Periodical
Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs Newsletter (Spring 1996)
- Title
- Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs Newsletter (Spring 1996)
- Is Part Of
- 1.06-01.08 Union of BC Indian Chiefs Newsletter
- 1.06.-01 Newsletters and bulletins sub-series
- Date
- March 1996
- Language
- english
- Identifier
- 1.06-01.08-07.01
- pages
- 16
- Table Of Contents
-
INSIDE THIS ISSUE...
2. Message from the President
3. IIG Graduation
4. Non-Insured Health Benefits
6. Shauna Leigh Maloney
IIG Student
7. IIG Graduation-Pictorial
8. Global Healing '96
9. Resource Center Update
10. Education Update
11. Child Family & Community
Service Act (BUI C-46)
- Proposed Firearms Regulation
12. UBCIC Specific Claims Research
Program
- Cheslatta Carrier
13. Canadian Federation of Students
14. Abuse, Murder and Corruption:
two survivors tell their story
-Arrests and Violence Disrupts
Navajo Gathering - Contributor
- Chief Saul Terry
- Chief Allen Stager
- Shauna-Leigh Maloney
- Type
- periodical
- Transcription (Hover to view)
-
Union ofB. C. Indian Chiefs
NEWSLETTER
SPRING 1996
Institute of Indigenous Government Honors
First Graduation Class of 1996
May
17, 1996 marked the first
Graduation of Institute of
Indigenous Government students.
Family and friends, faculty and staff
gathered at Simon Fraser University,
Harbour Centre in Vancouver to
celebrate their achievements.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE...
2. Messagefromthe President
3. EG Graduation
4. Non-Insured Health Benefits
6. Shauna Leigh Maloney
EG Student
7. EG Graduation-Pictorial
8. Global Healing '96
9. Resource Center Update
10. Education Update
11. Child Family & Community
Service Act (BUI C-46)
- Proposed Firearms Regulation
12. UBCIC Specific Claims Research
Program
- Cheslatta Carrier
13. Canadian Federation of Students
14. Abuse, Murder and Corruption:
two survivorstelltheir story
-Arrests and Violence Disrupts
Navajo Gathering
SPRING 1996
Nirkuschin (Glen Douglas), Resident
Elder of the IIG, drummed the
Academic Procession into the theatre.
Bemice Heather, Instructor and
Student Development Coordinator,
wore traditional dress as she followed
custom by greeting and announcing
each person in the procession.
After the Faculty and Elders
took their places, the Colour Guard
placed the flags on stage with due
honours. The Colour Guard were
represented by Art Eggros, Harry
Lavallee, and Vince Shea, all
members of the Native Veterans
Association. Nirkuschin (Glen
Douglas) then opened the ceremonies
with a prayer of thanks followed by a
welcome from Paul Chartrand,
Interim President of the IIG.
Mr. Chartrand spoke of the
widespread desire for education and
the empowerment of people through
education. He also extended
congratulations from people who were
unable to attend. These included
Ethel Blondin-Andrew (Secretary of
State), Elija Harper (M.P. Churchill),
the Tsilhqot'in National Government
Council of Chiefs, Dara Culhane
(Simon Fraser University), Paul
Ramsey (Minister, Education, Skills
and Training), and John Cashore
(Minister, Aboriginal Affairs).
Chief Saul Terry gave the
Graduation Address. He related the
early planning for the EG and the
motion made in October 1991 to begin
the Institution. He then spoke about
the number of people who have since
become excited about "coming
aboard the decolonization express the E G " . He stated his opinion that
"what is being built here once again is
a strong foundation upon which
people can move forward and once
again build their society, and rebuild
societies that are almost broken and
disappeared''. He stated that this
applies to the "various cultures across
this land, across the Americas and
across the planet".
Chief Terry provided each
student with a commemorative Pin
from the UBCIC to honor their
participation in the first year of the
IIG. Dean Dan Gottesman announced
each student and their nations as they
came on stage. The following
students were called although some
could not attend because they were
working or out of town.
Congratulations for all their hard work
to:
Trevor Blind
Chris Sullivan
Michelle Oleman
Melissa Meyer
June Clearsky
TeresaThomasCooper
Daniel Peters
Rose Dejarlais
Randolph Timothy Theodore Francis
Agnes Wells
Johnny Philbrick
Bruce Polchres
Gwen Gaddie
(IIG GRADUATION Cont'd on Page 3)
UBCIC NEWS
Message From The President:
Address to media at Vancouver
Press Conference (May 9, 1996)
T
he Union of B.C. Indian
Chiefs invited Aboriginal
People
to
meet
and
witness
the
press conference because the
aboriginal rights of health and
education is on the firing line
for Federal termination. We
recognize there are many
Canadians who face hardships
due to Federal changes to the
social program policy in this
country and we share the Canadian citizens' anxieties. The Indian
Nations, however, have constitutionally protected aboriginal rights
yet we have a history of dispossession and poverty.
Canadian citizens have always enjoyed the bounties off our
unceded lands and experience good health. No one can say the
same for Indian people. At one point in our history we were forced
on reserve but now many of our people are being forced off the
reserves seeking education, employment opportunities, and better
living conditions while leaving behind families, community
support and the support of their political leaders. For that our
people have been denied many of their aboriginal rights, economic
opportunities become limited, and too often in the end they are
forced onto welfare dependence under the provincial governments.
The Federal Government and the Canadian Human Rights
Commission report that the aboriginal population is growing well
above the national average but their lives will remain physically
and emotionally depressed: suicide among young aboriginal
people aged 15 to 24 is five times that of young Canadians. In 1994,
38% of all people living on-reserve depended on social assistance
to provide them with the basic necessities of life, compared to 7%
of other Canadians. This brings us to the plans National Health
and Welfare has imposed upon our people:
(1) in the fiscal year 1994/95, Medical Services Branch
capped health funding nationally and regionally. (2) in the fiscal
year 1995/96 introduced First Nations to the new Federal budget
and the introduction of the 6-3-3% limited spending growth until
1997/98 fiscal year. Last year, Medical Services Branch held a
program review which was designed to cut 15% funding and
identified 6 Options to reduce spending.
The primary focus of these Options was to reduce, limit and
cut our Non-Insured Health Benefits. In late summer the Union of
B.C. Indian Chiefs resolved to inform all of our people, regardless
of their residency, of changes to their medical plan because by
October 1995, Health Canada had began implementing policy
changes to the dental schedules, applying fees and other charges.
On March 13, 19% Medical Services Branch, Pacific Region
stated to a gathering of aboriginal people from greater Vancouver
2
and Chiefs Council of the U.B.C.I.C. that status Indian people
living off reserve would not have their medical benefits affected by
policy change.
The problem we face is the erosion of our aboriginal rights.
The 1995 Federal Government introduced B i l l C-76, the Canada
Health and Social Transfer Act which will replace existing Federal/
Provincial transfer funding arrangements. This will determine
how the B.C. Government will carry out social assistance of health
and post-secondary education policy. This will affect our people
who are already suffering the ravages of the federal cut-backs and
are now expected to pay for mental health, dental and over-thecounter drugs. This Government is making changes to basic rights
of our people and we are denied information on those changes.
Furthermore, the federal government actions in social
policy change is a blantant attempt to force provincial governments
to take on constitutional responsibilities which righfully belong to
Canada. Through all this, the Federal Liberal Government continue
to wave their Red Book and extol the virtues of a new relationship
with the Aboriginal People. This is paper talk - it is not fact.
Furthermore, the Department of Indian Affairs actually brags in
their report "Framework for Action'' that through their partnership
with Indian people, the implementation of inherent right of selfgovernment is the most progressive recognition of Aboriginal
Rights to be found anywhere in the world.
Based on their methods in dealing with our health benefits,
and education the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs state there will be
no partnership, and no land question settlement as long as the
policy of denial, avoidance, manipulation and determination exists.
May 9, 19%
Attn: Chief Saul Terry, President
Re: May 9. 19% Press Conference
The Mount Currie Chief and Band Council are in full
support of your office taking the initiative to publically voice
the First Nations situation in regards to the cut-backs and
changes to policy with the Non-Insured Health Benefits and
Dental Plan.
The federal government has been attempting to dissolve
their fiduciary responsibility through the devolution process
by way of the White Paper Policy of 1%9.
By standing in unity can we ever hope to see justice come to
the First Nations of this country.
The Mount Currie Band Council stand with you on this
initiative.
Chief Allen Stager
Mount Currie
SPRING 1996
UBCIC NEWS
(IIG GRADUATION Cont'dfromPage 1)
Audra Wesley
Brenda Wesley
Leora Wilson
Cindy Wishart
Morgan Young
Melanie Gladstone
Shannon Hanson
Beverley Kelly
Shauna-Leigh Maloney
Brenda Red Star
Holly Robinson
Michelle Sault
Dana Simeon
The IIG wishes to acknowledge and thank PriceWaterhouse, Aboriginal Services Division for their generous
contribution toward the Dean's Prizes.
Dr. Sylvia Walsh, Director of Program Planning and
Development and Associate Professor, then read a selected
reading of student work. This excellent piece was written by
Paul Chartrand presented a gift to the Institute to
Shaugh-Leigh Maloney as an answer to an exam question. It is
commemorate the first class of students at the IIG. The gift is a
presented on page 6 of this Newsletter.
picture of a trapper, Elder Daniel Spence, which was taken
Following the reading, Paul Chartrand invited
when Mr. Spence was 102 years of age.
Tsimalano (Elder Vincent Stogan) of the Musqueam Nation to
Dr. Gottesman then introduced Kla-lelaweik (Flora
conduct the formal Calling of the Witnesses. In this Traditional
Dawson), Resident Elder at the IIG. The following awards and
part of the ceremony, which according to custom is neither
certificates were presented by Elders and Faculty Members.
photographed nor taped, Elder Nirkuschin pinned the speaker's
blanket on Tsimalano and Elder Kla-lelaweik tied his scarf.
CERTIFICATE IN INDIGENOUS GOVERNMENT STUDIES Tsimalano then calledfivepeople to witness.
Theodore Andrew Francis
According to North West Coast tradition, the witnesses
Shauna-Leigh Maloney
were of all ages, male and female. Reflecting the IIG's Mission
Statement, their roots were in many continents and nations,
Each of the following students received a book, a Dean's
including Indigenous and incoming peoples. Each person was
Prize and a cash award tied with red ribbon and cedar boughs.
called and stood. This is part of the living oral tradition that is
The prizes were:
thousands of years old. Each person later spoke strongly and
evocatively of their acceptance to be witnesses, their promises to
OVERALL ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT
remember the proceedings and their willingness to speak as
(2 Semesters - Full Time Studies)
formal witnesses should the need ever arise in the future.
Theodore Andrew Francis
Tsimalano then spoke to the students and the audience.
Shauna-Leigh Maloney
He gave words of praise, encouragement and guidance to all the
people gathered together in this celebration. Kla-lelaweik
OVERALL ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT
conducted the closing remarks and prayer followed by the
(1 Semester - Full Time Studies)
retiring of the Colours and the Recessional. Everyone later
Melissa Ann Meyer
assembled to enjoy traditional foods.
Holly Ellen Robinson
Congratulation to all the students - to those who
Randolph George Timothy
graduated, to those who have accomplished their goals and to
Morgan Elyse Young
those who have taken their first steps. Well done!
OVERALL ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT (Part-Time Studies)
Christopher Edward Lloyd Sullivan
Nirkuschin
Elder Glen Douglas
Arlene L. Guerin, IIG
Tsimalano
Kla-lelaweik
Elder Vincent Stogan Elder Flora Dawson
Interim President Paul Chartrand with picture of a
trapper, Elder Daniel Spence at 102 years of age
SPRING 1996
3
UBCIC NEWS
FUNDAMENTAL PROBLEMS WITH CUTBACKS
TO THE NON-INSURED HEALTH BENEFITS
1. THREAT OF ASSIMILATION:
The Federal Government is
destroying their Trust Relationship with
the Indian Nations in Canada. At the
same time they will accomplish the
neutralization of Indian Nations
Governments.
How Will The Government Achieve
This?
a. Finalizing self-government
agreements with various Indian Bands.
Canada receives consent from these
Indian Bands by negotiating away their
Aboriginal Title to their lands. They must
give up their aboriginalrightsto Canada in
exchange for a piece of their traditional
lands and specific rights.
This process is dangerous because
the Government will define aboriginal
rights and treaties in their Constitution
in this way. Self-government
agreements are final and these Indian
Bands become part of the provincial or
territorial municipal government
system. The trust responsibility of the
Federal Government will be broken
forever and transferred to Chiefs and
Council of these Indian Bands.
Changes to the Non-Insured Health
Benefits is part of an overall strategy to
assimilate the Indian Nations. It will not
happen tomorrow, next year or five
years from now but it will happen.
b. Transferring programs to Indian
Bands or Tribal Councils and calling
it "self-government" which is not
"self-determination" of the people.
The transfer of health delivery
programs is not self-determination, it is
simply Indian people administering
Federal programs. Indian people will
end up administering their own poverty.
While this is going on in the health field,
other strategies are taking place through
such initiatives as the First Nations
Land Management Act, Indian Taxation
4
Advisory Board, and Self-Governrnent
Agreements.
c. Delegating civil-servant driven
programs to aboriginal committees to
trim or cut-off funding for essential
services.
Transferring programs relieves
the Government from making decisions
and adequately funding essential
programs. The programs are not based
on Indian Government goals of self determination.
Indian Governments become
Federal civil servants under these
program transfers.
The goals of the Federal
Government are implemented instead of
allowing the Indian people to implement
their nationhood. This is another arm of
the Government being trained to take
over their fiduciary role. These actions
weaken Indian Nations capacity to
negotiate Nation to Nation treaties and
will affect their negotiating powers at
the national and international level.
d. Thirteen Chiefs signed a
Framework Agreement on Land
Management
This Agreement provides for the
complete transfer from the Department
of Indian Affairs to an Indian Band of all
responsibilities concerning reserve land
management. The Agreement allows
Indian Bands to get out from under the
weight of DIA bureaucracy. This route
for improving reserve land transactions
allows the Crown to escape their
fiduciary duties.
True to their goals of
assimilation of Indian Nations into
mainstream Canadian society, the DIA
finds Indian people willing to act as
"working groups" and empower them to
map the way to termination of Indian
Nations through this process.
e. Creating "working groups",
"boards", "committees", "task
forces" and "commissions" of
Indian people to carry out advisory
work for the Federal, Provincial and
Territorial Governments.
These Boards are dangerous for
Indian Nations as they hide from Indian
peoples the real purpose of their
initiatives. The first stage of these kinds
of transactions is always the fact that the
Minister of Indian Affairs getsridof
his administrative responsibilities as set
out in the Indian Act. Once the land
goes, everything else collapses. These
factions are called "advisor" to the
Minister of Indian Affairs strengthening
the Federal Government goals to
terminate Aboriginal Title, Rights, and
Treaties of Indian Nations.
The work of these "consulting
groups'' over the years, has not
liberated Indian Nations from the
impact of colonization. In fact there is
little evidence that the social
conditions, housing,education, health,
and aboriginal rights of Indian Nations
have changed for the better. Putting
Indian people in the role of "advising"
the government has not produced
recognition of the Aboriginal Title and
Rights of Indian Nations because the
Government will not accept the
recommendations of our people if they
pursue self-determination. The Federal
Government only accepts the initiatives
of these "advisors" when they endorse
Government initiatives leading to
extingushment of Aboriginal Title,
Rights and Treaties.
2. THE FEDERAL-PROVINCIAL
ALLIANCE
The Federal Government can make
unilateral decisions on FederalProvincial spending powers.
HEALTH (Continued on page 5)
SPRING J 996
UBCIC NEWS
HEALTH (Continuedfrompage 4)
The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs
takes exception to National Health and
Welfare's cut-backs to the Non-Insured
Health Benefits. In 1995, the Federal
Government introduced Bill C-76 the
Canada Health and Social Transfer.
This new block funding scheme
requires provinces to decide upon
support for health care, social programs
and post-secondary education and places
these three essential services in direct
competition with each other. The
Government uses good words like
"inherent right of self government";
"building a new relationship";
"negotiating treaties"; "up-holding the
honor of the crown" but they are being
dishonest with the Indian people.
They hide behind these words
while actively using processes that
"terminate" Indian rights. Indian
Nations interpret these words to mean
"recognition" of Indian rights not just
in Canada but world-wide.
3. NON-INSURED HEALTH
BENEFITS
Cancel, Change, Cut-Backs
The bureaucrats of National
Health and Welfare decided on changes
to the N.I.H.B. a long time ago then
released their five Options to the
Assembly of First Nations. With the
help of the Department of Justice,
Health and Welfare ensure they can
change, cancel, and cut-back essential
services such as health and stay within
the law in order not to be criticized by
the Human Rights Commission in
Canada and at the United Nations.
Lately Health and Welfare boldly
announced that they don't have the
mandate to provide health care according
to the Treaties with the Crown. They
are doing it out of the goodness of their
hearts.
The actions of Medical Services
Branch during the Non-Insured Health
Benefit crisis is a good example of how
lightly they take their role as the
representatives of the Crown. First of
all, it is a human rights violation to
abandon the original inhabitants of any
land after their way of life has been
disrupted and devastated by dominant
society.
The decision-makers at Medical
Services Branch did not trust the Indian
Leaders to deal with this issue. Timeframes were not taken into consideration;
information-communication tactics was
at its worst; and there was double-talk on
the dental program with the Canadian
Dental Association and the Indian
leaders.
The handling of the three C's, ie,
Cancel, Change and Cut-back to the
NIHB is evidence that it makes no
difference to Medical Services Branch
and National Health and Welfare if
Indian people end up with substandard
human rights in the future. Their
actions, and decisions are setting up the
Indian people to fail 0in the health
transfer program. They will transfer,
transfer, and transfer until they get out
of the health business.
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 aminimumso others can benefit from
this service. Please do not fax business cards. Suggestions or comments are always
welcome. Next deadline is June 21, 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.
SPRING 1996
The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs would
like to congratulate Ardith Walkem on
her successful completion of the bar
exams. Ardith will now be working at
Mandell Pinder. Best wishes!
First Nations Education Services
Street Address:
97HE-FIFTH STREET
SIDNEY, B.C.
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 69
SAANICHTON, B.C.
V8M 2C3
Phone: (604) 656-6894
Fax: (604)656-6834
Healing Our Spirit
B. C. First Nations Aids Society
New Mailing Address:
415 B WEST ESPLANADE
NORTH VANCOUVER B.C.
V7M 1A6
Street Address:
319 Seymour Blvd.
North Vancouver, B.C.
Phone: (604) 983-8774
Fax: (604) 983-2667
5
Shauna -Leigh Maloney
Full Time Studies Student - Institute of Indigenous Government
This confidence signifies the student's own progress
By concentrating on a daily basis on the
on a personal journey to self-determination and
issues of decolonization and education for nationempowerment.
hood, students will not only incorporate these
Students learn in the comfortable atmosphere
concepts into their schoolwork, but entrench them
of the IIG to work closely with each other and the IIG
in their system of values. The IIG's objective is to
facility. Many students overcome, during the semestrain First Nations to become leaders of their
ter, feeling of inequity, shyness and a fear or resentpeople, empowering these students with knowledge.
ment of authority.
Most students, at the time of enrolment into the IIG
So as students learn to lead their people to selfoften feel devalued, or "cheated" by previous school sysdetermination, they are empowering themselves to do the
tems or workplaces to which they have been exposed. same.
They
arrive in theirfirst classes, looking for a sense ofvalidity,
Since the commencement of classes at the IIG and
of belonging. The IIG provides the necessary affirmation,
during the subsequent two semester, I have seen growth an
through culturally relevant courses that validate First
change among my classmates. Bitter, argumentive students
Nations identity. The history of the colonization or aborigihave become more less defensive and open-minded; listennal peoples is taught, providing the students with ing to and accepting the views of others without taking a
conscientization, or the realization of their own oppression
personal offence and then expressing their
as Indigenous persons, the mechanisms used to create this
own.
power to oppress, and their position as Aboriginals in
Painfully shy students have learned to
today's society.
express their views andfeelings. Those
Cultural awareness classes are part of the curricuwho trusted in the established norms
lum, where students can learn
learned to question the status quo.
about the cultures of other
I, for one, became less frusIndigenous nations, and can
trated withfeeling that I would
participate in sharing their
never make change. It is imown. Students learn to take
possible to feel fertile when
pride in and see the value of
studying at the IIG, concenFirst Nations culture and
trating on pathways to personal
world views.
and National self-determinaAs they learn to emtion. Classes involving the
power their people in their
struggle for First Nations have
social and economic develbecome demystified; I am now
opment or decolonization and
able to participate in political
self-determination classes
banter with my father and his
(thesearejust2examplesfrom
politicalfriends. I have gained
self-government facilitating
the respect of others outside of
curriculum), students are bemy accepted circle of family
ginning to gain faith in their
and friends, and through moown abilities to make change.
ments of 'clarity', realized that
Selected Reading of Student Work
this approval of others is irrelDr. Sylvia Walsh, Director of Program Planning
evant to my happiness.
1
Color Guards: Harry Lavallee, Vince Shea and Art Eggros
6
Leora Wilson and Melissa Meyer
SPRING 1996
UBCIC NEWS
Institute of Indigenous Government
Academic Achievement Awards
Melissa Ann Meyer
Andres Liz Lopez and Christopher Sullivan
Alejandro Palacios and Holly Robinson
Overall Academic Achievements
(2 Semesters - Full Time Studies)
Theodore Andrew Frances
Shauna Leigh Maloney
Bernice Heather and Theodore Frances
(1 Semester - Full Time Studies)
Melissa Ann Meyer
Holley E. Robinson
Randolph George Timothy
Morgan Elyse Young
(Part-time Studies)
Christopher Edward Lloyd Sullivan
Theo Collins and Morgan Young
photos by Lisa Sullivan and
Arlene L. Guerin
Dr. Dan Gottesman, Elder Flora Dawson, Shauna Leigh Maloney, Chief Saul Terry
SPRING 1996
7
UBCIC NEWS
...A Call To All Nations Of The World
World Peace and Prayer Day
Global Healing:June 21, 1996
It has been deLooking
cided, according to the
Horse, 19th
Star Knowledge, that
Generation Keeper of the
June 21st is the time to
Sacred White Buffalo Calf
pray. Indigenous peoPipe for the Lakota, Daple of Turtle Island will
kota and Nakota Nation
begin their spiritualjourasks that all Nations upon
ney on h o r s e b a c k
Mother Earth declared
from Wahpeton, SasJune 21st, 1996 World
katchewan, Canada, on
Peace and Prayer Day.
May 3rd, 1996. There,
According to spiritual
Indigenous people will
leaders and Elders who
pray with the Sacred
gathered in the United
Bundle Keepers, to beNations to present their
"If we do not do this our children will suffer"gin the restoration of
Prophecies - again at Six
peace and balance. We
- Arvol Looking Horse Nations, Canada - the
ask all Peoples to begin
"signs" of Indigenous peoc^anizing their own cerple's prophecies have shown themselves. The prophecies tell us
emonies at their sacred sites or in the manner which they pray so
it is time to begin Mending the Sacred Hoop and begin global
that they will be praying at the same time as we are from their own
healing by working towards world peace and harmony.
spiritual center.
Arvol
The birth of the White Buffalo Calf lets us know We are at
the crossroads - either return to balance or face global disaster. It
is our duty to return back to the sacred places and pray for world
peace - if we do not do this our children will suffer.
At Grey Horn Butte, before the White Buffalo Woman
brought the Sacred Pipe to our ancestors, a Seer was travelling in
the Sacred Black Hills - PaHa Sapa, "heart of everything that is".
The Seer came upon a large tipi. When he went in the dpi, he saw
the Sacred Pipe in the North and the Sacred Bundle of Bows and
Arrows in the South. According to the Star Knowledge there are
six stars which designated six sacred sites within the Black Hills
- these places are sacred places to pray. We are told there is a
sacred place every hundred miles around Mother Earth. We ask
all people to return to these places and pray from their hearts with
us. The ceremony begins 10:00 a.m. South Dakota (Mountain)
Time.
So far, we have to spoken to leaders from around the world
and each has committed to work towards supporting June 21st,
1996. We ask all people of all faiths to respond and support our
efforts towards world peace and harmony - our circle oflife where
there is no ending and no beginning. May peace be with you all.
Arvol Looking Horse
19th Generation Keeper of the Sacred
White Buffalo Calf Pipe
DONATIONS FOR THE UNITY RIDE A N D FOR MORE
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Canada - McMaster University Indigenous Studies, Hamilton
Ontario (905) 525-9140 ext. 27426 - Bonnie Freeman
U.S. - Gladys Looking Horse Box 687 Eagle Butte, South
Dakota (605) 964-8439
All material submitted and used in the
Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs Newsletter is:
FREE OF CHARGE
Contact our Vancouver office for more information
604 - 684-0231
8
SPRING 1996
UBCIC NEWS
UBCIC RESOURCE CENTRE
Automated Resource Centre Catalog
We recently completed the upgrade of the library application
software we use in the Resource Centre from the DOS version to
the new Windows version. The Windows version provides for
much easier data entry in building the automated library catalog
and better access screens and report formats for users of the
automated catalog. There is now an OPAC (On-line Public Access
Catalog) in the Resource Centre for library users. The library
materials which are on the automated catalog can be accessed by
keyword, author, title or subject, and users can print off a
bibliography of library materials that they want to look for in the
Resource Centre. The recataloguing and reclassifying of the
collection is an ongoing project and the automated database will
grow as we complete more of this project.
Paul Chartrand Private Book Collection
Paul Chartrand, the Interim President of the IIG, has donated his
private book and document collection to the UBCIC Resource
Centre. This collection was valued by a certified book appraiser at
a value of $27,000. We are currently creating basic records of the
book portion of this donated collection in the automated catalog.
Plans for the Summer of 1996
Resource Centre staff will be busy with collection development
over the summer to meet the new IIG curriculum demands for the
1996/97 school year. We will be adding another OPAC station for
library users and another CD-ROM tower with new CD-ROM
products to be in place for September. We will also continue with
our preservation/conservation of the collection with items being
sent to the bindery and a selection of materials being put onto
microfiche. Cataloguing will be ongoing. Sometime over the
summer staff also hope to fit in some holiday time. The Resource
Centre will remain open all summer and there will always be a
Full-Text Canadian News CD-ROM Now in Resource
minimum of one full-time staff person and the summer student on
Centre
hand to help library users.
A full-text keyword searchable CD-ROM product called CANNEWS
is now available in the Resource Centre for contemporary news
items. We have full-text news for all major Canadian newspapers
as well as CTV & CBC Current Affairs for 1992 - 1995. Users can
search by keyword, name, date, type of byline, etc. and either print
off individual articles or download articles to their own disk to print
off or read on their home computers. The 1996 CANNEWS CDROM will be available early in 1997. In the meantime, we use the
UBCIC Newsclipping Service and a current newspaper subscription
to access the most current news.
Because we are on the same floor as the IIG, the Resource Centre
is on the IIG phone system. You can reach the Resource Centre at
602-9555. Ask for Wendy, Sarah or Lorraine. If it is more
convenient, you can still fax us at the UBCIC fax number684-5726.
Mathew needs your help now!!!
Summer Student
We are interviewing this week for a summer student to work for
twelve weeks in the Resource Centre under the federal government
Career Placement program. We rely on summer students to help
with the many long term projects ongoing in the Resource Centre.
This summer we will use our student to help with our vertical files
and to help cerlox bind a backlog of materials.
Video Collection Growing
We have been able to acquire many new video titles this past year
to assist the IIG instructors and students. These videos are
available for viewing in the Resource Centre at a new VCR station
purchased this past winter.
I attended a two-day multi-media showcase at Capilano College
this past week and previewed pre-selected videos for two full days.
There are some very good videos available on First Nation issues
and concerns. If you are looking for videos on particular topics, I
have a much better idea of what is available after attending the
Showcase, and, you can call me anytime for information or
suggestions.
SPRING 1996
9
UBCIC NEWS
Education Update
There has been numerous calls regarding the cut backs to
students already attending post-secondary institutions. As we
know, the support provided falls below the standard of living. A
single parent with one dependant receives $1045 a month! From
this, the student has to pay for rent, groceries, travel, utilities,
clothing, school fees and activities or day-care for child, laundry
and pastime. A student l i v i n g i n Vancouver w i l l need
approximately $2,450.00. Students need an increase of 43% to
their living allowances to successfully complete their training.
Another concern is the Local Education Agreements.
Section 104(3) of the School Act (1989) provides for the opting
out of the Master Tuition Agreement at the local level by
allowing for the entry into agreements by Boards and Bands, or
Councils of Bands. Under these local education agreements, the
federal government provides tuition costs to individual bands and
the band purchase services from a school. The intent of these
agreements is to encourage meaningful consultation with First
Nations communities. There has been numerous complaints
from the First Nations communities about these agreements
being disrupted from payments made from the Department of
Indian Affairs to the School Boards. Delegates from these bands
have stressed that it is important that DIA work with the Indian
Bands rather than complicating the situation by making direct
payments to the school boards. It is their (DIA's) fiduciary
responsibility to ensure that the interest of the people are upheld.
On May 14, 19%, the Vancouver School Board hosted a
meeting with the Aboriginal Education Branch. Dixon Taylor
and Gloria Raphael, who are both co-ordinators, discussed the
First Nations Studies 12, First Nations K-10 Cirriculum, direct
funding, local education agreements and the "Aboriginal
Support Workers" handbook. Allan Haig-Brown focused on the
Aboriginal Network (Abnet) on the Internet. F o r more
information on how you can "get connected" phone (604) 5206748. The First Nations support workers (elementary &
secondary) expressed some their concerns and updated on their
cirriculum and services provided to First Nations students.
The planning stages of the Union of B . C . Indian Chiefs
International Conference "Visions of the Peoples: The Spirit of
Justice, A World Gathering of Indigenous Peoples" is underway.
The purpose of this gathering is to bring together grassroots people,
leaders, elders, chiefs and individuals committed to creating positive
change in their communities, traditional territories and nations.
The conference will focus on traditional and contemporary issues in
relation to Aboriginal justice, self-determination, legal, political,
economic and social structures, education, health, etc. The
proceedings will provide opportunities for participants to present
their ideas, experiences and visions of justice through a variety of
expression: oration, music, art, crafts, film, dance, presentation of
papers, etc. We are expecting participants from around the world.
The conference is scheduled to take place in the summer of 1997.
Students who participated in the " O n to Ottawa'' trek have
not yet returned. Many First Nations students from B.C. joined the
Canadian Federation of Students trek to Parliament H i l l in protest
10
to the Post-secondary and the Canadian Social Transfer cutbacks.
' 'First Nations students will no longer tolerate the unjust conduct
of DIA," was the message from First Nations students. Jennie
Blankinship, UBCIC Education Policy Co-ordinator.
T
he Indian Homemakers Association held a fund
raising "Benefit Night" on April 26, 1996. Over 200
p e o p l e j o i n e d the d i n n e r a n d entertainment.
Winners of the Raffle are:
1. H A M P E R S :
"Traditional Foods"
Teresa Rickman, Vancouver
"Turkey" - Susie Guss, Vancouver
" H a m " - Kelsey Hall, Vancouver.
2. STAR QUILT
M i m i Dent, Vancouver
3. " T R A D I T I O N A L B U C K S K I N D R E S S "
Rain On Your Face Caprian, Merritt B.C.
4. " K W A ' K W A B A L A S D O L L "
Frank Boucher, Quesnel B.C.
5. " E A G L E CUSHIONS'
Monica McCoy - Enderby, B . C .
6. " S T A R C U S H I O N S "
Hertha Holland.
T H A N K Y O U T O A L L W H O C O N T R I B U T E D TO OUR M A N Y
DOOR PRIZES A N D DONATIONS. Thank you to the following
organisations and people:
The Vancouver Indian Friendship Society
The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs
Institute of Indigenous Government
Renae Morriseau, Master of Ceremony
The list ofall who volunteered and entertained is extensive.
A complete list of all the entertainers and volunteers will be
acknowledged in our IHA newsletter. We gratefully appreciate
the commitment and dedication of those who participated with the
efforts in making our families and communities stronger. The
Indian Homemakers Association of B . C . is located at #208 - 175
E. Broadway, Vancouver B . C . Phone (604) 876-0944, fax (604)
876-1448. Thank you all again, from Jennie Blankinship,
President.
The Indian Homemakers Association is looking for
representatives from all nations within British Columbia.
Nominations, by letter, will be accepted at our office. Our Annual
General Meeting will be i n July or August of 19%. If you have
concerns in your community and would like support from other
First Nations women, please forward names (up to 5) to the Indian
Homemakers Association. There are twenty-three (23) distinct
nations within B . C . alone, we need your voice to address the
concerns of our families and communities. A l l First Nations
women qualify. If you have any questions, please call Jennie
Blankinship, President or Wanda Sandy, Administrator at (604)
876-0944.
SPRING 1996
UBCIC NEWS
Vancouver Aboriginal Child & Family Services was enlisted
as the Designated Representative for Vancouver Area and
the Lower Mainland. The community has come together to
discuss the new act. The meetings have been taking place at
least once per month. The Vancouver Aboriginal & Family
Submitted by the Indian Homemakers Association of B. C. Services have been contacting people at different agencies to
take part with the discussions. The community is a very
This act came into effect January 29, 1996, which
important part of the act, especially for our Native
replaced the old Family and Child Services Act. The changes
Families. It is crucial that information be distributed to
came into effect so that we may be able to help the people by
all communities. If you have any questions or concerns,
using the community resources as well as the Ministry
please call Renee Robert, Executive Director, at 689-2402.
Resources. The Ministry of Social Services made a Declaration:
"That the Ministry of Social Services recognizes the
inherent responsibility and authority of aboriginal nations/
communities for the well-being of their members, and is
Department of Justice
committed to Supporting Aboriginal Nations/communities
in their development and delivery of social services.
PROPOSED FIREARMS REGULATIONS ON HOLD
The act entails the following:
OTTAWA, M A Y 8, 1996 - Allan Rock, Minister of
Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today gave notice
+ The act highlights the critical importance of kinship
he will not proceed with draft regulations supporting the
relations, extended family ties, and children's connections to
Firearms Act put before Parliament on May 2, 1996. A new
specific communities and specific cultures.
set of regulations will be tabled at a later date for a thirty day
sitting period.
+ Notice of hearing is to be served to the BAND or to
This action follows a request from the Chair of the
designated representatives. This notice is to be given to both
Standing Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs, that that
parent's bands.
Committee be given a longer period of time to prepare for its
examination of the regulations.
+ The Act emphasizes the taking of a child into care as a last
"I want to ensure that the draft regulations receive a
resort, if the child is in immediate danger. Other less
disruptive measures MUST be considered before a child is
very thorough examination," said Minister Rock. "We will
taken into care. The Act provides for a number of less
proceed in re-tabling the first set of regulations only after the
intrusive measures which allow workers to provide support
extensive consultations with members of the Caucus and
to families.
other interested stakeholders. I have already begun to
receive many suggestions on how the regulations can be
improved.
+ The Act requires the Ministry to be accountable to children,
This first set of draft regulations are the first of those
families and communities whenever it is involved in a child
required to implement the Act. The remaining provisions of
welfare matter.
the Act not yet in force will be brought into effect in early
1997. The new licensing requirements for individuals will
+ Cultural identity of aboriginal children should be preserved.
begin at that time.
+ Aboriginal people are to be involved in planning and the
delivery of services to aboriginal families and their children.
-30This also means the community which will include the
resources.
Ref. : Jennifer Lang
Ministers Office
(613) 992-4621
+ Family Conferences can take place if this is what the family
would like to set up.
The Child, Family & Community
Services Act - Bill 46
+ The definition of' 'Aboriginal Organisation'' will be
developed in policy in consultation with aboriginal people.
Identified aboriginal organizations are prescribed in the
regulations for the purpose of this section. An Indian Band
may be an aboriginal organization for this purpose or the
Indian Band may identify a specific tribal council,
aboriginal child welfare agency or any other organization
for this purpose.
STRING 1996
11
UBCIC NEWS
Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs Specific Claims Research Program
Top Quality Research and Legal Analysis at No Direct Cost!
How does the
you know that the
UBClC's
SpecificClaims
What is a Specific Claim?
Union of B . C . Indian
Research Program work?
Chiefs has a specialized
The starting point is a
research/legal team devoted
The federal government has defined two separate policies and
B C R from a Band
to the development of specific
processes for claims - "comprehensive" and "specific".
authorizing
the Union to
claims? Did you know that
Comprehensive claims are based on the idea ofcontinuing aboriginal
do
the
necessary
research
any Band in B.C. is eligible
rights and title which have not been dealt with by treaty or other lawful
and
legal
work
on the
to participate i n this
means. These claims concern traditional territories as well as traditional
specific
claims
issues
it
program?
use and occupancy of land.
identifies.
When
The
UBCIC's
Specific claims do not deal with unextinguished aboriginal title.
necessary, the Union will
Specific Claims Research
Specific claims are about whether the federal government fulfilled its
contact the Band for
Program stems
from
lawful obligations as defined by treaties, the Indian Act or other federal
clarification of the
mandates provided to
laws. Specific claims relate mostly to a Band's reserve land base. Most
specific claims request
U B C I C by B C Bands to
commonly they involve the loss of reserve lands without lawful surrender
and
an indication of the
undertake specific claims
by the Band, or the government's failure to pay adequate compensation
urgency
of the issues.
research on their behalf. It is
in cases where lands were taken with legal authority. They can also include
Researchers
collect all the
a Band-driven program
failure to compensate for alienated or damaged reserve lands and assets.
relevant
documentation,
wherein the Bands direct the
The resolution and settlement of specific claims most commonly involves
which they analyze and
research and legal work on
land or money.
forward with a report to
their specific claims through
There are a number of different kinds of specific claims. These
the legal staff. The legal
the UBCIC. The U B C I C ' s
include: "cut-off' lands, unlawful alienations (land sales, surrenders),
staff
review
these
team cannot be matched for
"Douglas" treaties and pre-Confederation "Douglas" reserves, reserve
its B C specific claims
materials and prepare a
boundaries, rights-of-way, fishing stations, graveyards and water rights,
expertise - it has been dealing
legal opinion for the
land accretions, etc.
with every type of specific
Band's review. A meeting
claim since the establishment of this process. The U B C I C team
with the Band generally follows. A l l further activities by the
consists of experienced full-time archival researchers who work
research/legal team are directed by the Band. There is no obligation
exclusively on specific claims, while legal analysis and support
for the Band to settle claims through this process.
services are provided by the Vancouver law firm, Mandell Finder.
A l l research and legal activities are carried out by U B C I C
under the strictest confidentiality. A l l documents gathered for
The aim of the UBCIC's Specific Claims Research Program
specific claims belong to the claimant Band. Frequently, the
is to provide maximum research and legal support to members,
information
gathered by the U B C I C ' s Specific Claims Research
given the limited program dollars available. Our umbrella approach
Program
is
helpful to the Band in areas other than specific claims,
allows research to proceed to completion with no funding
such
as
community
education or planning.
interruptions and with no need for up-front money or administrative
If you would like to know more about the U B C I C ' s Specific
costs - Member Bands benefit from the specific claims expertise of
Claims Research Program, please feel free to call 1-604-684-0231
our research/legal team ah year-round, year after year at no direct
or drop by the Vancouver office any time.
cost
Did
Letter from the Cheslatta Carrier Nation
April 11, 1996
Dear Chief and Council:
Cheslatta is currently involved in a precedent-setting federal/provincial environment assessment of the proposed Huckelberry
open-pit copper mine. We would like to share our experience with you and have you share your experience with us. In this way, we
can deal with the common problems we face on environmental assessments.
Here are some questions we are interested in having answered:
Is your Nation involved in an environmental assessment?
What companies/corporations are proposing the project?
Is the company/corporations using divide and conquer tactics?
12
Please contact us if you need more information.
Sincerely, Chief Marvin Charlie
P.O. Box 909, Burns Lake, B.C. V 0 J 1E0
Tel: (604) 694-3334 Fax: (604) 694-3632
SPRING 1996
UBCIC NEWS
CANADIAN FEDERATION OF STUDENTS
(SEVEN STUDENTS ARRESTED
IN HULL,
QUEBEC)
ABORIGINAL STUDENTS
OCCUPY DEPARTMENT OFThe students have a list of demands which they were tr
INDIAN AND NORTHERN
to present to Minister Ron Irwin, Prime Minister Jean
AFFAIRS
Chretien and Finance Minster Paul Martin.
May 10, 19%, Ottawa - The
Federal Department of Indian and
Northern Affairs in Hull has just been
occupied by Aboriginal Students and
their supporters. They are demonstrating
against the implementation of the
Canada Health and Social Transfer
(CHST) and funding cuts to social
programs.
The protesters are calling on the
Liberal Government to live up to their
Red Book promises, including the
removal of the cap on the Aboriginal
Post-Secondary Support Program, the
development of a comprehensive aboriginal study curriculum, the initiation of a
comprehensive health policy and Aboriginal involvement in policy and
budgetary decisions.
"This occupation seems to be the
only way to get the government's attention, "says Renee Shilling, National
Aboriginal Students Representative for
the Canadian Federation of Students.
"We had aboriginal students on a hunger
strike in British Columbia for 19 days in
February, without any response from
Jean Chretien or Ron Irwin," she adds.
Protesters are also demanding
that the government honour its fiduciary
and constitutional obligations to all
Aboriginal Peoples, as found in the
Royal Proclamation of 1763, the British
North American Act of 1867 and the
Canadian Constitution as amended in
1982.
"The cuts which are being
implemented under the CHST are going
to have a devastating effect on Aboriginal peoples' health, education and social
well-being," expresses Shilling. "Yet
there has been no consultation with
Aboriginal people at all. It's our future
at stake, and we're not going to just sit by
SPRING 1996
and watch it be destroyed" she emphasizes.
Aboriginal people will also be
speaking out against the CHST as part of
the Canadian Federation of Students' On
to Ottawa Trek Tomorrow at a demonstration on Parliament Hill at 2:30 Ovide
Mercredi of the Assembly of First
Nations and Jim Sinclair of the Congress
of Aboriginal Peoples will be speaking at
a demonstration.
-30For more information please contact
Renee Shilling at 795-54%
May 10, 19%, Ottawa - Seven students
were arrested in Hull, Quebec today
following a peaceful occupation of the
lobby of Indian and Northern Affairs
Minister Ron Irwin's office. The Canadian Federation of Students regrets that
students were arrested during this nonviolent protest. The purpose of the sit-in
was to protest against cuts to social
assistance, health care and post-secondary education being implemented
through the Liberal government's
Canada Health and Social Transfer.
The students have a list of
demands which they were trying to
present to the Minister Irwin, Prime
Minister Jean Chretien and Finance
Minister Ron Irwin. The demands are:
- Honour promises presented in the
Federal Liberal Red Book, such as
remove the cap to the Aboriginal PostSecondary Student Support Program
- Develop a comprehensive Aboriginal
Study Curriculum;
- Initiate a comprehensive health policy,
and budgetary decisions.
- Return the Aboriginal Post-Secondary
Program to a needs-based program with
adequate funds to cover all educational
and living expenses.
- Honour Federalfiduciaryand constitutional obligations to all Aboriginal
Peoples.
- Legislate a Higher Education Act to
define the Federal role in the Aboriginal
organizations, Aboriginal students and
communities.
- Act on the Canadian Federation of
Students' demands for the On to Ottawa
Trek.
- Release Marcel Masses Program.
Review of the Department of Indian
Affairs and Northern Development.
The student's demands are
reasonable, and have yet to be met by
Minister Irwin or Prime Minister
Chretien. Aboriginal students have
made efforts to raise their concerns with
the Minister through other avenues,
including a 19-day hunger strike in
British Columbia in February, with no
response from the Federal Government.
The Federation and the Aboriginal Students' Constituency Group will
continue to lobby the government to have
their demands met, we will continue to
use peaceful, non-violent forms of protest
against the devastating impacts of the
Liberal government's Canada Health and
Social Transfer.
-30For more information please contact
Cassandra Koenen, National Treasurer,
Canadian Federation of Students at (603)
232-7394.
13
UBCIC NEWS
ABUSE, MURDER AND CORRUPTION:
Two Survivors of the Native Residential School and Church
Tell Their Story and Seek Justice
For immediate Release - May 24, 1996
Harriet
negligence, pedophilia and
Nahanee is a First
Nations woman who
murder in the church-run west
"The voices of murdered children are
endured years in the United
coast native schools.
crying out forjustice"
Church Residential School in
These revelations come
Port Alberni, B.C., and who
-Harriett Nahaneeat an especially important
witnessed the murder there of a
time, now that a class action
fellow student.
lawsuit has been launched by fifteen Port Alberni men against
Kevin Annett is a United Church Minister who was
the
United Church and federal government, for severe damages
wrongfully dismissed from his church in Port Alberni in 1995
suffered
by them at the Alberni Residential School.
when he helped to uncover this murder and other unknown
"There
are a lot of skeletons in the United Church
abuses at the school. He is on the verge of being expelled from
closet,
quite
literally,"
says Kevin. "At least three children were
the United Church for his outspoken public opposition to the
killed
in
the
Alberni
Ahousat
schools, and probably more. We'd
corruption and cover-up still operating within that church.
like
to
know
where
their
bodies
are, and how the church got
Harriett and Kevin will be commencing a public speakaway
with
murders
for
decades."
ing tour in June, 1996 to share with others their story and build
This speaking tour is designed to raise support and
support for their campaign to hold a "Citizens' Commission of
money
for the Commission of Inquiry and a related Legal
Inquiry" into the United Church and its relation to First Nations
Defense
Fund.
People. This Commission will also investigate the destructive
To
book Harriet and Kevin as speakers, or to find out
effects of both government and corporate actions in the Port
more
information
about this campaign, contact them directly at
Alberni region.
the
number
below
in Vancouver.
"The voices of murdered children are crying out for
justice" says Harriet. "This church got away with killing them,
Harriett Nahanee
985-5817
and it's time the truth came out."
Kevin
Annett
224-3201
As part of his research into the Residential School
abuses, Kevin has uncovered previously-concealed correspondSponsored by the Justice in the Valley Coalition
ence between the federal government, and the United Church
Port
Alberni, B.C.
which reveals a decades-long collusion to cover up criminal
Arrests and Violence Disrupt Navajo (Dine') Gathering
For immediate Release - May 25. 1996
B.I.A. Rangers in cooperation with the Hopi and local law enforcement officials have blockaded a gathering of Traditional
Dine' and their supporters on the disputed territories of the Hopi Partitioned land. Hopi Rangers have disrupted a traditional pipe
ceremony and manhandled several elders from the area.
The residences of Louise Benally and Ruth Benally in the community of Big Mountain, Arizona and the surrounding area,
are now covered with scores of law enforcement personnel. Many Navajo Elders are now resisting arrest as their children and
supporters have already been taken into custody for attempting to attend the annual Spring gathering.
Violence has been reported by several area residents as police have used batons and force to take gathering participants into
custody. Police are now preparing to use tear gas at the site.
The situation escalated as a group of Elder women prevented the arrest of a Dine' youth. Police then attempted to arrest the
Elders who sat and clung to each other to avoid being taken into custody. Supporters and family members continue to arrive and
confront the Hopi Rangers. The Traditional Elders have called on the media and the American public to come and witness the
violence and the occupation of their ancestral homelands.
Please make inquiries and register complaints with the office:
Senator John McCain (602) 952-2410
Washington, D.C.
(202)224-3121
14
Hopi Chairman, Ferrrell Secakuku 520-734-2441
SPRING 1996
UBCIC NEWS
MAP
OF THE SOVEREIGN
TERRITORIAL
INDIGENOUS
BOUNDARIES:
JUNE,
NATIONS
1993
The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs' map of the Sovereign Indigenous Nations Territorial Boundaries is the only contemporary
map that accurately shows the traditional tribal territories of the 23 Indian Nations in British Columbia. The six colour map measures
28" x 36".
The tribal territories are the homelands of distinct Nations, within which their respective peoples share a common language,
culture and traditional forms of political and social organization. These homelands have been occupied by the Indian Nations since
time immemorial. Up to the present, the Indian Nations in British Columbia have never surrendered their ownership of their homelands
(aboriginal title), nor have they surrendered their original sovereignty as nations to govern their homelands (inherent jurisdiction).
Information on the territorial boundaries was compiled by the Union's research portfolio and President's office between July,
1990 and April, 1993 from archival research and information provided by elders, chiefs, and tribal councils. Chief Saul Terry, President
of the Union and a graduate of the Vancouver College of Art (now the Emily Carr College of Art and Design), prepared the working
drafts for the map.
Design and cartography for the June, 1993 map was done by David Sami, chief cartographer of Multi Mapping Ltd. in
Vancouver, B.C., using a 1:2,000,000 scale base-map from the Surveys and Environment Branch of the British Columbia Ministry
ofEnvironment, Lands and Parks. A l l territorial boundaries shown on the map are subject to further revision, as additional information
becomes available. Contact the Union of B . C . Indian Chiefs at (604) 684-0231 for ordering information.
28" 136" / Scale: 1:2 000 000 / Six Colours
SPRING 1996
15
UBCIC NEWS
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16
SPRING 1996
Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs
NEWSLETTER
SPRING 1996
Institute of Indigenous Government Honors
First Graduation Class of 1996
Nf» 17, 1996 marked the first
‘ Graduation of Institute of
Indigenous Government students.
Family and friends, faculty and staff
gathered at Simon Fraser University,
Harbour Centre in Vancouver to
celebrate their achievements.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE...
. Message from the President
. IG Graduation
. Non-Insured Health Benefits
nN Fe WwW WH
. Shauna Leigh Maloney
IG Student
7, UG Graduation-Pictorial
8. Global Healing '96
9. Resource Center Update
10. Education Update
11, Child Family & Community
Service Act (Bill C-46)
- Proposed Firearms Regulation
12. UBCIC Specific Claims Research
Program
- Cheslatta Carrier
13. Canadian Federation of Students
14. Abuse, Murder and Corruption:
two survivors tell their story
-Arrests and Violence Disrupts
Navajo Gathering
Nirkuschin (Glen Douglas), Resident
Elder of the IIG, drummed the
Academic Procession into the theatre.
Bernice Heather, Instructor and
Student Development Coordinator,
wore traditional dress as she followed
custom by greeting and announcing
each person in the procession.
After the Faculty and Elders
took their places, the Colour Guard
placed the flags on stage with due
honours. The Colour Guard were
represented by Art Eggros, Harry
Lavallee, and Vince Shea, all
members of the Native Veterans
Association. Nirkuschin (Glen
Douglas) then opened the ceremonies
with a prayer of thanks followed by a
welcome from Paul Chartrand,
Interim President of the IIG.
Mr. Chartrand spoke of the
widespread desire for education and
the empowerment of people through
education. He also extended
congratulations from people who were
unable to attend. These included
Ethel Blondin-Andrew (Secretary of
State), Elija Harper (M.P. Churchill),
the Tsilhgot’in National Government
Council of Chiefs, Dara Culhane
(Simon Fraser University), Paul
Ramsey (Minister, Education, Skills
and Training), and John Cashore
(Minister, Aboriginal Affairs).
Chief Saul Terry gave the
Graduation Address. He related the
early planning for the IIG and the
motion made in October 1991 to begin
the Institution. He then spoke about
the number of people who have since
become excited about “‘coming
aboard the decolonization express -
the IIG’’. He stated his opinion that
“‘what is being built here once again is
a strong foundation upon which
people can move forward and once
again build their society, and rebuild
societies that are almost broken and
disappeared’’. He stated that this
applies to the ‘‘various cultures across
this land, across the Americas and
across the planet’’.
Chief Terry provided each
student with a commemorative Pin
from the UBCIC to honor their
participation in the first year of the
IIG. Dean Dan Gottesman announced
each student and their nations as they
came on stage. The following
students were called although some
could not attend because they were
working or out of town.
Congratulations for all their hard work
to:
Trevor Blind Melissa Meyer
Chris Sullivan June Clearsky
Michelle Oleman TeresaThomas-
Cooper
Rose Dejarlais Daniel Peters
Randolph Timothy Theodore Francis
Johnny Philbrick Agnes Wells
Gwen Gaddie Bruce Polchres
(IG GRADUATION Cont'd on Page 3)
SPRING 1996
UBCIC NEWS
Message From The President:
Address to media at Vancouver
Press Conference (May 9, 1996)
F
he Union of B.C. Indian
Chiefs invited Aboriginal
People to meet and witness the
press conference because the
aboriginal rights of health and
education is on the firing line
for Federal termination. We
recognize there are many
Canadians who face hardships
due to Federal changes to the
social program policy in this
country and we share the Canadian citizens’ anxieties. The Indian
Nations, however, have constitutionally protected aboriginal rights
yet we have a history of dispossession and poverty.
Canadian citizens have always enjoyed the bounties off our
unceded lands and experience good health. No one can say the
same for Indian people. At one point in our history we were forced
on reserve but now many of our people are being forced off the
reserves secking education, employment opportunities, and better
living conditions while leaving behind families, community
support and the support of their political leaders. For that our
people have been denied many of their aboriginal rights, economic
opportunities become limited, and too often in the end they are
forced onto welfare dependence under the provincial governments,
The Federal Government and the Canadian Human Rights
Commission report that the aboriginal population is growing well
above the national average but their lives wil! remain physically
and emotionally depressed: suicide among young aboriginal
people aged 15 to 24 is five times that of young Canadians. In 1994,
38% of all people living on-reserve depended on social assistance
to provide them with the basic necessities of life, compared to 7%
of other Canadians. This brings us to the plans National Health
and Welfare has imposed upon our people:
(1) in the fiscal year 1994/95, Medical Services Branch
capped health funding nationally and regionally. (2) in the fiscal
year 1995/96 introduced First Nations to the new Federal budget
and the introduction of the 6-3-3% limited spending growth until
1997/98 fiscal year. Last year, Medical Services Branch held a
program review which was designed to cut 15% funding and
identified 6 Options to reduce spending.
The primary focus of these Options was to reduce, limit and
cut our Non-Insured Health Benefits. In late summer the Union of
B.C, Indian Chiefs resolved to inform all of our people, regardless
of their residency, of changes to their medical plan because by
October 1995, Health Canada had began implementing policy
changes to the dental schedules, applying fees and other charges.
On March 13, 1996 Medical Services Branch, Pacific Region
siated to a gathering of aboriginal people from greater Vancouver
and Chiefs Council of the U.B.C.LC. that status Indian people
living off reserve would not have their medical benefits affected by
policy change.
The problem we face is the erosion of our aboriginal rights.
The 1995 Federal Government introduced Bill C-76, the Canada
Health and Social Transfer Act which will replace existing Federal/
Provincial transfer funding arrangements. This will determine
how the B.C. Government will carry out social assistance of health
and post-secondary education policy. This will affect our people
who are already suffering the ravages of the federal cut-backs and
are now expected to pay for mental health, dental and over-the-
counter drugs. This Government is making changes to basic rights
of our people and we are denied information on those changes.
Furthermore, the federal government actions in social
policy change is ablantant attempt to force provincial governments
to take on constitutional responsibilities which righfully belong to
Canada. Through all this, the Federal Liberal Government continue
to wave their Red Book and extol the virtues of a new relationship
with the Aboriginal People. This is paper talk - it is not fact.
Furthermore, the Department of Indian Affairs actually brags in
their report ‘Framework for Action’’ that through their partnership
with Indian people, the implementation of inherent right of self-
government is the most progressive recognition of Aboriginal
Rights to be found anywhere in the world.
Based on their methods in dealing with our health benefits,
and education the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs state there will be
no partnership, and no land question settlement as long as the
policy ofdenial, avoidance, manipulation and determination exists.
May 9, 1996
Attn: Chief Saul Terry, President
Re: May 9. 1996 Press Conference
The Mount Currie Chief and Band Council are in full
support of your office taking the initiative to publically voice
the First Nations situation in regards to the cut-backs and
changes to policy with the Non-Insured Health Benefits and
Dental Plan.
The federal government has been attempting to dissolve
their fiduciary responsibility through the devolution process
by way of the White Paper Policy of 1969.
By standing in unity can we ever hope to see justice come to
the First Nations of this country.
The Mount Currie Band Council stand with you on this
initiative.
Chief Allen Stager
Mount Currie
2
SPRING 1996
UBCIC NEWS
(GiG GRADUATION Cont'd from Page 1)
Audra Wesley Melanie Gladstone Brenda Red Star
Brenda Wesley Shannon Hanson Holly Robinson
Leora Wilson _ Beverley Kelly Michelle Sault
Cindy Wishart Shauna-Leigh Maloney Dana Simeon
Morgan Young
Paul Chartrand presented a gift to the Institute to
commemorate the first class of students at the IG, The gift is a
picture of a trapper, Elder Daniel Spence, which was taken
when Mr. Spence was 102 years of age.
Dr. Gottesman then introduced Kla-lelaweik (Flora
Dawson), Resident Elder at the IIG. The following awards and
certificates were presented by Elders and Faculty Members.
CERTIFICATE IN INDIGENOUS GOVERNMENT STUDIES
Theodore Andrew Francis
Shauna-Leigh Maloney
Each of the following students received a book, a Dean’s
Prize and a cash award tied with red nbbon and cedar boughs.
The prizes were:
OVERALL ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT
(2 Semesters - Full Time Studies)
Theodore Andrew Francis
Shauna-Leigh Maloney
OVERALL ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT
(1 Semester - Full Time Studies)
Melissa Ann Meyer
Holly Ellen Robinson
Randolph George Timothy
Morgan Elyse Young
OVERALL ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT (Part-Time Studies)
Christopher Edward Lloyd Sullivan
Kla-lelaweik
Nirkuschin Tsimalano
Elder Glen Douglas
Elder Vincent Stogan Elder Flora Dawson
The IJG wishes to acknowledge and thank Price-
Waterhouse, Aboriginal Services Division for their generous
contribution toward the Dean’s Prizes.
Dr. Sylvia Walsh, Director of Program Planning and
Development and Associate Professor, then read a selected
reading of student work. This excellent piece was written by
Shaugh-Leigh Maloney as an answer to an exam question. It is
presented on page 6 of this Newsletter.
Following the reading, Paul Chartrand invited
Tsimalano (Elder Vincent Stogan) of the Musqueam Nation to
conduct the formal Calling of the Witnesses. In this Traditional
part of the ceremony, which according to custom is neither
photographed nor taped, Elder Nirkuschin pinned the speaker’s
blanket on Tsimalano and Elder Kla-lelaweik tied his scarf.
Tsimalano then called five people to witness.
According to North West Coast tradition, the witnesses
were of ali ages, male and female. Reflecting the IIG’s Mission
Statement, their roots were in many continents and nations,
including Indigenous and incoming peoples. Each person was
called and stood. This is part of the living oral tradition that is
thousands of years old. Each person later spoke strongly and
evocatively of their acceptance to be witnesses, their promises to
remember the proceedings and their willingness to speak as
formal witnesses should the need ever arise in the future.
Tsimalano then spoke to the students and the audience.
He gave words of praise, encouragement and guidance to all the
people gathered together in this celebration. Kla-lelaweik
conducted the closing remarks and prayer followed by the
retiring of the Colours and the Recessional. Everyone later
assembled to enjoy traditional foods.
Congratulation to all the students - to those who
graduated, to those who have accomplished their goais and to
those who have taken their first steps. Well done!
Arlene L. Guerin, IG
Interim President Paul Chartrand with picture of a
trapper, Elder Daniel Spence at 102 years of age
SPRING 1996
UBCIC NEWS
FUNDAMENTAL PROBLEMS WITH CUTBACKS
TO THE NON-INSURED HEALTH BENEFITS
l. THREAT OF ASSIMILATION:
The Federal Government is
destroying their Trust Relationship with
the Indian Nations in Canada. At the
same time they will accomplish the
neutralization of Indian Nations
Governments.
How Will The Government Achieve
This?
a. Finalizing self-government
agreements with various Indian Bands.
Canada receives consent from these
Indian Bands by negotiating away their
Aboriginal Title to their lands. They must
give up their aboriginal rights to Canada in
exchange for a piece of their traditional
lands and specific rights.
This process is dangerous because
the Government will define aboriginal
rights and treaties in their Constitution
inthis way. Self-government
agreements are final and these Indian
Bands become part of the provincial or
territorial municipal government
system. The trust responsibility of the
Federal Government will be broken
forever and transferred to Chiefs and
Council of these Indian Bands.
Changes to the Non-Insured Health
Benefits is part of an overall strategy to
assimilate the Indian Nations. It will not
happen tomorrow, next year or five
years from now but it will happen.
b. Transferring programs to Indian
Bands or Tribal Councils and calling
it ‘‘self-government”’ which is not
‘*self-determination’’ of the people.
The transfer of health delivery
programs is not self-determination, it is
simply Indian people administering
Federal programs. Indian people will
end up administering their own poverty.
While this is going on in the health field,
other strategies are taking place through
such initiatives as the First Nations
Land Management Act, Indian Taxation
Advisory Board, and Self-Government
Agreements.
c. Delegating civil-servant driven
programs to aboriginal committees to
trim or cut-off funding for essential
services.
Transferring programs relieves
the Government from making decisions
and adequately funding essential
programs. The programs are not based
on Indian Government goals of self -
determination.
Indian Governments become
Federal civil servants under these
program transfers.
The goals of the Federal
Government are implemented instead of
allowing the Indian people to implement
their nationhood. This is another arm of
the Government being trained to take
over their fiduciary role. These actions
weaken Indian Nations capacity to
negotiate Nation to Nation treaties and
will affect their negotiating powers at
the national and international level.
d. Thirteen Chiefs signed a
Framework Agreement on Land
Management.
This Agreement provides for the
complete transfer from the Department
of Indian Affairs to an Indian Band of all
responsibilities concerning reserve land
management. The Agreement allows
Indian Bands to get out from under the
weight of DIA bureaucracy. This route
for improving reserve land transactions
allows the Crown to escape their
fiduciary duties.
True to their goals of
assimilation of Indian Nations into
mainstream Canadian society, the DIA
finds Indian people willing to act as
““working groups’’ and empower them to
map the way to termination of Indian
Nations through this process.
e. Creating “‘working groups”’,
‘‘boards’’, ‘‘committees’’, ‘‘task
forces’’ and ‘‘commissions’’ of
Indian people to carry out advisory
work for the Federal, Provincial and
Territorial Governments.
These Boards are dangerous for
Indian Nations as they hide from Indian
peoples the real purpose of their
initiatives. The first stage of these kinds
of transactions is always the fact that the
Minister of Indian Affairs gets rid of
his administrative responsibilities as set
out in the Indian Act. Once the land
goes, everything else collapses. These
factions are called ‘‘advisor’’ to the
Minister of Indian Affairs strengthening
the Federal Government goals to
terminate Aboriginal Title, Rights, and
Treaties of Indian Nations.
The work of these ‘‘consulting
groups’’ over the years, has not
liberated Indian Nations from the
impact of colonization. In fact there is
little evidence that the social
conditions, housing,education, health,
and aboriginal rights of Indian Nations
have changed for the better. Putting
Indian people in the role of ‘‘advising’’
the government has not produced
recognition of the Aboriginal Title and
Rights of Indian Nations because the
Government will not accept the
recommendations of our people if they
pursue self-determination. The Federal
Government only accepts the initiatives
of these ‘‘advisors’’ when they endorse
Government initiatives leading to
extingushment of Aboriginal Title,
Rights and Treaties.
2. THE FEDERAL-PROVINCIAL
ALLIANCE
The Federal Government can make
unilateral decisions on Federal-
Provincial spending powers.
HEALTH (Continued on page 5)
4
SPRING 1996
UBCIC NEWS
HEALTH (Continued from page 4)
The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs
takes exception to National Health and
Welfare’s cut-backs to the Non-Insured
Health Benefits. In 1995, the Federal
Government introduced Bill C-76 the
Canada Health and Social Transfer.
This new block funding scheme
requires provinces to decide upon
support for health care, social programs
and post-secondary education and places
these three essential services in direct
competition with each other. The
Government uses good words like
“‘inherent right of self government’’;
‘‘puilding a new relationship’’;
“‘negotiating treaties’’; ‘‘up-holding the
honor of the crown’’ but they are being
dishonest with the Indian people.
They hide behind these words
while actively using processes that
‘‘terminate’’ Indian rights. Indian
Nations interpret these words to mean
“‘recopnition”’ of Indian rights not just
in Canada but world-wide.
3. NON-INSURED HEALTH
BENEFITS
Cancel, Change, Cut-Backs
The bureaucrats of National
Health and Welfare decided on changes
to the N.I.H.B. a long time ago then
released their five Options to the
Assembly of First Nations. With the
help of the Department of Justice,
Health and Welfare ensure they can
change, cancel, and cut-back essential
services such as health and stay within
the law in order not to be criticized by
the Human Rights Commission in
Canada and at the United Nations.
Lately Health and Welfare boldly
announced that they don’t have the
mandate to provide health care according
to the Treaties with the Crown. They
are doing it out of the goodness of their
hearts.
The actions of Medical Services
Branch during the Non-Insured Heaith
Benefit crisis is a good example of how
lightly they take their role as the
representatives of the Crown. First of
all, itis a human rights violation to
abandon the original inhabitants of any
land after their way of life has been
disrupted and devastated by dominant
society.
The decision-makers at Medical
Services Branch did not trust the Indian
Leaders to deal with this issue. Time-
frames were not taken into consideration;
information-communication tactics was
at its worst; and there was double-talk on
the dental program with the Canadian
Dental Association and the Indian
leaders.
The handling of the three C’s, ie,
Cancel, Change and Cut-back to the
NIHB is evidence that it makes no
difference to Medical Services Branch
and National Health and Welfare if
Indian people end up with substandard
human nghts in the future. Their
actions, and decisions are setting up the
Indian people to fail Oin the health
transfer program. They will transfer,
transfer, and transfer until they get out
UBCIC Newsletter Deadline
of the health business.
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 June 21, 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.
The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs would
like to congratulate Ardith Walkem on
her successful completion of the bar
exams. Ardith will now be working at
Mandell Pinder. Best wishes!
First Nations Education Services
Street Address:
9711E - FIFTH STREET
SIDNEY, B.C.
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 69
SAANICHTON, B.C.
V8M 2C3
Phone: (604) 656-6894
Fax: (604) 656-6834
Healing Our Spirit
B.C. First Nations Aids Society
New Mailing Address:
415 B WEST ESPLANADE
NORTH VANCOUVER, B.C.
V7M 1A6
Street Address:
319 Seymour Blvd.
North Vancouver, B.C.
Phone: (604) 983-8774
Fax: (604) 983-2667
SPRING 1996
By concentrating on a daily basis on the
issues of decolonization and education for nation-
hood, students will not only incorporate these
concepts into their schoolwork, but entrench them
in their system of values. The IIG's objective is to
train First Nations to become leaders of their
people, empowering these students with knowl-
edge.
Most students, at the time of enrolment into the IIG
often feel devalued, or "cheated" by previous school sys-
tems or workplaces to which they have been exposed. They
arrive in their first classes, looking for a sense of validity,
ofbelonging. The IG provides the necessary affirmation,
through culturally relevant courses that validate First
Nations identity. The history of the colonizationor aborigi-
nal peoples is taught, providing the students with
conscientization, or the realization of their own oppression
as Indigenous persons, the mechanisms used to create this
power to oppress, and their position as Aboriginals in
today’s society.
lum, where students can learn
about the cultures of other
Indigenous nations, and can
participate in sharing their
own. Students learn to take
pride in and see the value of
irst Nations culture and
world views.
As they learn to em-
power their people in their
ocial and economic devel-
opment or decolonization and
elf-determination classes
these are just 2examples from
self-government facilitating
rriculum), students are be-
pinning to gain faith in their
own abilities to make change.
\
INSTITUTE OF
7: 6
Color Guards: Harry Lavallee, Vince Shea and Art Eggros
Cultural awareness classes are part of the curricu-
Selected Reading of Student Work
Dr. Sylvia Walsh, Director of Program Planning
Shauna -Leigh Maloney
Full Time Studies Student - Institute of Indigenous Government
This confidence signifies the student's own progress
on a personal journey to self-determination and
empowerment.
Students learn in the comfortable atmosphere
of the IIG to work closely with each other and the IIG
facility. Many students overcome, during the semes-
ter, feeling of inequity, shyness and a fear or resent-
ment of authority.
So as students learn to lead their people to self-
determination, they are empowering themselves to do the
same.
Since the commencement of classes at the IIG and
during the subsequent two semester, I have seen growth an
change among my classmates. Bitter, argumentive students
have become more less defensive and open-minded; listen-
ing to and accepting the views of others without taking a
personal offence and then expressing their
P Own.
Painfully shy students have learned to
express their views and feelings. Those
who trusted in the established norms
learned to question the status quo.
I, for one, became less frus-
trated with feeling that] would
never make change. It is im-
possible to feel fertile when
studying at the IJG, concen-
trating on pathways to personal
and National self-determina-
tion. Classes involving the
struggle for First Nations have
become demystified; I am now
able to participate in political
banter with my father and his
political friends. I have gained
the respect of others outside of
my accepted circle of family
and friends, and through mo-
ments of ‘clarity’, realized that
this approval of others is irrel-
evant to my happiness.
bs
“ae
Leora Wilson and Melissa Meyer
SPRING 1996
UBCIC NEWS
Institute of Indigenous Government
Academic Achievement Awards
Be
Andres
Sess ses = PO
Alejandro Palacios and Holly Robinson
NG ‘96
AWARDS
Overall Academic Achievements
(2 Semesters - Full Time Studies)
Theodore Andrew Frances
Shauna Leigh Maloney
(1 Semester - Full Time Studies)
Melissa Ann Meyer
Holley E. Robinson
Randolph George Timothy
Bernice Heather and Theodore Frances Morgan Elyse Young
(Part-time Studies)
Christopher Edward Lloyd Sullivan
Taal ee
Theo Collins and Morgan Young
Photos by Lisa Sullivan and
Arlene L, Guerin
Dr. Dan Gottesman, Elder Flora Dawson, Shauna Leigh Maloney, Chief Saul Terry
SPRING 1996 7
UBCIC NEWS
A Call To All Nations Of The World
World Peace and Prayer Day
Global Healing: June 21, 1996
It has been de-
—=
wae rv01 Looking
a BF Horse, 19th
Generation Keeper of the
Sacred White Buffalo Calf
Pipe for the Lakota, Da-
kota and Nakota Nation
asks that all Nations upon
Mother Earth declared
June 21st, 1996 World
Peace and Prayer Day.
According to spiritual
leaders and Elders who
gathered in the United
Nations to present their
Prophecies - again at Six
Nations, Canada - the
"If we do not do this our children will suffer"
- Arvol Looking Horse -
cided, according to the
Star Knowledge, that
June 21st is the time to
pray. Indigenous peo-
ple of Turtle Island will
begin their spiritual jour-
ney on horseback
from Wahpeton, Sas-
katchewan, Canada, on
May 3rd, 1996, There,
Indigenous people will
pray with the Sacred
Bundle Keepers, to be-
gin the restoration of
peace and balance. We
ask all Peoples to begin
organizing their owncer-
"signs" of Indigenous peo-
ple's prophecies have shown themselves. The prophecies tell us
it is time to begin Mending the Sacred Hoop and begin global
healing by working towards world peace and harmony.
The birth of the White Buffalo Calf lets us know we are at
the crossroads - either return to balance or face global disaster. It
is our duty to return back to the sacred places and pray for world
peace - if we do not do this our children will suffer.
At Grey Horn Butte, before the White Buffalo Woman
brought the Sacred Pipe to our ancestors, a Seer was travelling in
the Sacred Black Hills - PaHa Sapa, "heart of everything that is".
The Seer came upon a large tipi. When he went in the tipi, he saw
the Sacred Pipe in the North and the Sacred Bundle of Bows and
Arrows in the South. According to the Star Knowledge there are
six stars which designated six sacred sites within the Black Hills
- these places are sacred places to pray. We are told there is a
sacred place every hundred miles around Mother Earth. We ask
all people to return to these places and pray from their hearts with
us. The ceremony begins 10:00 a.m. South Dakota (Mountain)
Time.
emonies at their sacred sites or in the manner which they pray so
that they will be praying at the same time as we are from their own
spiniual center.
So far, we have to spoken to leaders from around the world
and each has committed to work towards supporting June 21st,
1996. We ask all people of all faiths to respond and support our
efforts towards world peace and harmony - our circle of life where
there is no ending and no beginning. May peace be with you all.
Arvol Looking Horse
19th Generation Keeper of the Sacred
White Buffalo Calf Pipe
DONATIONS FOR THE UNITY RIDE AND FOR MORE
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Canada - McMaster University Indigenous Studies, Hamilton
Ontario (905) 525-9140 ext. 27426 - Bonnie Freeman
U.S. - Gladys Looking Horse Box 687 Eagle Butte, South
Dakota (605) 964-8439
All material submitted and used in the
© Union of B.C.. Indian Chiefs. Newsletter. is:
FREE OF CHARGE re
Contact our Vancouver office for more’ tnfonemiion
604 ~ 684-0231
SPRING 1996
UBCIC NEWS
UBCIC RESOURCE CENTRE
Automated Resource Centre Catalog
We recently completed the upgrade of the library application
software we use in the Resource Centre from the DOS version to
the new Windows version. The Windows version provides for
much easier data entry in building the automated library catalog
and better access screens and report formats for users of the
automated catalog. There is now an OPAC (On-line Public Access
Catalog) in the Resource Centre for library users. The library
materials which are on the automated catalog can be accessed by
keyword, author, title or subject, and users can print off a
bibliography of library materials that they want to look for in the
Resource Centre. The recataloguing and reclassifying of the
collection is an ongoing project and the automated database will
prow as we complete more of this project.
Full-Text Canadian News CD-ROM Now in Resource
Centre
A full-text keyword searchable CD-ROM product called CANNEWS
is now available in the Resource Centre for contemporary news
items. We have full-text news for all major Canadian newspapers
as well as CTV & CBC Current Affairs for 1992 - 1995. Users can
search by keyword, name, date, type of byline, etc. and either print
off individual articles or download articles to their own disk to print
off or read on their home computers. The 1996 CANNEWS CD-
ROM will be available early in 1997, In the meantime, we use the
UBCIC Newsclipping Service anda current newspaper subscription
to access the most current news.
Summer Student
We are interviewing this week for a summer student to work for
twelve weeks in the Resource Centre under the federal government
Career Placement program. We rely on summer students to help
with the many long term projects ongoing in the Resource Centre.
This summer we will use our student to help with our vertical files
and to help cerlox bind a backlog of materials.
Video Collection Growing
We have been able to acquire many new video titles this past year
to assist the IG instructors and students. These videos are
available for viewing in the Resource Centre at anew VCR station
purchased this past winter.
I attended a two-day multi-media showcase at Capilano College
this past week and previewed pre-selected videos for two full days.
There are some very good videos available on First Nation issues
and concerns. If you are looking for videos on particular topics, I
have a much better idea of what is available after attending the
Showcase, and, you can call me anytime for information or
suggestions.
Paul Chartrand Private Book Collection
Paul Chartrand, the Interim President of the IIG, has donated his
private book and document collection to the UBCIC Resource
Centre. This collection was valued by a certified book appraiser at
a value of $27,000. We are currently creating basic records of the
book portion of this donated collection in the automated catalog.
Plans for the Summer of 1996
Resource Centre staff will be busy with collection development
over the summer to meet the new IG curriculum demands for the
1996/97 school year. We will be adding another OPAC station for
library users and another CD-ROM tower with new CD-ROM
products to be in place for September. We will also continue with
our preservation/conservation of the collection with items being
sent to the bindery and a selection of materials being put onto
microfiche. Cataloguing will be ongoing. Sometime over the
summer staff also hope to fit in some holiday time. The Resource
Centre will remain open all summer and there will always be a
minimum of one full-time staff person and the summer student on
hand to help library users.
Because we are on the same floor as the IIG, the Resource Centre
is on the IEG phone system. You can reach the Resource Centre at
602-9555. Ask for Wendy, Sarah or Lorraine. If it is more
convenient, you can still fax us at the UBCIC fax number 684-5726.
Mathew needs your help now!!!
Please seed popes
‘or — books on Indian :
“chBS> ac Indions.
Some
the
"Indians. ore
ans Bes}
————
Wa atirew “eahiet
Box TI
QrySon Quebec
— DJex (HO
SPRING 1996
UBCIC NEWS
Education Update
There has been numerous calls regarding the cut backs to
students already attending post-secondary institutions. As we
know, the support provided falls below the standard of living. A
single parent with one dependant receives $1045 a month! From
this, the student has to pay for rent, groceries, travel, utilities,
clothing, school fees and activities or day-care for child, laundry
and pastime. A student living in Vancouver will need
approximately $2,450.00. Students need an increase of 43% to
their living allowances to successfully complete their training.
Another concern is the Local Education Agreements.
Section 104(3) of the School Act (1989) provides for the opting
out of the Master Tuition Agreement at the local level by
allowing for the entry into agreements by Boards and Bands, or
Councils of Bands. Under these local education agreements, the
federal government provides tuition costs to individual bands and
the band purchase services from a school. The intent of these
agreements is to encourage meaningful consultation with First
Nations communities. There has been numerous complaints
from the First Nations communities about these agreements
being disrupted from payments made from the Department of
Indian Affairs to the School Boards. Delegates from these bands
have stressed that it is important that DIA work with the Indian
Bands rather than complicating the situation by making direct
payments to the school boards. It is their (DIA’s) fiduciary
responsibility to ensure that the interest of the people are upheld.
On May 14, 1996, the Vancouver School Board hosted a
meeting with the Aboriginal Education Branch. Dixon Taylor
and Glona Raphael, who are both co-ordinators, discussed the
First Nations Studies 12, First Nations K-10 Cirriculum, direct
funding, local education agreements and the ‘‘ Aboriginal
Support Workers’’ handbook. Allan Haig-Brown focused on the
Aboriginal Network (Abnet) on the Internet. For more
information on how you can “‘get connected’’ phone (604) 520-
6748. The First Nations support workers (elementary &
secondary) expressed some their concerns and updated on their
cirriculum and services provided to First Nations students.
The planning stages of the Union of B.C. Indian Chief's
International Conference ‘‘Visions of the Peoples: The Spirit of
Justice, A World Gathering of Indigenous Peoples’’ is underway.
The purpose of this gathering is to bring together grassroots people,
leaders, elders, chiefs and individuals committed to creating positive
change in their communities, traditional territories and nations.
The conference will focus on traditional and contemporary issues in
relation to Aboriginal justice, self-determination, legal, political,
economic and social structures, education, health, etc. The
proceedings will provide opportunities for participants to present
their ideas, experiences and visions of justice through a variety of
expression: oration, music, art, crafts, film, dance, presentation of
papers, etc. We are expecting participants from around the world.
The conference is scheduled to take place in the summer of 1997.
Students who participated in the ‘‘On to Ottawa’’ trek have
not yet returned. Many First Nations students from B.C. joined the
Canadian Federation of Students trek to Parliament Hill in protest
to the Post-secondary and the Canadian Social Transfer cutbacks.
‘‘First Nations students will no longer tolerate the unjust conduct
of DIA,’’ was the message from First Nations students. Jennic
Blankinship, UBCIC Education Policy Co-ordinator. S
Vhe Indian Homemakers Association held a fund
raising ‘“Benefit Night’’ on April 26, 1996. Over 200
people joined the dinner and entertainment.
Winners of the Raffle are:
1. HAMPERS:
“*Traditional Foods”’
Teresa Rickman, Vancouver
“‘Turkey’’ - Susie Guss, Vancouver
**Ham’’ - Kelsey Hall, Vancouver.
2. STAR QUILT
Mimi Dent, Vancouver
3. “‘TRADITIONAL BUCKSKIN DRESS”’
Rain On Your Face Caprian, Merritt B.C.
4. “KWA’KWA BALAS DOLL”’
Frank Boucher, Quesnel B.C.
5. ‘““EAGLE CUSHIONS’
Monica McCoy - Enderby, B.C.
6. ‘‘STAR CUSHIONS’’
Hertha Holland.
THANK YOU TOALL WHO CONTRIBUTED TO OUR MANY
DOOR PRIZES AND DONATIONS. Thank you to the following
organisations and people:
The Vancouver Indian Friendship Society
The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs
Institute of Indigenous Government
Renae Morriseau, Master of Ceremony
The list ofall who volunteered and entertained is extensive.
A complete list of all the entertainers and volunteers will be
acknowledged in our IHA newsletter. We gratefully appreciate
the commitment and dedication of those who participated with the
efforts in making our families and communities stronger. The
Indian Homemakers Association of B.C. is located at #208 - 175
E, Broadway, Vancouver B.C, Phone (604) 876-0944, fax (604)
876-1448. Thank you all again, from Jennie Blankinship,
President.
The Indian Homemakers Association is looking for
representatives from all nations within British Columbia.
Nominations, by letter, will be accepted at our office. Our Annual
General Meeting will be in July or August of 1996. If you have
concems in your community and would like support from other
First Nations women, please forward names (up to 5) to the Indian
Homemakers Association. There are twenty-three (23) distinct
nations within B.C. alone, we need your voice to address the
concems of our families and communities, All First Nations
women qualify. If you have any questions, please call Jennie
Blankinship, President or Wanda Sandy, Administrator at (604)
876-0944.
10
P 1996
UBCIC NEWS
The Child, Family & Community
Services Act - Bill 46
Submitted by the Indian Homemakers Association of B.C.
This act came into effect January 29, 1996, which
replaced the old Family and Child Services Act. The changes
came into effect so that we may be able to help the people by
using the community resources as well as the Ministry
Resources. The Ministry of Social Services made a Declaration:
‘That the Ministry of Social Services recognizes the
inherent responsibility and authority of aboriginal nations/
communities for the well-being of their members, and is
committed to Supporting Aboriginal Nations/communities
in their development and delivery of social services.
The act entails the following:
+ The act highlights the critical importance of kinship
relations, extended family ties, and children’s connections to
specific communities and specific cultures.
+ Notice of hearing is to be served to the BAND or to
designated representatives. This notice is to be given to both
parent’s bands.
+ The Act emphasizes the taking of a child into care as a last
resort, if the child is in immediate danger. Other less
disruptive measures MUST be considered before a child is
taken into care. The Act provides for a number of less
intrusive measures which allow workers to provide support
to families.
+ The Act requires the Ministry to be accountable to children,
families and communities whenever it is involved in a child
welfare matter.
+ Cultural identity of aboriginal children should be preserved.
+ Aboriginal people are to be involved in planning and the
delivery of services to aboriginal families and their children.
This also means the community which will include the
resources.
+ Family Conferences can take place if this is what the family
would like to set up.
+ The definition of ‘‘Aboriginal Organisation’’ will be
developed in policy in consultation with aboriginal people.
Identified aboriginal organizations are prescribed in the
regulations for the purpose of this section. An Indian Band
may be an aboriginal organization for this purpose or the
Indian Band may identify a specific tribal council,
aboriginal child welfare agency or any other organization
for this purpose.
Vancouver Aboriginal Child & Family Services was enlisted
as the Designated Representative for Vancouver Area and
the Lower Mainland. The community has come together to
discuss the new act. The meetings have been taking place at
least once per month. The Vancouver Aboriginal & Family
Services have been contacting people at different agencies to
take part with the discussions. The community is a very
important part of the act, especially for our Native
Families. It is crucial that information be distributed to
all communities. If you have any questions or concerns,
please call Renee Robert, Executive Director, at 689-2402.
Department of Justice
PROPOSED FIREARMS REGULATIONS ON HOLD
OTTAWA, MAY 8, 1996 - Allan Rock, Minister of
Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today gave notice
he will not proceed with draft regulations supporting the
Firearms Act put before Parliament on May 2, 1996. A new
set of regulations will be tabled at a later date for a thirty day
sitting period.
This action follows a request from the Chair of the
Standing Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs, that that
Committee be given a longer period of time to prepare for its
examination of the regulations.
“I want to ensure that the draft regulations receive a
very thorough examination,” said Minister Rock. “We will
proceed in re-tabling the first set of regulations only after the
extensive consultations with members of the Caucus and
other interested stakeholders, I have already begun to
receive many suggestions on how the regulations can be
improved.
This first set of draft regulations are the first of those
required to implement the Act. The remaining provisions of
the Act not yet in force will be brought into effect in early
1997, The new licensing requirements for individuals will
begin at that time.
-30-
Ref. : Jennifer Lang
Ministers Office
(613) 992-4621
SPRING 1996
11
UBCIC NEWS
Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs Specific Claims Research Program
Top Quality Research and Legal Analysis at No Direct Cost!
[ Jia you know that the
J” Union of B.C. Indian
Chiefs has a specialized
research/legal team devoted.
tothe development of specific
claims? Did you know that
any Band in B.C. is eligible
to participate in this
program?
The UBCIC’s
Specific Claims Research
Program stems from
mandates provided to
UBCIC by BC Bands to
undertake specific claims
research on their behalf. It is
a Band-driven program
wherein the Bands direct the
research and legal work on
their specific claims through
the UBCIC. The UBCIC’s
team cannot be matched for
its BC specific claims
expertise - it has been dealing
with every type of specific
@
The federal government has defined two separate policies and
processes for claims - ‘‘comprehensive’’ and ‘‘specific’’.
Comprehensive claims are based on the idea of continuing aboriginal
rights and title which have not been dealt with by treaty or other lawful
means. These claims concern traditional territories as well as traditional
use and occupancy of land.
Specific claims do not deal with unextinguished aboriginal title.
Specific claims are about whether the federal government fulfilled its
lawful obligations as defined by treaties, the Indian Act or other federal
laws. Specific claims relate mostly to a Band’s reserve land base. Most
commonly they involve the loss of reserve lands without lawful surrender
by the Band, or the government’s failure to pay adequate compensation
in cases where lands were taken with legal authority, They can also include
failure to compensate for alienated or damaged reserve lands and assets.
The resolution and settlement of specific claims most commonly involves
land or money.
There are a number of different kinds of specific claims, These
include: ‘‘cut-off’ lands, unlawful alienations (land sales, surrenders),
““Douglas’’ treaties and pre-Confederation ‘‘Douglas’’ reserves, reserve
boundanies, rights-of-way, fishing stations, graveyards and water rights,
land accretions, etc.
What is a Specific Claim?
How does the
UBCIC’s Specific Claims
Research Program work?
The starting point is a
BCR from a Band
authorizing the Union to
do the necessary research
and legal work on the
specific claims issues it
identifies. When
necessary, the Union will
contact the Band for
clarification of the
specific claims request
and an indication of the
urgency of the issues.
Researchers collect all the
relevant documentation,
which they analyze and
forward with a report to
the legal staff. The legal
staff review these
materials and prepare a
legal opinion for the
Band's review. A meeting
claim since the establishment of this process. The UBCIC team
consists of experienced full-time archival researchers who work
exclusively on specific claims, while legal analysis and support
services are provided by the Vancouver law firm, Mandell Pinder.
The aim ofthe UBCIC’s Specific Claims Research Program
is to provide maximum research and legal support to members,
given the limited program dollarsavailable. OQurumbrella approach
allows research to proceed to completion with no funding
interruptions and with no need for up-front money or administrative
costs - Member Bands benefit from the specific claims expertise of
our research/legal team all year-round, year after year at no direct
cost,
with the Band generally follows. All further activities by the
research/legal team are directed by the Band. There is no obligation
for the Band to settle claims through this process.
All research and legal activities are carried out by UBCIC
under the strictest confidentiality. All documents gathered for
specific claims belong to the claimant Band. Frequently, the
information gathered by the UBCIC’s Specific Claims Research
Program is helpful to the Band in areas other than specific claims,
such as community education or planning.
If you would like to know more about the UBCIC’s Specific
Claims Research Program, please feel free to call 1-604-684-0231
or drop by the Vancouver office any time.
Letter from the Cheslatta Carrier Nation
April 11, 1996
Dear Chief and Council:
Cheslatta is currently involved in a precedent-setting federal/provincial environment assessment of the proposed Huckelberry
open-pit copper mine. We would like to share our experience with you and have you share your experience with us. In this way, we
can deal with the common problems we face on environmental assessments.
Here are some questions we are interested in having answered:
Is your Nation involved in an environmental assessment?
What companies/corporations are proposing the project?
Is the company/corporations using divide and conquer tactics?
Please contact us if you need more information.
Sincerely, Chief Marvin Charlie
P.O, Box 909, Burns Lake, B.C. VOJ 1EO
Tel: (604) 694-3334 Fax: (604) 694-3632
12
PRING 1996
UBCIC NEWS
CANADIAN FEDERATION OF STUDENTS
(SEVEN STUDENTS ARRESTED IN HULL, QUEBEC)
ABORIGINAL STUDENTS
OCCUPY DEPARTMENT OF
INDIAN AND NORTHERN
AFFAIRS
May 10, 1996, Ottawa -- The
Federal Department of Indian and
Northern Affairs in Hull has just been
occupied by Aboriginal Students and
their supporters. They are demonstrating
against the implementation of the
Canada Health and Social Transfer
(CHST) and funding cuts to social
programs.
The protesters are calling on the
Liberal Government to live up to their
Red Book promises, including the
removal of the cap on the Aboriginal
Post-Secondary Support Program, the
development of a comprehensive aborigi-
nal study curriculum, the initiation of a
comprehensive health policy and Abo-
riginal involvement in policy and
budgetary decisions.
"This occupation seems to be the
only way to get the government's atten-
tion, “says Renee Shilling, National
Aboriginal Students Representative for
the Canadian Federation of Students.
"We had aboriginal students on a hunger
strike in British Columbia for 19 days in
February, without any response from
Jean Chretien or Ron Irwin," she adds.
Protesters are also demanding
that the government honour its fiduciary
and constitutional obligations to all
Aboriginal Peoples, as found in the
Royal Proclamation of 1763, the British
North American Act of 1867 and the
Canadian Constitution as amended in
1982.
"The cuts which are being
implemented under the CHST are going
to have a devastating effect on Aborigi-
nal peoples’ health, education and social
well-being,” expresses Shilling. "Yet
there has been no consultation with
Aboriginal people at all. It's our future
at stake, and we're not going to just sit by
The students have a list of demands which they were trying
to present to Minister Ron Irwin, Prime Minister Jean
Chretien and Finance Minster Paul Martin.
and watch it be destroyed” she empha-
SiZeS.
Aboriginal people will also be
speaking out against the CHST as part of
the Canadian Federation of Students' On
to Ottawa Trek Tomorrow at a demon-
stration on Parliament Hill at 2:30 Ovide
Mercredi of the Assembly of First
Nations and Jim Sinclair of the Congress
of Aboriginal Peoples will be speaking at
a demonstration.
-30-
For more information please contact
Renee Shilling at 795-5496
May 10, 1996, Ottawa - Seven students
were arrested in Hull, Quebec today
following a peaceful occupation of the
lobby of Indian and Northern Affairs
Minister Ron Irwin's office. The Cana-
dian Federation of Students regrets that
students were arrested during this non-
violent protest. The purpose of the sit-in
was to protest against cuts to social
assistance, health care and post-second-
ary education being implemented
through the Liberal government's
Canada Health and Social Transfer.
The students have a list of
demands which they were trying to
present to the Minister Irwin, Prime
Minister Jean Chretien and Finance
Minister Ron Irwin. The demands are:
- Honour promises presented in the
Federal Liberal Red Book, such as
remove the cap to the Aboriginal Post-
Secondary Student Support Program
- Develop a comprehensive Aboriginal
Study Curriculum;
- Initiate a comprehensive health policy;
and budgetary decisions.
- Return the Aboriginal Post-Secondary
Program to a needs-based program with
adequate funds to cover all educational
and living expenses.
- Honour Federal fiduciary and constitu-
tional obligations to all Aboriginal
Peoples.
~ Legislate a Higher Education Act to
define the Federal role in the Aboriginal
organizations, Aboriginal students and
communities.
- Act on the Canadian Federation of
Students' demands for the On to Ottawa
Trek.
- Release Marcel Masses Program.
Review of the Department of Indian
Affairs and Northern Development.
The student's demands are
reasonable, and have yet to be met by
Minister Irwin or Prime Minister
Chretien. Aboriginal students have
made efforts to raise their concerns with
the Minister through other avenues,
including a 19-day hunger strike in
British Columbia in February, with no
response from the Federal Government.
The Federation and the Aborigi-
nal Students’ Constituency Group will
continue to lobby the government to have
their demands met, we will continue to
use peaceful, non-violent forms of protest
against the devastating impacts of the
Liberal government's Canada Health and
Social Transfer.
-30-
For more information please contact
Cassandra Koenen, National Treasurer,
Canadian Federation of Students at (603)
232-7394,
OPRING 1996
13
UBCIC NEWS
HEUSE, MURDER AUD CORRUPTION:
Two Survivors of the Native Residential School and Church
Tell Their Story and Seek Justice
For immediate Release - May 24, 1996
negligence, pedophilia and
Li arriet Nahanee is a First
J) Nations woman who
endured years in the United
Church Residential School in
Port Alberni, B.C., and who
witnessed the murder there of a
"The. voices of murdered children are
crying out for justice"
-Harriett Nahanee-
murder in the church-run west
coast native schools.
These revelations come
at an especially important
time, now that a class action
fellow student.
Kevin Annett is a United Church Minister who was
wrongfully dismissed from his church in Port Alberni in 1995
when he helped to uncover this murder and other unknown
abuses at the school. He is on the verge of being expelled from
the United Church for his outspoken public opposition to the
cormption and cover-up still operating within that church.
Harriett and Kevin will be commencing a public speak-
ing tour in June, 1996 to share with others their story and build
support for their campaign to hold a "Citizens' Commission of
Inquiry" into the United Church and its relation to First Nations
People. This Commission will also investigate the destructive
effects of both government and corporate actions in the Port
Alberni region.
"The voices of murdered children are crying out for
justice” says Harriet. “This church got away with killing them,
and it's time the truth came out."
As part of his research into the Residential School
abuses, Kevin has uncovered previously-concealed correspond-
ence between the federal government, and the United Church
which reveals a decades-long collusion to cover up criminal
lawsuit has been launched by fifteen Port Alberni men against
the United Church and federal government, for severe damages
suffered by them at the Alberni Residential School.
"There are a lot of skeletons in the United Church
closet, quite literally," says Kevin. "At least three children were
killed in the Alberni Ahousat schools, and probably more. We'd
like to know where their bodies are, and how the church got
away with murders for decades."
This speaking tour is designed to raise support and
money for the Commission of Inquiry and a related Legal
Defense Fund.
To book Harriet and Kevin as speakers, or to find out
more information about this campaign, contact them directly at
the number below in Vancouver.
985-5817
224-3201
Harriett Nahanee
Kevin Annett
Sponsored by the Justice in the Valley Coalition
Port Alberni, B.C.
Arrests and Violence Disrupt Navajo (Dine') Gathering
For immediate Release - May 25, 1996
B.I.A. Rangers in cooperation with the Hopi and local law enforcement officials have blockaded a gathering of Traditional
Dine’ and their supporters on the disputed territories of the Hopi Partitioned Jand. Hopi Rangers have disrupted a traditional pipe
ceremony and manhandled several elders from the area.
The residences of Louise Benally and Ruth Benally in the community of Big Mountain, Anzona and the surrounding area,
are now covered with scores of law enforcement personnel. Many Navajo Elders are now resisting arrest as their children and
supporters have already been taken into custody for attempting to attend the annual Spring gathering.
Violence has been reported by several area residents as police have used batons and force to take gathering participants into
custody. Police are now preparing to use tear gas at the site.
‘The situation escalated as a group of Elder women prevented the arrest of a Dine' youth. Police then attempted to arrest the
Elders who sat and clung to each other to avoid being taken into custody. Supporters and family members continue to arrive and
confront the Hopi Rangers. The Traditional Elders have called on the media and the American public to come and witness the
violence and the occupation of their ancestral homelands.
Please make inquiries and register complaints with the office:
Senator John McCain (602) 952-2410
Washington, D.C. (202) 224-3121
Hopi Chairman, Ferrrell Secakuku 520-734-2441
14
SPRING 1996
UBCIC NEWS
MAP OF THE SOVEREIGN INDIGENOUS NATIONS
TERRITORIAL BOUNDARIES: JUNE, 1993
The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs’ map of the Sovereign Indigenous Nations Territorial Boundaries is the only contemporary
map that accurately shows the traditional tribal territories of the 23 Indian Nations in Bnitish Columbia. The six colour map measures
28" x 36".
The tribal territories are the homelands of distinct Nations, within which their respective peoples share a common language,
culture and traditional forms of political and social organization. These homelands have been occupied by the Indian Nations since
time immemorial. Up tothe present, the Indian Nations in British Columbia have never surrendered their ownership of their homelands
(aboriginal title), nor have they surrendered their original sovereignty as nations to govern their homelands (inherent jurisdiction).
Information on the territorial boundaries was compiled by the Union’s research portfolio and President’s office between July,
1990 and April, 1993 from archival research and information provided by elders, chiefs, and tribal councils. Chief Saul Terry, President
of the Union and a graduate of the Vancouver College of Art (now the Emily Carr College of Art and Design), prepared the working
drafts for the map.
Design and cartography for the June, 1993 map was done by David Sami, chief cartographer of Multi Mapping Ltd. in
Vancouver, B.C., using a 1:2,000,000 scale base-map from the Surveys and Environment Branch of the British Columbia Ministry
of Environment, Lands and Parks. All territorial boundaries shown on the map are subject to further revision, as additional information
becomes available. Contact the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs at (604) 684-0231 for ordering information.
28" x 36" / Scale: 1:2 000 000 / Six Colours
UBCIC NEWS
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-
Union ofB. C. Indian Chiefs
NEWSLETTER
SPRING 1996
Institute of Indigenous Government Honors
First Graduation Class of 1996
May
17, 1996 marked the first
Graduation of Institute of
Indigenous Government students.
Family and friends, faculty and staff
gathered at Simon Fraser University,
Harbour Centre in Vancouver to
celebrate their achievements.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE...
2. Messagefromthe President
3. EG Graduation
4. Non-Insured Health Benefits
6. Shauna Leigh Maloney
EG Student
7. EG Graduation-Pictorial
8. Global Healing '96
9. Resource Center Update
10. Education Update
11. Child Family & Community
Service Act (BUI C-46)
- Proposed Firearms Regulation
12. UBCIC Specific Claims Research
Program
- Cheslatta Carrier
13. Canadian Federation of Students
14. Abuse, Murder and Corruption:
two survivorstelltheir story
-Arrests and Violence Disrupts
Navajo Gathering
SPRING 1996
Nirkuschin (Glen Douglas), Resident
Elder of the IIG, drummed the
Academic Procession into the theatre.
Bemice Heather, Instructor and
Student Development Coordinator,
wore traditional dress as she followed
custom by greeting and announcing
each person in the procession.
After the Faculty and Elders
took their places, the Colour Guard
placed the flags on stage with due
honours. The Colour Guard were
represented by Art Eggros, Harry
Lavallee, and Vince Shea, all
members of the Native Veterans
Association. Nirkuschin (Glen
Douglas) then opened the ceremonies
with a prayer of thanks followed by a
welcome from Paul Chartrand,
Interim President of the IIG.
Mr. Chartrand spoke of the
widespread desire for education and
the empowerment of people through
education. He also extended
congratulations from people who were
unable to attend. These included
Ethel Blondin-Andrew (Secretary of
State), Elija Harper (M.P. Churchill),
the Tsilhqot'in National Government
Council of Chiefs, Dara Culhane
(Simon Fraser University), Paul
Ramsey (Minister, Education, Skills
and Training), and John Cashore
(Minister, Aboriginal Affairs).
Chief Saul Terry gave the
Graduation Address. He related the
early planning for the EG and the
motion made in October 1991 to begin
the Institution. He then spoke about
the number of people who have since
become excited about "coming
aboard the decolonization express the E G " . He stated his opinion that
"what is being built here once again is
a strong foundation upon which
people can move forward and once
again build their society, and rebuild
societies that are almost broken and
disappeared''. He stated that this
applies to the "various cultures across
this land, across the Americas and
across the planet".
Chief Terry provided each
student with a commemorative Pin
from the UBCIC to honor their
participation in the first year of the
IIG. Dean Dan Gottesman announced
each student and their nations as they
came on stage. The following
students were called although some
could not attend because they were
working or out of town.
Congratulations for all their hard work
to:
Trevor Blind
Chris Sullivan
Michelle Oleman
Melissa Meyer
June Clearsky
TeresaThomasCooper
Daniel Peters
Rose Dejarlais
Randolph Timothy Theodore Francis
Agnes Wells
Johnny Philbrick
Bruce Polchres
Gwen Gaddie
(IIG GRADUATION Cont'd on Page 3)
UBCIC NEWS
Message From The President:
Address to media at Vancouver
Press Conference (May 9, 1996)
T
he Union of B.C. Indian
Chiefs invited Aboriginal
People
to
meet
and
witness
the
press conference because the
aboriginal rights of health and
education is on the firing line
for Federal termination. We
recognize there are many
Canadians who face hardships
due to Federal changes to the
social program policy in this
country and we share the Canadian citizens' anxieties. The Indian
Nations, however, have constitutionally protected aboriginal rights
yet we have a history of dispossession and poverty.
Canadian citizens have always enjoyed the bounties off our
unceded lands and experience good health. No one can say the
same for Indian people. At one point in our history we were forced
on reserve but now many of our people are being forced off the
reserves seeking education, employment opportunities, and better
living conditions while leaving behind families, community
support and the support of their political leaders. For that our
people have been denied many of their aboriginal rights, economic
opportunities become limited, and too often in the end they are
forced onto welfare dependence under the provincial governments.
The Federal Government and the Canadian Human Rights
Commission report that the aboriginal population is growing well
above the national average but their lives will remain physically
and emotionally depressed: suicide among young aboriginal
people aged 15 to 24 is five times that of young Canadians. In 1994,
38% of all people living on-reserve depended on social assistance
to provide them with the basic necessities of life, compared to 7%
of other Canadians. This brings us to the plans National Health
and Welfare has imposed upon our people:
(1) in the fiscal year 1994/95, Medical Services Branch
capped health funding nationally and regionally. (2) in the fiscal
year 1995/96 introduced First Nations to the new Federal budget
and the introduction of the 6-3-3% limited spending growth until
1997/98 fiscal year. Last year, Medical Services Branch held a
program review which was designed to cut 15% funding and
identified 6 Options to reduce spending.
The primary focus of these Options was to reduce, limit and
cut our Non-Insured Health Benefits. In late summer the Union of
B.C. Indian Chiefs resolved to inform all of our people, regardless
of their residency, of changes to their medical plan because by
October 1995, Health Canada had began implementing policy
changes to the dental schedules, applying fees and other charges.
On March 13, 19% Medical Services Branch, Pacific Region
stated to a gathering of aboriginal people from greater Vancouver
2
and Chiefs Council of the U.B.C.I.C. that status Indian people
living off reserve would not have their medical benefits affected by
policy change.
The problem we face is the erosion of our aboriginal rights.
The 1995 Federal Government introduced B i l l C-76, the Canada
Health and Social Transfer Act which will replace existing Federal/
Provincial transfer funding arrangements. This will determine
how the B.C. Government will carry out social assistance of health
and post-secondary education policy. This will affect our people
who are already suffering the ravages of the federal cut-backs and
are now expected to pay for mental health, dental and over-thecounter drugs. This Government is making changes to basic rights
of our people and we are denied information on those changes.
Furthermore, the federal government actions in social
policy change is a blantant attempt to force provincial governments
to take on constitutional responsibilities which righfully belong to
Canada. Through all this, the Federal Liberal Government continue
to wave their Red Book and extol the virtues of a new relationship
with the Aboriginal People. This is paper talk - it is not fact.
Furthermore, the Department of Indian Affairs actually brags in
their report "Framework for Action'' that through their partnership
with Indian people, the implementation of inherent right of selfgovernment is the most progressive recognition of Aboriginal
Rights to be found anywhere in the world.
Based on their methods in dealing with our health benefits,
and education the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs state there will be
no partnership, and no land question settlement as long as the
policy of denial, avoidance, manipulation and determination exists.
May 9, 19%
Attn: Chief Saul Terry, President
Re: May 9. 19% Press Conference
The Mount Currie Chief and Band Council are in full
support of your office taking the initiative to publically voice
the First Nations situation in regards to the cut-backs and
changes to policy with the Non-Insured Health Benefits and
Dental Plan.
The federal government has been attempting to dissolve
their fiduciary responsibility through the devolution process
by way of the White Paper Policy of 1%9.
By standing in unity can we ever hope to see justice come to
the First Nations of this country.
The Mount Currie Band Council stand with you on this
initiative.
Chief Allen Stager
Mount Currie
SPRING 1996
UBCIC NEWS
(IIG GRADUATION Cont'dfromPage 1)
Audra Wesley
Brenda Wesley
Leora Wilson
Cindy Wishart
Morgan Young
Melanie Gladstone
Shannon Hanson
Beverley Kelly
Shauna-Leigh Maloney
Brenda Red Star
Holly Robinson
Michelle Sault
Dana Simeon
The IIG wishes to acknowledge and thank PriceWaterhouse, Aboriginal Services Division for their generous
contribution toward the Dean's Prizes.
Dr. Sylvia Walsh, Director of Program Planning and
Development and Associate Professor, then read a selected
reading of student work. This excellent piece was written by
Paul Chartrand presented a gift to the Institute to
Shaugh-Leigh Maloney as an answer to an exam question. It is
commemorate the first class of students at the IIG. The gift is a
presented on page 6 of this Newsletter.
picture of a trapper, Elder Daniel Spence, which was taken
Following the reading, Paul Chartrand invited
when Mr. Spence was 102 years of age.
Tsimalano (Elder Vincent Stogan) of the Musqueam Nation to
Dr. Gottesman then introduced Kla-lelaweik (Flora
conduct the formal Calling of the Witnesses. In this Traditional
Dawson), Resident Elder at the IIG. The following awards and
part of the ceremony, which according to custom is neither
certificates were presented by Elders and Faculty Members.
photographed nor taped, Elder Nirkuschin pinned the speaker's
blanket on Tsimalano and Elder Kla-lelaweik tied his scarf.
CERTIFICATE IN INDIGENOUS GOVERNMENT STUDIES Tsimalano then calledfivepeople to witness.
Theodore Andrew Francis
According to North West Coast tradition, the witnesses
Shauna-Leigh Maloney
were of all ages, male and female. Reflecting the IIG's Mission
Statement, their roots were in many continents and nations,
Each of the following students received a book, a Dean's
including Indigenous and incoming peoples. Each person was
Prize and a cash award tied with red ribbon and cedar boughs.
called and stood. This is part of the living oral tradition that is
The prizes were:
thousands of years old. Each person later spoke strongly and
evocatively of their acceptance to be witnesses, their promises to
OVERALL ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT
remember the proceedings and their willingness to speak as
(2 Semesters - Full Time Studies)
formal witnesses should the need ever arise in the future.
Theodore Andrew Francis
Tsimalano then spoke to the students and the audience.
Shauna-Leigh Maloney
He gave words of praise, encouragement and guidance to all the
people gathered together in this celebration. Kla-lelaweik
OVERALL ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT
conducted the closing remarks and prayer followed by the
(1 Semester - Full Time Studies)
retiring of the Colours and the Recessional. Everyone later
Melissa Ann Meyer
assembled to enjoy traditional foods.
Holly Ellen Robinson
Congratulation to all the students - to those who
Randolph George Timothy
graduated, to those who have accomplished their goals and to
Morgan Elyse Young
those who have taken their first steps. Well done!
OVERALL ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT (Part-Time Studies)
Christopher Edward Lloyd Sullivan
Nirkuschin
Elder Glen Douglas
Arlene L. Guerin, IIG
Tsimalano
Kla-lelaweik
Elder Vincent Stogan Elder Flora Dawson
Interim President Paul Chartrand with picture of a
trapper, Elder Daniel Spence at 102 years of age
SPRING 1996
3
UBCIC NEWS
FUNDAMENTAL PROBLEMS WITH CUTBACKS
TO THE NON-INSURED HEALTH BENEFITS
1. THREAT OF ASSIMILATION:
The Federal Government is
destroying their Trust Relationship with
the Indian Nations in Canada. At the
same time they will accomplish the
neutralization of Indian Nations
Governments.
How Will The Government Achieve
This?
a. Finalizing self-government
agreements with various Indian Bands.
Canada receives consent from these
Indian Bands by negotiating away their
Aboriginal Title to their lands. They must
give up their aboriginalrightsto Canada in
exchange for a piece of their traditional
lands and specific rights.
This process is dangerous because
the Government will define aboriginal
rights and treaties in their Constitution
in this way. Self-government
agreements are final and these Indian
Bands become part of the provincial or
territorial municipal government
system. The trust responsibility of the
Federal Government will be broken
forever and transferred to Chiefs and
Council of these Indian Bands.
Changes to the Non-Insured Health
Benefits is part of an overall strategy to
assimilate the Indian Nations. It will not
happen tomorrow, next year or five
years from now but it will happen.
b. Transferring programs to Indian
Bands or Tribal Councils and calling
it "self-government" which is not
"self-determination" of the people.
The transfer of health delivery
programs is not self-determination, it is
simply Indian people administering
Federal programs. Indian people will
end up administering their own poverty.
While this is going on in the health field,
other strategies are taking place through
such initiatives as the First Nations
Land Management Act, Indian Taxation
4
Advisory Board, and Self-Governrnent
Agreements.
c. Delegating civil-servant driven
programs to aboriginal committees to
trim or cut-off funding for essential
services.
Transferring programs relieves
the Government from making decisions
and adequately funding essential
programs. The programs are not based
on Indian Government goals of self determination.
Indian Governments become
Federal civil servants under these
program transfers.
The goals of the Federal
Government are implemented instead of
allowing the Indian people to implement
their nationhood. This is another arm of
the Government being trained to take
over their fiduciary role. These actions
weaken Indian Nations capacity to
negotiate Nation to Nation treaties and
will affect their negotiating powers at
the national and international level.
d. Thirteen Chiefs signed a
Framework Agreement on Land
Management
This Agreement provides for the
complete transfer from the Department
of Indian Affairs to an Indian Band of all
responsibilities concerning reserve land
management. The Agreement allows
Indian Bands to get out from under the
weight of DIA bureaucracy. This route
for improving reserve land transactions
allows the Crown to escape their
fiduciary duties.
True to their goals of
assimilation of Indian Nations into
mainstream Canadian society, the DIA
finds Indian people willing to act as
"working groups" and empower them to
map the way to termination of Indian
Nations through this process.
e. Creating "working groups",
"boards", "committees", "task
forces" and "commissions" of
Indian people to carry out advisory
work for the Federal, Provincial and
Territorial Governments.
These Boards are dangerous for
Indian Nations as they hide from Indian
peoples the real purpose of their
initiatives. The first stage of these kinds
of transactions is always the fact that the
Minister of Indian Affairs getsridof
his administrative responsibilities as set
out in the Indian Act. Once the land
goes, everything else collapses. These
factions are called "advisor" to the
Minister of Indian Affairs strengthening
the Federal Government goals to
terminate Aboriginal Title, Rights, and
Treaties of Indian Nations.
The work of these "consulting
groups'' over the years, has not
liberated Indian Nations from the
impact of colonization. In fact there is
little evidence that the social
conditions, housing,education, health,
and aboriginal rights of Indian Nations
have changed for the better. Putting
Indian people in the role of "advising"
the government has not produced
recognition of the Aboriginal Title and
Rights of Indian Nations because the
Government will not accept the
recommendations of our people if they
pursue self-determination. The Federal
Government only accepts the initiatives
of these "advisors" when they endorse
Government initiatives leading to
extingushment of Aboriginal Title,
Rights and Treaties.
2. THE FEDERAL-PROVINCIAL
ALLIANCE
The Federal Government can make
unilateral decisions on FederalProvincial spending powers.
HEALTH (Continued on page 5)
SPRING J 996
UBCIC NEWS
HEALTH (Continuedfrompage 4)
The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs
takes exception to National Health and
Welfare's cut-backs to the Non-Insured
Health Benefits. In 1995, the Federal
Government introduced Bill C-76 the
Canada Health and Social Transfer.
This new block funding scheme
requires provinces to decide upon
support for health care, social programs
and post-secondary education and places
these three essential services in direct
competition with each other. The
Government uses good words like
"inherent right of self government";
"building a new relationship";
"negotiating treaties"; "up-holding the
honor of the crown" but they are being
dishonest with the Indian people.
They hide behind these words
while actively using processes that
"terminate" Indian rights. Indian
Nations interpret these words to mean
"recognition" of Indian rights not just
in Canada but world-wide.
3. NON-INSURED HEALTH
BENEFITS
Cancel, Change, Cut-Backs
The bureaucrats of National
Health and Welfare decided on changes
to the N.I.H.B. a long time ago then
released their five Options to the
Assembly of First Nations. With the
help of the Department of Justice,
Health and Welfare ensure they can
change, cancel, and cut-back essential
services such as health and stay within
the law in order not to be criticized by
the Human Rights Commission in
Canada and at the United Nations.
Lately Health and Welfare boldly
announced that they don't have the
mandate to provide health care according
to the Treaties with the Crown. They
are doing it out of the goodness of their
hearts.
The actions of Medical Services
Branch during the Non-Insured Health
Benefit crisis is a good example of how
lightly they take their role as the
representatives of the Crown. First of
all, it is a human rights violation to
abandon the original inhabitants of any
land after their way of life has been
disrupted and devastated by dominant
society.
The decision-makers at Medical
Services Branch did not trust the Indian
Leaders to deal with this issue. Timeframes were not taken into consideration;
information-communication tactics was
at its worst; and there was double-talk on
the dental program with the Canadian
Dental Association and the Indian
leaders.
The handling of the three C's, ie,
Cancel, Change and Cut-back to the
NIHB is evidence that it makes no
difference to Medical Services Branch
and National Health and Welfare if
Indian people end up with substandard
human rights in the future. Their
actions, and decisions are setting up the
Indian people to fail 0in the health
transfer program. They will transfer,
transfer, and transfer until they get out
of the health business.
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 aminimumso others can benefit from
this service. Please do not fax business cards. Suggestions or comments are always
welcome. Next deadline is June 21, 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.
SPRING 1996
The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs would
like to congratulate Ardith Walkem on
her successful completion of the bar
exams. Ardith will now be working at
Mandell Pinder. Best wishes!
First Nations Education Services
Street Address:
97HE-FIFTH STREET
SIDNEY, B.C.
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 69
SAANICHTON, B.C.
V8M 2C3
Phone: (604) 656-6894
Fax: (604)656-6834
Healing Our Spirit
B. C. First Nations Aids Society
New Mailing Address:
415 B WEST ESPLANADE
NORTH VANCOUVER B.C.
V7M 1A6
Street Address:
319 Seymour Blvd.
North Vancouver, B.C.
Phone: (604) 983-8774
Fax: (604) 983-2667
5
Shauna -Leigh Maloney
Full Time Studies Student - Institute of Indigenous Government
This confidence signifies the student's own progress
By concentrating on a daily basis on the
on a personal journey to self-determination and
issues of decolonization and education for nationempowerment.
hood, students will not only incorporate these
Students learn in the comfortable atmosphere
concepts into their schoolwork, but entrench them
of the IIG to work closely with each other and the IIG
in their system of values. The IIG's objective is to
facility. Many students overcome, during the semestrain First Nations to become leaders of their
ter, feeling of inequity, shyness and a fear or resentpeople, empowering these students with knowledge.
ment of authority.
Most students, at the time of enrolment into the IIG
So as students learn to lead their people to selfoften feel devalued, or "cheated" by previous school sysdetermination, they are empowering themselves to do the
tems or workplaces to which they have been exposed. same.
They
arrive in theirfirst classes, looking for a sense ofvalidity,
Since the commencement of classes at the IIG and
of belonging. The IIG provides the necessary affirmation,
during the subsequent two semester, I have seen growth an
through culturally relevant courses that validate First
change among my classmates. Bitter, argumentive students
Nations identity. The history of the colonization or aborigihave become more less defensive and open-minded; listennal peoples is taught, providing the students with ing to and accepting the views of others without taking a
conscientization, or the realization of their own oppression
personal offence and then expressing their
as Indigenous persons, the mechanisms used to create this
own.
power to oppress, and their position as Aboriginals in
Painfully shy students have learned to
today's society.
express their views andfeelings. Those
Cultural awareness classes are part of the curricuwho trusted in the established norms
lum, where students can learn
learned to question the status quo.
about the cultures of other
I, for one, became less frusIndigenous nations, and can
trated withfeeling that I would
participate in sharing their
never make change. It is imown. Students learn to take
possible to feel fertile when
pride in and see the value of
studying at the IIG, concenFirst Nations culture and
trating on pathways to personal
world views.
and National self-determinaAs they learn to emtion. Classes involving the
power their people in their
struggle for First Nations have
social and economic develbecome demystified; I am now
opment or decolonization and
able to participate in political
self-determination classes
banter with my father and his
(thesearejust2examplesfrom
politicalfriends. I have gained
self-government facilitating
the respect of others outside of
curriculum), students are bemy accepted circle of family
ginning to gain faith in their
and friends, and through moown abilities to make change.
ments of 'clarity', realized that
Selected Reading of Student Work
this approval of others is irrelDr. Sylvia Walsh, Director of Program Planning
evant to my happiness.
1
Color Guards: Harry Lavallee, Vince Shea and Art Eggros
6
Leora Wilson and Melissa Meyer
SPRING 1996
UBCIC NEWS
Institute of Indigenous Government
Academic Achievement Awards
Melissa Ann Meyer
Andres Liz Lopez and Christopher Sullivan
Alejandro Palacios and Holly Robinson
Overall Academic Achievements
(2 Semesters - Full Time Studies)
Theodore Andrew Frances
Shauna Leigh Maloney
Bernice Heather and Theodore Frances
(1 Semester - Full Time Studies)
Melissa Ann Meyer
Holley E. Robinson
Randolph George Timothy
Morgan Elyse Young
(Part-time Studies)
Christopher Edward Lloyd Sullivan
Theo Collins and Morgan Young
photos by Lisa Sullivan and
Arlene L. Guerin
Dr. Dan Gottesman, Elder Flora Dawson, Shauna Leigh Maloney, Chief Saul Terry
SPRING 1996
7
UBCIC NEWS
...A Call To All Nations Of The World
World Peace and Prayer Day
Global Healing:June 21, 1996
It has been deLooking
cided, according to the
Horse, 19th
Star Knowledge, that
Generation Keeper of the
June 21st is the time to
Sacred White Buffalo Calf
pray. Indigenous peoPipe for the Lakota, Daple of Turtle Island will
kota and Nakota Nation
begin their spiritualjourasks that all Nations upon
ney on h o r s e b a c k
Mother Earth declared
from Wahpeton, SasJune 21st, 1996 World
katchewan, Canada, on
Peace and Prayer Day.
May 3rd, 1996. There,
According to spiritual
Indigenous people will
leaders and Elders who
pray with the Sacred
gathered in the United
Bundle Keepers, to beNations to present their
"If we do not do this our children will suffer"gin the restoration of
Prophecies - again at Six
peace and balance. We
- Arvol Looking Horse Nations, Canada - the
ask all Peoples to begin
"signs" of Indigenous peoc^anizing their own cerple's prophecies have shown themselves. The prophecies tell us
emonies at their sacred sites or in the manner which they pray so
it is time to begin Mending the Sacred Hoop and begin global
that they will be praying at the same time as we are from their own
healing by working towards world peace and harmony.
spiritual center.
Arvol
The birth of the White Buffalo Calf lets us know We are at
the crossroads - either return to balance or face global disaster. It
is our duty to return back to the sacred places and pray for world
peace - if we do not do this our children will suffer.
At Grey Horn Butte, before the White Buffalo Woman
brought the Sacred Pipe to our ancestors, a Seer was travelling in
the Sacred Black Hills - PaHa Sapa, "heart of everything that is".
The Seer came upon a large tipi. When he went in the dpi, he saw
the Sacred Pipe in the North and the Sacred Bundle of Bows and
Arrows in the South. According to the Star Knowledge there are
six stars which designated six sacred sites within the Black Hills
- these places are sacred places to pray. We are told there is a
sacred place every hundred miles around Mother Earth. We ask
all people to return to these places and pray from their hearts with
us. The ceremony begins 10:00 a.m. South Dakota (Mountain)
Time.
So far, we have to spoken to leaders from around the world
and each has committed to work towards supporting June 21st,
1996. We ask all people of all faiths to respond and support our
efforts towards world peace and harmony - our circle oflife where
there is no ending and no beginning. May peace be with you all.
Arvol Looking Horse
19th Generation Keeper of the Sacred
White Buffalo Calf Pipe
DONATIONS FOR THE UNITY RIDE A N D FOR MORE
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Canada - McMaster University Indigenous Studies, Hamilton
Ontario (905) 525-9140 ext. 27426 - Bonnie Freeman
U.S. - Gladys Looking Horse Box 687 Eagle Butte, South
Dakota (605) 964-8439
All material submitted and used in the
Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs Newsletter is:
FREE OF CHARGE
Contact our Vancouver office for more information
604 - 684-0231
8
SPRING 1996
UBCIC NEWS
UBCIC RESOURCE CENTRE
Automated Resource Centre Catalog
We recently completed the upgrade of the library application
software we use in the Resource Centre from the DOS version to
the new Windows version. The Windows version provides for
much easier data entry in building the automated library catalog
and better access screens and report formats for users of the
automated catalog. There is now an OPAC (On-line Public Access
Catalog) in the Resource Centre for library users. The library
materials which are on the automated catalog can be accessed by
keyword, author, title or subject, and users can print off a
bibliography of library materials that they want to look for in the
Resource Centre. The recataloguing and reclassifying of the
collection is an ongoing project and the automated database will
grow as we complete more of this project.
Paul Chartrand Private Book Collection
Paul Chartrand, the Interim President of the IIG, has donated his
private book and document collection to the UBCIC Resource
Centre. This collection was valued by a certified book appraiser at
a value of $27,000. We are currently creating basic records of the
book portion of this donated collection in the automated catalog.
Plans for the Summer of 1996
Resource Centre staff will be busy with collection development
over the summer to meet the new IIG curriculum demands for the
1996/97 school year. We will be adding another OPAC station for
library users and another CD-ROM tower with new CD-ROM
products to be in place for September. We will also continue with
our preservation/conservation of the collection with items being
sent to the bindery and a selection of materials being put onto
microfiche. Cataloguing will be ongoing. Sometime over the
summer staff also hope to fit in some holiday time. The Resource
Centre will remain open all summer and there will always be a
Full-Text Canadian News CD-ROM Now in Resource
minimum of one full-time staff person and the summer student on
Centre
hand to help library users.
A full-text keyword searchable CD-ROM product called CANNEWS
is now available in the Resource Centre for contemporary news
items. We have full-text news for all major Canadian newspapers
as well as CTV & CBC Current Affairs for 1992 - 1995. Users can
search by keyword, name, date, type of byline, etc. and either print
off individual articles or download articles to their own disk to print
off or read on their home computers. The 1996 CANNEWS CDROM will be available early in 1997. In the meantime, we use the
UBCIC Newsclipping Service and a current newspaper subscription
to access the most current news.
Because we are on the same floor as the IIG, the Resource Centre
is on the IIG phone system. You can reach the Resource Centre at
602-9555. Ask for Wendy, Sarah or Lorraine. If it is more
convenient, you can still fax us at the UBCIC fax number684-5726.
Mathew needs your help now!!!
Summer Student
We are interviewing this week for a summer student to work for
twelve weeks in the Resource Centre under the federal government
Career Placement program. We rely on summer students to help
with the many long term projects ongoing in the Resource Centre.
This summer we will use our student to help with our vertical files
and to help cerlox bind a backlog of materials.
Video Collection Growing
We have been able to acquire many new video titles this past year
to assist the IIG instructors and students. These videos are
available for viewing in the Resource Centre at a new VCR station
purchased this past winter.
I attended a two-day multi-media showcase at Capilano College
this past week and previewed pre-selected videos for two full days.
There are some very good videos available on First Nation issues
and concerns. If you are looking for videos on particular topics, I
have a much better idea of what is available after attending the
Showcase, and, you can call me anytime for information or
suggestions.
SPRING 1996
9
UBCIC NEWS
Education Update
There has been numerous calls regarding the cut backs to
students already attending post-secondary institutions. As we
know, the support provided falls below the standard of living. A
single parent with one dependant receives $1045 a month! From
this, the student has to pay for rent, groceries, travel, utilities,
clothing, school fees and activities or day-care for child, laundry
and pastime. A student l i v i n g i n Vancouver w i l l need
approximately $2,450.00. Students need an increase of 43% to
their living allowances to successfully complete their training.
Another concern is the Local Education Agreements.
Section 104(3) of the School Act (1989) provides for the opting
out of the Master Tuition Agreement at the local level by
allowing for the entry into agreements by Boards and Bands, or
Councils of Bands. Under these local education agreements, the
federal government provides tuition costs to individual bands and
the band purchase services from a school. The intent of these
agreements is to encourage meaningful consultation with First
Nations communities. There has been numerous complaints
from the First Nations communities about these agreements
being disrupted from payments made from the Department of
Indian Affairs to the School Boards. Delegates from these bands
have stressed that it is important that DIA work with the Indian
Bands rather than complicating the situation by making direct
payments to the school boards. It is their (DIA's) fiduciary
responsibility to ensure that the interest of the people are upheld.
On May 14, 19%, the Vancouver School Board hosted a
meeting with the Aboriginal Education Branch. Dixon Taylor
and Gloria Raphael, who are both co-ordinators, discussed the
First Nations Studies 12, First Nations K-10 Cirriculum, direct
funding, local education agreements and the "Aboriginal
Support Workers" handbook. Allan Haig-Brown focused on the
Aboriginal Network (Abnet) on the Internet. F o r more
information on how you can "get connected" phone (604) 5206748. The First Nations support workers (elementary &
secondary) expressed some their concerns and updated on their
cirriculum and services provided to First Nations students.
The planning stages of the Union of B . C . Indian Chiefs
International Conference "Visions of the Peoples: The Spirit of
Justice, A World Gathering of Indigenous Peoples" is underway.
The purpose of this gathering is to bring together grassroots people,
leaders, elders, chiefs and individuals committed to creating positive
change in their communities, traditional territories and nations.
The conference will focus on traditional and contemporary issues in
relation to Aboriginal justice, self-determination, legal, political,
economic and social structures, education, health, etc. The
proceedings will provide opportunities for participants to present
their ideas, experiences and visions of justice through a variety of
expression: oration, music, art, crafts, film, dance, presentation of
papers, etc. We are expecting participants from around the world.
The conference is scheduled to take place in the summer of 1997.
Students who participated in the " O n to Ottawa'' trek have
not yet returned. Many First Nations students from B.C. joined the
Canadian Federation of Students trek to Parliament H i l l in protest
10
to the Post-secondary and the Canadian Social Transfer cutbacks.
' 'First Nations students will no longer tolerate the unjust conduct
of DIA," was the message from First Nations students. Jennie
Blankinship, UBCIC Education Policy Co-ordinator.
T
he Indian Homemakers Association held a fund
raising "Benefit Night" on April 26, 1996. Over 200
p e o p l e j o i n e d the d i n n e r a n d entertainment.
Winners of the Raffle are:
1. H A M P E R S :
"Traditional Foods"
Teresa Rickman, Vancouver
"Turkey" - Susie Guss, Vancouver
" H a m " - Kelsey Hall, Vancouver.
2. STAR QUILT
M i m i Dent, Vancouver
3. " T R A D I T I O N A L B U C K S K I N D R E S S "
Rain On Your Face Caprian, Merritt B.C.
4. " K W A ' K W A B A L A S D O L L "
Frank Boucher, Quesnel B.C.
5. " E A G L E CUSHIONS'
Monica McCoy - Enderby, B . C .
6. " S T A R C U S H I O N S "
Hertha Holland.
T H A N K Y O U T O A L L W H O C O N T R I B U T E D TO OUR M A N Y
DOOR PRIZES A N D DONATIONS. Thank you to the following
organisations and people:
The Vancouver Indian Friendship Society
The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs
Institute of Indigenous Government
Renae Morriseau, Master of Ceremony
The list ofall who volunteered and entertained is extensive.
A complete list of all the entertainers and volunteers will be
acknowledged in our IHA newsletter. We gratefully appreciate
the commitment and dedication of those who participated with the
efforts in making our families and communities stronger. The
Indian Homemakers Association of B . C . is located at #208 - 175
E. Broadway, Vancouver B . C . Phone (604) 876-0944, fax (604)
876-1448. Thank you all again, from Jennie Blankinship,
President.
The Indian Homemakers Association is looking for
representatives from all nations within British Columbia.
Nominations, by letter, will be accepted at our office. Our Annual
General Meeting will be i n July or August of 19%. If you have
concerns in your community and would like support from other
First Nations women, please forward names (up to 5) to the Indian
Homemakers Association. There are twenty-three (23) distinct
nations within B . C . alone, we need your voice to address the
concerns of our families and communities. A l l First Nations
women qualify. If you have any questions, please call Jennie
Blankinship, President or Wanda Sandy, Administrator at (604)
876-0944.
SPRING 1996
UBCIC NEWS
Vancouver Aboriginal Child & Family Services was enlisted
as the Designated Representative for Vancouver Area and
the Lower Mainland. The community has come together to
discuss the new act. The meetings have been taking place at
least once per month. The Vancouver Aboriginal & Family
Submitted by the Indian Homemakers Association of B. C. Services have been contacting people at different agencies to
take part with the discussions. The community is a very
This act came into effect January 29, 1996, which
important part of the act, especially for our Native
replaced the old Family and Child Services Act. The changes
Families. It is crucial that information be distributed to
came into effect so that we may be able to help the people by
all communities. If you have any questions or concerns,
using the community resources as well as the Ministry
please call Renee Robert, Executive Director, at 689-2402.
Resources. The Ministry of Social Services made a Declaration:
"That the Ministry of Social Services recognizes the
inherent responsibility and authority of aboriginal nations/
communities for the well-being of their members, and is
Department of Justice
committed to Supporting Aboriginal Nations/communities
in their development and delivery of social services.
PROPOSED FIREARMS REGULATIONS ON HOLD
The act entails the following:
OTTAWA, M A Y 8, 1996 - Allan Rock, Minister of
Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today gave notice
+ The act highlights the critical importance of kinship
he will not proceed with draft regulations supporting the
relations, extended family ties, and children's connections to
Firearms Act put before Parliament on May 2, 1996. A new
specific communities and specific cultures.
set of regulations will be tabled at a later date for a thirty day
sitting period.
+ Notice of hearing is to be served to the BAND or to
This action follows a request from the Chair of the
designated representatives. This notice is to be given to both
Standing Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs, that that
parent's bands.
Committee be given a longer period of time to prepare for its
examination of the regulations.
+ The Act emphasizes the taking of a child into care as a last
"I want to ensure that the draft regulations receive a
resort, if the child is in immediate danger. Other less
disruptive measures MUST be considered before a child is
very thorough examination," said Minister Rock. "We will
taken into care. The Act provides for a number of less
proceed in re-tabling the first set of regulations only after the
intrusive measures which allow workers to provide support
extensive consultations with members of the Caucus and
to families.
other interested stakeholders. I have already begun to
receive many suggestions on how the regulations can be
improved.
+ The Act requires the Ministry to be accountable to children,
This first set of draft regulations are the first of those
families and communities whenever it is involved in a child
required to implement the Act. The remaining provisions of
welfare matter.
the Act not yet in force will be brought into effect in early
1997. The new licensing requirements for individuals will
+ Cultural identity of aboriginal children should be preserved.
begin at that time.
+ Aboriginal people are to be involved in planning and the
delivery of services to aboriginal families and their children.
-30This also means the community which will include the
resources.
Ref. : Jennifer Lang
Ministers Office
(613) 992-4621
+ Family Conferences can take place if this is what the family
would like to set up.
The Child, Family & Community
Services Act - Bill 46
+ The definition of' 'Aboriginal Organisation'' will be
developed in policy in consultation with aboriginal people.
Identified aboriginal organizations are prescribed in the
regulations for the purpose of this section. An Indian Band
may be an aboriginal organization for this purpose or the
Indian Band may identify a specific tribal council,
aboriginal child welfare agency or any other organization
for this purpose.
STRING 1996
11
UBCIC NEWS
Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs Specific Claims Research Program
Top Quality Research and Legal Analysis at No Direct Cost!
How does the
you know that the
UBClC's
SpecificClaims
What is a Specific Claim?
Union of B . C . Indian
Research Program work?
Chiefs has a specialized
The starting point is a
research/legal team devoted
The federal government has defined two separate policies and
B C R from a Band
to the development of specific
processes for claims - "comprehensive" and "specific".
authorizing
the Union to
claims? Did you know that
Comprehensive claims are based on the idea ofcontinuing aboriginal
do
the
necessary
research
any Band in B.C. is eligible
rights and title which have not been dealt with by treaty or other lawful
and
legal
work
on the
to participate i n this
means. These claims concern traditional territories as well as traditional
specific
claims
issues
it
program?
use and occupancy of land.
identifies.
When
The
UBCIC's
Specific claims do not deal with unextinguished aboriginal title.
necessary, the Union will
Specific Claims Research
Specific claims are about whether the federal government fulfilled its
contact the Band for
Program stems
from
lawful obligations as defined by treaties, the Indian Act or other federal
clarification of the
mandates provided to
laws. Specific claims relate mostly to a Band's reserve land base. Most
specific claims request
U B C I C by B C Bands to
commonly they involve the loss of reserve lands without lawful surrender
and
an indication of the
undertake specific claims
by the Band, or the government's failure to pay adequate compensation
urgency
of the issues.
research on their behalf. It is
in cases where lands were taken with legal authority. They can also include
Researchers
collect all the
a Band-driven program
failure to compensate for alienated or damaged reserve lands and assets.
relevant
documentation,
wherein the Bands direct the
The resolution and settlement of specific claims most commonly involves
which they analyze and
research and legal work on
land or money.
forward with a report to
their specific claims through
There are a number of different kinds of specific claims. These
the legal staff. The legal
the UBCIC. The U B C I C ' s
include: "cut-off' lands, unlawful alienations (land sales, surrenders),
staff
review
these
team cannot be matched for
"Douglas" treaties and pre-Confederation "Douglas" reserves, reserve
its B C specific claims
materials and prepare a
boundaries, rights-of-way, fishing stations, graveyards and water rights,
expertise - it has been dealing
legal opinion for the
land accretions, etc.
with every type of specific
Band's review. A meeting
claim since the establishment of this process. The U B C I C team
with the Band generally follows. A l l further activities by the
consists of experienced full-time archival researchers who work
research/legal team are directed by the Band. There is no obligation
exclusively on specific claims, while legal analysis and support
for the Band to settle claims through this process.
services are provided by the Vancouver law firm, Mandell Finder.
A l l research and legal activities are carried out by U B C I C
under the strictest confidentiality. A l l documents gathered for
The aim of the UBCIC's Specific Claims Research Program
specific claims belong to the claimant Band. Frequently, the
is to provide maximum research and legal support to members,
information
gathered by the U B C I C ' s Specific Claims Research
given the limited program dollars available. Our umbrella approach
Program
is
helpful to the Band in areas other than specific claims,
allows research to proceed to completion with no funding
such
as
community
education or planning.
interruptions and with no need for up-front money or administrative
If you would like to know more about the U B C I C ' s Specific
costs - Member Bands benefit from the specific claims expertise of
Claims Research Program, please feel free to call 1-604-684-0231
our research/legal team ah year-round, year after year at no direct
or drop by the Vancouver office any time.
cost
Did
Letter from the Cheslatta Carrier Nation
April 11, 1996
Dear Chief and Council:
Cheslatta is currently involved in a precedent-setting federal/provincial environment assessment of the proposed Huckelberry
open-pit copper mine. We would like to share our experience with you and have you share your experience with us. In this way, we
can deal with the common problems we face on environmental assessments.
Here are some questions we are interested in having answered:
Is your Nation involved in an environmental assessment?
What companies/corporations are proposing the project?
Is the company/corporations using divide and conquer tactics?
12
Please contact us if you need more information.
Sincerely, Chief Marvin Charlie
P.O. Box 909, Burns Lake, B.C. V 0 J 1E0
Tel: (604) 694-3334 Fax: (604) 694-3632
SPRING 1996
UBCIC NEWS
CANADIAN FEDERATION OF STUDENTS
(SEVEN STUDENTS ARRESTED
IN HULL,
QUEBEC)
ABORIGINAL STUDENTS
OCCUPY DEPARTMENT OFThe students have a list of demands which they were tr
INDIAN AND NORTHERN
to present to Minister Ron Irwin, Prime Minister Jean
AFFAIRS
Chretien and Finance Minster Paul Martin.
May 10, 19%, Ottawa - The
Federal Department of Indian and
Northern Affairs in Hull has just been
occupied by Aboriginal Students and
their supporters. They are demonstrating
against the implementation of the
Canada Health and Social Transfer
(CHST) and funding cuts to social
programs.
The protesters are calling on the
Liberal Government to live up to their
Red Book promises, including the
removal of the cap on the Aboriginal
Post-Secondary Support Program, the
development of a comprehensive aboriginal study curriculum, the initiation of a
comprehensive health policy and Aboriginal involvement in policy and
budgetary decisions.
"This occupation seems to be the
only way to get the government's attention, "says Renee Shilling, National
Aboriginal Students Representative for
the Canadian Federation of Students.
"We had aboriginal students on a hunger
strike in British Columbia for 19 days in
February, without any response from
Jean Chretien or Ron Irwin," she adds.
Protesters are also demanding
that the government honour its fiduciary
and constitutional obligations to all
Aboriginal Peoples, as found in the
Royal Proclamation of 1763, the British
North American Act of 1867 and the
Canadian Constitution as amended in
1982.
"The cuts which are being
implemented under the CHST are going
to have a devastating effect on Aboriginal peoples' health, education and social
well-being," expresses Shilling. "Yet
there has been no consultation with
Aboriginal people at all. It's our future
at stake, and we're not going to just sit by
SPRING 1996
and watch it be destroyed" she emphasizes.
Aboriginal people will also be
speaking out against the CHST as part of
the Canadian Federation of Students' On
to Ottawa Trek Tomorrow at a demonstration on Parliament Hill at 2:30 Ovide
Mercredi of the Assembly of First
Nations and Jim Sinclair of the Congress
of Aboriginal Peoples will be speaking at
a demonstration.
-30For more information please contact
Renee Shilling at 795-54%
May 10, 19%, Ottawa - Seven students
were arrested in Hull, Quebec today
following a peaceful occupation of the
lobby of Indian and Northern Affairs
Minister Ron Irwin's office. The Canadian Federation of Students regrets that
students were arrested during this nonviolent protest. The purpose of the sit-in
was to protest against cuts to social
assistance, health care and post-secondary education being implemented
through the Liberal government's
Canada Health and Social Transfer.
The students have a list of
demands which they were trying to
present to the Minister Irwin, Prime
Minister Jean Chretien and Finance
Minister Ron Irwin. The demands are:
- Honour promises presented in the
Federal Liberal Red Book, such as
remove the cap to the Aboriginal PostSecondary Student Support Program
- Develop a comprehensive Aboriginal
Study Curriculum;
- Initiate a comprehensive health policy,
and budgetary decisions.
- Return the Aboriginal Post-Secondary
Program to a needs-based program with
adequate funds to cover all educational
and living expenses.
- Honour Federalfiduciaryand constitutional obligations to all Aboriginal
Peoples.
- Legislate a Higher Education Act to
define the Federal role in the Aboriginal
organizations, Aboriginal students and
communities.
- Act on the Canadian Federation of
Students' demands for the On to Ottawa
Trek.
- Release Marcel Masses Program.
Review of the Department of Indian
Affairs and Northern Development.
The student's demands are
reasonable, and have yet to be met by
Minister Irwin or Prime Minister
Chretien. Aboriginal students have
made efforts to raise their concerns with
the Minister through other avenues,
including a 19-day hunger strike in
British Columbia in February, with no
response from the Federal Government.
The Federation and the Aboriginal Students' Constituency Group will
continue to lobby the government to have
their demands met, we will continue to
use peaceful, non-violent forms of protest
against the devastating impacts of the
Liberal government's Canada Health and
Social Transfer.
-30For more information please contact
Cassandra Koenen, National Treasurer,
Canadian Federation of Students at (603)
232-7394.
13
UBCIC NEWS
ABUSE, MURDER AND CORRUPTION:
Two Survivors of the Native Residential School and Church
Tell Their Story and Seek Justice
For immediate Release - May 24, 1996
Harriet
negligence, pedophilia and
Nahanee is a First
Nations woman who
murder in the church-run west
"The voices of murdered children are
endured years in the United
coast native schools.
crying out forjustice"
Church Residential School in
These revelations come
Port Alberni, B.C., and who
-Harriett Nahaneeat an especially important
witnessed the murder there of a
time, now that a class action
fellow student.
lawsuit has been launched by fifteen Port Alberni men against
Kevin Annett is a United Church Minister who was
the
United Church and federal government, for severe damages
wrongfully dismissed from his church in Port Alberni in 1995
suffered
by them at the Alberni Residential School.
when he helped to uncover this murder and other unknown
"There
are a lot of skeletons in the United Church
abuses at the school. He is on the verge of being expelled from
closet,
quite
literally,"
says Kevin. "At least three children were
the United Church for his outspoken public opposition to the
killed
in
the
Alberni
Ahousat
schools, and probably more. We'd
corruption and cover-up still operating within that church.
like
to
know
where
their
bodies
are, and how the church got
Harriett and Kevin will be commencing a public speakaway
with
murders
for
decades."
ing tour in June, 1996 to share with others their story and build
This speaking tour is designed to raise support and
support for their campaign to hold a "Citizens' Commission of
money
for the Commission of Inquiry and a related Legal
Inquiry" into the United Church and its relation to First Nations
Defense
Fund.
People. This Commission will also investigate the destructive
To
book Harriet and Kevin as speakers, or to find out
effects of both government and corporate actions in the Port
more
information
about this campaign, contact them directly at
Alberni region.
the
number
below
in Vancouver.
"The voices of murdered children are crying out for
justice" says Harriet. "This church got away with killing them,
Harriett Nahanee
985-5817
and it's time the truth came out."
Kevin
Annett
224-3201
As part of his research into the Residential School
abuses, Kevin has uncovered previously-concealed correspondSponsored by the Justice in the Valley Coalition
ence between the federal government, and the United Church
Port
Alberni, B.C.
which reveals a decades-long collusion to cover up criminal
Arrests and Violence Disrupt Navajo (Dine') Gathering
For immediate Release - May 25. 1996
B.I.A. Rangers in cooperation with the Hopi and local law enforcement officials have blockaded a gathering of Traditional
Dine' and their supporters on the disputed territories of the Hopi Partitioned land. Hopi Rangers have disrupted a traditional pipe
ceremony and manhandled several elders from the area.
The residences of Louise Benally and Ruth Benally in the community of Big Mountain, Arizona and the surrounding area,
are now covered with scores of law enforcement personnel. Many Navajo Elders are now resisting arrest as their children and
supporters have already been taken into custody for attempting to attend the annual Spring gathering.
Violence has been reported by several area residents as police have used batons and force to take gathering participants into
custody. Police are now preparing to use tear gas at the site.
The situation escalated as a group of Elder women prevented the arrest of a Dine' youth. Police then attempted to arrest the
Elders who sat and clung to each other to avoid being taken into custody. Supporters and family members continue to arrive and
confront the Hopi Rangers. The Traditional Elders have called on the media and the American public to come and witness the
violence and the occupation of their ancestral homelands.
Please make inquiries and register complaints with the office:
Senator John McCain (602) 952-2410
Washington, D.C.
(202)224-3121
14
Hopi Chairman, Ferrrell Secakuku 520-734-2441
SPRING 1996
UBCIC NEWS
MAP
OF THE SOVEREIGN
TERRITORIAL
INDIGENOUS
BOUNDARIES:
JUNE,
NATIONS
1993
The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs' map of the Sovereign Indigenous Nations Territorial Boundaries is the only contemporary
map that accurately shows the traditional tribal territories of the 23 Indian Nations in British Columbia. The six colour map measures
28" x 36".
The tribal territories are the homelands of distinct Nations, within which their respective peoples share a common language,
culture and traditional forms of political and social organization. These homelands have been occupied by the Indian Nations since
time immemorial. Up to the present, the Indian Nations in British Columbia have never surrendered their ownership of their homelands
(aboriginal title), nor have they surrendered their original sovereignty as nations to govern their homelands (inherent jurisdiction).
Information on the territorial boundaries was compiled by the Union's research portfolio and President's office between July,
1990 and April, 1993 from archival research and information provided by elders, chiefs, and tribal councils. Chief Saul Terry, President
of the Union and a graduate of the Vancouver College of Art (now the Emily Carr College of Art and Design), prepared the working
drafts for the map.
Design and cartography for the June, 1993 map was done by David Sami, chief cartographer of Multi Mapping Ltd. in
Vancouver, B.C., using a 1:2,000,000 scale base-map from the Surveys and Environment Branch of the British Columbia Ministry
ofEnvironment, Lands and Parks. A l l territorial boundaries shown on the map are subject to further revision, as additional information
becomes available. Contact the Union of B . C . Indian Chiefs at (604) 684-0231 for ordering information.
28" 136" / Scale: 1:2 000 000 / Six Colours
SPRING 1996
15
UBCIC NEWS
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16
SPRING 1996
Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs
NEWSLETTER
SPRING 1996
Institute of Indigenous Government Honors
First Graduation Class of 1996
Nf» 17, 1996 marked the first
‘ Graduation of Institute of
Indigenous Government students.
Family and friends, faculty and staff
gathered at Simon Fraser University,
Harbour Centre in Vancouver to
celebrate their achievements.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE...
. Message from the President
. IG Graduation
. Non-Insured Health Benefits
nN Fe WwW WH
. Shauna Leigh Maloney
IG Student
7, UG Graduation-Pictorial
8. Global Healing '96
9. Resource Center Update
10. Education Update
11, Child Family & Community
Service Act (Bill C-46)
- Proposed Firearms Regulation
12. UBCIC Specific Claims Research
Program
- Cheslatta Carrier
13. Canadian Federation of Students
14. Abuse, Murder and Corruption:
two survivors tell their story
-Arrests and Violence Disrupts
Navajo Gathering
Nirkuschin (Glen Douglas), Resident
Elder of the IIG, drummed the
Academic Procession into the theatre.
Bernice Heather, Instructor and
Student Development Coordinator,
wore traditional dress as she followed
custom by greeting and announcing
each person in the procession.
After the Faculty and Elders
took their places, the Colour Guard
placed the flags on stage with due
honours. The Colour Guard were
represented by Art Eggros, Harry
Lavallee, and Vince Shea, all
members of the Native Veterans
Association. Nirkuschin (Glen
Douglas) then opened the ceremonies
with a prayer of thanks followed by a
welcome from Paul Chartrand,
Interim President of the IIG.
Mr. Chartrand spoke of the
widespread desire for education and
the empowerment of people through
education. He also extended
congratulations from people who were
unable to attend. These included
Ethel Blondin-Andrew (Secretary of
State), Elija Harper (M.P. Churchill),
the Tsilhgot’in National Government
Council of Chiefs, Dara Culhane
(Simon Fraser University), Paul
Ramsey (Minister, Education, Skills
and Training), and John Cashore
(Minister, Aboriginal Affairs).
Chief Saul Terry gave the
Graduation Address. He related the
early planning for the IIG and the
motion made in October 1991 to begin
the Institution. He then spoke about
the number of people who have since
become excited about “‘coming
aboard the decolonization express -
the IIG’’. He stated his opinion that
“‘what is being built here once again is
a strong foundation upon which
people can move forward and once
again build their society, and rebuild
societies that are almost broken and
disappeared’’. He stated that this
applies to the ‘‘various cultures across
this land, across the Americas and
across the planet’’.
Chief Terry provided each
student with a commemorative Pin
from the UBCIC to honor their
participation in the first year of the
IIG. Dean Dan Gottesman announced
each student and their nations as they
came on stage. The following
students were called although some
could not attend because they were
working or out of town.
Congratulations for all their hard work
to:
Trevor Blind Melissa Meyer
Chris Sullivan June Clearsky
Michelle Oleman TeresaThomas-
Cooper
Rose Dejarlais Daniel Peters
Randolph Timothy Theodore Francis
Johnny Philbrick Agnes Wells
Gwen Gaddie Bruce Polchres
(IG GRADUATION Cont'd on Page 3)
SPRING 1996
UBCIC NEWS
Message From The President:
Address to media at Vancouver
Press Conference (May 9, 1996)
F
he Union of B.C. Indian
Chiefs invited Aboriginal
People to meet and witness the
press conference because the
aboriginal rights of health and
education is on the firing line
for Federal termination. We
recognize there are many
Canadians who face hardships
due to Federal changes to the
social program policy in this
country and we share the Canadian citizens’ anxieties. The Indian
Nations, however, have constitutionally protected aboriginal rights
yet we have a history of dispossession and poverty.
Canadian citizens have always enjoyed the bounties off our
unceded lands and experience good health. No one can say the
same for Indian people. At one point in our history we were forced
on reserve but now many of our people are being forced off the
reserves secking education, employment opportunities, and better
living conditions while leaving behind families, community
support and the support of their political leaders. For that our
people have been denied many of their aboriginal rights, economic
opportunities become limited, and too often in the end they are
forced onto welfare dependence under the provincial governments,
The Federal Government and the Canadian Human Rights
Commission report that the aboriginal population is growing well
above the national average but their lives wil! remain physically
and emotionally depressed: suicide among young aboriginal
people aged 15 to 24 is five times that of young Canadians. In 1994,
38% of all people living on-reserve depended on social assistance
to provide them with the basic necessities of life, compared to 7%
of other Canadians. This brings us to the plans National Health
and Welfare has imposed upon our people:
(1) in the fiscal year 1994/95, Medical Services Branch
capped health funding nationally and regionally. (2) in the fiscal
year 1995/96 introduced First Nations to the new Federal budget
and the introduction of the 6-3-3% limited spending growth until
1997/98 fiscal year. Last year, Medical Services Branch held a
program review which was designed to cut 15% funding and
identified 6 Options to reduce spending.
The primary focus of these Options was to reduce, limit and
cut our Non-Insured Health Benefits. In late summer the Union of
B.C, Indian Chiefs resolved to inform all of our people, regardless
of their residency, of changes to their medical plan because by
October 1995, Health Canada had began implementing policy
changes to the dental schedules, applying fees and other charges.
On March 13, 1996 Medical Services Branch, Pacific Region
siated to a gathering of aboriginal people from greater Vancouver
and Chiefs Council of the U.B.C.LC. that status Indian people
living off reserve would not have their medical benefits affected by
policy change.
The problem we face is the erosion of our aboriginal rights.
The 1995 Federal Government introduced Bill C-76, the Canada
Health and Social Transfer Act which will replace existing Federal/
Provincial transfer funding arrangements. This will determine
how the B.C. Government will carry out social assistance of health
and post-secondary education policy. This will affect our people
who are already suffering the ravages of the federal cut-backs and
are now expected to pay for mental health, dental and over-the-
counter drugs. This Government is making changes to basic rights
of our people and we are denied information on those changes.
Furthermore, the federal government actions in social
policy change is ablantant attempt to force provincial governments
to take on constitutional responsibilities which righfully belong to
Canada. Through all this, the Federal Liberal Government continue
to wave their Red Book and extol the virtues of a new relationship
with the Aboriginal People. This is paper talk - it is not fact.
Furthermore, the Department of Indian Affairs actually brags in
their report ‘Framework for Action’’ that through their partnership
with Indian people, the implementation of inherent right of self-
government is the most progressive recognition of Aboriginal
Rights to be found anywhere in the world.
Based on their methods in dealing with our health benefits,
and education the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs state there will be
no partnership, and no land question settlement as long as the
policy ofdenial, avoidance, manipulation and determination exists.
May 9, 1996
Attn: Chief Saul Terry, President
Re: May 9. 1996 Press Conference
The Mount Currie Chief and Band Council are in full
support of your office taking the initiative to publically voice
the First Nations situation in regards to the cut-backs and
changes to policy with the Non-Insured Health Benefits and
Dental Plan.
The federal government has been attempting to dissolve
their fiduciary responsibility through the devolution process
by way of the White Paper Policy of 1969.
By standing in unity can we ever hope to see justice come to
the First Nations of this country.
The Mount Currie Band Council stand with you on this
initiative.
Chief Allen Stager
Mount Currie
2
SPRING 1996
UBCIC NEWS
(GiG GRADUATION Cont'd from Page 1)
Audra Wesley Melanie Gladstone Brenda Red Star
Brenda Wesley Shannon Hanson Holly Robinson
Leora Wilson _ Beverley Kelly Michelle Sault
Cindy Wishart Shauna-Leigh Maloney Dana Simeon
Morgan Young
Paul Chartrand presented a gift to the Institute to
commemorate the first class of students at the IG, The gift is a
picture of a trapper, Elder Daniel Spence, which was taken
when Mr. Spence was 102 years of age.
Dr. Gottesman then introduced Kla-lelaweik (Flora
Dawson), Resident Elder at the IIG. The following awards and
certificates were presented by Elders and Faculty Members.
CERTIFICATE IN INDIGENOUS GOVERNMENT STUDIES
Theodore Andrew Francis
Shauna-Leigh Maloney
Each of the following students received a book, a Dean’s
Prize and a cash award tied with red nbbon and cedar boughs.
The prizes were:
OVERALL ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT
(2 Semesters - Full Time Studies)
Theodore Andrew Francis
Shauna-Leigh Maloney
OVERALL ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT
(1 Semester - Full Time Studies)
Melissa Ann Meyer
Holly Ellen Robinson
Randolph George Timothy
Morgan Elyse Young
OVERALL ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT (Part-Time Studies)
Christopher Edward Lloyd Sullivan
Kla-lelaweik
Nirkuschin Tsimalano
Elder Glen Douglas
Elder Vincent Stogan Elder Flora Dawson
The IJG wishes to acknowledge and thank Price-
Waterhouse, Aboriginal Services Division for their generous
contribution toward the Dean’s Prizes.
Dr. Sylvia Walsh, Director of Program Planning and
Development and Associate Professor, then read a selected
reading of student work. This excellent piece was written by
Shaugh-Leigh Maloney as an answer to an exam question. It is
presented on page 6 of this Newsletter.
Following the reading, Paul Chartrand invited
Tsimalano (Elder Vincent Stogan) of the Musqueam Nation to
conduct the formal Calling of the Witnesses. In this Traditional
part of the ceremony, which according to custom is neither
photographed nor taped, Elder Nirkuschin pinned the speaker’s
blanket on Tsimalano and Elder Kla-lelaweik tied his scarf.
Tsimalano then called five people to witness.
According to North West Coast tradition, the witnesses
were of ali ages, male and female. Reflecting the IIG’s Mission
Statement, their roots were in many continents and nations,
including Indigenous and incoming peoples. Each person was
called and stood. This is part of the living oral tradition that is
thousands of years old. Each person later spoke strongly and
evocatively of their acceptance to be witnesses, their promises to
remember the proceedings and their willingness to speak as
formal witnesses should the need ever arise in the future.
Tsimalano then spoke to the students and the audience.
He gave words of praise, encouragement and guidance to all the
people gathered together in this celebration. Kla-lelaweik
conducted the closing remarks and prayer followed by the
retiring of the Colours and the Recessional. Everyone later
assembled to enjoy traditional foods.
Congratulation to all the students - to those who
graduated, to those who have accomplished their goais and to
those who have taken their first steps. Well done!
Arlene L. Guerin, IG
Interim President Paul Chartrand with picture of a
trapper, Elder Daniel Spence at 102 years of age
SPRING 1996
UBCIC NEWS
FUNDAMENTAL PROBLEMS WITH CUTBACKS
TO THE NON-INSURED HEALTH BENEFITS
l. THREAT OF ASSIMILATION:
The Federal Government is
destroying their Trust Relationship with
the Indian Nations in Canada. At the
same time they will accomplish the
neutralization of Indian Nations
Governments.
How Will The Government Achieve
This?
a. Finalizing self-government
agreements with various Indian Bands.
Canada receives consent from these
Indian Bands by negotiating away their
Aboriginal Title to their lands. They must
give up their aboriginal rights to Canada in
exchange for a piece of their traditional
lands and specific rights.
This process is dangerous because
the Government will define aboriginal
rights and treaties in their Constitution
inthis way. Self-government
agreements are final and these Indian
Bands become part of the provincial or
territorial municipal government
system. The trust responsibility of the
Federal Government will be broken
forever and transferred to Chiefs and
Council of these Indian Bands.
Changes to the Non-Insured Health
Benefits is part of an overall strategy to
assimilate the Indian Nations. It will not
happen tomorrow, next year or five
years from now but it will happen.
b. Transferring programs to Indian
Bands or Tribal Councils and calling
it ‘‘self-government”’ which is not
‘*self-determination’’ of the people.
The transfer of health delivery
programs is not self-determination, it is
simply Indian people administering
Federal programs. Indian people will
end up administering their own poverty.
While this is going on in the health field,
other strategies are taking place through
such initiatives as the First Nations
Land Management Act, Indian Taxation
Advisory Board, and Self-Government
Agreements.
c. Delegating civil-servant driven
programs to aboriginal committees to
trim or cut-off funding for essential
services.
Transferring programs relieves
the Government from making decisions
and adequately funding essential
programs. The programs are not based
on Indian Government goals of self -
determination.
Indian Governments become
Federal civil servants under these
program transfers.
The goals of the Federal
Government are implemented instead of
allowing the Indian people to implement
their nationhood. This is another arm of
the Government being trained to take
over their fiduciary role. These actions
weaken Indian Nations capacity to
negotiate Nation to Nation treaties and
will affect their negotiating powers at
the national and international level.
d. Thirteen Chiefs signed a
Framework Agreement on Land
Management.
This Agreement provides for the
complete transfer from the Department
of Indian Affairs to an Indian Band of all
responsibilities concerning reserve land
management. The Agreement allows
Indian Bands to get out from under the
weight of DIA bureaucracy. This route
for improving reserve land transactions
allows the Crown to escape their
fiduciary duties.
True to their goals of
assimilation of Indian Nations into
mainstream Canadian society, the DIA
finds Indian people willing to act as
““working groups’’ and empower them to
map the way to termination of Indian
Nations through this process.
e. Creating “‘working groups”’,
‘‘boards’’, ‘‘committees’’, ‘‘task
forces’’ and ‘‘commissions’’ of
Indian people to carry out advisory
work for the Federal, Provincial and
Territorial Governments.
These Boards are dangerous for
Indian Nations as they hide from Indian
peoples the real purpose of their
initiatives. The first stage of these kinds
of transactions is always the fact that the
Minister of Indian Affairs gets rid of
his administrative responsibilities as set
out in the Indian Act. Once the land
goes, everything else collapses. These
factions are called ‘‘advisor’’ to the
Minister of Indian Affairs strengthening
the Federal Government goals to
terminate Aboriginal Title, Rights, and
Treaties of Indian Nations.
The work of these ‘‘consulting
groups’’ over the years, has not
liberated Indian Nations from the
impact of colonization. In fact there is
little evidence that the social
conditions, housing,education, health,
and aboriginal rights of Indian Nations
have changed for the better. Putting
Indian people in the role of ‘‘advising’’
the government has not produced
recognition of the Aboriginal Title and
Rights of Indian Nations because the
Government will not accept the
recommendations of our people if they
pursue self-determination. The Federal
Government only accepts the initiatives
of these ‘‘advisors’’ when they endorse
Government initiatives leading to
extingushment of Aboriginal Title,
Rights and Treaties.
2. THE FEDERAL-PROVINCIAL
ALLIANCE
The Federal Government can make
unilateral decisions on Federal-
Provincial spending powers.
HEALTH (Continued on page 5)
4
SPRING 1996
UBCIC NEWS
HEALTH (Continued from page 4)
The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs
takes exception to National Health and
Welfare’s cut-backs to the Non-Insured
Health Benefits. In 1995, the Federal
Government introduced Bill C-76 the
Canada Health and Social Transfer.
This new block funding scheme
requires provinces to decide upon
support for health care, social programs
and post-secondary education and places
these three essential services in direct
competition with each other. The
Government uses good words like
“‘inherent right of self government’’;
‘‘puilding a new relationship’’;
“‘negotiating treaties’’; ‘‘up-holding the
honor of the crown’’ but they are being
dishonest with the Indian people.
They hide behind these words
while actively using processes that
‘‘terminate’’ Indian rights. Indian
Nations interpret these words to mean
“‘recopnition”’ of Indian rights not just
in Canada but world-wide.
3. NON-INSURED HEALTH
BENEFITS
Cancel, Change, Cut-Backs
The bureaucrats of National
Health and Welfare decided on changes
to the N.I.H.B. a long time ago then
released their five Options to the
Assembly of First Nations. With the
help of the Department of Justice,
Health and Welfare ensure they can
change, cancel, and cut-back essential
services such as health and stay within
the law in order not to be criticized by
the Human Rights Commission in
Canada and at the United Nations.
Lately Health and Welfare boldly
announced that they don’t have the
mandate to provide health care according
to the Treaties with the Crown. They
are doing it out of the goodness of their
hearts.
The actions of Medical Services
Branch during the Non-Insured Heaith
Benefit crisis is a good example of how
lightly they take their role as the
representatives of the Crown. First of
all, itis a human rights violation to
abandon the original inhabitants of any
land after their way of life has been
disrupted and devastated by dominant
society.
The decision-makers at Medical
Services Branch did not trust the Indian
Leaders to deal with this issue. Time-
frames were not taken into consideration;
information-communication tactics was
at its worst; and there was double-talk on
the dental program with the Canadian
Dental Association and the Indian
leaders.
The handling of the three C’s, ie,
Cancel, Change and Cut-back to the
NIHB is evidence that it makes no
difference to Medical Services Branch
and National Health and Welfare if
Indian people end up with substandard
human nghts in the future. Their
actions, and decisions are setting up the
Indian people to fail Oin the health
transfer program. They will transfer,
transfer, and transfer until they get out
UBCIC Newsletter Deadline
of the health business.
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 June 21, 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.
The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs would
like to congratulate Ardith Walkem on
her successful completion of the bar
exams. Ardith will now be working at
Mandell Pinder. Best wishes!
First Nations Education Services
Street Address:
9711E - FIFTH STREET
SIDNEY, B.C.
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 69
SAANICHTON, B.C.
V8M 2C3
Phone: (604) 656-6894
Fax: (604) 656-6834
Healing Our Spirit
B.C. First Nations Aids Society
New Mailing Address:
415 B WEST ESPLANADE
NORTH VANCOUVER, B.C.
V7M 1A6
Street Address:
319 Seymour Blvd.
North Vancouver, B.C.
Phone: (604) 983-8774
Fax: (604) 983-2667
SPRING 1996
By concentrating on a daily basis on the
issues of decolonization and education for nation-
hood, students will not only incorporate these
concepts into their schoolwork, but entrench them
in their system of values. The IIG's objective is to
train First Nations to become leaders of their
people, empowering these students with knowl-
edge.
Most students, at the time of enrolment into the IIG
often feel devalued, or "cheated" by previous school sys-
tems or workplaces to which they have been exposed. They
arrive in their first classes, looking for a sense of validity,
ofbelonging. The IG provides the necessary affirmation,
through culturally relevant courses that validate First
Nations identity. The history of the colonizationor aborigi-
nal peoples is taught, providing the students with
conscientization, or the realization of their own oppression
as Indigenous persons, the mechanisms used to create this
power to oppress, and their position as Aboriginals in
today’s society.
lum, where students can learn
about the cultures of other
Indigenous nations, and can
participate in sharing their
own. Students learn to take
pride in and see the value of
irst Nations culture and
world views.
As they learn to em-
power their people in their
ocial and economic devel-
opment or decolonization and
elf-determination classes
these are just 2examples from
self-government facilitating
rriculum), students are be-
pinning to gain faith in their
own abilities to make change.
\
INSTITUTE OF
7: 6
Color Guards: Harry Lavallee, Vince Shea and Art Eggros
Cultural awareness classes are part of the curricu-
Selected Reading of Student Work
Dr. Sylvia Walsh, Director of Program Planning
Shauna -Leigh Maloney
Full Time Studies Student - Institute of Indigenous Government
This confidence signifies the student's own progress
on a personal journey to self-determination and
empowerment.
Students learn in the comfortable atmosphere
of the IIG to work closely with each other and the IIG
facility. Many students overcome, during the semes-
ter, feeling of inequity, shyness and a fear or resent-
ment of authority.
So as students learn to lead their people to self-
determination, they are empowering themselves to do the
same.
Since the commencement of classes at the IIG and
during the subsequent two semester, I have seen growth an
change among my classmates. Bitter, argumentive students
have become more less defensive and open-minded; listen-
ing to and accepting the views of others without taking a
personal offence and then expressing their
P Own.
Painfully shy students have learned to
express their views and feelings. Those
who trusted in the established norms
learned to question the status quo.
I, for one, became less frus-
trated with feeling that] would
never make change. It is im-
possible to feel fertile when
studying at the IJG, concen-
trating on pathways to personal
and National self-determina-
tion. Classes involving the
struggle for First Nations have
become demystified; I am now
able to participate in political
banter with my father and his
political friends. I have gained
the respect of others outside of
my accepted circle of family
and friends, and through mo-
ments of ‘clarity’, realized that
this approval of others is irrel-
evant to my happiness.
bs
“ae
Leora Wilson and Melissa Meyer
SPRING 1996
UBCIC NEWS
Institute of Indigenous Government
Academic Achievement Awards
Be
Andres
Sess ses = PO
Alejandro Palacios and Holly Robinson
NG ‘96
AWARDS
Overall Academic Achievements
(2 Semesters - Full Time Studies)
Theodore Andrew Frances
Shauna Leigh Maloney
(1 Semester - Full Time Studies)
Melissa Ann Meyer
Holley E. Robinson
Randolph George Timothy
Bernice Heather and Theodore Frances Morgan Elyse Young
(Part-time Studies)
Christopher Edward Lloyd Sullivan
Taal ee
Theo Collins and Morgan Young
Photos by Lisa Sullivan and
Arlene L, Guerin
Dr. Dan Gottesman, Elder Flora Dawson, Shauna Leigh Maloney, Chief Saul Terry
SPRING 1996 7
UBCIC NEWS
A Call To All Nations Of The World
World Peace and Prayer Day
Global Healing: June 21, 1996
It has been de-
—=
wae rv01 Looking
a BF Horse, 19th
Generation Keeper of the
Sacred White Buffalo Calf
Pipe for the Lakota, Da-
kota and Nakota Nation
asks that all Nations upon
Mother Earth declared
June 21st, 1996 World
Peace and Prayer Day.
According to spiritual
leaders and Elders who
gathered in the United
Nations to present their
Prophecies - again at Six
Nations, Canada - the
"If we do not do this our children will suffer"
- Arvol Looking Horse -
cided, according to the
Star Knowledge, that
June 21st is the time to
pray. Indigenous peo-
ple of Turtle Island will
begin their spiritual jour-
ney on horseback
from Wahpeton, Sas-
katchewan, Canada, on
May 3rd, 1996, There,
Indigenous people will
pray with the Sacred
Bundle Keepers, to be-
gin the restoration of
peace and balance. We
ask all Peoples to begin
organizing their owncer-
"signs" of Indigenous peo-
ple's prophecies have shown themselves. The prophecies tell us
it is time to begin Mending the Sacred Hoop and begin global
healing by working towards world peace and harmony.
The birth of the White Buffalo Calf lets us know we are at
the crossroads - either return to balance or face global disaster. It
is our duty to return back to the sacred places and pray for world
peace - if we do not do this our children will suffer.
At Grey Horn Butte, before the White Buffalo Woman
brought the Sacred Pipe to our ancestors, a Seer was travelling in
the Sacred Black Hills - PaHa Sapa, "heart of everything that is".
The Seer came upon a large tipi. When he went in the tipi, he saw
the Sacred Pipe in the North and the Sacred Bundle of Bows and
Arrows in the South. According to the Star Knowledge there are
six stars which designated six sacred sites within the Black Hills
- these places are sacred places to pray. We are told there is a
sacred place every hundred miles around Mother Earth. We ask
all people to return to these places and pray from their hearts with
us. The ceremony begins 10:00 a.m. South Dakota (Mountain)
Time.
emonies at their sacred sites or in the manner which they pray so
that they will be praying at the same time as we are from their own
spiniual center.
So far, we have to spoken to leaders from around the world
and each has committed to work towards supporting June 21st,
1996. We ask all people of all faiths to respond and support our
efforts towards world peace and harmony - our circle of life where
there is no ending and no beginning. May peace be with you all.
Arvol Looking Horse
19th Generation Keeper of the Sacred
White Buffalo Calf Pipe
DONATIONS FOR THE UNITY RIDE AND FOR MORE
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Canada - McMaster University Indigenous Studies, Hamilton
Ontario (905) 525-9140 ext. 27426 - Bonnie Freeman
U.S. - Gladys Looking Horse Box 687 Eagle Butte, South
Dakota (605) 964-8439
All material submitted and used in the
© Union of B.C.. Indian Chiefs. Newsletter. is:
FREE OF CHARGE re
Contact our Vancouver office for more’ tnfonemiion
604 ~ 684-0231
SPRING 1996
UBCIC NEWS
UBCIC RESOURCE CENTRE
Automated Resource Centre Catalog
We recently completed the upgrade of the library application
software we use in the Resource Centre from the DOS version to
the new Windows version. The Windows version provides for
much easier data entry in building the automated library catalog
and better access screens and report formats for users of the
automated catalog. There is now an OPAC (On-line Public Access
Catalog) in the Resource Centre for library users. The library
materials which are on the automated catalog can be accessed by
keyword, author, title or subject, and users can print off a
bibliography of library materials that they want to look for in the
Resource Centre. The recataloguing and reclassifying of the
collection is an ongoing project and the automated database will
prow as we complete more of this project.
Full-Text Canadian News CD-ROM Now in Resource
Centre
A full-text keyword searchable CD-ROM product called CANNEWS
is now available in the Resource Centre for contemporary news
items. We have full-text news for all major Canadian newspapers
as well as CTV & CBC Current Affairs for 1992 - 1995. Users can
search by keyword, name, date, type of byline, etc. and either print
off individual articles or download articles to their own disk to print
off or read on their home computers. The 1996 CANNEWS CD-
ROM will be available early in 1997, In the meantime, we use the
UBCIC Newsclipping Service anda current newspaper subscription
to access the most current news.
Summer Student
We are interviewing this week for a summer student to work for
twelve weeks in the Resource Centre under the federal government
Career Placement program. We rely on summer students to help
with the many long term projects ongoing in the Resource Centre.
This summer we will use our student to help with our vertical files
and to help cerlox bind a backlog of materials.
Video Collection Growing
We have been able to acquire many new video titles this past year
to assist the IG instructors and students. These videos are
available for viewing in the Resource Centre at anew VCR station
purchased this past winter.
I attended a two-day multi-media showcase at Capilano College
this past week and previewed pre-selected videos for two full days.
There are some very good videos available on First Nation issues
and concerns. If you are looking for videos on particular topics, I
have a much better idea of what is available after attending the
Showcase, and, you can call me anytime for information or
suggestions.
Paul Chartrand Private Book Collection
Paul Chartrand, the Interim President of the IIG, has donated his
private book and document collection to the UBCIC Resource
Centre. This collection was valued by a certified book appraiser at
a value of $27,000. We are currently creating basic records of the
book portion of this donated collection in the automated catalog.
Plans for the Summer of 1996
Resource Centre staff will be busy with collection development
over the summer to meet the new IG curriculum demands for the
1996/97 school year. We will be adding another OPAC station for
library users and another CD-ROM tower with new CD-ROM
products to be in place for September. We will also continue with
our preservation/conservation of the collection with items being
sent to the bindery and a selection of materials being put onto
microfiche. Cataloguing will be ongoing. Sometime over the
summer staff also hope to fit in some holiday time. The Resource
Centre will remain open all summer and there will always be a
minimum of one full-time staff person and the summer student on
hand to help library users.
Because we are on the same floor as the IIG, the Resource Centre
is on the IEG phone system. You can reach the Resource Centre at
602-9555. Ask for Wendy, Sarah or Lorraine. If it is more
convenient, you can still fax us at the UBCIC fax number 684-5726.
Mathew needs your help now!!!
Please seed popes
‘or — books on Indian :
“chBS> ac Indions.
Some
the
"Indians. ore
ans Bes}
————
Wa atirew “eahiet
Box TI
QrySon Quebec
— DJex (HO
SPRING 1996
UBCIC NEWS
Education Update
There has been numerous calls regarding the cut backs to
students already attending post-secondary institutions. As we
know, the support provided falls below the standard of living. A
single parent with one dependant receives $1045 a month! From
this, the student has to pay for rent, groceries, travel, utilities,
clothing, school fees and activities or day-care for child, laundry
and pastime. A student living in Vancouver will need
approximately $2,450.00. Students need an increase of 43% to
their living allowances to successfully complete their training.
Another concern is the Local Education Agreements.
Section 104(3) of the School Act (1989) provides for the opting
out of the Master Tuition Agreement at the local level by
allowing for the entry into agreements by Boards and Bands, or
Councils of Bands. Under these local education agreements, the
federal government provides tuition costs to individual bands and
the band purchase services from a school. The intent of these
agreements is to encourage meaningful consultation with First
Nations communities. There has been numerous complaints
from the First Nations communities about these agreements
being disrupted from payments made from the Department of
Indian Affairs to the School Boards. Delegates from these bands
have stressed that it is important that DIA work with the Indian
Bands rather than complicating the situation by making direct
payments to the school boards. It is their (DIA’s) fiduciary
responsibility to ensure that the interest of the people are upheld.
On May 14, 1996, the Vancouver School Board hosted a
meeting with the Aboriginal Education Branch. Dixon Taylor
and Glona Raphael, who are both co-ordinators, discussed the
First Nations Studies 12, First Nations K-10 Cirriculum, direct
funding, local education agreements and the ‘‘ Aboriginal
Support Workers’’ handbook. Allan Haig-Brown focused on the
Aboriginal Network (Abnet) on the Internet. For more
information on how you can “‘get connected’’ phone (604) 520-
6748. The First Nations support workers (elementary &
secondary) expressed some their concerns and updated on their
cirriculum and services provided to First Nations students.
The planning stages of the Union of B.C. Indian Chief's
International Conference ‘‘Visions of the Peoples: The Spirit of
Justice, A World Gathering of Indigenous Peoples’’ is underway.
The purpose of this gathering is to bring together grassroots people,
leaders, elders, chiefs and individuals committed to creating positive
change in their communities, traditional territories and nations.
The conference will focus on traditional and contemporary issues in
relation to Aboriginal justice, self-determination, legal, political,
economic and social structures, education, health, etc. The
proceedings will provide opportunities for participants to present
their ideas, experiences and visions of justice through a variety of
expression: oration, music, art, crafts, film, dance, presentation of
papers, etc. We are expecting participants from around the world.
The conference is scheduled to take place in the summer of 1997.
Students who participated in the ‘‘On to Ottawa’’ trek have
not yet returned. Many First Nations students from B.C. joined the
Canadian Federation of Students trek to Parliament Hill in protest
to the Post-secondary and the Canadian Social Transfer cutbacks.
‘‘First Nations students will no longer tolerate the unjust conduct
of DIA,’’ was the message from First Nations students. Jennic
Blankinship, UBCIC Education Policy Co-ordinator. S
Vhe Indian Homemakers Association held a fund
raising ‘“Benefit Night’’ on April 26, 1996. Over 200
people joined the dinner and entertainment.
Winners of the Raffle are:
1. HAMPERS:
“*Traditional Foods”’
Teresa Rickman, Vancouver
“‘Turkey’’ - Susie Guss, Vancouver
**Ham’’ - Kelsey Hall, Vancouver.
2. STAR QUILT
Mimi Dent, Vancouver
3. “‘TRADITIONAL BUCKSKIN DRESS”’
Rain On Your Face Caprian, Merritt B.C.
4. “KWA’KWA BALAS DOLL”’
Frank Boucher, Quesnel B.C.
5. ‘““EAGLE CUSHIONS’
Monica McCoy - Enderby, B.C.
6. ‘‘STAR CUSHIONS’’
Hertha Holland.
THANK YOU TOALL WHO CONTRIBUTED TO OUR MANY
DOOR PRIZES AND DONATIONS. Thank you to the following
organisations and people:
The Vancouver Indian Friendship Society
The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs
Institute of Indigenous Government
Renae Morriseau, Master of Ceremony
The list ofall who volunteered and entertained is extensive.
A complete list of all the entertainers and volunteers will be
acknowledged in our IHA newsletter. We gratefully appreciate
the commitment and dedication of those who participated with the
efforts in making our families and communities stronger. The
Indian Homemakers Association of B.C. is located at #208 - 175
E, Broadway, Vancouver B.C, Phone (604) 876-0944, fax (604)
876-1448. Thank you all again, from Jennie Blankinship,
President.
The Indian Homemakers Association is looking for
representatives from all nations within British Columbia.
Nominations, by letter, will be accepted at our office. Our Annual
General Meeting will be in July or August of 1996. If you have
concems in your community and would like support from other
First Nations women, please forward names (up to 5) to the Indian
Homemakers Association. There are twenty-three (23) distinct
nations within B.C. alone, we need your voice to address the
concems of our families and communities, All First Nations
women qualify. If you have any questions, please call Jennie
Blankinship, President or Wanda Sandy, Administrator at (604)
876-0944.
10
P 1996
UBCIC NEWS
The Child, Family & Community
Services Act - Bill 46
Submitted by the Indian Homemakers Association of B.C.
This act came into effect January 29, 1996, which
replaced the old Family and Child Services Act. The changes
came into effect so that we may be able to help the people by
using the community resources as well as the Ministry
Resources. The Ministry of Social Services made a Declaration:
‘That the Ministry of Social Services recognizes the
inherent responsibility and authority of aboriginal nations/
communities for the well-being of their members, and is
committed to Supporting Aboriginal Nations/communities
in their development and delivery of social services.
The act entails the following:
+ The act highlights the critical importance of kinship
relations, extended family ties, and children’s connections to
specific communities and specific cultures.
+ Notice of hearing is to be served to the BAND or to
designated representatives. This notice is to be given to both
parent’s bands.
+ The Act emphasizes the taking of a child into care as a last
resort, if the child is in immediate danger. Other less
disruptive measures MUST be considered before a child is
taken into care. The Act provides for a number of less
intrusive measures which allow workers to provide support
to families.
+ The Act requires the Ministry to be accountable to children,
families and communities whenever it is involved in a child
welfare matter.
+ Cultural identity of aboriginal children should be preserved.
+ Aboriginal people are to be involved in planning and the
delivery of services to aboriginal families and their children.
This also means the community which will include the
resources.
+ Family Conferences can take place if this is what the family
would like to set up.
+ The definition of ‘‘Aboriginal Organisation’’ will be
developed in policy in consultation with aboriginal people.
Identified aboriginal organizations are prescribed in the
regulations for the purpose of this section. An Indian Band
may be an aboriginal organization for this purpose or the
Indian Band may identify a specific tribal council,
aboriginal child welfare agency or any other organization
for this purpose.
Vancouver Aboriginal Child & Family Services was enlisted
as the Designated Representative for Vancouver Area and
the Lower Mainland. The community has come together to
discuss the new act. The meetings have been taking place at
least once per month. The Vancouver Aboriginal & Family
Services have been contacting people at different agencies to
take part with the discussions. The community is a very
important part of the act, especially for our Native
Families. It is crucial that information be distributed to
all communities. If you have any questions or concerns,
please call Renee Robert, Executive Director, at 689-2402.
Department of Justice
PROPOSED FIREARMS REGULATIONS ON HOLD
OTTAWA, MAY 8, 1996 - Allan Rock, Minister of
Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today gave notice
he will not proceed with draft regulations supporting the
Firearms Act put before Parliament on May 2, 1996. A new
set of regulations will be tabled at a later date for a thirty day
sitting period.
This action follows a request from the Chair of the
Standing Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs, that that
Committee be given a longer period of time to prepare for its
examination of the regulations.
“I want to ensure that the draft regulations receive a
very thorough examination,” said Minister Rock. “We will
proceed in re-tabling the first set of regulations only after the
extensive consultations with members of the Caucus and
other interested stakeholders, I have already begun to
receive many suggestions on how the regulations can be
improved.
This first set of draft regulations are the first of those
required to implement the Act. The remaining provisions of
the Act not yet in force will be brought into effect in early
1997, The new licensing requirements for individuals will
begin at that time.
-30-
Ref. : Jennifer Lang
Ministers Office
(613) 992-4621
SPRING 1996
11
UBCIC NEWS
Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs Specific Claims Research Program
Top Quality Research and Legal Analysis at No Direct Cost!
[ Jia you know that the
J” Union of B.C. Indian
Chiefs has a specialized
research/legal team devoted.
tothe development of specific
claims? Did you know that
any Band in B.C. is eligible
to participate in this
program?
The UBCIC’s
Specific Claims Research
Program stems from
mandates provided to
UBCIC by BC Bands to
undertake specific claims
research on their behalf. It is
a Band-driven program
wherein the Bands direct the
research and legal work on
their specific claims through
the UBCIC. The UBCIC’s
team cannot be matched for
its BC specific claims
expertise - it has been dealing
with every type of specific
@
The federal government has defined two separate policies and
processes for claims - ‘‘comprehensive’’ and ‘‘specific’’.
Comprehensive claims are based on the idea of continuing aboriginal
rights and title which have not been dealt with by treaty or other lawful
means. These claims concern traditional territories as well as traditional
use and occupancy of land.
Specific claims do not deal with unextinguished aboriginal title.
Specific claims are about whether the federal government fulfilled its
lawful obligations as defined by treaties, the Indian Act or other federal
laws. Specific claims relate mostly to a Band’s reserve land base. Most
commonly they involve the loss of reserve lands without lawful surrender
by the Band, or the government’s failure to pay adequate compensation
in cases where lands were taken with legal authority, They can also include
failure to compensate for alienated or damaged reserve lands and assets.
The resolution and settlement of specific claims most commonly involves
land or money.
There are a number of different kinds of specific claims, These
include: ‘‘cut-off’ lands, unlawful alienations (land sales, surrenders),
““Douglas’’ treaties and pre-Confederation ‘‘Douglas’’ reserves, reserve
boundanies, rights-of-way, fishing stations, graveyards and water rights,
land accretions, etc.
What is a Specific Claim?
How does the
UBCIC’s Specific Claims
Research Program work?
The starting point is a
BCR from a Band
authorizing the Union to
do the necessary research
and legal work on the
specific claims issues it
identifies. When
necessary, the Union will
contact the Band for
clarification of the
specific claims request
and an indication of the
urgency of the issues.
Researchers collect all the
relevant documentation,
which they analyze and
forward with a report to
the legal staff. The legal
staff review these
materials and prepare a
legal opinion for the
Band's review. A meeting
claim since the establishment of this process. The UBCIC team
consists of experienced full-time archival researchers who work
exclusively on specific claims, while legal analysis and support
services are provided by the Vancouver law firm, Mandell Pinder.
The aim ofthe UBCIC’s Specific Claims Research Program
is to provide maximum research and legal support to members,
given the limited program dollarsavailable. OQurumbrella approach
allows research to proceed to completion with no funding
interruptions and with no need for up-front money or administrative
costs - Member Bands benefit from the specific claims expertise of
our research/legal team all year-round, year after year at no direct
cost,
with the Band generally follows. All further activities by the
research/legal team are directed by the Band. There is no obligation
for the Band to settle claims through this process.
All research and legal activities are carried out by UBCIC
under the strictest confidentiality. All documents gathered for
specific claims belong to the claimant Band. Frequently, the
information gathered by the UBCIC’s Specific Claims Research
Program is helpful to the Band in areas other than specific claims,
such as community education or planning.
If you would like to know more about the UBCIC’s Specific
Claims Research Program, please feel free to call 1-604-684-0231
or drop by the Vancouver office any time.
Letter from the Cheslatta Carrier Nation
April 11, 1996
Dear Chief and Council:
Cheslatta is currently involved in a precedent-setting federal/provincial environment assessment of the proposed Huckelberry
open-pit copper mine. We would like to share our experience with you and have you share your experience with us. In this way, we
can deal with the common problems we face on environmental assessments.
Here are some questions we are interested in having answered:
Is your Nation involved in an environmental assessment?
What companies/corporations are proposing the project?
Is the company/corporations using divide and conquer tactics?
Please contact us if you need more information.
Sincerely, Chief Marvin Charlie
P.O, Box 909, Burns Lake, B.C. VOJ 1EO
Tel: (604) 694-3334 Fax: (604) 694-3632
12
PRING 1996
UBCIC NEWS
CANADIAN FEDERATION OF STUDENTS
(SEVEN STUDENTS ARRESTED IN HULL, QUEBEC)
ABORIGINAL STUDENTS
OCCUPY DEPARTMENT OF
INDIAN AND NORTHERN
AFFAIRS
May 10, 1996, Ottawa -- The
Federal Department of Indian and
Northern Affairs in Hull has just been
occupied by Aboriginal Students and
their supporters. They are demonstrating
against the implementation of the
Canada Health and Social Transfer
(CHST) and funding cuts to social
programs.
The protesters are calling on the
Liberal Government to live up to their
Red Book promises, including the
removal of the cap on the Aboriginal
Post-Secondary Support Program, the
development of a comprehensive aborigi-
nal study curriculum, the initiation of a
comprehensive health policy and Abo-
riginal involvement in policy and
budgetary decisions.
"This occupation seems to be the
only way to get the government's atten-
tion, “says Renee Shilling, National
Aboriginal Students Representative for
the Canadian Federation of Students.
"We had aboriginal students on a hunger
strike in British Columbia for 19 days in
February, without any response from
Jean Chretien or Ron Irwin," she adds.
Protesters are also demanding
that the government honour its fiduciary
and constitutional obligations to all
Aboriginal Peoples, as found in the
Royal Proclamation of 1763, the British
North American Act of 1867 and the
Canadian Constitution as amended in
1982.
"The cuts which are being
implemented under the CHST are going
to have a devastating effect on Aborigi-
nal peoples’ health, education and social
well-being,” expresses Shilling. "Yet
there has been no consultation with
Aboriginal people at all. It's our future
at stake, and we're not going to just sit by
The students have a list of demands which they were trying
to present to Minister Ron Irwin, Prime Minister Jean
Chretien and Finance Minster Paul Martin.
and watch it be destroyed” she empha-
SiZeS.
Aboriginal people will also be
speaking out against the CHST as part of
the Canadian Federation of Students' On
to Ottawa Trek Tomorrow at a demon-
stration on Parliament Hill at 2:30 Ovide
Mercredi of the Assembly of First
Nations and Jim Sinclair of the Congress
of Aboriginal Peoples will be speaking at
a demonstration.
-30-
For more information please contact
Renee Shilling at 795-5496
May 10, 1996, Ottawa - Seven students
were arrested in Hull, Quebec today
following a peaceful occupation of the
lobby of Indian and Northern Affairs
Minister Ron Irwin's office. The Cana-
dian Federation of Students regrets that
students were arrested during this non-
violent protest. The purpose of the sit-in
was to protest against cuts to social
assistance, health care and post-second-
ary education being implemented
through the Liberal government's
Canada Health and Social Transfer.
The students have a list of
demands which they were trying to
present to the Minister Irwin, Prime
Minister Jean Chretien and Finance
Minister Ron Irwin. The demands are:
- Honour promises presented in the
Federal Liberal Red Book, such as
remove the cap to the Aboriginal Post-
Secondary Student Support Program
- Develop a comprehensive Aboriginal
Study Curriculum;
- Initiate a comprehensive health policy;
and budgetary decisions.
- Return the Aboriginal Post-Secondary
Program to a needs-based program with
adequate funds to cover all educational
and living expenses.
- Honour Federal fiduciary and constitu-
tional obligations to all Aboriginal
Peoples.
~ Legislate a Higher Education Act to
define the Federal role in the Aboriginal
organizations, Aboriginal students and
communities.
- Act on the Canadian Federation of
Students' demands for the On to Ottawa
Trek.
- Release Marcel Masses Program.
Review of the Department of Indian
Affairs and Northern Development.
The student's demands are
reasonable, and have yet to be met by
Minister Irwin or Prime Minister
Chretien. Aboriginal students have
made efforts to raise their concerns with
the Minister through other avenues,
including a 19-day hunger strike in
British Columbia in February, with no
response from the Federal Government.
The Federation and the Aborigi-
nal Students’ Constituency Group will
continue to lobby the government to have
their demands met, we will continue to
use peaceful, non-violent forms of protest
against the devastating impacts of the
Liberal government's Canada Health and
Social Transfer.
-30-
For more information please contact
Cassandra Koenen, National Treasurer,
Canadian Federation of Students at (603)
232-7394,
OPRING 1996
13
UBCIC NEWS
HEUSE, MURDER AUD CORRUPTION:
Two Survivors of the Native Residential School and Church
Tell Their Story and Seek Justice
For immediate Release - May 24, 1996
negligence, pedophilia and
Li arriet Nahanee is a First
J) Nations woman who
endured years in the United
Church Residential School in
Port Alberni, B.C., and who
witnessed the murder there of a
"The. voices of murdered children are
crying out for justice"
-Harriett Nahanee-
murder in the church-run west
coast native schools.
These revelations come
at an especially important
time, now that a class action
fellow student.
Kevin Annett is a United Church Minister who was
wrongfully dismissed from his church in Port Alberni in 1995
when he helped to uncover this murder and other unknown
abuses at the school. He is on the verge of being expelled from
the United Church for his outspoken public opposition to the
cormption and cover-up still operating within that church.
Harriett and Kevin will be commencing a public speak-
ing tour in June, 1996 to share with others their story and build
support for their campaign to hold a "Citizens' Commission of
Inquiry" into the United Church and its relation to First Nations
People. This Commission will also investigate the destructive
effects of both government and corporate actions in the Port
Alberni region.
"The voices of murdered children are crying out for
justice” says Harriet. “This church got away with killing them,
and it's time the truth came out."
As part of his research into the Residential School
abuses, Kevin has uncovered previously-concealed correspond-
ence between the federal government, and the United Church
which reveals a decades-long collusion to cover up criminal
lawsuit has been launched by fifteen Port Alberni men against
the United Church and federal government, for severe damages
suffered by them at the Alberni Residential School.
"There are a lot of skeletons in the United Church
closet, quite literally," says Kevin. "At least three children were
killed in the Alberni Ahousat schools, and probably more. We'd
like to know where their bodies are, and how the church got
away with murders for decades."
This speaking tour is designed to raise support and
money for the Commission of Inquiry and a related Legal
Defense Fund.
To book Harriet and Kevin as speakers, or to find out
more information about this campaign, contact them directly at
the number below in Vancouver.
985-5817
224-3201
Harriett Nahanee
Kevin Annett
Sponsored by the Justice in the Valley Coalition
Port Alberni, B.C.
Arrests and Violence Disrupt Navajo (Dine') Gathering
For immediate Release - May 25, 1996
B.I.A. Rangers in cooperation with the Hopi and local law enforcement officials have blockaded a gathering of Traditional
Dine’ and their supporters on the disputed territories of the Hopi Partitioned Jand. Hopi Rangers have disrupted a traditional pipe
ceremony and manhandled several elders from the area.
The residences of Louise Benally and Ruth Benally in the community of Big Mountain, Anzona and the surrounding area,
are now covered with scores of law enforcement personnel. Many Navajo Elders are now resisting arrest as their children and
supporters have already been taken into custody for attempting to attend the annual Spring gathering.
Violence has been reported by several area residents as police have used batons and force to take gathering participants into
custody. Police are now preparing to use tear gas at the site.
‘The situation escalated as a group of Elder women prevented the arrest of a Dine' youth. Police then attempted to arrest the
Elders who sat and clung to each other to avoid being taken into custody. Supporters and family members continue to arrive and
confront the Hopi Rangers. The Traditional Elders have called on the media and the American public to come and witness the
violence and the occupation of their ancestral homelands.
Please make inquiries and register complaints with the office:
Senator John McCain (602) 952-2410
Washington, D.C. (202) 224-3121
Hopi Chairman, Ferrrell Secakuku 520-734-2441
14
SPRING 1996
UBCIC NEWS
MAP OF THE SOVEREIGN INDIGENOUS NATIONS
TERRITORIAL BOUNDARIES: JUNE, 1993
The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs’ map of the Sovereign Indigenous Nations Territorial Boundaries is the only contemporary
map that accurately shows the traditional tribal territories of the 23 Indian Nations in Bnitish Columbia. The six colour map measures
28" x 36".
The tribal territories are the homelands of distinct Nations, within which their respective peoples share a common language,
culture and traditional forms of political and social organization. These homelands have been occupied by the Indian Nations since
time immemorial. Up tothe present, the Indian Nations in British Columbia have never surrendered their ownership of their homelands
(aboriginal title), nor have they surrendered their original sovereignty as nations to govern their homelands (inherent jurisdiction).
Information on the territorial boundaries was compiled by the Union’s research portfolio and President’s office between July,
1990 and April, 1993 from archival research and information provided by elders, chiefs, and tribal councils. Chief Saul Terry, President
of the Union and a graduate of the Vancouver College of Art (now the Emily Carr College of Art and Design), prepared the working
drafts for the map.
Design and cartography for the June, 1993 map was done by David Sami, chief cartographer of Multi Mapping Ltd. in
Vancouver, B.C., using a 1:2,000,000 scale base-map from the Surveys and Environment Branch of the British Columbia Ministry
of Environment, Lands and Parks. All territorial boundaries shown on the map are subject to further revision, as additional information
becomes available. Contact the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs at (604) 684-0231 for ordering information.
28" x 36" / Scale: 1:2 000 000 / Six Colours
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Part of Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs Newsletter (Spring 1996)