tremendous
levels of unemployment, often exceeding 90%; suicide rates of
an unacceptable magnitude; staggering rates of alcoholism and
drug abuse, as well as a myriad of other poverty-induced
illnesses. The poverty in which our Peoples exist is reflected in
increased incidence of illnesses and maladies as well as hospital
stays of longer duration. Any reduction to the health care
benefits which First Nations currently receive will add to the
psychological, spiritual, and physical illness among our Peoples.
Madame Minister, the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs is
gravely concerned about the specific issue of non-insured health
benefits. It is critically important that non-insured health
benefits not be reduced or eliminated for First Nation people, as
this will only have the result of incurring greater costs due to
subsequent and more serious illnesses.
The illnesses which are prevalent among First Nation
people are symptomatic of the greater difficulties which our
October 31, 1995
Dear Minister Marleau:
The 'Namgis First Nation is gravely concerned with
respect to the proposed health care review. The Aboriginal
community at large is rife with rumours about the possible
outcomes of such a review. There are several rumours that
have circulated that you are considering imposing radical
changes to the Health Care and its application to First Nations
people and in paticular non-insured health benefits. However,
we have been unable to confirm either the truth or the falsity of
these rumours.
Our Council cannot condone or participate in any
changes to the delivery of health care that will have a negative
impact on a population that already suffers far greater incidents of poor health than any other in Canada. Nor can our
WINTER 1995
Peoples face today. The relationship between the first Peoples
of this country and the Canadian government must be addressed
prior to any restructuring of the health care system and health
care delivery to First Nations people.
Health is a basic right of our Peoples. Any alterations to
any of your policies at this time will be seen by us as a direct
attack on the weakest of the weak, and will further be seen as an
attempt to fundamentally alter and diminish our aboriginal
right to health.
Any attempt at reducing or eliminating the aboriginal
right to health is completely unacceptable to the Union of B.C.
Indian Chiefs. Madame Minister, we urge that any consideration by you or your government to implement policies that will
negatively affect our aboriginal right to health be suspended
immediately.
Your Truly,
UNION OF B.C. INDIAN CHIEFS
Chief Saul Terry, President
c.c.
Prime Minster Jean Chretien
B.C. Liberal Caucus
Minister Ron Irwin, Department of Indian Affairs
B.C. Health Minister, Paul Ramsey
Minister John Cashore, Aboriginal Affairs
President, B.C. Medical Association
B.C. Nurses Union
UBCIC Chiefs Council
UBCIC Member Bands
Dan Smith, President, United Native Nations
Healing Our Spirit, First Nation Aids Society
Lou Demerais, Vancouver Native Health Society
Council support any proposal to limit in any wayourpeoples'
access to non-insured health benefits. Furthermore, please be
advised that our Council is of the opinion that the delivery of
health care to aboriginal people is afiduciaryduty that the
federal government has never fully lived up to.
Due to the lack of concrete information concerning the
present status of any review your Department may be conducting and the apparent lack of consultation with the Aboriginal
community perhaps it is time to implement a strategy to addrss
these shortfalls. In particular our Council and Community
would like to know what is being considered. Is a distinction
between reserve populations and non-reserve populations being
considered, ie social assistance recipients and non-recipients?
If these are under consideration our Council must sate its
utmost opposition for reasons already addressed above.
(Continued page 6)
5
UBCIC NEWS
INDIAN HOMEMAKERS ASSOCIATION OF B. C
ROBBED!
UBCIC RESOURCE CENTRE
Vancouver, B . C . - The oldest First Nation women's
organisation of B.C. was robbed TWICE in one week. The H A is a
non-profit organisation that advocates for the rights of women and
children. The organisation started in the 1960's focusing on child
apprehension, adoption, housing standards, heritage, property and
status rights. Today the IHA has expanded its services in take
Burnaby Correctional Centre for Women, it has a Traditional
Parenting Skills Program, offers Practicum Student Placements, has
a Family Counselling Service, and recently started a "First Nations
Missing Persons Registry." The counselling services focus on
employment, healing, conflict resolutions, time and financial
management, spiritual revival, substance abuses, physical, mental,
spiritual and emotional abuse, holistic healing, it also holds Healing
Circles and A A / N A Meetings for native people i n the
Vancouver local.
The robbery happened sometime on the Remembrance Day
weekend then again on Tuesday evening. A l l computers and
printers were taken along with a fax machine, typewriters, numerous
hand drums, rattles, dream catchers, and various native artifacts.
The Indian Homemakers Association is requesting financial
assistance or donations from the public to help replace these items.
"Because of financial cutbacks, we are unable to replace these items
immediately. We need office equipment to service our clientele
efficiently and professionally as expected." If you have any
information about the robbery or if you would like to assist us,
please call the Indian Homemakers office at (604) 876-0944.
Last week we had the honour of touring the Honourable
Ethel Blondin-Andrew through the Resource Centre and this
morning we gave an information tour to participants who have come
from all over the province to attend a research skills workshop. Our
guest book continues to indicate the diversity of mars and
supporters of our Resource Centre. In the next few weeks, the study/seating spaces En the
Resource Centre will grow from the present eight spa ess to eighteen,
including the addition of three study carrels. Thecomputeruser
station and C D - R O M tower will also be in place in the next few
weeks. The library application software program INMAGIC PLUS
which we use for our library catalog, ordering, and circulation
functions has been upgraded to a Windows version. We have
received the new Widows version and will make the changeover
when we set up our user station in the Resource Centre. The
automated database is growing steadily and it makes tie job of
finding information so much easier. Our vision for the Resource
Centre includes a collection in which it is fast and easy JO find
specific information but which is also inviting to browse.
Many new books have been added to thecollectionover this
first semester of the Institute of Indigenous Government. The
collection is growing in leaps and bounds and I am harpy to report
that our only major problem seems to be space andenoughstaff to
catalogue all the materials. Those who have alwayssupportedthe
Resource Centre deserve much credit for what it istodaya wry
impressive and valuable collection which is used andappreciatedby
people around the world.
I have been receiving phone calls to ask if we will be putting
on another "Running a Small Library Workshop". Yes, we will
but I can not provide a date yet. As soon as a date is set; I will fax
information to all those on the waiting list who have expressed an
interest in attending so that they have first opportunity TO register.
We still hope to also develop workshops which address specific
areas such as classification and subject headings in mere detail. In
the meantime, there are two excellent library handbooks which I can
recommend to anyone who is trying to run or set up a snail library:
Jennie Blankinship, President
Indian Homemakers Association
Phone:251-5118 (H)
684-0231 (W)
Wanda Sandy, Acting Executive Director
Indian Homemakers Association
Phone: (604) 876-0944
LETTERS TO MARLEAU (Continuedfrom page 5)
We understand and are also concerned that the First Nation's
organizations and groups/committees such as the Assembly of First
Nations and the Health Committee established in British Columbia
representing all comers of the Province are not full participants in
the consultation process.
We trust that you appreciate the level of concern and anxiety
that we have and the need to have an effective consultation process
in place. I and my people look forward to at timely response to the
concerns we have expressed.
' 'The Canadian Library Handbook Organizing School Public and
Professional Libraries", by Marilyn Kogan and Lynne Lighthall.
(ISBN Number 0-07-551552-0). Available from: McGraw-Hill
Ryerson Ltd., 300 Water Street, Whitby, Ontario L I N iE6.
Yours truly,
"Standard Cataloguing for School and Public Libraries"', by Sheila
Inter and Jean Weihs. (ISBN Number 0-87287-737-X). Available
from: Libraries Unlimited, Inc., P.O. Box 6633, Englewood,
Colorado, U.S.A 80155-6633.
William Cranmer, Chief Councillor, Namgis First Nation
If you need any further information, please call.
c.c.
From the Resource Centre Staff to All of You...
Have a Very Happy Holiday.
6
Assembly of First Nations
First Nations Summit
Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs
Musgamagw Tsawataineuk Tribal Council
Kwakiutl District Council
Whe-la-la-U Area Council
Wendy Ancell
WINTER 1995
WOMAN KILLED IN FIRE
YOUR HELP ON HUCKLEBERRY
IS NEEDED
Ambrose burned to death on September 5 when
a fire broke out in the apartment where she lived. She
died because her door lacked a handle, and because of the
absence of working fire alarms and sprinklers. The apartment
building did not meet the city building code or health
regulations, and had not been kept up by either the landlord or
city officials.
Cecilia's death, and the lack of concern shown by police,
fire officials and city council over this tragedy, sparked the
creation of the " C e c i l i a Ambrose Memorial Action
Committee". Both family and sympathizers are working
through this committee to petition and pressure Port Alberni
city council to get tougher with slum landlords and create
better, affordable housing in the valley, especially for First
Nations people.
"Cecilia was a wonderful person. Even in death, she's
continuing to serve her people by raising our awareness about
the racism and poverty facing native people in Port Alberni"
said Reverend Kevin McNamee-Annett, who worked with
Cecilia at the local food bank, and who will be helping to
conduct her service.
Cheslatta Carrier Nation in Northern B.C.
faces a new threat to its Traditional
Territory. Huckleberry Mines Ltd., with
the support of Mitsubishi (#1 on the 1995
fortune 500 list with 1994 revenues of
US $176 Million), plans to build a large
open pit copper mine on Cheslatta land.
The world'srichestcompany would get
richer while Cheslatta its land, life and people would become
poorer. The environmental assessment of the project has
highlighted serious flaws with the mine, B.C's new
environmental assessment process and B . C ' s approach
to resource issues on unsurrendered first Nation's land.
The government and the company want to reap the development
benefits while leaving Cheslatta with the impacts, which
includes two permanent tailings' ponds.
The fight to protect Huckleberry Mountain is a costly
struggle. Legal fees, research, postage, telephone and copying
costs are mounting. The telephone, photocopier and fax are our
links with the outside world. They are critical to ensuring
Cheslatta's voice on Huckleberry is heard.
If you can help, please send your financial contribution
to Chief Marvin Charlie, Cheslatta Carrier Nation, P.O. Box
909, Burns Lake, British Columbia, Canada, V0J LEO. Please
indicate on your cheque it's for the Huckleberry struggle.
Cecilia
For further information:
Rita Lucas 732-9318 (Port Alberni)
Jack McDonald 723-2892 (Port Alberni)
Kevin McNamee-Annett 822-0075 (Vancouver)
Education Update
Representatives from across B.C. expressed their
concerns regarding the education of First Nations on and off
reserve on November 22-23, 1995 at the UBCIC Education
Coordinators Meeting in Vancouver.
Many hear and see the problem First Nations people are
encountering. The break down of our culture, religion,
economy, health, and political structures is felt by every
member of the community. The repercussions of the residential
school system and boarding schools will be experienced for
countless generations. It is our responsibility now to ensure that
our children get the same opportunity as those given to all
citizens of Canada.
First Nations people fall far below the average
graduation rate in high school and post-secondary levels as
compared to non-native participants. If by chance a student
completes his/her grade twelve, many students have to attend an
upgrading program in able to compete and accomplish the
demanding work load expected at post-secondary levels. The
purpose of these meetings is to strategize a process which will
ensure our rights to education is not infringed upon any more
than it has been.
The following are some concerns and suggestions raised
by Co-ordinators or their representatives which focused on the
Nominal Role Review.
WINTER 1995
Letters addressed to "randomly selected" Band Schools,
Independent schools and public schools in British Columbia
informed them that there will be "On-site Nominal Role
Reviews" conducted at their school. According to DIA, these
reviews are necessary to ensure that funding is equitably
distributed based on students that are regularly attending
school and First Nations' need for resources. (November 3,
1995 letter, emphasis added.) In Research Methods a
"selection" from a previously chosen field (particularly one
that fits certain criteria) does not qualify as "random selection"
(December 4, 1995 - DIA letter).
There are a number of selected Band schools who refuse
to undergo this review simply because there was no input prior
to this process. Others believe that the process is gang beyond
DIA's "scope of intention" Questions brought forward were:
Why are they asking for evaluations when DIA is already
getting them? Who are the "Central Agencies" DIA is
accountable to? Under who's authority are these requirements
to be conducted? It was suggested, by the Education
Committee, that all band schools chosen to undergo these
review reconsider their participation.
Contact: Jennie Blankinship (604) 684-0231
7
UBCIC NEWS
TS'PETEN DEFENDERS
Court Uses Force on Ts'peten Defenders to Silence Them
100 MILE HOUSE, B.C., NOVEMBER 13,
1995. - After waiting two hours for Judge Barnette to
arrive in court on Friday, November 10th, the process
of setting dates for preliminary hearings finally began
for the Ts'peten Defenders. Even though all the
supporters in the courtroom had been obliged to pass
through a weapons detection device before entering
inside, they were still under the strict supervision of
seven armed sheriffs.
William (Wolverine) and Joseph (JoJo) Ignace
were brought into the courtroom and Wolverine
immediately raised the issue of jurisdiction to the
judge. Wolverine spoke for all the Defenders when
he informed the court that the government of B.C.
doesn't have the jurisdiction to impose its laws on the aboriginal
people of B.C. since they have never ceded their lands to
Canada. During Wolverine's speech, Judge Barnette
frequently interrupted him to point out that these matters were
not going to be dealt with today. When Wolverine asked the
judge to lift the publication ban, he said that he did not make that
ruling and there was no publication ban on the matter to be dealt
with there and then. Wolverine then told the judge that his
lawyer is Bruce Clark, who is in Europe attempting to get an
international tribunal together.
The judge stated that "We are here to set a date for a
preliminary hearing." Although the usual procedure is to set the
date at the earliest time available, the Crown asked for a later
date because the particulars were not assembled yet. The judge
was critical of the time the Crown was taking and said, "... one
must not get the impression that this matter is considered as
something less than urgent." February 5, 1996 was set as a date
for a preliminary hearing regarding the two Ignaces' attempted
murder charges relating to the incidents of August 17 and
September 11, 1995. The Crown estimated that the preliminary
hearing could take from 10-15 days. Wolverine commented that
it could take two years and then launched into another speech
about the corrupt court system, including the judges' boss, B.C.
Attorney General Dosanjh. Barnette chastised Wolverine for
uttering what he deemed was a "racist remark". When
Wolverine responded with a heated speech about the racism that
the Indian people have been subjected to for over 130 years in
Canada, the judge ordered him to be removed from the court.
As two sheriffs began to manhandle Wolverine (one put
his hand over his mouth, the other grabbed his arms) JoJo made
a move to protect his father and was promptly punched by
another Sheriff, put in a sleeper choke hold, knocked to the
ground, and kneed in the face. A commotion ensued in the
courtroom as supporters rose to their feet and yelled at the
sheriffs to leave them alone. One of the sheriff's responded by
drawing his gun on the unarmed and defenceless supporters.
8
When court re-convened in the afternoon,
security had now been enhanced by the presence of
two RCMP officers. Judge Barnette called out each
defendant in the courtroom and read them their
new charges which now included mischief causing
danger to life, forcible detainer and possession of
weapons for the purpose dangerous to public
peace. A preliminary hearing on these charges
was set for April 22, 1996 with another court
appearance deemed necessary on March 13, 1996 to
make sure that "things are on track". William and
Joseph Ignace were brought into the courtroom
in handcuffs and shackles, but Wolverine's spirit
was unbroken. He looked to the people in the
courtroom, gave them a big smile and shouted " F R E E D O M
FOR T H E I N D I A N P E O P L E ! " The supporters shouted
back " F R E E D O M ! " Wolverine attempted to inform the judge
again that' 'your domestic law doesn't apply here", but the
judge was out of patience. He told the two Ignaces that they
had a preliminary hearing set for April 22, 1996 regarding
their other charges and then dismissed them.
The Crown didn't disclose any particulars since it's still
waiting for reports from the RCMP (fueling the suspicion that
they still don't have any evidence on any of the Defenders.)
The Crown Attorney estimated that it would be atfeastanother
two weeks before they would have the particulars finalized. At
least ten of the defendants told Judge Barnette thai Bruce
Clark was still their lawyer, but the judge insisted that Dr.
Clark would be no one's lawyer.
The mood of the Judge had been seriously Effected by
that "little demonstration of feelings this morning". It almost
prejudiced him against releasing James Pitawanakwat (OJ)
who had been in jail since September 15, 1995.however,with
the guarantee of $50,000 surety, OJ was given a conditional
release.
The shocking display of violence in the courtroom
revealed once again who the real terrorists and thus are. For
now, the Defenders await their trial, but as Wolverine told
Judge Barnette, "In a few years the tables will be timed and
you'll be the one on trial."
-30Contact: Splitting the Sky (403) 865-1784 or (403) 865-7549
WINTER 1995
UBCIC NEWS
Judge Rules Nuxalk People Have No Colville Reparations Ahead Over Coulee
Jurisdiction Over Their Traditional Territory
Dam Salmon
Chiefs & Supporters Walk Out In Disgust
Yakama Nation Review, Vol.24. No. 23. March 25. 1994
Supreme Court - Vancouver: The
Nuxalk chiefs, elders and supporters walked out of supreme court
today in protest at the judges
ruling that they have no jurisdiction over their traditional territory.
The 22 Ista (Fog Creek) defenders, being charged for disregarding an injuction which prohibited them from protecting their
land, built their legal defense on the fact that the court has no
jurisdiction over Nuxalk territory and therefor has no right to
impose it's values on the Nuxalk people and their guests.
"I see as a result of what we did to protect the land and
forests that there was an assumed jurisdiction. We haver never
given up that land." stated Chief Qwatsina (Ed Moody) to the
Supreme court judge.
Paul Hundel, lawyer for the defendants called upon the
crown to produce extinghishment papers for Nuxalk territory in
order to prove the courts assumed jurisdiction. No such papers
could be provided.
The judge subsequently ruled that the Nuxalk people
have no jurisdiction over their land. The Nuxalk hereditary
chiefs, followed by all supporters subsequently walked out of the
court house in disgust at this genocidal ruling. " We don't fit in
the court system" cried Chief Qwatsinas outside. "No matter
what they say or do, we will continue to help and protect our
people, our forests, our water, our land and our territory. These
blanket policies are wrong. Every nation has different beliefs,
differenet views. We are going the sovereign way.
"To witness a supreme court judge effectively extinguish
a distinct culture, in the 1990's, is absolutely appalling. Genocide is the only way to describe it, stated FAN spokesperson
Robin Green.
For more information call Robin Green @ 739-4782
Forest Action Network
KWAKIUTL BAND ELECTION RESULTS
Effective November 10, 1995
Chief Councillor:
Larry Hunt Jr.
Councillors: (3)
Alfred Hunt
Marion Roze
Tom Nelson
SPOKANE (AP) - The federal government has agreed to pay
millions of dollars to the Colville Confederated Tribes to settle a
43 year old claim for losses caused by construction of the Grand
Coulee Dam, a newspaper reported last Wednesday.
The central Washington tribes would receive $53
million now and at least $15.25 million a year
forever as acknowledgement the tribes are
owed a portion of revenues from the
dam. The reservoir behind the dam
flooded traditional villages and wiped
out salmon fisheries.
The Spokesman-Review reported
the settlement in a copyright story.
The settlement must be approved by Congress and tribal
members, government and tribal sources said Tuesday. Tribal
officials planned to announce the settlement March 25, 1995.
' 'I hope the state of Washington willunderstandthis is
setting straight an injustice that has been there a long time,''
said Harry Sachse, a Washington, D.C. attorney who
represented the Indians.
' 'People other than the tribe got the benefit of Grand
Coulee Dam for many, many years and it's about time the tribe
got something."
The dispute stems from construction of the Grand Coulee
Dam on the Columbia River in the 1930's. It created Lake
Roosevelt, flooding thousands of acres of tribal land and
destroying 1,400 miles of salmon spawning tributaries.
The dam was built without fish ladders. "It flooded
fishing places that Indians used for 20,000 years," Sachse said.
"It flooded their village right along the river. People had to
move their houses back. They had to dig up their graveyards."
The tribes were paid $60,000 for the land, bet leaders
claimed they should be compensated for electricity power
created from their riverbed.
The government contended it needed the Columbia
riverbed for navigation and thus did not have to compensate the
tribes. The tribes in 1951 filed a claim against the government.
Negotiations began and ended several times over the
years and the claim was once dismissed. But it was revived two
years ago in federal appeals court Tribal members have
scheduled hearings and an April 16, 1994 vote on the
settlement
A U.S. Department of Justice official confirmed the
agreement had been reached, but wouldn't discuss where the
money would comefromuntil Congress was informed of the
settlement, the newspaper reported.
The Colville confederation has 7,700 enrolled members
from 13 tribes and bands.
If each member were to receive an equal share, the
(Continued on page 10)
WINTER 1995
9
UBCIC NEWS
Quatsino First Nation
To: A l l B . C . Bands & Tribal Councils
Enclosed is a letter which we are asking you to sign and
one penny has ever been paid to the Quatsino First Nation, not
fax immediately to Brian Tobin, Minister of Fisheries at
one of their people has ever been hired by the J licence opera(613)996-9632, and to Louis Tousignant, Fisheries B.C.
tors, and the" J" licence made available is from their territorial
Regional Director, at (604) 666-8956, because the Quatsino
waters. The Quatsino First Nation feels that DFO should not be
First Nation urgently needs your help in their efforts to prevent
allowed to renege on this agreement, that this reprehensible
the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) from breaking a
practice must stop, and the "J" licence should not be included as
promise they made to the Quatsino First Nation. DFO told the
part of the DFO's planned Retirement/Reallocation Program
Quatsino First Nation that, if Quatsino allowed "J," or roe-onWith your support, the Quatsino First Nation and people
kelp, licences into their territorial waters, including licences
feel that enough pressure can be brought to bear on DFO to stop
from other parts of the coast,
this gross injustice being
the Quatsino First Nation
carried out against the
Letter of Support for the Quatsino First Nation
would receive a "J" licence
Quatsino First Nation. If you
when one became available.
support our struggle against
The Quatsino agreed and have
DFO, and feel they should
We, the
.First Nation
had roe-on-kelp operations in
uphold their end of the
and/or
Tribal
Council,
fully
support
the
Quatsino First
their waters for the last 18
agreement made with the
Nation's position that the Department of Fisheries uphold
years, including an additional
Quatsino First Nation, we ask
their end of the agreement made with the Quatsino First
two added last year, which
that you fill out the enclosed
Nation and place the "J," or roe-on-kelp, licence made
have earned millions of
letter and fax a copy to Tobin
dollars in profit.
available this year, with the Quatsino First Nation and
and Tousignant today. The
This year, a "J" licence
urgency comes from the
people.
finally became available and
statement made by DFO that
We also completely support the Quatsino First N a DFO has chosen to dishonour
a
decision is to be made about
tion's assertion that they have more than fulfilled their side of
their agreement with the
the
licence in the next few
the agreement made with the Department of Fisheries and
Quatsino First Nation.
weeks. Would you also fax
Oceans in qualifying for the "J" licence, including allowing
Instead of fulfilling their end
us a copy of your support at
roe-on-kelp
operations in their territorial water for 18+ years.
of the agreement, DFO has
(604) 949-6249, so that it can
Operations that have netted the licence operator million of
now notified Quatsino that
be brought to a meeting the
dollars with absolutely no benefits of jobs accruing to the
they have included the "J"
Quatsino First Nation is
Quatsino First Nation.
Licence in the DFO Licence
attempting to arrange with
Retirement/Reallocation
We also offer our support to the Quatsino First NaDFO about this issue.
Program, and the Quatsino
tion's stand that the "J" licence not be made part of the
The Quatsino First
First Nation would have to
Nation and people wish to
Department of Fisheries and Oceans Licence Retirement/
apply for it, as outlined in the
Reallocation Program. This can only confuse the issue to the thank you for your consideraDFO Implementation packtion, and hopefully, support,
point where the Department of Fisheries can renege on their
age, along with everyone else.
to their request for assistance
agreement with the Quatsino First Nations in regards to the
It is the position of the
in their struggle torighta
"J" licence.
Quatsino First Nation that the
wrong being perpetrated
(signatures)
J" licence is theirs because
against them.
they have more than fulfilled
Gilakasla
their side of the agreement.
This includes the fact that not
M
COLVILLE (Continuedfrom page 9)
settlement would mean about $6,800 for each person immediately and at least $1,965 a year. The yearly payments would betiedto
the price and production of electricity and the consumer price index.
In 1992, the Bonneville Power Administration estimated Grand Coulee Dam produced $412 million worth of electricity. The
settlement would be the second that Washington state tribes have received in recent years to compensate them for lands lost. In
1990, the Puyallup tribe near Tacoma received a one-time, $162 million settlement.
' 'It is difficult to compare this to other settlements because it is based on future payments," Sachse said. "The Colvilles
hoped their children and grandchildren could be taken care of by this thing that almost destroyed them.
10
WINTER 1995
UBCIC NEWS
PEACE AND DIGNITY JOURNEYS 1996
(PRESERVATION OF NATIVE AMERICAN CULTURE)
PREPARATIONS UNDER WAY FOR SPRING
The
Journeys of Peace and
Dignity continue. Preparations
are currently under way to repeat in
1996 the historic achievement of 1992.
Three years ago, as European-derived
societies were observing the 500th year
of the landing of Christopher Columbus
in the Americas, the native people of the
hemisphere were gathering earnestly in
public assemblies not to celebrate 500
years of glory, but to commemorate 500
years of triumphant resistance to cultural
extermination and to announce loudly
and clearly their resolute intent to
survive forever.
One such notable event was the
1992 Journeys of Peace and Dignity in
which native peoples successfully
concluded a unified intercontinental run
of six months duration from their
homelands throughout the Americas to
the ancient sacred temples of
Teotihuacan near Mexico City. To
recognize the continuing plight of this
hemisphere's indigenous people and the
indefatigable endurance of their culture,
the run will recur.
Running lies at the core of the
Peace and Dignity mission, as spiritual
purity lies at the core of Native American
running. The exertion, tenacity, and
stamina demanded by long-distance
running, when coupled with the will to
defend our traditions, serve our Elders,
and promote our children, can elevate us
men and women alike to the status of
warriors. It is in such a state of grace,
disencumbered of life's common
subversions that we fall into stride with
the heartbeat of the mother planet - from
the wing-pulse of hummingbirds to the
turning of tides - that we glimpse for a
moment and for a moment give name to
the unnameable forces driving the
cosmos, that we look without shame into
the faces of our ancestors.
The Journeys of 1996 will begin
in the spring of that year with its two
principle contingents starting
WINTER 1995
"To recognize the continuing plight of this hemisphere's
indigenous people and the indefatigable endurance of their
culture..."
Gustavo Gutierrez
simultaneously in Alaska and Argentina
and running to the Temples of the Sun
and the Moon at Teotihuacan, arriving
on October 12th. Other tributaries from
the east and west of the continent will
flow into these at points along the route.
Because the Journeys are spiritual in tone
and conducted in the presence of
powerful sacred instruments, each day on
the road will begin and end with a
solemn ceremonial circle and all runners
will adopt arituallyclean and chaste
condition for the duration of the run.
Runners and support personnel will
supply their own sleeping gear and
clothing. Meals and sleeping
arrangements will be provided by the
residents of local communities with
whom Peace and Dignity is pleased to
cooperate. Support vehicles carrying
gear, clothing and drinking water will
accompany the runners except when
prevented by terrain. The run will
advance at seven to twelve minutes per
mile depending on the availability of
those running at the moment. It will
proceed at a running pace at all times
except when being conducted through
native villages by local Elders and
residents who may not wish to run. A l l
core runners should be capable of a
minimum of ten miles per day.
Peace and Dignity Journeys 1996
invites the volunteer participation of
native and non-native individuals who
are strongly committed to the
preservation of Native American culture
and to the promotion of unqualified
sovereignty among *Native American
nations. We make a special invitation to
Elders knowledgeable in traditional
practices, as native spiritual
functionaries, as medicine personnel
traditional or otherwise, as runners. We
also invite qualified auto mechanics,
local organizers to stop over
accommodations in the path of the run,
or as contributors of funds, gear, and
road worthy vehicles.
So we may proceed with the
necessary planning we encourage
interested parties to contactusnow.
May your nations journey be with peace
and dignity,
Contact:
Gustavo Gutierrez
Peace and Dignity Journey 1996
P.O. Box 1865
Tempe, Arizona 85280
(602) 966-8714
(602) 254-5230
Fax (602) 252-6094
* The reason we use the term Native
American is because thishemisphereis
known as the Americaswhichincludes
Alaska, Canada, Unites States. Mexico,
Central America and South America.
ABORIGINAL
RIGHTS:
11
UBCIC NEWS
UNION OF B. C. INDIAN CHIEFS
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NAME:
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CHEQ/M.O. #_
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ADDRESS:
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12
WINTER 1995
Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs
NEWSLETTER
BHINTER 1995
Institute of Indigenous Government Opens with
Vancouver Ceremony
(
on}
~~ anada’s first degree-granting First Nation post-secondary institution was officially opened today (November 24, 1995) by Chief
Saul Terry, President of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Cashore and the Hon. Ethel Blondin-
Andrew, Secretary of State for Training and Youth, at a ceremony in Vancouver.
*‘The Institute of Indigenous Government is a milestone in the recognition of the principle of Indian control of Indian
education at the post-secondary level,’’ Chief Terry said. “‘It is a step toward realizing our Peoples’ goal of self-determnation. The
Institute is committed to success, success for our students and success for our Nations.”’
wn Se B&B
Oo co SON
11.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE...
. Message from the President
. UBCIC Press Releases
. Vahalla Wilderness Society
. Letters to Dianne Marleau
Minister of Health & Welfare Canada
. Resource Centre Update
. Education Update
. Ts'peten Defenders
. Nuxalk Nation
10.
Quatsino First Nation
Peace and Dignity Journeys 1996
“*The Institute also stands as a success for the Joint Policy Council, which was
created in 1993 by the Union and the province to establish a government-to-government
relationship and address issues of mutual importance,’’ Chief Terry said, *‘It must be
counted a success also for the recognition and support being provided by Human Resource
_ Development Canada. I am very pleased that the Hon. Ethel Blondin-Andrew is here to
represent the Federal Government on this historic occasion.”’
The Institute was established by the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs in 1991. It was
designated a provincial Institute in May, 1995 and, in parallel, was vested by the UBCIC
with the power to grant academic degrees pursuant to First Nation jurisdiction over the
education of their citizens. The IlG admitted its first students to its certificate and
degree programs in September.
The Institute’s academic focus is Indigenous Government Stadies, with four areas
of specialization: political development and leadership; indigenous government
administration; economic and social development; and international indigenous relations.
The Institute offers full-time and part-time programs. Course credits earned at the
IiG are recognized as Open University of B.C. credits under a joint credentials agreement
signed in May.
The Institute houses the UBCIC Resource Centre Library, one of the largest
specialized collections on indigenous peoples in North America. Extension
courses, innovative distance learning and an international program will characterize the
unique development of the Institute over the next five years. Within five years, up to 80%
of the I1IG’s courses are expected to be delivered in regional centres and First Nation
communities through the extension program and by distance learning delivered in
collaboration with the Open University of B.C. IG extension courses will be offered
beginning in January, 1996. The IIG campus is located at 342 Water Street m Vancouver.
Contact: Chief Saul Terry, President
Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs
(604) 684-0231
Paul Chartrand, Interim President
Institute of Indigenous Government
(604) 602-9555
WINTER 1995
UBCIC NEWS
Message From The President:
Beware of the Political Grinch
#7
(/ ¢ is that time of
~— year when the Chris-
tian world celebrates the
Christmas season and all
that it represents. Christ-
mas may be looked at as
the year end assessment
but for indigenous Peo-
ples it may be seen as a
window into next years political agenda. What does
the federal government have on its Christmas shop-
ping list for us?
We know that the following are matters that are
on that shopping list.
1969 White Paper Policy (implementation via program
devolution)
Federal Fisheries Strategy
Indian Act Amendments
Self-Government (Municipal) Modeis
Program Budget Cutbacks
B.C. Treaty Commission
Gun Control Legislation
B.C. Gambling Houses
Elimination of Indian Health Services
When we look closely at the above listings of
federal legislation, policy changes and program devo-
lution or transfers we realize that this list represents an
effort to totally assimilate our Peoples into the Cana-
dian society. All this without benefit of proper and
honourable negotiations.
If we give in to these federal plans, our political
reality will be torn apart and reassembled as simple
municipal models of government. Our social policies
will continue to be controlled by federal and provincial
governments. Our economies will continue to be held
as ransom for co-operation in self-government nego-
tiations. Our cultures and spirituality will continue to
be tolerated so long as we do not define spirituality as
religion.
While we participate in the Christian celebration
of the birth of Christ at this tme of year, one cannot
help but shake ones head at the irony that the values
espoused by the Christian colonials are the very values
they (the Christians) broke in their trespass into our
homelands.
When we celebrate at year’s end, let us celebrate
our continued survival as distinct Peoples and redou-
ble our efforts and determination to preserve the
benefits that arise from our unextinguished Aboriginal
Title.
Let us tell the federal government to keep their
Christmas shopping list in their ‘Hope Chest’.
On behalf of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, may you
and yours have a very Merry Christmas and Happy
New Year.
UBCIC ANNUAL CHRISTMAS OPEN HOTSE
The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs invites you to jom with usin
celebrating the season at our armual Open House on Thursday,
December 14th, 1995 from 12:00 Noon to 4:00 p.m. at our
Vancouver Office located at 5th Floor - 342 Waiter Street.
Donation boxes will be set-up for non-perishabk food items
and toys. All donations will be given to the Vancouver
Aboriginal Friendship Centre Children’s Christmas Party on
December 16th. Toys for children over 12 years will be
handed out as door prizes at the Kid’s party. Flease give
generously.
UBCIC ANNUAL CHRISTMAS BREAK
Please be advised that the UBCIC Vancouver and Kamloops
Offices will be closed for the Christmas break beginning
Friday, December 22, 1995 and re-opening on Tuesday,
January 2nd, 1996.
We wish you and yours a safe and Merry Christi: and look
forward to working with you in the New Year!
©
WINTER 1995
UBCIC NEWS
U.B.C.LC. PRESS RELEASES
Chief Saul Terry elected to sixth term as President
of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs - Land Question,
Health and Education urgent priorities.
VANCOUVER, B.C., October 27, 1995 -- First Nation
delegates from across British Columbia have elected Chief Saul
Terry to a sixth consecutive term as President of the Union of
B.C. Indian Chiefs. Chief Terry, from Bridge River Band
(Xwisten) of the Stl’atl’imx Nation (Lillooet Tribe), was first
elected UBCIC President in 1983 and continues as the Union’s
longest-serving chief executive. The vote was held at the
UBCIC’s 27th Annual General Assembly in Kamloops, B.C.
Chief Terry congratulated Grand Chief Archie Jack of
the Penticton Band, Okanagan Nation on his candidacy for
UBCIC President and the important role that he and his
community are playing in advancing the recognition of
aboriginal title and rights in their territory. ““We are all
brothers and sisters in the struggle to protect our rights and
defend our homelands,’’ Chief Terry stated. ‘“This Assembly
has strongly reaffirmed that the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs is
on the right road -- the Indian road — in continuing to insist
upon the recognition of our respective Peoples’ nationhood,
sovereignty and jurisdiction in our territories. The renewed
confidence expressed by the Elders, Chiefs and delegates at the
Assembly means the Union will continue to reject the
extinguishment B.C. Treaty Commission process and its
ultimate goal of genocide and termination. The Union will
renew its discussions with Canada on a positive nation-to-
nation alternative for settling the Land Question in British
Columbia. The Union will also be stepping up its efforts on
behalf of our Peoples to protect our aboriginal rights to health
and education. In particular, we will be making every effort to
ensure continuation of non-insured health benefits to our
Peoples and to reverse the underfunding and off-loading of
Indian education by the federal government.
Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs says issues, political
conflicts remain despite Harcourt resignation
Vancouver, B.C. November 15, 1995 -- The Union Of B.C.
Indian Chiefs responded today to the resignation of Premier
Harcourt, stating that fundamental issues on recognition of
aboriginal title and rights in British Columbia remain largely
unaffected by the Premier’s decision, “‘Over the past three
years, the Provincial Government has been going backwards
on recognition of the aboriginal title and rights of our
respective Peoples,’’ said Chief Saul Terry, President of the
Union. “‘Crises and confrontations have occurred in many of
our territories because of the policies of the Harcourt
Government, especially its promotion of the extinguishment of
B.C. Treaty Process. I doubt that a change in leadership will
significantly affect this situation in the short-term and the
potential for conflict remains.
Chiefs Union and Indian Homemakers Express
Concern About Safety of Native Women
Vancouver, B.C., November 2, 1995 -- The Union of B.C.
Indian Chiefs and the Indian Homemakers Associaton of B.C.
issued a joint statement expressing their concern about the
safety of First Nation people, especially women.
Both organizations are concerned that a potential serial
killer is preying on women in Vancouver’s Eastside. It is well
known that a number of Native women have been murdered or
gone missing from the area in recent years.
Chief Saul Terry, President of the Union of B.C. Indian
Chiefs had these comments:
**Police need to have a more effective means of alerting
the Native population to be on guard, especially in a situation
where there is the suggestion that someone is preying on native
women.
How many Native people are missing? How many
Native people have died violently? Do their families even
know? We need to establish a system which tracks the violence
done to Native peoples. How can we work together with the
police to prevent more unnecessary deaths, especially of Native
women who are at greater risk.?”’
Jennie Blankinship, President of the Indian Homemakers
Association of B.C. had these comments:
““Women working the streets use other names to hide
their identity. If something happened to them the azthorities
have no way of informing family members. Many street people
are victims of circumstances beyond their control, which
ultimately leaves them vulnerable and at a higher msk of attack.
The Indian Homemakers Association has recerved
requests from the Native community to look out for ‘missing’
family members or friends.
Both organizations call upon First Nation pecple, who
have been unable to contact a friend or relative living in the
Vancouver or Lower Mainland area, to contact their local
RCMP detachment or Vancouver City Police and file a missing
persons report. In addition, people are urged to comact the
offices of the Indian Homemakers or the Union of B.C. Indian
Chiefs to inform them once they have filed a missinz persons
report.
Contacts: Chief Saul Terry (604) 684-023]
Jennie Blankinship (604) 684-0231
(604) 876-0944
WINTER 1993
UBCIC NEWS
Valhalla Wilderness Society
McCrory Calls for Sanctions Against Shell Oil
November 16, 1995 - As thousands of Nigerian people
were forced out of their homes and beaten or killed by a brutal
military government, environmentalist Colleen McCrory issued
a plea for immediate international sanctions against Nigerian
Oil, as well as worldwide sanctions against use of Shell Oil.
The military action is an endeavor to crush massive protests
about the execution of nine environmental activists. With their
leader, Ken Saro-Wiwa, they were hung for their efforts to
bring about the restoration of the Ogoniland region of Nigeria,
an area ravaged by Shell Oil’s operations.
‘‘{ appreciate the fact that the Commonwealth countries
just suspended Nigeria for two years, but it’s obviously not
enough,’ said McCrory. “‘The suspension only means a
withdrawal of aid money. Commonwealth countries intend to
go on importing Nigerian oil during those two years. In the
face of Nigeria’s accelerated oppression of its people, Canada
and these other countries must refuse to be influenced by the
bribe inherent in their reliance on Nigerian oil.’’ Canada
imported $600 million worth of oil from Nigeria last year.
(Globe and Mail, Nov. 9, 1995)
Since 1958, Shell, in furtherance of their exploitation of
Nigeria, has made the corrupt Nigerian government an actual
partner. The Nigerian government owns 70% of Shell Nigeria,
the company exploiting Nigerian oil resources. It has taken $30
billion worth of oil from the area, while leaving the Ogoni
people in poverty, their farms and fisheries devastated by oil
pollution and acid rain. Faced with massive protests and a
demands by the people for an environmental cleanup, Shell
withdrew from the area two years ago. It then asked the
Nigerian government, its partner, for aid in resuming
operations in Ogoniland.
Recently Greenpeace uncovered a secret internal
Nigerian government memo dated May 12, 1994, which said,
“Shell operations still impossible unless ruthless military
operations are undertaken for smooth economic activities to
commence.’ It goes on to recommend that 400 soldiers
undertake ‘‘wasting operations’’ of ‘‘especially vocal
individuals’ to bring Shell back,
Television footage of the current military acack upon
protesters show people fleeing their homes amidst puddles of oil
left by Shell. ‘‘Shell Nigeria and Shell Canada are subsidiaries
of Shell International,’’ said McCrory. “* This is a] one
gargantuan multinational corporation, working in rartnerships
with the government’s pro-shell attacks on protesters.”’
McCrory charged that Shell is not exonerated by its last
minute request to save the lives of the nine men. ““Where was
Shell last year when 100 civilians were slaughtered by the
government for their protests’’ She asks, ‘‘Where was Shell
when the nine men were kept in prison for eight menths before
the executions, or when Mr. Saro-Wiwa was chained to a wall
for 64 days? Just the fact of their withdrawal from the area
when faced with demands for environmental restortion makes
them responsible. What good is superficial, last-m=nute request
to spare the protesters when they should have been m there
cleaning up their mess and stopping their environrental
destruction? Instead, they generated this entire sitration by
withdrawing when cleanup demands were made and requesting
governmental aid to deal with protesters who they said were
hampering their operations.
Saro-Wiwa, winner of the prestigious Goldman
Environmental Award, condemned Shell Oil for ““the crime of
the company’s war against the Ogoni people.’’ In ius closing
statement to the military tribunal which condemnez him to
death, he said, ‘‘There is no doubt in my mind that the
ecological war that the company has waged in the Delta will be
called to question sooner than later and the crimes cf that war
duly punished.
McCrory said, ““They would never be allowed to do this
kind of environmenta! damage in the wealthy counmies, and if
oil spills occurred, they would have to be cleaned mp. This is
only one of many ways the giant multinational corporations of
rich countries are exploiting impoverished people n poor
countries with the collusion of their own governments”’
**Shell stands to be the beneficiary of the exzcutions by
getting to operate in Ogoniland without enviromental
safeguards and restoration, and without protests from a brutally
oppressed people. The benefits run straight to Shell
International, and to the countries who import Nig=ian oil, as
well as to the people who can buy that oil for cheaper prices”’
-30-
Contact: Valhalla Wilderness Society (604) 358-2253
UBCIC Newsletter 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 as 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. Suggestions or comments are always welcome. Next deadline is January
15, 1996. Remember, our new address is Sth Floor - 342 Water Street, Vancouver, B.C.
V6B 1B6. Our phone and fax number remain the same. Phone (604) 684-0231 Fax: (604)
684-5726.
WINTER 1995
UBCIC NEWS
LETTERS TO DIANE MARLEAU
MINISTER OF HEALTH & WELFARE CANADA
October 30, 1995
Hon. Dianne Marleau, M,P,
Minster of Health & Welfare Canada
House of Commons
OTTAWA, Ontario
K1A 0A6
Dear Madame Minister:
We, the Union of B..C Indian Chiefs, have just concluded our
27th Annual General Assembly where we discussed the issue of
our Peoples right to health benefits. The restructuring of the
health care system that your Department is considering will
eliminate non-insured health benefits to the majority of First
Nations peoples.
As you know, our Peoples are among the poorest of the
poor in this country. Statistics consistently show tremendous
levels of unemployment, often exceeding 90%; suicide rates of
an unacceptable magnitude; staggering rates of alcoholism and
drug abuse, as well as a myriad of other poverty-induced
illnesses. The poverty in which our Peoples exist is reflected in
increased incidence of illnesses and maladies as well as hospital
stays of longer duration. Any reduction to the health care
benefits which First Nations currently receive will add to the
psychological, spiritual, and physical illness among our Peo-
ples.
Madame Minister, the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs is
gravely concemed about the specific issue of non-insured health
benefits. It is critically important that non-insured health
benefits not be reduced or eliminated for First Nation people, as
this will only have the result of incurring greater costs due to
subsequent and more serious illnesses.
The illnesses which are prevalent among First Nation
people are symptomatic of the greater difficulties which our
Peoples face today. The relationship between the first Peoples
of this country and the Canadian government must be addressed
prior to any restructuring of the health care system and health
care delivery to First Nations people.
Health is a basic right of our Peoples. Any alterations to
any of your policies at this time will be seen by us as a direct
attack on the weakest of the weak, and will further be seen as an
attempt to fundamentally alter and diminish our aboriginal
right to health.
Any attempt at reducing or eliminating the aboriginal
right to health is completely unacceptable to the Union of B.C.
Indian Chiefs. Madame Minister, we urge that any considera-
tion by you or your government to implement polices that will
negatively affect our aboriginal right to health be suspended
immediately.
Your Truly,
UNION OF B.C. INDIAN CHIEFS
Chief Saul Terry, President
c.c. Prime Minster Jean Chretien
B.C. Liberal Caucus
Minister Ron Irwin, Department of Indian Affairs
B.C. Health Minister, Paul Ramsey
Minister John Cashore, Abonginal Affairs
President, B.C, Medical Association
B.C. Nurses Union
UBCIC Chiefs Council
UBCIC Member Bands
Dan Smith, President, United Native Nations
Healing Our Spint, First Nation Aids Society
Lou Demerais, Vancouver Native Health Society
¢
October 31, 1995
Dear Minister Marleau:
The ‘Namgis First Nation is gravely concerned with
respect to the proposed health care review. The Aboriginal
community at large is rife with rumours about the possible
outcomes of such a review. There are several rumours that
have circulated that you are considering imposing radical
changes to the Health Care and its application to First Nations
people and in paticular non-insured health benefits. However,
we have been unable to confirm either the truth or the falsity of
these rumours.
Our Council cannot condone or participate in any
changes to the delivery of health care that will have a negative
impact on a population that already suffers far greater inci-
dents of poor health than any other in Canada. Nor can our
Council support any proposal to limit in any way ocr peoples’
access to non-insured health benefits. Furthermore. please be
advised that our Council is of the opinion that the celivery of
health care to aboriginal peopie is a fiduciary duty that the
federal government has never fully lived up to.
Due to the lack of concrete information concerning the
present status of any review your Department may be conduct-
ing and the apparent lack of consultation with the Aboriginal
community perhaps it is time to implement a strategy to addrss
these shortfalls. In particular our Council and Community
would like to know what is being considered. Is a distinction
between reserve populations and non-reserve popultions being
considered, ie social assistance recipients and non-cipients?
If these are under consideration our Council must sate its
utmost opposition for reasons already addressed above.
(Continued page 6)
WINIER [995
5
UBCIC NEWS
INDIAN HOMEMAKERS ASSOCIATION OF B.C.
ROBBED!
Vancouver, B.C. - The oldest First Nation women’s
organisation of B.C. was robbed TWICE in one week. The IHA is a
non-profit organisation that advocates for the nghts of women and
children. The organisation started in the 1960’s focusing on child
apprehension, adoption, housing standards, heritage, property and
status rights. Today the IHA has expanded its services in take
Burnaby Correctional Centre for Women, it has a Traditional
Parenting Skills Program, offers Practicum Student Placements, has
a Family Counselling Service, and recently started a “‘First Nations
Missing Persons Registry.’’ The counselling services focus on
employment, healing, conflict resolutions, time and financial
management, spiritual revival, substance abuses, physical, mental,
spiritual and emotional abuse, holistic healing, it also holds Healing
Circles and AA/NA Meetings for native people in the
Vancouver local.
The robbery happened sometime on the Remembrance Day
weekend then again on Tuesday evening. All computers and
printers were taken along with a fax machine, typewriters, numerous
hand drums, rattles, dream catchers, and various native artifacts.
The Indian Homemakers Association 1s requesting financial
assistance or donations from the public to help replace these items.
‘Because of financial cutbacks, we are unable to replace these items
immediately. We need office equipment to service our clientele
efficiently and professionally as expected.’’ If you have any
information about the robbery or if you would like to assist us,
please call the Indian Homemakers office at (604) 876-0944.
Jennie Blankinship, President
Indian Homemakers Association
Phone:251-5118 @)
684-0231 (W)
Wanda Sandy, Acting Executive Director
Indian Homemakers Association
Phone: (604) 876-0944
LETTERS TO MARLEAU (Continued from page 5)
We understand and are also concerned that the First Nation's
organizations and groups/committees such as the Assembly of First
Nations and the Health Committee established in British Columbia
representing all corners of the Province are not full participants in
the consultation process.
We trust that you appreciate the level of concern and anxiety
that we have and the need to have an effective consultation process
in place. I and my people look forward to at timely response to the
concems we have expressed.
Yours truly,
William Cranmer, Chief Councillor, Namgis First Nation
c.c. Assembly of First Nations
First Nations Summit
Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs
Musgamagw Tsawataineuk Tribal Council
Kwakiutl District Council
Whe-la-la-U Area Council
UBCIC RESOURCE CENTRE
Last week we had the honour of tounng the Herourable
Ethel Blondin-Andrew through the Resource Centre ani this
moming we gave an information tour to participants v=o have come
from all over the province to attend a research skills workshop. Our
guest book continues to indicate the diversity of users and
supporters of our Resource Centre. -
In the next few weeks, the study/seating spaces nn the
Resource Centre will grow from the present eight spaces to eighteen,
including the addition of three study carrels. The competer user
station and CD-ROM tower will also be in place in the sext few
weeks. The library application software program INM:.GIC PLUS
which we use for our library catalog, ordering, and circdlation
functions has been upgraded to a Windows version. W2 have
received the new Widows version and will make the chingeover
when we set up our user station in the Resource Centre. The
automated database is growing steadily and it makes te job of
finding information so much easier. Our vision for the Resource
Centre includes a collection in which it is fast and easy ‘0 find
specific information but which is also inviting to brows.
Many new books have been added to the collecton over this
first semester of the Institute of Indigenous Governmert. The
collection is growing in leaps and bounds and I am harev to report
that our only major problem seems to be space and enacgh staff to
catalogue all the materials. Those who have always sucported the
Resource Centre deserve much credit for what it 1s todev a very
impressive and valuable collection which is used and eccreciated by
people around the world.
I have been receiving phone calls to ask if we wil be putting
on another ‘‘Running a Small Library Workshop’’. Yes, we will
but I can not provide a date yet. As soon as a date is s=x, I will fax
information to all those on the waiting list who have excressed an
interest in attending so that they have first opportunity » register.
We still hope to also develop workshops which address specific
areas such as classification and subject headings in maz detail. In
the meantime, there are two excellent library handbooks which J can
recommend to anyone who is trying to mim or set up a snail library:
‘The Canadian Library Handbook Organizing School, Public and
Professional Libraries’, by Manlyn Kogan and Lynne Lighthall.
(IBSN Number 0-07-551552-0). Available from: McGaw-Hill
Ryerson Ltd., 300 Water Street, Whitby, Ontario L1N 586.
“Standard Cataloguing for School and Public Libraries”, by Sheila
Inter and Jean Weihs. (ISBN Number 0-87287-737-X). Available
from: Libraries Unlimited, Inc., P.O. Box 6633, Englewced,
Colorado, U.S.A 80155-6633.
If you need any further information, please call.
From the Resource Centre Staff to All of You...
Have a Very Happy Holiday.
Wendy Ancell
WINTER 1995
WOMAN KILLED IN FIRE
aT
f / cilia Ambrose bumed to death on September 5 when
(_a fire broke out in the apartment where she lived. She
died because her door lacked a handle, and because of the
absence of working fire alarms and sprinklers. The apartment
building did not meet the city building code or health
regulations, and had not been kept up by either the landlord or
city officials.
Cecilia’s death, and the lack of concern shown by police,
fire officials and city council over this tragedy, sparked the
creation of the ‘‘Cecilia Ambrose Memorial Action
Committee’. Both family and sympathizers are working
through this committee to petition and pressure Port Alberni
city council to get tougher with slum landlords and create
better, affordable housing in the valley, especially for First
Nations people.
‘‘Cecilia was a wonderful person. Even in death, she’s
continuing to serve her people by raising our awareness about
the racism and poverty facing native people in Port Alberni’’
said Reverend Kevin McNamee-Annett, who worked with
Cecilia at the local food bank, and who will be helping to
conduct her service.
For further information:
Rita Lucas 732-9318 (Port Alberni)
Jack McDonald 723-2892 (Port Alberni)
Kevin McNamee-Annett 822-0075 (Vancouver)
Cnr AF es
YOUR HELP ON HUCKLEBERRY
IS NEEDED
Cheslatta Carrier Nation in Northern B.C.
faces a new threat to its Traditional
Territory. Huckleberry Mines Ltd., with
e support of Mitsubishi (#1 on the 1995
eran 500 list with 1994 revenues of
S $176 Million), plans to build a large
open pit copper mine on Cheslatta land.
The world’s richest company would get
richer while Cheslatta its land, life and people would become
poorer. The environmental assessment of the project has
highlighted serious flaws with the mine, B.C’s new
environmental assessment process and B.C.’s approach
to resource issues on unsurrendered first Nation’s land.
The government and the company want to reap the development
benefits while leaving Cheslatta with the impacts, which
includes two permanent tailings’ ponds.
The fight to protect Huckleberry Mountain ts a costly
struggle. Legal fees, research, postage, telephone and copying
costs are mounting. The telephone, photocopier and fax are our
links with the outside world. They are critical to ensuring
Cheslatta’s voice on Huckleberry is heard.
If you can help, please send your financial contribution
to Chief Marvin Charlie, Cheslatta Carrier Nation, P.O. Box
909, Burns Lake, British Columbia, Canada, VOJ 1E0. Please
indicate on your cheque it’s for the Huckleberry straggte.
Education Update
Representatives from across B.C. expressed their
concerns regarding the education of First Nations on and off
reserve on November 22-23, 1995 at the UBCIC Education
Coordinators Meeting in Vancouver.
Many hear and see the problem First Nations people are
encountering. The break down of our culture, religion,
economy, health, and political structures is felt by every
member of the community. The repercussions of the residential
school system and boarding schools will be experienced for
countless generations. It is our responsibility now to ensure that
our children get the same opportunity as those given to all
citizens of Canada.
First Nations people fall far below the average
graduation rate in high school and post-secondary levels as
compared to non-native participants. If by chance a student
completes his/her grade twelve, many students have to attend an
upgrading program in able to compete and accomplish the
demanding work load expected at post-secondary levels. The
purpose of these meetings is to strategize a process which will
ensure our rights to education is not infringed upon any more
than it has been.
The following are some concerns and suggestions raised
by Co-ordinators or their representatives which focused on the
Nominal Role Review.
Letters addressed to ‘‘randomly selected’’ Band Sctools,
Independent schools and public schools in British Columbia
informed them that there will be ‘On-site Nominal Role
Reviews’’ conducted at their school. According to DIA, these
reviews are necessary to ensure that funding is equitably
distributed based on students that are regularly attending
school and First Nations’ need for resources. (November 3,
1995 letter, emphasis added.) In Research Methods a
““selection’’ from a previously chosen field (particularly one
that fits certain criteria) does not qualify as “‘random selection”’
(December 4, 1995 - DIA letter).
There are a number of selected Band schools who refuse
to undergo this review simply because there was no mput prior
to this process. Others believe that the process is gumg beyond
DIA’s “‘scope of intention’’ Questions brought forward were:
Why are they asking for evaluations when DIA is akeady
getting them? Who are the ‘‘Central Agencies” DIA is
accountable to? Under who’s authority are these requirements
to be conducted? It was suggested, by the Education
Committee, that all band schools chosen to undergo these
review reconsider their participation.
Contact: Jennie Blankinship (604) 684-0231 :
WINTER L995
UBCIC NEWS
TS°PETEN DEFENDERS
Court Uses Force on Ts’peten Defenders to Silence Them
100 MILE HOUSE, B.C., NOVEMBER 13,
1995. - After waiting two hours for Judge Barnette to
arrive in court on Friday, November 10th, the process
of setting dates for preliminary hearings finally began
for the Ts’peten Defenders. Even though all the
supporters in the courtroom had been obliged to pass
through a weapons detection device before entering
inside, they were still under the strict supervision of
seven armed sheriffs.
William (Wolverine) and Joseph (JoJo) Ignace
were brought into the courtroom and Wolverine
immediately raised the issue of jurisdiction to the
judge. Wolverine spoke for all the Defenders when
When court re-convened in the afternoon,
security had now been enhanced by the presence of
two RCMP officers. Judge Barnette called out each
defendant in the courtroom and read them their
new charges which now included mischief. causing
danger to life, forcible detainer and possession of
weapons for the purpose dangerous to public
peace. A preliminary hearing on these charges
was set for April 22, 1996 with another court
appearance deemed necessary on March 13, 1996 to
make sure that “‘things are on track’. William and
Joseph Ignace were brought into the courtroom
in handcuffs and shackles, but Wolverine’s spirit
he informed the court that the government of B.C.
doesn’t have the jurisdiction to impose its laws on the aboriginal
people of B.C. since they have never ceded their lands to
Canada. During Wolverine’s speech, Judge Barnette
frequently interrupted him to point out that these matters were
not going to be dealt with today. When Wolverine asked the
judge to lift the publication ban, he said that he did not make that
ruling and there was no publication ban on the matter to be dealt
with there and then. Wolverine then told the judge that his
lawyer is Bruce Clark, who is in Europe attempting to get an
international tribunal together.
The judge stated that “‘We are here to set a date for a
preliminary hearing.’’ Although the usual procedure is to set the
date at the earliest time available, the Crown asked for a later
date because the particulars were not assembled yet. The judge
was Critical of the time the Crown was taking and said, ‘‘... one
must not get the impression that this matter is considered as
something less than urgent.’’ February 5, 1996 was set as a date
for a preliminary hearing regarding the two Ignaces’ attempted
murder charges relating to the incidents of August 17 and
September 11, 1995. The Crown estimated that the preliminary
hearing could take from 10-15 days. Wolverine commented that
it could take two years and then launched into another speech
about the corrupt court system, including the judges’ boss, B.C.
Attorney General Dosanjh. Barnette chastised Wolverine for
uttering what he deemed was a ‘“‘racist remark’’. When
Wolverine responded with a heated speech about the racism that
the Indian people have been subjected to for over 130 years in
Canada, the judge ordered him to be removed from the court.
As two sheriffs began to manhandle Wolverine (one put
his hand over his mouth, the other grabbed his arms) JoJo made
a move to protect his father and was promptly punched by
another Sheriff, put in a sleeper choke hold, knocked to the
ground, and kneed in the face. A commotion ensued in the
courtroom as supporters rose to their feet and yelled at the
sheriffs to leave them alone. One of the sheriff’s responded by
drawing his gun on the unarmed and defenceless supporters.
was unbroken. He looked to the people in the
courtroom, gave them a big smile and shouted ‘‘FREEDOM
FOR THE INDIAN PEOPLE!’’ The supportes shouted
back ‘“FREEDOM!’’ Wolverine attempted to inform the judge
again that ‘“‘your domestic law doesn’t apply here’’, but the
judge was out of patience. He told the two Ignaces that they
had a preliminary hearing set for April 22, 1996 regarding
their other charges and then dismissed them.
The Crown didn’t disclose any particulars snce it’s still
waiting for reports from the RCMP (fueling the suspicion that
they still don’t have any evidence on any of the Deenders.)
The Crown Attorney estimated that it would be at ieast another
two weeks before they would have the particulars Emalized. At
least ten of the defendants told Judge Barnette that Bruce
Clark was still their lawyer, but the judge insisted that Dr.
Clark would be no one’s lawyer.
The mood of the Judge had been seriously <iected by
that ‘‘little demonstration of feelings this morning”. It almost
prejudiced him against releasing James Pitawanakwat (OJ)
who had been in jail since September 15, 1995. However, with
the guarantee of $50,000 surety, OJ was given a conditional
release.
The shocking display of violence in the couiroom
revealed once again who the real terrorists and thezs are. For
now, the Defenders await their tial, but as Wolverme told
Judge Barnette, ‘‘In a few years the tables will be trned and
you’ ll be the one on trial.”’
-30-
Contact: Splitting the Sky (403) 865-1784 or (403) 865-7549
WINTER 1995
Judge Rules Nuxalk People Have No
Jurisdiction Over Their Traditional Territory
Chiefs & Supporters Walk Out In Disgust
S~\ Supreme Court - Vancouver: The
\\q_ Nuxalk chiefs, elders and support-
) ers walked out of supreme court
today in protest at the judges
ruling that they have no jurisdic-
tion over their traditional territory.
The 22 Ista (Fog Creek) defenders, being charged for disregard-
ing an injuction which prohibited them from protecting their
land, built their legal defense on the fact that the court has no
jurisdiction over Nuxalk territory and therefor has no nght to
impose it's values on the Nuxalk people and their guests.
"I see as a result of what we did to protect the land and
forests that there was an assumed jurisdiction. We haver never
given up that land.” stated Chief Qwatsina (Ed Moody) to the
Supreme court judge.
Paul Hundel, lawyer for the defendants called upon the
crown to produce extinghishment papers for Nuxalk territory in
order to prove the courts assumed jurisdiction. No such papers
could be provided.
The judge subsequently ruled that the Nuxalk people
have no jurisdiction over their land, The Nuxalk hereditary
chiefs, followed by all supporters subsequently walked out of the
court house in disgust at this genocidal ruling. " We don't fit in
the court system” cried Chief Qwatsinas outside. "No matter
what they say or do, we will continue to help and protect our
people, our forests, our water, our land and our terntory. These
blanket policies are wrong. Every nation has different beliefs,
differenet views. We are going the sovereign way.
"To witness a supreme court judge effectively extinguish
a distinct culture, in the 1990's, is absolutely appalling. Geno-
cide is the only way to describe it, stated FAN spokesperson
Robin Green.
For more information call Robin Green @ 739-4782
Forest Action Network
KWAKIUTL BAND ELECTION RESULTS
Effective November 10, 1995
Chief Councillor: Larry Hunt Jr.
Councillors: (3) Alfred Hunt
Marion Roze
Tom Nelson
UBCIC NEWS
Colville Reparations Ahead Over Coulee
Dam Salmon
Yakama Nation Review, Vol.24, No. 23. March 25, 19904
SPOKANE (AP) - The federal government has agreed to pay
millions of dollars to the Colville Confederated Tribes to settle a
43 year old claim for losses caused by construction of the Grand
Coulee Dam, a newspaper reported last Wednesdav.
The central Washington tribes would receive $53
million now and at least $15.25 million a year
forever as acknowledgement the tribes are
owed a portion of revenues from the
dam, The reservoir behind the dam
™ flooded traditional villages and wiped
‘m out salmon fisheries.
\ The Spokesman-Review reported
the settlement in a copynght story.
The settlement must be approved by Congress and tribal
members, government and tribal sources said Tuesday. Tribal
officials planned to announce the settlement March 25, 1995.
‘*T hope the state of Washington will undersand this is
setting straight an injustice that has been there a lang time,’’
said Harry Sachse, a Washington, D.C. attorney who
represented the Indians.
*“People other than the tribe got the benefit of Grand
Coulee Dam for many, many years and it’s about time the tribe
got something.’’
The dispute stems from construction of the Grand Coulee
Dam on the Columbia River in the 1930's. It created Lake
Roosevelt, flooding thousands of acres of tribal land and
destroying 1,400 miles of salmon spawning tributaries.
The dam was built without fish ladders. “‘It flooded
fishing places that Indians used for 20,000 years,’” Sachse said.
“Tt flooded their village nght along the river. People had to
move their houses back. They had to dig up their gravevards.””
The tribes were paid $60,000 for the land, bet leaders
claimed they should be compensated for electricity power
created from their riverbed.
The government contended it needed the Columbia
riverbed for navigation and thus did not have to compensate the
tnbes. The tnbes in 1951 filed a claim against the government.
Negotiations began and ended several times over the
years and the claim was once dismissed. But it was revived two
years ago in federal appeals court. Tribal members have
scheduled hearings and an April 16, 1994 vote on the
settlement.
AUS. Department of Justice official confirmed the
agreement had been reached, but wouldn’t discuss where the
money would come from until Congress was informed of the
settlement, the newspaper reported.
The Colville confederation has 7,700 enrolled members
from 13 tribes and bands.
If each member were to recetve an equal sharz, the
(Continued on page 10)
WINTER 1995
9
UBCIC NEWS
Quatsino First Nation
To: All B.C. Bands & Tribal Councils
Enclosed is a letter which we are asking you to sign and
fax immediately to Brian Tobin, Minister of Fisheries at
(613)996-9632, and to Louis Tousignant, Fisheries B.C.
Regional Director, at (604) 666-8956, because the Quatsino
First Nation urgently needs your help in their efforts to prevent
the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) from breaking a
promise they made to the Quatsino First Nation. DFO told the
Quatsino First Nation that, if Quatsino allowed "J," or roe-on-
kelp, licences into their territorial waters, including licences
one penny has ever been paid to the Quatsino First Nation, not
one of their people has ever been hired by the J licence opera-
tors, and the"J" licence made available is from thetr territorial
waters. The Quatsino First Nation feels that DFO should not be
allowed to renege on this agreement, that this reprehensible
practice must stop, and the "J" licence should not be included as
part of the DFO's planned Retirement/Reallocation Program.
With your support, the Quatsino First Nation and people
feel that enough pressure can be brought to bear on DFO to stop
from other parts of the coast,
the Quatsino First Nation
would receive a "J" licence
when one became available.
The Quatsino agreed and have
had roe-on-kelp operations in
their waters for the last 18
years, including an additional
two added last year, which
have earned millions of
dollars in profit.
This year, a "J" licence
finally became available and
DFO has chosen to dishonour
their agreement with the
Quatsino First Nation.
Instead of fulfilling their end
of the agreement, DFO has
now notified Quatsino that
they have included the "J"
Licence in the DFO Licence
Retirement/Reallocation
Program, and the Quatsino
First Nation would have to
apply for it, as outlined in the
DFO Implementation pack-
age, along with everyone else.
It is the position of the
Quatsino First Nation that the
"J" licence is theirs because
they have more than fulfilled
their side of the agreement.
This includes the fact that not
this gross injustice being
for th sna Hivet Natt carried out against the
Letter of Support for the Quatsino First Nation Guatsino First Nation Ifyou
support our struggle against
We. the First Nation DFO, and feel they should
and/or Tribal Council, fully support the Quatsino First Aa Ne ae
Nation's position that the Department of Fisheries uphold Onaletas Bice Nation, we ask
their end of the agreement made with the Quatsino First that you fill out the enclosed
Nation and place the "J," or roe-on-kelp, licence made letter and fax a copy to Tobin
available this year, with the Quatsino First Nation and
people.
We also completely support the Quatsino First Na-
tion's assertion that they have more than fulfilled their side of
the agreement made with the Department of Fisheries and
Oceans in qualifying for the "J" licence, including allowing
roe-on-kelp operations in their territorial water for 18+ years.
Operations that have netted the licence operator million of
dollars with absolutely no benefits of jobs accruing to the
Quatsino First Nation.
We also offer our support to the Quatsino First Na-
tion's stand that the "J" licence not be made part of the
Department of Fisheries and Oceans Licence Retirement/
Reallocation Program. This can only confuse the issue to the
point where the Department of Fisheries can renege on their
agreement with the Quatsino First Nations in regards to the
"J" heence,
(signatures)
and Tousignant today. The
urgency comes from the
statement made by DFO that
a decision is to be made about
the licence in the next few
weeks. Would you also fax
us a copy of your support at
(604) 949-6249, so that it can
be brought to a meeting the
Quatsino First Nation is
attempting to arrange with
DFO about this tssue.
The Quatsino First
Nation and people wish to
thank you for your considera-
tion, and hopefully, support,
to their request for assistance
in their struggle to right a
wrong being perpetrated
against them.
Gilakasla
COLVILLE (Continued from page 9)
settlement would mean about $6,800 for each person immediately and at least $1,965 a year. The yearly payments would be tied to
the price and production of electricity and the consumer price index.
In 1992, the Bonneville Power Administration estimated Grand Coulee Dam produced $412 million worth of eleczricity. The
settlement would be the second that Washington state tribes have received in recent years to compensate them for lands lost. In
1990, the Puyallup tribe near Tacoma received a one-time, $162 million settlement.
“It is difficult to compare this to other settlements because it is based on future payments,’’ Sachse said. ‘“The Colvilles
hoped their children and grandchildren could be taken care of by this thing that almost destroyed them.
10
WINTER 1995
UBCIC NEWS
PEACE AND DIGNITY JOURNEYS 1996
(PRESERVATION OF NATIVE AMERICAN CULTURE)
PREPARATIONS UNDER WAY FOR SPRING
he Journeys of Peace and
f Dignity continue. Preparations
‘are currently under way to repeat in
1996 the historic achievement of 1992.
Three years ago, as European-derived
societies were observing the 500th year
of the landing of Christopher Columbus
in the Americas, the native people of the
hemisphere were gathering earnestly in
public assemblies not to celebrate 500
years of glory, but to commemorate 500
years of triumphant resistance to cultural
extermination and to announce loudly
and clearly their resolute intent to
survive forever.
One such notable event was the
1992 Journeys of Peace and Dignity in
which native peoples successfully
concluded a unified intercontinental run
of six months duration from their
homelands throughout the Americas to
the ancient sacred temples of
Teotihuacan near Mexico City. To
recognize the continuing plight of this
hemisphere’s indigenous people and the
indefatigable endurance of their culture,
the run will recur.
Running lies at the core of the
Peace and Dignity mission, as spiritual
purity lies at the core of Native American
running. The exertion, tenacity, and
stamina demanded by long-distance
running, when coupled with the will to
defend our traditions, serve our Elders,
and promote our children, can elevate us
men and women alike to the status of
warriors. It is in such a state of grace,
disencumbered of life’s common
subversions that we fall into stride with
the heartbeat of the mother planet - from
the wing-pulse of hummingbirds to the
tuming of tides - that we glimpse for a
moment and for a moment give name to
the unnameable forces driving the
cosmos, that we look without shame into
the faces of our ancestors,
The Journeys of 1996 will begin
in the spring of that year with its two
principle contingents starting
"To recognize the continuing plight of this hemisphere's
indigenous people and the indefatigable endurance of their
culture..."
Gustavo Gutierrez
simultaneously in Alaska and Argentina
and running to the Temples of the Sun
and the Moon at Teotihuacan, arriving
on October 12th. Other tributaries from
the east and west of the continent will
flow into these at points along the route.
Because the Journeys are spiritual in tone
and conducted in the presence of
powerful sacred instruments, each day on
the road will begin and end witha
solemn ceremonial circle and all runners
will adopt a ritually clean and chaste
condition for the duration of the run.
Runners and support personnel will
supply their own sleeping gear and
clothing. Meals and sleeping
arrangements will be provided by the
residents of local communities with
whom Peace and Dignity is pleased to
cooperate. Support vehicles carrying
gear, clothing and drinking water will
accompany the runners except when
prevented by terrain. The run will
advance at seven to twelve minutes per
mile depending on the availability of
those running at the moment. It will
proceed at a running pace at all times
except when being conducted through
native villages by local Elders and
residents who may not wish to run. All
core runners should be capable of a
minimum of ten miles per day.
Peace and Dignity Journeys 1996
invites the volunteer participation of
native and non-native individuals who
are strongly committed to the
preservation of Native American culture
and to the promotion of unqualified
sovereignty among *Native American
nations. We make a special invitation to
Elders knowledgeable in traditional
practices, as native spiritual
functionaries, as medicine personnel
traditional or otherwise, as mmmners. We
also invite qualified auto mechanics,
local organizers to stop over
accommodations in the path of the nn,
or as contnbutors of funds, sear, and
road worthy vehicles.
So we may proceed wh the
necessary planning we encotrage
interested parties to contact ts now.
May your nations journey be with peace
and dignity,
Contact:
Gustavo Gutierrez
Peace and Dignity Journey 1596
P.O. Box 1865
Tempe, Arizona 85280
(602) 966-8714
(602) 254-5230
Fax (602) 252-6094
* The reason we use the term Native
American is because this henisphere is
known as the Americas whica includes
Alaska, Canada, Unites States. Mexico,
Central America and South America.
ABORIGINAL RIGHTS:
KUOW tiem-
EXERCISE them-
DEFEND them!
UBCIC NEWS
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12
WINTER 1995
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Union ofB. C. Indian Chiefs
NEWSLETTER
WINTER 1995
Institute ofIndigenous Government Opens with
Vancouver Ceremony
Canada's first degree-granting First Nation post-secondary institution was officially opened today (November 24,1995) by Chief
Saul Terry, President of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Cashore and the Hon. Ethel BlondinAndrew, Secretary of State for Training and Youth, at a ceremony in Vancouver.
"The Institute of Indigenous Government is a milestone in the recognition of the principle of Indian control of Indian
education at the post-secondary level," Chief Terry said. "It is a step toward realizing our Peoples' goal of self-determination. The
Institute is committed to success, success for our students and success for our Nations."
"The Institute also stands as a success for the Joint Policy Council, which was
created in 1993 by the Union and the province to establish a govemment-to-government
relationship and address issues of mutual importance," Chief Terry said, "It must be
INSIDE THIS ISSUE...
counted a success also for the recognition and support being provided by Human Resource
Development Canada. I am very pleased that the Hon. Ethel Blondin-Andrew is here to
represent the Federal Government on this historic occasion."
2. Message from the President
The Institute was established by the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs in 1991. It was
3. UBCIC Press Releases
designated a provincial Institute in May, 1995 and, in parallel, was vested by the UBCIC
with the power to grant academic degrees pursuant to First Nation jurisdiction over the
4. Vahalla Wilderness Society
education of their citizens. The IIG admitted its first students to its certificate and
5. Letters to Dianne Marleau
degree programs in September.
The Institute's academic focus is Indigenous Government Studies, with four areas
Minister of Health & Welfare Canada
of specialization: political development and leadership; indigenous government
6. Resource Centre Update
administration; economic and social development; and international indigenous relations.
The Institute offers full-time and part-time programs. Course credits earned at the
7. Education Update
IIG are recognized as Open University of B. C. credits under a joint credentials agreement
8. Ts'peten Defenders
signed in May.
The Institute houses the UBCIC Resource Centre Library, one of the largest
9. Nuxalk Nation
specialized
collections on indigenous peoples in North America. Extension
10. Quatsino First Nation
courses, innovative distance learning and an international program will characterize the
11. Peace and Dignity Journeys 1996
unique development of the Institute over the next five years. Within five years, up to 80%
of the IIG's courses are expected to be delivered in regional centres and First Nation
communities through the extension program and by distance learning delivered in
collaboration with the Open University of B.C. IIG extension courses will be offered
beginning in January, 1996. The IIG campus is located at 342 Water Street in Vancouver.
Have a safe and
Happy Holiday!
WINTER
1995
Contact:
Chief Saul Terry, President
Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs
(604) 684-0231
Paul Chartrand, Interim President
Institute of Indigenous Government
(604) 602-9555
UBCIC NEWS
Message From The President:
Beware of the Political Grinch
It is that time of
year when the Christian world celebrates the
Christmas season and all
that it represents. Christmas may be looked at as
the year end assessment
but for indigenous Peoples it may be seen as a
window into next years political agenda. What does
the federal government have on its Christmas shopping list for us?
We know that the following are matters that are
on that shopping list.
1969 White Paper Policy (implementation via program
devolution)
Federal Fisheries Strategy
Indian Act Amendments
Self-Government (Municipal) Models
Program Budget Cutbacks
B.C. Treaty Commission
Gun Control Legislation
B.C. Gambling Houses
Elimination of Indian Health Services
When we look closely at the above listings of
federal legislation, policy changes and program devolution or transfers we realize that this list represents an
effort to totally assimilate our Peoples into the Canadian society. All this without benefit of proper and
honourable negotiations.
If we give in to these federal plans, our political
reality will be torn apart and reassembled as simple
municipal models of government. Our social policies
will continue to be controlled by federal and provincial
governments. Our economies will continue to be held
as ransom for co-operation in self-government negotiations. Our cultures and spirituality will continue to
2
be tolerated so long as we do not define spirituality as
religion.
While we participate in the Christian celebration
of the birth of Christ at this time of year, one cannot
help but shake ones head at the irony that the values
espoused by the Christian colonials are the very values
they (the Christians) broke in their trespass into our
homelands.
When we celebrate at year's end, let us celebrate
our continued survival as distinct Peoples and redouble our efforts and determination to preserve the
benefits that arise from our unextinguished Aboriginal
Title.
Let us tell the federal government to keep their
Christmas shopping list in their 'Hope Chest'.
On behalf of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, may you
and yours have a very Merry Christmas and Happy
New Year.
UBCIC ANNUAL CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE
The Union of B. C. Indian Chiefs invites you to join with us in
celebrating the season at our annual Open House on Thursday,
December 14th, 1995 from 12:00 Noon to 4:00 p.m. at our
Vancouver Office located at 5th Floor - 342 Water Street.
Donation boxes will be set-up for non-perishable food items
and toys. A l l donations will be given to the Vancouver
Aboriginal Friendship Centre Children's Christmas Party on
December 16th. Toys for children over 12 years will be
handed out as door prizes at the Kid's party. Please give
generously.
UBCIC ANNUAL CHRISTMAS BREAK
Please be advised that the UBCIC Vancouver and Kamloops
Offices will be closed for the Christmas break beginning
Friday, December 22, 1995 and re-opening on Tuesday,
January 2nd, 1996.
We wish you and yours a safe and MerryChristmasand look
forward to working with you in the New Year!
WINTER 1995
UBCIC NEWS
U.B.C.I.C. PRESS RELEASES
Chief Saul Terry elected to sixth term as President Chiefs Union and Indian Homemakers Express
of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs - Land Question,
Concern About Safety of Native Women
Health and Education urgent priorities.
Vancouver, B.C., November 2, 1995 - The Union of B.C.
Indian Chiefs and the Indian Homemakers Association of B.C.
issued a joint statement expressing their concern about the
safety of First Nation people, especially women.
Both organizations are concerned that a potential serial
killer is preying on women in Vancouver's Eastside. It is well
known that a number of Native women have been murdered or
gone missing from the area in recent years.
Chief Saul Terry, President of the Union of B.C. Indian
Chiefs had these comments:
"Police need to have a more effective means of alerting
the Native population to be on guard, especially in a situation
where there is the suggestion that someone is preying on native
women.
How many Native people are missing? How many
Native people have died violently? Do their families even
know? We need to establish a system which tracks the violence
done to Native peoples. How can we work together with the
police to prevent more unnecessary deaths, especially of Native
women who are at greater risk.?"
Jennie Blankinship, President of the Indian Homemakers
Association of B.C. had these comments:
"Women working the streets use other names to hide
their identity. If something happened to them the authorities
have no way of informing family members. Manystreetpeople
are victims of circumstances beyond their control, which
ultimately leaves them vulnerable and at a higher risk of attack.
The Indian Homemakers Association has received
requests from the Native community to look out for 'missing'
family members or friends.
Both organizations call upon First Nation people, who
have been unable to contact a friend or relative living in the
Vancouver or Lower Mainland area, to contact their local
Union of BC Indian Chiefs says issues, political
RCMP detachment or Vancouver City Police and file a missing
conflicts remain despite Harcourt resignation persons report. In addition, people are urged to contact the
offices of the Indian Homemakers or the Union of B.C. Indian
Vancouver, B.C. November 15, 1995 - The Union Of B.C.
Chiefs to inform them once they have filed a missing persons
Indian Chiefs responded today to the resignation of Premier
report.
Harcourt, stating that fundamental issues on recognition of
aboriginal title and rights in British Columbia remain largely
Contacts: Chief Saul Terry (604)684-0231
unaffected by the Premier's decision. "Over the past three
Jennie Blankinship (604) 684-0231
years, the Provincial Government has been going backwards
(604) 876-0944
on recognition of the aboriginal title and rights of our
respective Peoples," said Chief Saul Terry, President of the
Union. "Crises and confrontations have occurred in many of
our territories because of the policies of the Harcourt
Government, especially its promotion of the extinguishment of
B.C. Treaty Process. I doubt that a change in leadership will
significantly affect this situation in the short-term and the
potential for conflict remains.
VANCOUVER, B.C., October 27, 1995 -- First Nation
delegates from across British Columbia have elected Chief Saul
Terry to a sixth consecutive term as President of the Union of
B.C. Indian Chiefs. Chief Terry, from Bridge River Band
(Xwisten) of the Stl'atl'imx Nation (Lillooet Tribe), was first
elected UBCIC President in 1983 and continues as the Union's
longest-serving chief executive. The vote was held at the
UBCIC's 27th Annual General Assembly in Kamloops, B.C.
Chief Terry congratulated Grand Chief Archie Jack of
the Penticton Band, Okanagan Nation on his candidacy for
UBCIC President and the important role that he and his
community are playing in advancing the recognition of
aboriginal title and rights in their territory. "We are all
brothers and sisters in the struggle to protect our rights and
defend our homelands,'' Chief Terry stated. ' "This Assembly
has strongly reaffirmed that the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs is
on the right road — the Indian road - in continuing to insist
upon the recognition of our respective Peoples' nationhood,
sovereignty and jurisdiction in our territories. The renewed
confidence expressed by the Elders, Chiefs and delegates at the
Assembly means the Union will continue to reject the
extinguishment B.C. Treaty Commission process and its
ultimate goal of genocide and termination. The Union will
renew its discussions with Canada on a positive nation-tonation alternative for settling the Land Question in British
Columbia. The Union will also be stepping up its efforts on
behalf of our Peoples to protect our aboriginal rights to health
and education. In particular, we will be making every effort to
ensure continuation of non-insured health benefits to our
Peoples and to reverse the underfunding and off-loading of
Indian education by the federal government.
WINTER 1995
3
UBCIC NEWS
Television footage of the current military attack upon
Valhalla Wilderness Society protesters
show people fleeing their homes amidst puddles of oil
McCrory Calls for Sanctions Against Shell Oil
November 16, 1995 - As thousands of Nigerian people
were forced out of their homes and beaten or killed by a brutal
military government, environmentalist Colleen McCrory issued
a plea for immediate international sanctions against Nigerian
Oil, as well as worldwide sanctions against use of Shell Oil.
The military action is an endeavor to crush massive protests
about the execution of nine environmental activists. With their
leader, Ken Saro-Wiwa, they were hung for their efforts to
bring about the restoration of the Ogoniland region of Nigeria,
an area ravaged by Shell Oil's operations.
"I appreciate the fact that the Commonwealth countries
just suspended Nigeria for two years, but it's obviously not
enough," said McCrory. "The suspension only means a
withdrawal of aid money. Commonwealth countries intend to
go on importing Nigerian oil during those two years. In the
face of Nigeria's accelerated oppression of its people, Canada
and these other countries must refuse to be influenced by the
bribe inherent in their reliance on Nigerian oil." Canada
imported $600 million worth of oil from Nigeria last year.
(Globe and Mail, Nov. 9, 1995)
Since 1958, Shell, in furtherance of their exploitation of
Nigeria, has made the corrupt Nigerian government an actual
partner. The Nigerian government owns 70% of Shell Nigeria,
the company exploiting Nigerian oil resources. It has taken $30
billion worth of oil from the area, while leaving the Ogoni
people in poverty, their farms andfisheriesdevastated by oil
pollution and acid rain. Faced with massive protests and a
demands by the people for an environmental cleanup, Shell
withdrew from the area two years ago. It then asked the
Nigerian government, its partner, for aid in resuming
operations in Ogoniland.
Recently Greenpeace uncovered a secret internal
Nigerian government memo dated May 12, 1994, which said,
"Shell operations still impossible unless ruthless military
operations are undertaken for smooth economic activities to
commence.' It goes on to recommend that 400 soldiers
undertake "wasting operations" of "especially vocal
individuals" to bring Shell back.
left by Shell. "Shell Nigeria and Shell Canada are subsidiaries
of Shell International," said McCrory. " This is one
gargantuan multinational corporation, working in partnerships
with the government's pro-shell attacks on protesters."
McCrory charged that Shell is not exonerated by its last
minute request to save the lives of the nine men. ''Where was
Shell last year when 100 civilians were slaughtered by the
government for their protests" She asks, "Where was Shell
when the nine men were kept in prison for eight months before
the executions, or when Mr. Saro-Wiwa was chained to a wall
for 64 days? Just the fact of their withdrawal from the area
when faced with demands for environmental restoration makes
them responsible. What good is superficial, last-minute request
to spare the protesters when they should have been in there
cleaning up their mess and stopping their environmental
destruction? Instead, they generated this entire situtation by
withdrawing when cleanup demands were made aid requesting
governmental aid to deal with protesters who they said were
hampering their operations.
Saro-Wiwa, winner of the prestigious Goldman
Environmental Award, condemned Shell Oil for "the crime of
the company's war against the Ogoni people." Inhisclosing
statement to the military tribunal which condemned him to
death, he said, "There is no doubt in my mind that the
ecological war that the company has waged in the Delta will be
called to question sooner than later and the crimesofthat war
duly punished.
McCrory said, "They would never be allows! to do this
kind of environmental damage in the wealthycountries,and if
oil spills occurred, they would have to be cleaned up. This is
only one of many ways the giant multinational corporations of
rich countries are exploiting impoverished peopleinpoor
countries with the collusion of their own governments"
"Shell stands to be the beneficiary of theexecutionsby
getting to operate in Ogoniland without environmental
safeguards and restoration, and without protests from a brutally
oppressed people. The benefits run straight to Shell
International, and to the countries who importNigerianoil, as
well as to the people who can buy that oil for cheaper prices"
-30Contact: Valhalla Wilderness Society (604) 358-2333
UBCIC Newsletter 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 as soon as
possible to the attention of "UBCIC N E W S L E T T E R " . 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. Suggestions or comments are always welcome. Next deadline is January
15, 1996. Remember, our new address is 5th Floor - 342 Water Street, Vancouver, B . C .
V6B 1B6. Our phone and fax number remain the same. Phone (604) 684-0231 Fax: (604)
684-5726.
4
WINTER 1995
UBCIC NEWS
LETTERS TO DIANE MARLEAU
MINISTER OF HEALTH & WELFARE CANADA
October 30, 1995
Hon. Dianne Marleau, M,P,
Minster of Health & Welfare Canada
House of Commons
OTTAWA, Ontario
K1A 0A6
Dear Madame Minister:
We, the Union of B..C Indian Chiefs, have just concluded our
27th Annual General Assembly where we discussed the issue of
our Peoples right to health benefits. The restructuring of the
health care system that your Department is considering will
eliminate non-insured health benefits to the majority of First
Nations peoples.
As you know, our Peoples are among the poorest of the
poor in this country. Statistics consistently show tremendous
levels of unemployment, often exceeding 90%; suicide rates of
an unacceptable magnitude; staggering rates of alcoholism and
drug abuse, as well as a myriad of other poverty-induced
illnesses. The poverty in which our Peoples exist is reflected in
increased incidence of illnesses and maladies as well as hospital
stays of longer duration. Any reduction to the health care
benefits which First Nations currently receive will add to the
psychological, spiritual, and physical illness among our Peoples.
Madame Minister, the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs is
gravely concerned about the specific issue of non-insured health
benefits. It is critically important that non-insured health
benefits not be reduced or eliminated for First Nation people, as
this will only have the result of incurring greater costs due to
subsequent and more serious illnesses.
The illnesses which are prevalent among First Nation
people are symptomatic of the greater difficulties which our
October 31, 1995
Dear Minister Marleau:
The 'Namgis First Nation is gravely concerned with
respect to the proposed health care review. The Aboriginal
community at large is rife with rumours about the possible
outcomes of such a review. There are several rumours that
have circulated that you are considering imposing radical
changes to the Health Care and its application to First Nations
people and in paticular non-insured health benefits. However,
we have been unable to confirm either the truth or the falsity of
these rumours.
Our Council cannot condone or participate in any
changes to the delivery of health care that will have a negative
impact on a population that already suffers far greater incidents of poor health than any other in Canada. Nor can our
WINTER 1995
Peoples face today. The relationship between the first Peoples
of this country and the Canadian government must be addressed
prior to any restructuring of the health care system and health
care delivery to First Nations people.
Health is a basic right of our Peoples. Any alterations to
any of your policies at this time will be seen by us as a direct
attack on the weakest of the weak, and will further be seen as an
attempt to fundamentally alter and diminish our aboriginal
right to health.
Any attempt at reducing or eliminating the aboriginal
right to health is completely unacceptable to the Union of B.C.
Indian Chiefs. Madame Minister, we urge that any consideration by you or your government to implement policies that will
negatively affect our aboriginal right to health be suspended
immediately.
Your Truly,
UNION OF B.C. INDIAN CHIEFS
Chief Saul Terry, President
c.c.
Prime Minster Jean Chretien
B.C. Liberal Caucus
Minister Ron Irwin, Department of Indian Affairs
B.C. Health Minister, Paul Ramsey
Minister John Cashore, Aboriginal Affairs
President, B.C. Medical Association
B.C. Nurses Union
UBCIC Chiefs Council
UBCIC Member Bands
Dan Smith, President, United Native Nations
Healing Our Spirit, First Nation Aids Society
Lou Demerais, Vancouver Native Health Society
Council support any proposal to limit in any wayourpeoples'
access to non-insured health benefits. Furthermore, please be
advised that our Council is of the opinion that the delivery of
health care to aboriginal people is afiduciaryduty that the
federal government has never fully lived up to.
Due to the lack of concrete information concerning the
present status of any review your Department may be conducting and the apparent lack of consultation with the Aboriginal
community perhaps it is time to implement a strategy to addrss
these shortfalls. In particular our Council and Community
would like to know what is being considered. Is a distinction
between reserve populations and non-reserve populations being
considered, ie social assistance recipients and non-recipients?
If these are under consideration our Council must sate its
utmost opposition for reasons already addressed above.
(Continued page 6)
5
UBCIC NEWS
INDIAN HOMEMAKERS ASSOCIATION OF B. C
ROBBED!
UBCIC RESOURCE CENTRE
Vancouver, B . C . - The oldest First Nation women's
organisation of B.C. was robbed TWICE in one week. The H A is a
non-profit organisation that advocates for the rights of women and
children. The organisation started in the 1960's focusing on child
apprehension, adoption, housing standards, heritage, property and
status rights. Today the IHA has expanded its services in take
Burnaby Correctional Centre for Women, it has a Traditional
Parenting Skills Program, offers Practicum Student Placements, has
a Family Counselling Service, and recently started a "First Nations
Missing Persons Registry." The counselling services focus on
employment, healing, conflict resolutions, time and financial
management, spiritual revival, substance abuses, physical, mental,
spiritual and emotional abuse, holistic healing, it also holds Healing
Circles and A A / N A Meetings for native people i n the
Vancouver local.
The robbery happened sometime on the Remembrance Day
weekend then again on Tuesday evening. A l l computers and
printers were taken along with a fax machine, typewriters, numerous
hand drums, rattles, dream catchers, and various native artifacts.
The Indian Homemakers Association is requesting financial
assistance or donations from the public to help replace these items.
"Because of financial cutbacks, we are unable to replace these items
immediately. We need office equipment to service our clientele
efficiently and professionally as expected." If you have any
information about the robbery or if you would like to assist us,
please call the Indian Homemakers office at (604) 876-0944.
Last week we had the honour of touring the Honourable
Ethel Blondin-Andrew through the Resource Centre and this
morning we gave an information tour to participants who have come
from all over the province to attend a research skills workshop. Our
guest book continues to indicate the diversity of mars and
supporters of our Resource Centre. In the next few weeks, the study/seating spaces En the
Resource Centre will grow from the present eight spa ess to eighteen,
including the addition of three study carrels. Thecomputeruser
station and C D - R O M tower will also be in place in the next few
weeks. The library application software program INMAGIC PLUS
which we use for our library catalog, ordering, and circulation
functions has been upgraded to a Windows version. We have
received the new Widows version and will make the changeover
when we set up our user station in the Resource Centre. The
automated database is growing steadily and it makes tie job of
finding information so much easier. Our vision for the Resource
Centre includes a collection in which it is fast and easy JO find
specific information but which is also inviting to browse.
Many new books have been added to thecollectionover this
first semester of the Institute of Indigenous Government. The
collection is growing in leaps and bounds and I am harpy to report
that our only major problem seems to be space andenoughstaff to
catalogue all the materials. Those who have alwayssupportedthe
Resource Centre deserve much credit for what it istodaya wry
impressive and valuable collection which is used andappreciatedby
people around the world.
I have been receiving phone calls to ask if we will be putting
on another "Running a Small Library Workshop". Yes, we will
but I can not provide a date yet. As soon as a date is set; I will fax
information to all those on the waiting list who have expressed an
interest in attending so that they have first opportunity TO register.
We still hope to also develop workshops which address specific
areas such as classification and subject headings in mere detail. In
the meantime, there are two excellent library handbooks which I can
recommend to anyone who is trying to run or set up a snail library:
Jennie Blankinship, President
Indian Homemakers Association
Phone:251-5118 (H)
684-0231 (W)
Wanda Sandy, Acting Executive Director
Indian Homemakers Association
Phone: (604) 876-0944
LETTERS TO MARLEAU (Continuedfrom page 5)
We understand and are also concerned that the First Nation's
organizations and groups/committees such as the Assembly of First
Nations and the Health Committee established in British Columbia
representing all comers of the Province are not full participants in
the consultation process.
We trust that you appreciate the level of concern and anxiety
that we have and the need to have an effective consultation process
in place. I and my people look forward to at timely response to the
concerns we have expressed.
' 'The Canadian Library Handbook Organizing School Public and
Professional Libraries", by Marilyn Kogan and Lynne Lighthall.
(ISBN Number 0-07-551552-0). Available from: McGraw-Hill
Ryerson Ltd., 300 Water Street, Whitby, Ontario L I N iE6.
Yours truly,
"Standard Cataloguing for School and Public Libraries"', by Sheila
Inter and Jean Weihs. (ISBN Number 0-87287-737-X). Available
from: Libraries Unlimited, Inc., P.O. Box 6633, Englewood,
Colorado, U.S.A 80155-6633.
William Cranmer, Chief Councillor, Namgis First Nation
If you need any further information, please call.
c.c.
From the Resource Centre Staff to All of You...
Have a Very Happy Holiday.
6
Assembly of First Nations
First Nations Summit
Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs
Musgamagw Tsawataineuk Tribal Council
Kwakiutl District Council
Whe-la-la-U Area Council
Wendy Ancell
WINTER 1995
WOMAN KILLED IN FIRE
YOUR HELP ON HUCKLEBERRY
IS NEEDED
Ambrose burned to death on September 5 when
a fire broke out in the apartment where she lived. She
died because her door lacked a handle, and because of the
absence of working fire alarms and sprinklers. The apartment
building did not meet the city building code or health
regulations, and had not been kept up by either the landlord or
city officials.
Cecilia's death, and the lack of concern shown by police,
fire officials and city council over this tragedy, sparked the
creation of the " C e c i l i a Ambrose Memorial Action
Committee". Both family and sympathizers are working
through this committee to petition and pressure Port Alberni
city council to get tougher with slum landlords and create
better, affordable housing in the valley, especially for First
Nations people.
"Cecilia was a wonderful person. Even in death, she's
continuing to serve her people by raising our awareness about
the racism and poverty facing native people in Port Alberni"
said Reverend Kevin McNamee-Annett, who worked with
Cecilia at the local food bank, and who will be helping to
conduct her service.
Cheslatta Carrier Nation in Northern B.C.
faces a new threat to its Traditional
Territory. Huckleberry Mines Ltd., with
the support of Mitsubishi (#1 on the 1995
fortune 500 list with 1994 revenues of
US $176 Million), plans to build a large
open pit copper mine on Cheslatta land.
The world'srichestcompany would get
richer while Cheslatta its land, life and people would become
poorer. The environmental assessment of the project has
highlighted serious flaws with the mine, B.C's new
environmental assessment process and B . C ' s approach
to resource issues on unsurrendered first Nation's land.
The government and the company want to reap the development
benefits while leaving Cheslatta with the impacts, which
includes two permanent tailings' ponds.
The fight to protect Huckleberry Mountain is a costly
struggle. Legal fees, research, postage, telephone and copying
costs are mounting. The telephone, photocopier and fax are our
links with the outside world. They are critical to ensuring
Cheslatta's voice on Huckleberry is heard.
If you can help, please send your financial contribution
to Chief Marvin Charlie, Cheslatta Carrier Nation, P.O. Box
909, Burns Lake, British Columbia, Canada, V0J LEO. Please
indicate on your cheque it's for the Huckleberry struggle.
Cecilia
For further information:
Rita Lucas 732-9318 (Port Alberni)
Jack McDonald 723-2892 (Port Alberni)
Kevin McNamee-Annett 822-0075 (Vancouver)
Education Update
Representatives from across B.C. expressed their
concerns regarding the education of First Nations on and off
reserve on November 22-23, 1995 at the UBCIC Education
Coordinators Meeting in Vancouver.
Many hear and see the problem First Nations people are
encountering. The break down of our culture, religion,
economy, health, and political structures is felt by every
member of the community. The repercussions of the residential
school system and boarding schools will be experienced for
countless generations. It is our responsibility now to ensure that
our children get the same opportunity as those given to all
citizens of Canada.
First Nations people fall far below the average
graduation rate in high school and post-secondary levels as
compared to non-native participants. If by chance a student
completes his/her grade twelve, many students have to attend an
upgrading program in able to compete and accomplish the
demanding work load expected at post-secondary levels. The
purpose of these meetings is to strategize a process which will
ensure our rights to education is not infringed upon any more
than it has been.
The following are some concerns and suggestions raised
by Co-ordinators or their representatives which focused on the
Nominal Role Review.
WINTER 1995
Letters addressed to "randomly selected" Band Schools,
Independent schools and public schools in British Columbia
informed them that there will be "On-site Nominal Role
Reviews" conducted at their school. According to DIA, these
reviews are necessary to ensure that funding is equitably
distributed based on students that are regularly attending
school and First Nations' need for resources. (November 3,
1995 letter, emphasis added.) In Research Methods a
"selection" from a previously chosen field (particularly one
that fits certain criteria) does not qualify as "random selection"
(December 4, 1995 - DIA letter).
There are a number of selected Band schools who refuse
to undergo this review simply because there was no input prior
to this process. Others believe that the process is gang beyond
DIA's "scope of intention" Questions brought forward were:
Why are they asking for evaluations when DIA is already
getting them? Who are the "Central Agencies" DIA is
accountable to? Under who's authority are these requirements
to be conducted? It was suggested, by the Education
Committee, that all band schools chosen to undergo these
review reconsider their participation.
Contact: Jennie Blankinship (604) 684-0231
7
UBCIC NEWS
TS'PETEN DEFENDERS
Court Uses Force on Ts'peten Defenders to Silence Them
100 MILE HOUSE, B.C., NOVEMBER 13,
1995. - After waiting two hours for Judge Barnette to
arrive in court on Friday, November 10th, the process
of setting dates for preliminary hearings finally began
for the Ts'peten Defenders. Even though all the
supporters in the courtroom had been obliged to pass
through a weapons detection device before entering
inside, they were still under the strict supervision of
seven armed sheriffs.
William (Wolverine) and Joseph (JoJo) Ignace
were brought into the courtroom and Wolverine
immediately raised the issue of jurisdiction to the
judge. Wolverine spoke for all the Defenders when
he informed the court that the government of B.C.
doesn't have the jurisdiction to impose its laws on the aboriginal
people of B.C. since they have never ceded their lands to
Canada. During Wolverine's speech, Judge Barnette
frequently interrupted him to point out that these matters were
not going to be dealt with today. When Wolverine asked the
judge to lift the publication ban, he said that he did not make that
ruling and there was no publication ban on the matter to be dealt
with there and then. Wolverine then told the judge that his
lawyer is Bruce Clark, who is in Europe attempting to get an
international tribunal together.
The judge stated that "We are here to set a date for a
preliminary hearing." Although the usual procedure is to set the
date at the earliest time available, the Crown asked for a later
date because the particulars were not assembled yet. The judge
was critical of the time the Crown was taking and said, "... one
must not get the impression that this matter is considered as
something less than urgent." February 5, 1996 was set as a date
for a preliminary hearing regarding the two Ignaces' attempted
murder charges relating to the incidents of August 17 and
September 11, 1995. The Crown estimated that the preliminary
hearing could take from 10-15 days. Wolverine commented that
it could take two years and then launched into another speech
about the corrupt court system, including the judges' boss, B.C.
Attorney General Dosanjh. Barnette chastised Wolverine for
uttering what he deemed was a "racist remark". When
Wolverine responded with a heated speech about the racism that
the Indian people have been subjected to for over 130 years in
Canada, the judge ordered him to be removed from the court.
As two sheriffs began to manhandle Wolverine (one put
his hand over his mouth, the other grabbed his arms) JoJo made
a move to protect his father and was promptly punched by
another Sheriff, put in a sleeper choke hold, knocked to the
ground, and kneed in the face. A commotion ensued in the
courtroom as supporters rose to their feet and yelled at the
sheriffs to leave them alone. One of the sheriff's responded by
drawing his gun on the unarmed and defenceless supporters.
8
When court re-convened in the afternoon,
security had now been enhanced by the presence of
two RCMP officers. Judge Barnette called out each
defendant in the courtroom and read them their
new charges which now included mischief causing
danger to life, forcible detainer and possession of
weapons for the purpose dangerous to public
peace. A preliminary hearing on these charges
was set for April 22, 1996 with another court
appearance deemed necessary on March 13, 1996 to
make sure that "things are on track". William and
Joseph Ignace were brought into the courtroom
in handcuffs and shackles, but Wolverine's spirit
was unbroken. He looked to the people in the
courtroom, gave them a big smile and shouted " F R E E D O M
FOR T H E I N D I A N P E O P L E ! " The supporters shouted
back " F R E E D O M ! " Wolverine attempted to inform the judge
again that' 'your domestic law doesn't apply here", but the
judge was out of patience. He told the two Ignaces that they
had a preliminary hearing set for April 22, 1996 regarding
their other charges and then dismissed them.
The Crown didn't disclose any particulars since it's still
waiting for reports from the RCMP (fueling the suspicion that
they still don't have any evidence on any of the Defenders.)
The Crown Attorney estimated that it would be atfeastanother
two weeks before they would have the particulars finalized. At
least ten of the defendants told Judge Barnette thai Bruce
Clark was still their lawyer, but the judge insisted that Dr.
Clark would be no one's lawyer.
The mood of the Judge had been seriously Effected by
that "little demonstration of feelings this morning". It almost
prejudiced him against releasing James Pitawanakwat (OJ)
who had been in jail since September 15, 1995.however,with
the guarantee of $50,000 surety, OJ was given a conditional
release.
The shocking display of violence in the courtroom
revealed once again who the real terrorists and thus are. For
now, the Defenders await their trial, but as Wolverine told
Judge Barnette, "In a few years the tables will be timed and
you'll be the one on trial."
-30Contact: Splitting the Sky (403) 865-1784 or (403) 865-7549
WINTER 1995
UBCIC NEWS
Judge Rules Nuxalk People Have No Colville Reparations Ahead Over Coulee
Jurisdiction Over Their Traditional Territory
Dam Salmon
Chiefs & Supporters Walk Out In Disgust
Yakama Nation Review, Vol.24. No. 23. March 25. 1994
Supreme Court - Vancouver: The
Nuxalk chiefs, elders and supporters walked out of supreme court
today in protest at the judges
ruling that they have no jurisdiction over their traditional territory.
The 22 Ista (Fog Creek) defenders, being charged for disregarding an injuction which prohibited them from protecting their
land, built their legal defense on the fact that the court has no
jurisdiction over Nuxalk territory and therefor has no right to
impose it's values on the Nuxalk people and their guests.
"I see as a result of what we did to protect the land and
forests that there was an assumed jurisdiction. We haver never
given up that land." stated Chief Qwatsina (Ed Moody) to the
Supreme court judge.
Paul Hundel, lawyer for the defendants called upon the
crown to produce extinghishment papers for Nuxalk territory in
order to prove the courts assumed jurisdiction. No such papers
could be provided.
The judge subsequently ruled that the Nuxalk people
have no jurisdiction over their land. The Nuxalk hereditary
chiefs, followed by all supporters subsequently walked out of the
court house in disgust at this genocidal ruling. " We don't fit in
the court system" cried Chief Qwatsinas outside. "No matter
what they say or do, we will continue to help and protect our
people, our forests, our water, our land and our territory. These
blanket policies are wrong. Every nation has different beliefs,
differenet views. We are going the sovereign way.
"To witness a supreme court judge effectively extinguish
a distinct culture, in the 1990's, is absolutely appalling. Genocide is the only way to describe it, stated FAN spokesperson
Robin Green.
For more information call Robin Green @ 739-4782
Forest Action Network
KWAKIUTL BAND ELECTION RESULTS
Effective November 10, 1995
Chief Councillor:
Larry Hunt Jr.
Councillors: (3)
Alfred Hunt
Marion Roze
Tom Nelson
SPOKANE (AP) - The federal government has agreed to pay
millions of dollars to the Colville Confederated Tribes to settle a
43 year old claim for losses caused by construction of the Grand
Coulee Dam, a newspaper reported last Wednesday.
The central Washington tribes would receive $53
million now and at least $15.25 million a year
forever as acknowledgement the tribes are
owed a portion of revenues from the
dam. The reservoir behind the dam
flooded traditional villages and wiped
out salmon fisheries.
The Spokesman-Review reported
the settlement in a copyright story.
The settlement must be approved by Congress and tribal
members, government and tribal sources said Tuesday. Tribal
officials planned to announce the settlement March 25, 1995.
' 'I hope the state of Washington willunderstandthis is
setting straight an injustice that has been there a long time,''
said Harry Sachse, a Washington, D.C. attorney who
represented the Indians.
' 'People other than the tribe got the benefit of Grand
Coulee Dam for many, many years and it's about time the tribe
got something."
The dispute stems from construction of the Grand Coulee
Dam on the Columbia River in the 1930's. It created Lake
Roosevelt, flooding thousands of acres of tribal land and
destroying 1,400 miles of salmon spawning tributaries.
The dam was built without fish ladders. "It flooded
fishing places that Indians used for 20,000 years," Sachse said.
"It flooded their village right along the river. People had to
move their houses back. They had to dig up their graveyards."
The tribes were paid $60,000 for the land, bet leaders
claimed they should be compensated for electricity power
created from their riverbed.
The government contended it needed the Columbia
riverbed for navigation and thus did not have to compensate the
tribes. The tribes in 1951 filed a claim against the government.
Negotiations began and ended several times over the
years and the claim was once dismissed. But it was revived two
years ago in federal appeals court Tribal members have
scheduled hearings and an April 16, 1994 vote on the
settlement
A U.S. Department of Justice official confirmed the
agreement had been reached, but wouldn't discuss where the
money would comefromuntil Congress was informed of the
settlement, the newspaper reported.
The Colville confederation has 7,700 enrolled members
from 13 tribes and bands.
If each member were to receive an equal share, the
(Continued on page 10)
WINTER 1995
9
UBCIC NEWS
Quatsino First Nation
To: A l l B . C . Bands & Tribal Councils
Enclosed is a letter which we are asking you to sign and
one penny has ever been paid to the Quatsino First Nation, not
fax immediately to Brian Tobin, Minister of Fisheries at
one of their people has ever been hired by the J licence opera(613)996-9632, and to Louis Tousignant, Fisheries B.C.
tors, and the" J" licence made available is from their territorial
Regional Director, at (604) 666-8956, because the Quatsino
waters. The Quatsino First Nation feels that DFO should not be
First Nation urgently needs your help in their efforts to prevent
allowed to renege on this agreement, that this reprehensible
the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) from breaking a
practice must stop, and the "J" licence should not be included as
promise they made to the Quatsino First Nation. DFO told the
part of the DFO's planned Retirement/Reallocation Program
Quatsino First Nation that, if Quatsino allowed "J," or roe-onWith your support, the Quatsino First Nation and people
kelp, licences into their territorial waters, including licences
feel that enough pressure can be brought to bear on DFO to stop
from other parts of the coast,
this gross injustice being
the Quatsino First Nation
carried out against the
Letter of Support for the Quatsino First Nation
would receive a "J" licence
Quatsino First Nation. If you
when one became available.
support our struggle against
The Quatsino agreed and have
DFO, and feel they should
We, the
.First Nation
had roe-on-kelp operations in
uphold their end of the
and/or
Tribal
Council,
fully
support
the
Quatsino First
their waters for the last 18
agreement made with the
Nation's position that the Department of Fisheries uphold
years, including an additional
Quatsino First Nation, we ask
their end of the agreement made with the Quatsino First
two added last year, which
that you fill out the enclosed
Nation and place the "J," or roe-on-kelp, licence made
have earned millions of
letter and fax a copy to Tobin
dollars in profit.
available this year, with the Quatsino First Nation and
and Tousignant today. The
This year, a "J" licence
urgency comes from the
people.
finally became available and
statement made by DFO that
We also completely support the Quatsino First N a DFO has chosen to dishonour
a
decision is to be made about
tion's assertion that they have more than fulfilled their side of
their agreement with the
the
licence in the next few
the agreement made with the Department of Fisheries and
Quatsino First Nation.
weeks. Would you also fax
Oceans in qualifying for the "J" licence, including allowing
Instead of fulfilling their end
us a copy of your support at
roe-on-kelp
operations in their territorial water for 18+ years.
of the agreement, DFO has
(604) 949-6249, so that it can
Operations that have netted the licence operator million of
now notified Quatsino that
be brought to a meeting the
dollars with absolutely no benefits of jobs accruing to the
they have included the "J"
Quatsino First Nation is
Quatsino First Nation.
Licence in the DFO Licence
attempting to arrange with
Retirement/Reallocation
We also offer our support to the Quatsino First NaDFO about this issue.
Program, and the Quatsino
tion's stand that the "J" licence not be made part of the
The Quatsino First
First Nation would have to
Nation and people wish to
Department of Fisheries and Oceans Licence Retirement/
apply for it, as outlined in the
Reallocation Program. This can only confuse the issue to the thank you for your consideraDFO Implementation packtion, and hopefully, support,
point where the Department of Fisheries can renege on their
age, along with everyone else.
to their request for assistance
agreement with the Quatsino First Nations in regards to the
It is the position of the
in their struggle torighta
"J" licence.
Quatsino First Nation that the
wrong being perpetrated
(signatures)
J" licence is theirs because
against them.
they have more than fulfilled
Gilakasla
their side of the agreement.
This includes the fact that not
M
COLVILLE (Continuedfrom page 9)
settlement would mean about $6,800 for each person immediately and at least $1,965 a year. The yearly payments would betiedto
the price and production of electricity and the consumer price index.
In 1992, the Bonneville Power Administration estimated Grand Coulee Dam produced $412 million worth of electricity. The
settlement would be the second that Washington state tribes have received in recent years to compensate them for lands lost. In
1990, the Puyallup tribe near Tacoma received a one-time, $162 million settlement.
' 'It is difficult to compare this to other settlements because it is based on future payments," Sachse said. "The Colvilles
hoped their children and grandchildren could be taken care of by this thing that almost destroyed them.
10
WINTER 1995
UBCIC NEWS
PEACE AND DIGNITY JOURNEYS 1996
(PRESERVATION OF NATIVE AMERICAN CULTURE)
PREPARATIONS UNDER WAY FOR SPRING
The
Journeys of Peace and
Dignity continue. Preparations
are currently under way to repeat in
1996 the historic achievement of 1992.
Three years ago, as European-derived
societies were observing the 500th year
of the landing of Christopher Columbus
in the Americas, the native people of the
hemisphere were gathering earnestly in
public assemblies not to celebrate 500
years of glory, but to commemorate 500
years of triumphant resistance to cultural
extermination and to announce loudly
and clearly their resolute intent to
survive forever.
One such notable event was the
1992 Journeys of Peace and Dignity in
which native peoples successfully
concluded a unified intercontinental run
of six months duration from their
homelands throughout the Americas to
the ancient sacred temples of
Teotihuacan near Mexico City. To
recognize the continuing plight of this
hemisphere's indigenous people and the
indefatigable endurance of their culture,
the run will recur.
Running lies at the core of the
Peace and Dignity mission, as spiritual
purity lies at the core of Native American
running. The exertion, tenacity, and
stamina demanded by long-distance
running, when coupled with the will to
defend our traditions, serve our Elders,
and promote our children, can elevate us
men and women alike to the status of
warriors. It is in such a state of grace,
disencumbered of life's common
subversions that we fall into stride with
the heartbeat of the mother planet - from
the wing-pulse of hummingbirds to the
turning of tides - that we glimpse for a
moment and for a moment give name to
the unnameable forces driving the
cosmos, that we look without shame into
the faces of our ancestors.
The Journeys of 1996 will begin
in the spring of that year with its two
principle contingents starting
WINTER 1995
"To recognize the continuing plight of this hemisphere's
indigenous people and the indefatigable endurance of their
culture..."
Gustavo Gutierrez
simultaneously in Alaska and Argentina
and running to the Temples of the Sun
and the Moon at Teotihuacan, arriving
on October 12th. Other tributaries from
the east and west of the continent will
flow into these at points along the route.
Because the Journeys are spiritual in tone
and conducted in the presence of
powerful sacred instruments, each day on
the road will begin and end with a
solemn ceremonial circle and all runners
will adopt arituallyclean and chaste
condition for the duration of the run.
Runners and support personnel will
supply their own sleeping gear and
clothing. Meals and sleeping
arrangements will be provided by the
residents of local communities with
whom Peace and Dignity is pleased to
cooperate. Support vehicles carrying
gear, clothing and drinking water will
accompany the runners except when
prevented by terrain. The run will
advance at seven to twelve minutes per
mile depending on the availability of
those running at the moment. It will
proceed at a running pace at all times
except when being conducted through
native villages by local Elders and
residents who may not wish to run. A l l
core runners should be capable of a
minimum of ten miles per day.
Peace and Dignity Journeys 1996
invites the volunteer participation of
native and non-native individuals who
are strongly committed to the
preservation of Native American culture
and to the promotion of unqualified
sovereignty among *Native American
nations. We make a special invitation to
Elders knowledgeable in traditional
practices, as native spiritual
functionaries, as medicine personnel
traditional or otherwise, as runners. We
also invite qualified auto mechanics,
local organizers to stop over
accommodations in the path of the run,
or as contributors of funds, gear, and
road worthy vehicles.
So we may proceed with the
necessary planning we encourage
interested parties to contactusnow.
May your nations journey be with peace
and dignity,
Contact:
Gustavo Gutierrez
Peace and Dignity Journey 1996
P.O. Box 1865
Tempe, Arizona 85280
(602) 966-8714
(602) 254-5230
Fax (602) 252-6094
* The reason we use the term Native
American is because thishemisphereis
known as the Americaswhichincludes
Alaska, Canada, Unites States. Mexico,
Central America and South America.
ABORIGINAL
RIGHTS:
11
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WINTER 1995
Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs
NEWSLETTER
BHINTER 1995
Institute of Indigenous Government Opens with
Vancouver Ceremony
(
on}
~~ anada’s first degree-granting First Nation post-secondary institution was officially opened today (November 24, 1995) by Chief
Saul Terry, President of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Cashore and the Hon. Ethel Blondin-
Andrew, Secretary of State for Training and Youth, at a ceremony in Vancouver.
*‘The Institute of Indigenous Government is a milestone in the recognition of the principle of Indian control of Indian
education at the post-secondary level,’’ Chief Terry said. “‘It is a step toward realizing our Peoples’ goal of self-determnation. The
Institute is committed to success, success for our students and success for our Nations.”’
wn Se B&B
Oo co SON
11.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE...
. Message from the President
. UBCIC Press Releases
. Vahalla Wilderness Society
. Letters to Dianne Marleau
Minister of Health & Welfare Canada
. Resource Centre Update
. Education Update
. Ts'peten Defenders
. Nuxalk Nation
10.
Quatsino First Nation
Peace and Dignity Journeys 1996
“*The Institute also stands as a success for the Joint Policy Council, which was
created in 1993 by the Union and the province to establish a government-to-government
relationship and address issues of mutual importance,’’ Chief Terry said, *‘It must be
counted a success also for the recognition and support being provided by Human Resource
_ Development Canada. I am very pleased that the Hon. Ethel Blondin-Andrew is here to
represent the Federal Government on this historic occasion.”’
The Institute was established by the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs in 1991. It was
designated a provincial Institute in May, 1995 and, in parallel, was vested by the UBCIC
with the power to grant academic degrees pursuant to First Nation jurisdiction over the
education of their citizens. The IlG admitted its first students to its certificate and
degree programs in September.
The Institute’s academic focus is Indigenous Government Stadies, with four areas
of specialization: political development and leadership; indigenous government
administration; economic and social development; and international indigenous relations.
The Institute offers full-time and part-time programs. Course credits earned at the
IiG are recognized as Open University of B.C. credits under a joint credentials agreement
signed in May.
The Institute houses the UBCIC Resource Centre Library, one of the largest
specialized collections on indigenous peoples in North America. Extension
courses, innovative distance learning and an international program will characterize the
unique development of the Institute over the next five years. Within five years, up to 80%
of the I1IG’s courses are expected to be delivered in regional centres and First Nation
communities through the extension program and by distance learning delivered in
collaboration with the Open University of B.C. IG extension courses will be offered
beginning in January, 1996. The IIG campus is located at 342 Water Street m Vancouver.
Contact: Chief Saul Terry, President
Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs
(604) 684-0231
Paul Chartrand, Interim President
Institute of Indigenous Government
(604) 602-9555
WINTER 1995
UBCIC NEWS
Message From The President:
Beware of the Political Grinch
#7
(/ ¢ is that time of
~— year when the Chris-
tian world celebrates the
Christmas season and all
that it represents. Christ-
mas may be looked at as
the year end assessment
but for indigenous Peo-
ples it may be seen as a
window into next years political agenda. What does
the federal government have on its Christmas shop-
ping list for us?
We know that the following are matters that are
on that shopping list.
1969 White Paper Policy (implementation via program
devolution)
Federal Fisheries Strategy
Indian Act Amendments
Self-Government (Municipal) Modeis
Program Budget Cutbacks
B.C. Treaty Commission
Gun Control Legislation
B.C. Gambling Houses
Elimination of Indian Health Services
When we look closely at the above listings of
federal legislation, policy changes and program devo-
lution or transfers we realize that this list represents an
effort to totally assimilate our Peoples into the Cana-
dian society. All this without benefit of proper and
honourable negotiations.
If we give in to these federal plans, our political
reality will be torn apart and reassembled as simple
municipal models of government. Our social policies
will continue to be controlled by federal and provincial
governments. Our economies will continue to be held
as ransom for co-operation in self-government nego-
tiations. Our cultures and spirituality will continue to
be tolerated so long as we do not define spirituality as
religion.
While we participate in the Christian celebration
of the birth of Christ at this tme of year, one cannot
help but shake ones head at the irony that the values
espoused by the Christian colonials are the very values
they (the Christians) broke in their trespass into our
homelands.
When we celebrate at year’s end, let us celebrate
our continued survival as distinct Peoples and redou-
ble our efforts and determination to preserve the
benefits that arise from our unextinguished Aboriginal
Title.
Let us tell the federal government to keep their
Christmas shopping list in their ‘Hope Chest’.
On behalf of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, may you
and yours have a very Merry Christmas and Happy
New Year.
UBCIC ANNUAL CHRISTMAS OPEN HOTSE
The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs invites you to jom with usin
celebrating the season at our armual Open House on Thursday,
December 14th, 1995 from 12:00 Noon to 4:00 p.m. at our
Vancouver Office located at 5th Floor - 342 Waiter Street.
Donation boxes will be set-up for non-perishabk food items
and toys. All donations will be given to the Vancouver
Aboriginal Friendship Centre Children’s Christmas Party on
December 16th. Toys for children over 12 years will be
handed out as door prizes at the Kid’s party. Flease give
generously.
UBCIC ANNUAL CHRISTMAS BREAK
Please be advised that the UBCIC Vancouver and Kamloops
Offices will be closed for the Christmas break beginning
Friday, December 22, 1995 and re-opening on Tuesday,
January 2nd, 1996.
We wish you and yours a safe and Merry Christi: and look
forward to working with you in the New Year!
©
WINTER 1995
UBCIC NEWS
U.B.C.LC. PRESS RELEASES
Chief Saul Terry elected to sixth term as President
of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs - Land Question,
Health and Education urgent priorities.
VANCOUVER, B.C., October 27, 1995 -- First Nation
delegates from across British Columbia have elected Chief Saul
Terry to a sixth consecutive term as President of the Union of
B.C. Indian Chiefs. Chief Terry, from Bridge River Band
(Xwisten) of the Stl’atl’imx Nation (Lillooet Tribe), was first
elected UBCIC President in 1983 and continues as the Union’s
longest-serving chief executive. The vote was held at the
UBCIC’s 27th Annual General Assembly in Kamloops, B.C.
Chief Terry congratulated Grand Chief Archie Jack of
the Penticton Band, Okanagan Nation on his candidacy for
UBCIC President and the important role that he and his
community are playing in advancing the recognition of
aboriginal title and rights in their territory. ““We are all
brothers and sisters in the struggle to protect our rights and
defend our homelands,’’ Chief Terry stated. ‘“This Assembly
has strongly reaffirmed that the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs is
on the right road -- the Indian road — in continuing to insist
upon the recognition of our respective Peoples’ nationhood,
sovereignty and jurisdiction in our territories. The renewed
confidence expressed by the Elders, Chiefs and delegates at the
Assembly means the Union will continue to reject the
extinguishment B.C. Treaty Commission process and its
ultimate goal of genocide and termination. The Union will
renew its discussions with Canada on a positive nation-to-
nation alternative for settling the Land Question in British
Columbia. The Union will also be stepping up its efforts on
behalf of our Peoples to protect our aboriginal rights to health
and education. In particular, we will be making every effort to
ensure continuation of non-insured health benefits to our
Peoples and to reverse the underfunding and off-loading of
Indian education by the federal government.
Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs says issues, political
conflicts remain despite Harcourt resignation
Vancouver, B.C. November 15, 1995 -- The Union Of B.C.
Indian Chiefs responded today to the resignation of Premier
Harcourt, stating that fundamental issues on recognition of
aboriginal title and rights in British Columbia remain largely
unaffected by the Premier’s decision, “‘Over the past three
years, the Provincial Government has been going backwards
on recognition of the aboriginal title and rights of our
respective Peoples,’’ said Chief Saul Terry, President of the
Union. “‘Crises and confrontations have occurred in many of
our territories because of the policies of the Harcourt
Government, especially its promotion of the extinguishment of
B.C. Treaty Process. I doubt that a change in leadership will
significantly affect this situation in the short-term and the
potential for conflict remains.
Chiefs Union and Indian Homemakers Express
Concern About Safety of Native Women
Vancouver, B.C., November 2, 1995 -- The Union of B.C.
Indian Chiefs and the Indian Homemakers Associaton of B.C.
issued a joint statement expressing their concern about the
safety of First Nation people, especially women.
Both organizations are concerned that a potential serial
killer is preying on women in Vancouver’s Eastside. It is well
known that a number of Native women have been murdered or
gone missing from the area in recent years.
Chief Saul Terry, President of the Union of B.C. Indian
Chiefs had these comments:
**Police need to have a more effective means of alerting
the Native population to be on guard, especially in a situation
where there is the suggestion that someone is preying on native
women.
How many Native people are missing? How many
Native people have died violently? Do their families even
know? We need to establish a system which tracks the violence
done to Native peoples. How can we work together with the
police to prevent more unnecessary deaths, especially of Native
women who are at greater risk.?”’
Jennie Blankinship, President of the Indian Homemakers
Association of B.C. had these comments:
““Women working the streets use other names to hide
their identity. If something happened to them the azthorities
have no way of informing family members. Many street people
are victims of circumstances beyond their control, which
ultimately leaves them vulnerable and at a higher msk of attack.
The Indian Homemakers Association has recerved
requests from the Native community to look out for ‘missing’
family members or friends.
Both organizations call upon First Nation pecple, who
have been unable to contact a friend or relative living in the
Vancouver or Lower Mainland area, to contact their local
RCMP detachment or Vancouver City Police and file a missing
persons report. In addition, people are urged to comact the
offices of the Indian Homemakers or the Union of B.C. Indian
Chiefs to inform them once they have filed a missinz persons
report.
Contacts: Chief Saul Terry (604) 684-023]
Jennie Blankinship (604) 684-0231
(604) 876-0944
WINTER 1993
UBCIC NEWS
Valhalla Wilderness Society
McCrory Calls for Sanctions Against Shell Oil
November 16, 1995 - As thousands of Nigerian people
were forced out of their homes and beaten or killed by a brutal
military government, environmentalist Colleen McCrory issued
a plea for immediate international sanctions against Nigerian
Oil, as well as worldwide sanctions against use of Shell Oil.
The military action is an endeavor to crush massive protests
about the execution of nine environmental activists. With their
leader, Ken Saro-Wiwa, they were hung for their efforts to
bring about the restoration of the Ogoniland region of Nigeria,
an area ravaged by Shell Oil’s operations.
‘‘{ appreciate the fact that the Commonwealth countries
just suspended Nigeria for two years, but it’s obviously not
enough,’ said McCrory. “‘The suspension only means a
withdrawal of aid money. Commonwealth countries intend to
go on importing Nigerian oil during those two years. In the
face of Nigeria’s accelerated oppression of its people, Canada
and these other countries must refuse to be influenced by the
bribe inherent in their reliance on Nigerian oil.’’ Canada
imported $600 million worth of oil from Nigeria last year.
(Globe and Mail, Nov. 9, 1995)
Since 1958, Shell, in furtherance of their exploitation of
Nigeria, has made the corrupt Nigerian government an actual
partner. The Nigerian government owns 70% of Shell Nigeria,
the company exploiting Nigerian oil resources. It has taken $30
billion worth of oil from the area, while leaving the Ogoni
people in poverty, their farms and fisheries devastated by oil
pollution and acid rain. Faced with massive protests and a
demands by the people for an environmental cleanup, Shell
withdrew from the area two years ago. It then asked the
Nigerian government, its partner, for aid in resuming
operations in Ogoniland.
Recently Greenpeace uncovered a secret internal
Nigerian government memo dated May 12, 1994, which said,
“Shell operations still impossible unless ruthless military
operations are undertaken for smooth economic activities to
commence.’ It goes on to recommend that 400 soldiers
undertake ‘‘wasting operations’’ of ‘‘especially vocal
individuals’ to bring Shell back,
Television footage of the current military acack upon
protesters show people fleeing their homes amidst puddles of oil
left by Shell. ‘‘Shell Nigeria and Shell Canada are subsidiaries
of Shell International,’’ said McCrory. “* This is a] one
gargantuan multinational corporation, working in rartnerships
with the government’s pro-shell attacks on protesters.”’
McCrory charged that Shell is not exonerated by its last
minute request to save the lives of the nine men. ““Where was
Shell last year when 100 civilians were slaughtered by the
government for their protests’’ She asks, ‘‘Where was Shell
when the nine men were kept in prison for eight menths before
the executions, or when Mr. Saro-Wiwa was chained to a wall
for 64 days? Just the fact of their withdrawal from the area
when faced with demands for environmental restortion makes
them responsible. What good is superficial, last-m=nute request
to spare the protesters when they should have been m there
cleaning up their mess and stopping their environrental
destruction? Instead, they generated this entire sitration by
withdrawing when cleanup demands were made and requesting
governmental aid to deal with protesters who they said were
hampering their operations.
Saro-Wiwa, winner of the prestigious Goldman
Environmental Award, condemned Shell Oil for ““the crime of
the company’s war against the Ogoni people.’’ In ius closing
statement to the military tribunal which condemnez him to
death, he said, ‘‘There is no doubt in my mind that the
ecological war that the company has waged in the Delta will be
called to question sooner than later and the crimes cf that war
duly punished.
McCrory said, ““They would never be allowed to do this
kind of environmenta! damage in the wealthy counmies, and if
oil spills occurred, they would have to be cleaned mp. This is
only one of many ways the giant multinational corporations of
rich countries are exploiting impoverished people n poor
countries with the collusion of their own governments”’
**Shell stands to be the beneficiary of the exzcutions by
getting to operate in Ogoniland without enviromental
safeguards and restoration, and without protests from a brutally
oppressed people. The benefits run straight to Shell
International, and to the countries who import Nig=ian oil, as
well as to the people who can buy that oil for cheaper prices”’
-30-
Contact: Valhalla Wilderness Society (604) 358-2253
UBCIC Newsletter 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 as 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. Suggestions or comments are always welcome. Next deadline is January
15, 1996. Remember, our new address is Sth Floor - 342 Water Street, Vancouver, B.C.
V6B 1B6. Our phone and fax number remain the same. Phone (604) 684-0231 Fax: (604)
684-5726.
WINTER 1995
UBCIC NEWS
LETTERS TO DIANE MARLEAU
MINISTER OF HEALTH & WELFARE CANADA
October 30, 1995
Hon. Dianne Marleau, M,P,
Minster of Health & Welfare Canada
House of Commons
OTTAWA, Ontario
K1A 0A6
Dear Madame Minister:
We, the Union of B..C Indian Chiefs, have just concluded our
27th Annual General Assembly where we discussed the issue of
our Peoples right to health benefits. The restructuring of the
health care system that your Department is considering will
eliminate non-insured health benefits to the majority of First
Nations peoples.
As you know, our Peoples are among the poorest of the
poor in this country. Statistics consistently show tremendous
levels of unemployment, often exceeding 90%; suicide rates of
an unacceptable magnitude; staggering rates of alcoholism and
drug abuse, as well as a myriad of other poverty-induced
illnesses. The poverty in which our Peoples exist is reflected in
increased incidence of illnesses and maladies as well as hospital
stays of longer duration. Any reduction to the health care
benefits which First Nations currently receive will add to the
psychological, spiritual, and physical illness among our Peo-
ples.
Madame Minister, the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs is
gravely concemed about the specific issue of non-insured health
benefits. It is critically important that non-insured health
benefits not be reduced or eliminated for First Nation people, as
this will only have the result of incurring greater costs due to
subsequent and more serious illnesses.
The illnesses which are prevalent among First Nation
people are symptomatic of the greater difficulties which our
Peoples face today. The relationship between the first Peoples
of this country and the Canadian government must be addressed
prior to any restructuring of the health care system and health
care delivery to First Nations people.
Health is a basic right of our Peoples. Any alterations to
any of your policies at this time will be seen by us as a direct
attack on the weakest of the weak, and will further be seen as an
attempt to fundamentally alter and diminish our aboriginal
right to health.
Any attempt at reducing or eliminating the aboriginal
right to health is completely unacceptable to the Union of B.C.
Indian Chiefs. Madame Minister, we urge that any considera-
tion by you or your government to implement polices that will
negatively affect our aboriginal right to health be suspended
immediately.
Your Truly,
UNION OF B.C. INDIAN CHIEFS
Chief Saul Terry, President
c.c. Prime Minster Jean Chretien
B.C. Liberal Caucus
Minister Ron Irwin, Department of Indian Affairs
B.C. Health Minister, Paul Ramsey
Minister John Cashore, Abonginal Affairs
President, B.C, Medical Association
B.C. Nurses Union
UBCIC Chiefs Council
UBCIC Member Bands
Dan Smith, President, United Native Nations
Healing Our Spint, First Nation Aids Society
Lou Demerais, Vancouver Native Health Society
¢
October 31, 1995
Dear Minister Marleau:
The ‘Namgis First Nation is gravely concerned with
respect to the proposed health care review. The Aboriginal
community at large is rife with rumours about the possible
outcomes of such a review. There are several rumours that
have circulated that you are considering imposing radical
changes to the Health Care and its application to First Nations
people and in paticular non-insured health benefits. However,
we have been unable to confirm either the truth or the falsity of
these rumours.
Our Council cannot condone or participate in any
changes to the delivery of health care that will have a negative
impact on a population that already suffers far greater inci-
dents of poor health than any other in Canada. Nor can our
Council support any proposal to limit in any way ocr peoples’
access to non-insured health benefits. Furthermore. please be
advised that our Council is of the opinion that the celivery of
health care to aboriginal peopie is a fiduciary duty that the
federal government has never fully lived up to.
Due to the lack of concrete information concerning the
present status of any review your Department may be conduct-
ing and the apparent lack of consultation with the Aboriginal
community perhaps it is time to implement a strategy to addrss
these shortfalls. In particular our Council and Community
would like to know what is being considered. Is a distinction
between reserve populations and non-reserve popultions being
considered, ie social assistance recipients and non-cipients?
If these are under consideration our Council must sate its
utmost opposition for reasons already addressed above.
(Continued page 6)
WINIER [995
5
UBCIC NEWS
INDIAN HOMEMAKERS ASSOCIATION OF B.C.
ROBBED!
Vancouver, B.C. - The oldest First Nation women’s
organisation of B.C. was robbed TWICE in one week. The IHA is a
non-profit organisation that advocates for the nghts of women and
children. The organisation started in the 1960’s focusing on child
apprehension, adoption, housing standards, heritage, property and
status rights. Today the IHA has expanded its services in take
Burnaby Correctional Centre for Women, it has a Traditional
Parenting Skills Program, offers Practicum Student Placements, has
a Family Counselling Service, and recently started a “‘First Nations
Missing Persons Registry.’’ The counselling services focus on
employment, healing, conflict resolutions, time and financial
management, spiritual revival, substance abuses, physical, mental,
spiritual and emotional abuse, holistic healing, it also holds Healing
Circles and AA/NA Meetings for native people in the
Vancouver local.
The robbery happened sometime on the Remembrance Day
weekend then again on Tuesday evening. All computers and
printers were taken along with a fax machine, typewriters, numerous
hand drums, rattles, dream catchers, and various native artifacts.
The Indian Homemakers Association 1s requesting financial
assistance or donations from the public to help replace these items.
‘Because of financial cutbacks, we are unable to replace these items
immediately. We need office equipment to service our clientele
efficiently and professionally as expected.’’ If you have any
information about the robbery or if you would like to assist us,
please call the Indian Homemakers office at (604) 876-0944.
Jennie Blankinship, President
Indian Homemakers Association
Phone:251-5118 @)
684-0231 (W)
Wanda Sandy, Acting Executive Director
Indian Homemakers Association
Phone: (604) 876-0944
LETTERS TO MARLEAU (Continued from page 5)
We understand and are also concerned that the First Nation's
organizations and groups/committees such as the Assembly of First
Nations and the Health Committee established in British Columbia
representing all corners of the Province are not full participants in
the consultation process.
We trust that you appreciate the level of concern and anxiety
that we have and the need to have an effective consultation process
in place. I and my people look forward to at timely response to the
concems we have expressed.
Yours truly,
William Cranmer, Chief Councillor, Namgis First Nation
c.c. Assembly of First Nations
First Nations Summit
Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs
Musgamagw Tsawataineuk Tribal Council
Kwakiutl District Council
Whe-la-la-U Area Council
UBCIC RESOURCE CENTRE
Last week we had the honour of tounng the Herourable
Ethel Blondin-Andrew through the Resource Centre ani this
moming we gave an information tour to participants v=o have come
from all over the province to attend a research skills workshop. Our
guest book continues to indicate the diversity of users and
supporters of our Resource Centre. -
In the next few weeks, the study/seating spaces nn the
Resource Centre will grow from the present eight spaces to eighteen,
including the addition of three study carrels. The competer user
station and CD-ROM tower will also be in place in the sext few
weeks. The library application software program INM:.GIC PLUS
which we use for our library catalog, ordering, and circdlation
functions has been upgraded to a Windows version. W2 have
received the new Widows version and will make the chingeover
when we set up our user station in the Resource Centre. The
automated database is growing steadily and it makes te job of
finding information so much easier. Our vision for the Resource
Centre includes a collection in which it is fast and easy ‘0 find
specific information but which is also inviting to brows.
Many new books have been added to the collecton over this
first semester of the Institute of Indigenous Governmert. The
collection is growing in leaps and bounds and I am harev to report
that our only major problem seems to be space and enacgh staff to
catalogue all the materials. Those who have always sucported the
Resource Centre deserve much credit for what it 1s todev a very
impressive and valuable collection which is used and eccreciated by
people around the world.
I have been receiving phone calls to ask if we wil be putting
on another ‘‘Running a Small Library Workshop’’. Yes, we will
but I can not provide a date yet. As soon as a date is s=x, I will fax
information to all those on the waiting list who have excressed an
interest in attending so that they have first opportunity » register.
We still hope to also develop workshops which address specific
areas such as classification and subject headings in maz detail. In
the meantime, there are two excellent library handbooks which J can
recommend to anyone who is trying to mim or set up a snail library:
‘The Canadian Library Handbook Organizing School, Public and
Professional Libraries’, by Manlyn Kogan and Lynne Lighthall.
(IBSN Number 0-07-551552-0). Available from: McGaw-Hill
Ryerson Ltd., 300 Water Street, Whitby, Ontario L1N 586.
“Standard Cataloguing for School and Public Libraries”, by Sheila
Inter and Jean Weihs. (ISBN Number 0-87287-737-X). Available
from: Libraries Unlimited, Inc., P.O. Box 6633, Englewced,
Colorado, U.S.A 80155-6633.
If you need any further information, please call.
From the Resource Centre Staff to All of You...
Have a Very Happy Holiday.
Wendy Ancell
WINTER 1995
WOMAN KILLED IN FIRE
aT
f / cilia Ambrose bumed to death on September 5 when
(_a fire broke out in the apartment where she lived. She
died because her door lacked a handle, and because of the
absence of working fire alarms and sprinklers. The apartment
building did not meet the city building code or health
regulations, and had not been kept up by either the landlord or
city officials.
Cecilia’s death, and the lack of concern shown by police,
fire officials and city council over this tragedy, sparked the
creation of the ‘‘Cecilia Ambrose Memorial Action
Committee’. Both family and sympathizers are working
through this committee to petition and pressure Port Alberni
city council to get tougher with slum landlords and create
better, affordable housing in the valley, especially for First
Nations people.
‘‘Cecilia was a wonderful person. Even in death, she’s
continuing to serve her people by raising our awareness about
the racism and poverty facing native people in Port Alberni’’
said Reverend Kevin McNamee-Annett, who worked with
Cecilia at the local food bank, and who will be helping to
conduct her service.
For further information:
Rita Lucas 732-9318 (Port Alberni)
Jack McDonald 723-2892 (Port Alberni)
Kevin McNamee-Annett 822-0075 (Vancouver)
Cnr AF es
YOUR HELP ON HUCKLEBERRY
IS NEEDED
Cheslatta Carrier Nation in Northern B.C.
faces a new threat to its Traditional
Territory. Huckleberry Mines Ltd., with
e support of Mitsubishi (#1 on the 1995
eran 500 list with 1994 revenues of
S $176 Million), plans to build a large
open pit copper mine on Cheslatta land.
The world’s richest company would get
richer while Cheslatta its land, life and people would become
poorer. The environmental assessment of the project has
highlighted serious flaws with the mine, B.C’s new
environmental assessment process and B.C.’s approach
to resource issues on unsurrendered first Nation’s land.
The government and the company want to reap the development
benefits while leaving Cheslatta with the impacts, which
includes two permanent tailings’ ponds.
The fight to protect Huckleberry Mountain ts a costly
struggle. Legal fees, research, postage, telephone and copying
costs are mounting. The telephone, photocopier and fax are our
links with the outside world. They are critical to ensuring
Cheslatta’s voice on Huckleberry is heard.
If you can help, please send your financial contribution
to Chief Marvin Charlie, Cheslatta Carrier Nation, P.O. Box
909, Burns Lake, British Columbia, Canada, VOJ 1E0. Please
indicate on your cheque it’s for the Huckleberry straggte.
Education Update
Representatives from across B.C. expressed their
concerns regarding the education of First Nations on and off
reserve on November 22-23, 1995 at the UBCIC Education
Coordinators Meeting in Vancouver.
Many hear and see the problem First Nations people are
encountering. The break down of our culture, religion,
economy, health, and political structures is felt by every
member of the community. The repercussions of the residential
school system and boarding schools will be experienced for
countless generations. It is our responsibility now to ensure that
our children get the same opportunity as those given to all
citizens of Canada.
First Nations people fall far below the average
graduation rate in high school and post-secondary levels as
compared to non-native participants. If by chance a student
completes his/her grade twelve, many students have to attend an
upgrading program in able to compete and accomplish the
demanding work load expected at post-secondary levels. The
purpose of these meetings is to strategize a process which will
ensure our rights to education is not infringed upon any more
than it has been.
The following are some concerns and suggestions raised
by Co-ordinators or their representatives which focused on the
Nominal Role Review.
Letters addressed to ‘‘randomly selected’’ Band Sctools,
Independent schools and public schools in British Columbia
informed them that there will be ‘On-site Nominal Role
Reviews’’ conducted at their school. According to DIA, these
reviews are necessary to ensure that funding is equitably
distributed based on students that are regularly attending
school and First Nations’ need for resources. (November 3,
1995 letter, emphasis added.) In Research Methods a
““selection’’ from a previously chosen field (particularly one
that fits certain criteria) does not qualify as “‘random selection”’
(December 4, 1995 - DIA letter).
There are a number of selected Band schools who refuse
to undergo this review simply because there was no mput prior
to this process. Others believe that the process is gumg beyond
DIA’s “‘scope of intention’’ Questions brought forward were:
Why are they asking for evaluations when DIA is akeady
getting them? Who are the ‘‘Central Agencies” DIA is
accountable to? Under who’s authority are these requirements
to be conducted? It was suggested, by the Education
Committee, that all band schools chosen to undergo these
review reconsider their participation.
Contact: Jennie Blankinship (604) 684-0231 :
WINTER L995
UBCIC NEWS
TS°PETEN DEFENDERS
Court Uses Force on Ts’peten Defenders to Silence Them
100 MILE HOUSE, B.C., NOVEMBER 13,
1995. - After waiting two hours for Judge Barnette to
arrive in court on Friday, November 10th, the process
of setting dates for preliminary hearings finally began
for the Ts’peten Defenders. Even though all the
supporters in the courtroom had been obliged to pass
through a weapons detection device before entering
inside, they were still under the strict supervision of
seven armed sheriffs.
William (Wolverine) and Joseph (JoJo) Ignace
were brought into the courtroom and Wolverine
immediately raised the issue of jurisdiction to the
judge. Wolverine spoke for all the Defenders when
When court re-convened in the afternoon,
security had now been enhanced by the presence of
two RCMP officers. Judge Barnette called out each
defendant in the courtroom and read them their
new charges which now included mischief. causing
danger to life, forcible detainer and possession of
weapons for the purpose dangerous to public
peace. A preliminary hearing on these charges
was set for April 22, 1996 with another court
appearance deemed necessary on March 13, 1996 to
make sure that “‘things are on track’. William and
Joseph Ignace were brought into the courtroom
in handcuffs and shackles, but Wolverine’s spirit
he informed the court that the government of B.C.
doesn’t have the jurisdiction to impose its laws on the aboriginal
people of B.C. since they have never ceded their lands to
Canada. During Wolverine’s speech, Judge Barnette
frequently interrupted him to point out that these matters were
not going to be dealt with today. When Wolverine asked the
judge to lift the publication ban, he said that he did not make that
ruling and there was no publication ban on the matter to be dealt
with there and then. Wolverine then told the judge that his
lawyer is Bruce Clark, who is in Europe attempting to get an
international tribunal together.
The judge stated that “‘We are here to set a date for a
preliminary hearing.’’ Although the usual procedure is to set the
date at the earliest time available, the Crown asked for a later
date because the particulars were not assembled yet. The judge
was Critical of the time the Crown was taking and said, ‘‘... one
must not get the impression that this matter is considered as
something less than urgent.’’ February 5, 1996 was set as a date
for a preliminary hearing regarding the two Ignaces’ attempted
murder charges relating to the incidents of August 17 and
September 11, 1995. The Crown estimated that the preliminary
hearing could take from 10-15 days. Wolverine commented that
it could take two years and then launched into another speech
about the corrupt court system, including the judges’ boss, B.C.
Attorney General Dosanjh. Barnette chastised Wolverine for
uttering what he deemed was a ‘“‘racist remark’’. When
Wolverine responded with a heated speech about the racism that
the Indian people have been subjected to for over 130 years in
Canada, the judge ordered him to be removed from the court.
As two sheriffs began to manhandle Wolverine (one put
his hand over his mouth, the other grabbed his arms) JoJo made
a move to protect his father and was promptly punched by
another Sheriff, put in a sleeper choke hold, knocked to the
ground, and kneed in the face. A commotion ensued in the
courtroom as supporters rose to their feet and yelled at the
sheriffs to leave them alone. One of the sheriff’s responded by
drawing his gun on the unarmed and defenceless supporters.
was unbroken. He looked to the people in the
courtroom, gave them a big smile and shouted ‘‘FREEDOM
FOR THE INDIAN PEOPLE!’’ The supportes shouted
back ‘“FREEDOM!’’ Wolverine attempted to inform the judge
again that ‘“‘your domestic law doesn’t apply here’’, but the
judge was out of patience. He told the two Ignaces that they
had a preliminary hearing set for April 22, 1996 regarding
their other charges and then dismissed them.
The Crown didn’t disclose any particulars snce it’s still
waiting for reports from the RCMP (fueling the suspicion that
they still don’t have any evidence on any of the Deenders.)
The Crown Attorney estimated that it would be at ieast another
two weeks before they would have the particulars Emalized. At
least ten of the defendants told Judge Barnette that Bruce
Clark was still their lawyer, but the judge insisted that Dr.
Clark would be no one’s lawyer.
The mood of the Judge had been seriously <iected by
that ‘‘little demonstration of feelings this morning”. It almost
prejudiced him against releasing James Pitawanakwat (OJ)
who had been in jail since September 15, 1995. However, with
the guarantee of $50,000 surety, OJ was given a conditional
release.
The shocking display of violence in the couiroom
revealed once again who the real terrorists and thezs are. For
now, the Defenders await their tial, but as Wolverme told
Judge Barnette, ‘‘In a few years the tables will be trned and
you’ ll be the one on trial.”’
-30-
Contact: Splitting the Sky (403) 865-1784 or (403) 865-7549
WINTER 1995
Judge Rules Nuxalk People Have No
Jurisdiction Over Their Traditional Territory
Chiefs & Supporters Walk Out In Disgust
S~\ Supreme Court - Vancouver: The
\\q_ Nuxalk chiefs, elders and support-
) ers walked out of supreme court
today in protest at the judges
ruling that they have no jurisdic-
tion over their traditional territory.
The 22 Ista (Fog Creek) defenders, being charged for disregard-
ing an injuction which prohibited them from protecting their
land, built their legal defense on the fact that the court has no
jurisdiction over Nuxalk territory and therefor has no nght to
impose it's values on the Nuxalk people and their guests.
"I see as a result of what we did to protect the land and
forests that there was an assumed jurisdiction. We haver never
given up that land.” stated Chief Qwatsina (Ed Moody) to the
Supreme court judge.
Paul Hundel, lawyer for the defendants called upon the
crown to produce extinghishment papers for Nuxalk territory in
order to prove the courts assumed jurisdiction. No such papers
could be provided.
The judge subsequently ruled that the Nuxalk people
have no jurisdiction over their land, The Nuxalk hereditary
chiefs, followed by all supporters subsequently walked out of the
court house in disgust at this genocidal ruling. " We don't fit in
the court system” cried Chief Qwatsinas outside. "No matter
what they say or do, we will continue to help and protect our
people, our forests, our water, our land and our terntory. These
blanket policies are wrong. Every nation has different beliefs,
differenet views. We are going the sovereign way.
"To witness a supreme court judge effectively extinguish
a distinct culture, in the 1990's, is absolutely appalling. Geno-
cide is the only way to describe it, stated FAN spokesperson
Robin Green.
For more information call Robin Green @ 739-4782
Forest Action Network
KWAKIUTL BAND ELECTION RESULTS
Effective November 10, 1995
Chief Councillor: Larry Hunt Jr.
Councillors: (3) Alfred Hunt
Marion Roze
Tom Nelson
UBCIC NEWS
Colville Reparations Ahead Over Coulee
Dam Salmon
Yakama Nation Review, Vol.24, No. 23. March 25, 19904
SPOKANE (AP) - The federal government has agreed to pay
millions of dollars to the Colville Confederated Tribes to settle a
43 year old claim for losses caused by construction of the Grand
Coulee Dam, a newspaper reported last Wednesdav.
The central Washington tribes would receive $53
million now and at least $15.25 million a year
forever as acknowledgement the tribes are
owed a portion of revenues from the
dam, The reservoir behind the dam
™ flooded traditional villages and wiped
‘m out salmon fisheries.
\ The Spokesman-Review reported
the settlement in a copynght story.
The settlement must be approved by Congress and tribal
members, government and tribal sources said Tuesday. Tribal
officials planned to announce the settlement March 25, 1995.
‘*T hope the state of Washington will undersand this is
setting straight an injustice that has been there a lang time,’’
said Harry Sachse, a Washington, D.C. attorney who
represented the Indians.
*“People other than the tribe got the benefit of Grand
Coulee Dam for many, many years and it’s about time the tribe
got something.’’
The dispute stems from construction of the Grand Coulee
Dam on the Columbia River in the 1930's. It created Lake
Roosevelt, flooding thousands of acres of tribal land and
destroying 1,400 miles of salmon spawning tributaries.
The dam was built without fish ladders. “‘It flooded
fishing places that Indians used for 20,000 years,’” Sachse said.
“Tt flooded their village nght along the river. People had to
move their houses back. They had to dig up their gravevards.””
The tribes were paid $60,000 for the land, bet leaders
claimed they should be compensated for electricity power
created from their riverbed.
The government contended it needed the Columbia
riverbed for navigation and thus did not have to compensate the
tnbes. The tnbes in 1951 filed a claim against the government.
Negotiations began and ended several times over the
years and the claim was once dismissed. But it was revived two
years ago in federal appeals court. Tribal members have
scheduled hearings and an April 16, 1994 vote on the
settlement.
AUS. Department of Justice official confirmed the
agreement had been reached, but wouldn’t discuss where the
money would come from until Congress was informed of the
settlement, the newspaper reported.
The Colville confederation has 7,700 enrolled members
from 13 tribes and bands.
If each member were to recetve an equal sharz, the
(Continued on page 10)
WINTER 1995
9
UBCIC NEWS
Quatsino First Nation
To: All B.C. Bands & Tribal Councils
Enclosed is a letter which we are asking you to sign and
fax immediately to Brian Tobin, Minister of Fisheries at
(613)996-9632, and to Louis Tousignant, Fisheries B.C.
Regional Director, at (604) 666-8956, because the Quatsino
First Nation urgently needs your help in their efforts to prevent
the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) from breaking a
promise they made to the Quatsino First Nation. DFO told the
Quatsino First Nation that, if Quatsino allowed "J," or roe-on-
kelp, licences into their territorial waters, including licences
one penny has ever been paid to the Quatsino First Nation, not
one of their people has ever been hired by the J licence opera-
tors, and the"J" licence made available is from thetr territorial
waters. The Quatsino First Nation feels that DFO should not be
allowed to renege on this agreement, that this reprehensible
practice must stop, and the "J" licence should not be included as
part of the DFO's planned Retirement/Reallocation Program.
With your support, the Quatsino First Nation and people
feel that enough pressure can be brought to bear on DFO to stop
from other parts of the coast,
the Quatsino First Nation
would receive a "J" licence
when one became available.
The Quatsino agreed and have
had roe-on-kelp operations in
their waters for the last 18
years, including an additional
two added last year, which
have earned millions of
dollars in profit.
This year, a "J" licence
finally became available and
DFO has chosen to dishonour
their agreement with the
Quatsino First Nation.
Instead of fulfilling their end
of the agreement, DFO has
now notified Quatsino that
they have included the "J"
Licence in the DFO Licence
Retirement/Reallocation
Program, and the Quatsino
First Nation would have to
apply for it, as outlined in the
DFO Implementation pack-
age, along with everyone else.
It is the position of the
Quatsino First Nation that the
"J" licence is theirs because
they have more than fulfilled
their side of the agreement.
This includes the fact that not
this gross injustice being
for th sna Hivet Natt carried out against the
Letter of Support for the Quatsino First Nation Guatsino First Nation Ifyou
support our struggle against
We. the First Nation DFO, and feel they should
and/or Tribal Council, fully support the Quatsino First Aa Ne ae
Nation's position that the Department of Fisheries uphold Onaletas Bice Nation, we ask
their end of the agreement made with the Quatsino First that you fill out the enclosed
Nation and place the "J," or roe-on-kelp, licence made letter and fax a copy to Tobin
available this year, with the Quatsino First Nation and
people.
We also completely support the Quatsino First Na-
tion's assertion that they have more than fulfilled their side of
the agreement made with the Department of Fisheries and
Oceans in qualifying for the "J" licence, including allowing
roe-on-kelp operations in their territorial water for 18+ years.
Operations that have netted the licence operator million of
dollars with absolutely no benefits of jobs accruing to the
Quatsino First Nation.
We also offer our support to the Quatsino First Na-
tion's stand that the "J" licence not be made part of the
Department of Fisheries and Oceans Licence Retirement/
Reallocation Program. This can only confuse the issue to the
point where the Department of Fisheries can renege on their
agreement with the Quatsino First Nations in regards to the
"J" heence,
(signatures)
and Tousignant today. The
urgency comes from the
statement made by DFO that
a decision is to be made about
the licence in the next few
weeks. Would you also fax
us a copy of your support at
(604) 949-6249, so that it can
be brought to a meeting the
Quatsino First Nation is
attempting to arrange with
DFO about this tssue.
The Quatsino First
Nation and people wish to
thank you for your considera-
tion, and hopefully, support,
to their request for assistance
in their struggle to right a
wrong being perpetrated
against them.
Gilakasla
COLVILLE (Continued from page 9)
settlement would mean about $6,800 for each person immediately and at least $1,965 a year. The yearly payments would be tied to
the price and production of electricity and the consumer price index.
In 1992, the Bonneville Power Administration estimated Grand Coulee Dam produced $412 million worth of eleczricity. The
settlement would be the second that Washington state tribes have received in recent years to compensate them for lands lost. In
1990, the Puyallup tribe near Tacoma received a one-time, $162 million settlement.
“It is difficult to compare this to other settlements because it is based on future payments,’’ Sachse said. ‘“The Colvilles
hoped their children and grandchildren could be taken care of by this thing that almost destroyed them.
10
WINTER 1995
UBCIC NEWS
PEACE AND DIGNITY JOURNEYS 1996
(PRESERVATION OF NATIVE AMERICAN CULTURE)
PREPARATIONS UNDER WAY FOR SPRING
he Journeys of Peace and
f Dignity continue. Preparations
‘are currently under way to repeat in
1996 the historic achievement of 1992.
Three years ago, as European-derived
societies were observing the 500th year
of the landing of Christopher Columbus
in the Americas, the native people of the
hemisphere were gathering earnestly in
public assemblies not to celebrate 500
years of glory, but to commemorate 500
years of triumphant resistance to cultural
extermination and to announce loudly
and clearly their resolute intent to
survive forever.
One such notable event was the
1992 Journeys of Peace and Dignity in
which native peoples successfully
concluded a unified intercontinental run
of six months duration from their
homelands throughout the Americas to
the ancient sacred temples of
Teotihuacan near Mexico City. To
recognize the continuing plight of this
hemisphere’s indigenous people and the
indefatigable endurance of their culture,
the run will recur.
Running lies at the core of the
Peace and Dignity mission, as spiritual
purity lies at the core of Native American
running. The exertion, tenacity, and
stamina demanded by long-distance
running, when coupled with the will to
defend our traditions, serve our Elders,
and promote our children, can elevate us
men and women alike to the status of
warriors. It is in such a state of grace,
disencumbered of life’s common
subversions that we fall into stride with
the heartbeat of the mother planet - from
the wing-pulse of hummingbirds to the
tuming of tides - that we glimpse for a
moment and for a moment give name to
the unnameable forces driving the
cosmos, that we look without shame into
the faces of our ancestors,
The Journeys of 1996 will begin
in the spring of that year with its two
principle contingents starting
"To recognize the continuing plight of this hemisphere's
indigenous people and the indefatigable endurance of their
culture..."
Gustavo Gutierrez
simultaneously in Alaska and Argentina
and running to the Temples of the Sun
and the Moon at Teotihuacan, arriving
on October 12th. Other tributaries from
the east and west of the continent will
flow into these at points along the route.
Because the Journeys are spiritual in tone
and conducted in the presence of
powerful sacred instruments, each day on
the road will begin and end witha
solemn ceremonial circle and all runners
will adopt a ritually clean and chaste
condition for the duration of the run.
Runners and support personnel will
supply their own sleeping gear and
clothing. Meals and sleeping
arrangements will be provided by the
residents of local communities with
whom Peace and Dignity is pleased to
cooperate. Support vehicles carrying
gear, clothing and drinking water will
accompany the runners except when
prevented by terrain. The run will
advance at seven to twelve minutes per
mile depending on the availability of
those running at the moment. It will
proceed at a running pace at all times
except when being conducted through
native villages by local Elders and
residents who may not wish to run. All
core runners should be capable of a
minimum of ten miles per day.
Peace and Dignity Journeys 1996
invites the volunteer participation of
native and non-native individuals who
are strongly committed to the
preservation of Native American culture
and to the promotion of unqualified
sovereignty among *Native American
nations. We make a special invitation to
Elders knowledgeable in traditional
practices, as native spiritual
functionaries, as medicine personnel
traditional or otherwise, as mmmners. We
also invite qualified auto mechanics,
local organizers to stop over
accommodations in the path of the nn,
or as contnbutors of funds, sear, and
road worthy vehicles.
So we may proceed wh the
necessary planning we encotrage
interested parties to contact ts now.
May your nations journey be with peace
and dignity,
Contact:
Gustavo Gutierrez
Peace and Dignity Journey 1596
P.O. Box 1865
Tempe, Arizona 85280
(602) 966-8714
(602) 254-5230
Fax (602) 252-6094
* The reason we use the term Native
American is because this henisphere is
known as the Americas whica includes
Alaska, Canada, Unites States. Mexico,
Central America and South America.
ABORIGINAL RIGHTS:
KUOW tiem-
EXERCISE them-
DEFEND them!
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Part of Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs Newsletter (Winter 1995)