Periodical
Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs Newsletter (July 1997)
- Title
- Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs Newsletter (July 1997)
- Is Part Of
- 1.06-01.08 Union of BC Indian Chiefs Newsletter
- 1.06.-01 Newsletters and bulletins sub-series
- Date
- July 1997
- Language
- english
- Identifier
- 1.06-01.08-08.03
- pages
- 20
- Table Of Contents
-
IN THIS ISSUE...
2. President's Message
3. Sacred Rainforest
4. World Leaders Conference
on Trade
5. A Constitution for
Corporations
6. EG Celebrates
7. Chilean Indians, Activist
Protest Licensing of Dam
8. National Chief of the
Assembly of First Nations
10. Resource Centre Update
11. Indigenous Peoples at the
United Nations
12. UBCIC's Press Releases
14. Specific Claims Update
15. Hydro Reviving Great
Whale Proposal
16. Letter from Innu People to
Queen Elizabeth II - Contributor
- Chief Saul Terry
- Maude Barlow
- Chief Stewart Phillip
- Tanien Ashini
- Type
- periodical
- Transcription (Hover to view)
-
Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs
NEWSLETTER
JULY 1997
Provincial Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs
wants to eliminate the tax exemption of status Indians.
7
he provincial Select Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs', composed of members from all parties in
the Legislature, released its Recommendations. While the Standing Committee was originally supposed to seek public
input into the Nisga'a Agreement in Principle, their Recommendations explore a wider range of issues. If the province
adopts the Recommendations, aboriginal title and rights will be increasingly threatened, as the recommendations impact not
only treaty negotiations, but all areas of Indian peoples' rights and title.
While many Indian people were horrified at the manner in which the Nisga'a AIP drastically increased provincial
interference and authority over Indian matters, the Recommendations want to cut back from the standards established in
Nisga'a.
Some of the main points of the Recommendations are:
IN THIS ISSUE...
2. President's Message
3. Sacred Rainforest
4. World Leaders Conference
on Trade
>
5. A Constitution for
Corporations
6. EG Celebrates
7. Chilean Indians, Activist
Protest Licensing of Dam
10. Resource Centre Update
12. UBCIC's Press Releases
14. Specific Claims Update
15. Hydro Reviving Great
Whale Proposal
16. Letter from Innu People to
Queen Elizabeth II
Eliminate the tax
exemption for status
Indians. Indians should
pay income tax, sales
tax, and GST
regardless if we work
or purchase goods on
reserve.
Money For Nothing
and Tricks For Free
>
8. National Chief of the
Assembly of First Nations
11. Indigenous Peoples at the
United Nations
administration which
includes: taxation,
business licensing,
zoning, public works,
policing, financial
administration,
marriage, adoption,
local health and local
education.
Making Indians into
Tax Paying
"Citizens"
>
Master's of Our Own
Poverty
Eliminate the Indian
Act for a form of "self
government" which
translates to the
administration of social
programs which Indian
governments selffinance.
Self
government will be a
form of self
>
Creation of a "Cash
for L a n d " formula
to simplify the sale of
Indian lands to the
provincial Crown
through treaties.
The province should
"focus its resources
on those bands in the
treaty process but
continue to talk to
those outside the
process so as to keep
the door open to their
participation".
> Approximate size and
location of the
settlement lands [which
will be to a maximum
of 5% of an Indian
community/nation's
traditional territory]
should be identified
early in the process
so that development
can proceed over the
rest of the land.
> A l l treaties should
include "certainty
language" which
clearly establishes that
the " F i r s t
Nation" involved in
the treaty clearly agrees
to recognize underlying
provincial title and
jurisdiction over all
non-settlement lands.
Continued Page la
JULY J997
1
UBCIC NEWS
Tricks Continued
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
from Page 1
The B C T C should offer incentives to encourage
"numerically larger groups of First Nations to
negotiate"
To speed negotiations the provincial government will
offer financial incentives, including time-dependent
loan rebates, to those "First Nations" willing to
negotiate quickly.
Any future treaties should not include a commercial
allocation of a fishery, unless a particular group has
gone to court to prove that they have a right to a
commercial fishery.
Annual fishery allocations should be decided by the
federal and provincial governments.
The province should have ultimate authority for the
management of wildlife, including the ability to
allocate game to Indian peoples.
Where the province is willing to acknowledge Indian
jurisdiction to manage resources, this is usually only
to the extent that Indian standards "meet or exceed"
provincial standards or do not contradict provincial
laws.
Treaties should be ratified by a free vote in the
provincial legislature.
>
>
>
>
Under Their Thumb
A l l self government agreements will be subject to the
Canadian Constitution, Charter or Rights and
Freedoms, and the Criminal Code.
The A B C ' s of Treaty Making: Coming soon to a
Grade School near you
The B C T C should step up its public information
campaign, including working with the Ministry of
Education to develop school cirriculum.
Look who came for dinner!
Third parties should develop a compensation package
for any third party legal interests in Crown land as a
result of treaty settlements. While offering monetary
compensation to third parties the province should offer
an apology to Indian peoples for the past wrongs done
by the province.
Third party interests should have greater input and
involvement in treaty negotiations. This could include
paying the travel expenses of third parties to enable
their involvement in negotiations.
B.C. Treaty Commission 1997 Annual Report:
Troubled By D e f i n i t i o n of "First N a t i o n " and Selling Secret Negotiations
The British Columbia Treaty Commission (the " B C T C " ) recently released its 1997 Annual Report. Several
issues highlighted in the Annual Report are troublesome. In particular, die "public information" campaign which has been
launched by die B C T C in classrooms across the province, the definition of "First Nations" which are involved in the B C treaty
process, and the criteria of "openness" in treaty negotiations which dramatically reduces the information available to Indian
peoples about the deals that their "First Nation" governments and negotiators are making on their behalf.
Public Information Campaign:
The B C T C has decided that it needs to sell treaties to
British Columbians and will assume an "expanded role in
public education". The B C T C has hired a communications
manager and is "working in cooperation with educators to
ensure there are appropriate information materials on the B C
treaty process in the classroom.'' The B C T C has plans to
actively encourage media interest in treaty making and
distribute a video of their version of the treaty process to all
school resource centres and libraries in the province.
As part of its "public information" campaign aimed at
building public support for treaties in B C , the B C T C has
worked on a handbook entitled "Understanding the B.C.
Treaty Process" with the First Nations Schools Association,
Tripartite Public Education Committee (First Nations Summit,
BC, and Canada), B.C. Teacher's Federation and the B.C.
Treaty Commission (the "Handbook").
la
The Handbook will be used to teach all children within
the British Columbia school system, including Indian children,
about Indian peoples and our rights. Our children are our
future, and i f we allow B C children to be taught this
information, what sort of future can we look forward to?
The Handbook strongly promotes the B C Treaty Process
as the only solution available, does not give an accurate or full
description of the extent of Indian rights and title to the land
and reduces our aspirations for self determination into a stunted
form of self administration where Indian people have
permission to deliver "culturally appropriate" social services.
The Handbook states that treaties may involve a small
portion of provincial Crown lands the title of which will be
handed over to a "First Nation", the starting point of the
Handbook is that Indian peoples do not have title to our
homelands, and that the only legal title Indians can achieve is
that which we bargain for through treaties.
Continued Page lb
JULY 1997
UBCIC NEWS
Definition of "First Nations": Who is Canada and B C
willing to negotiate with to gain access and ownership of
your lands and resources?
The Annual Report touches repeatedly on issues such as
overlap (both with other Indian nations, and also within one
nation where only Band/First Nation has entered treaty
negotiations) where Canada and the province are negotiating
with "First Nations" with dubious authority to treaty over
lands which they do not hold exclusive aboriginal title and
jurisdiction over. The Annual Report "recognizes the need to
remain flexible in determining what is a First Nation for treaty
purposes. The challenge is to be fair, and yet reinforce the
concept of nationhood to preserve the integrity of the process.''
It is obviously impossible to establish "certainty" and ensure
that the province has gained possession of a piece of land
where there are overlapping Indian claims to a portion of land
and only one Indian community or nation is willing to make a
deal.
The reason that the federal and provincial governments
are willing to enter into treaties is the fact that Indian peoples
have legally recognized aboriginal title and rights to lands and
resources. From the government's perspective this creates
"uncertainty" in that their own jurisdiction and tenure over
unceded Indian lands is uncertain. However, when "First
Nations" enter into treaties they do so on the basis that title to
aboriginal lands and resources ultimately rests w i t h the Crown,
both federal and provincial, and are negotiating for title on the
province's terms.
So long as Indian people have not surrendered their
lands or entered into treaties with Canada Indian tide over the
land continues to exist. Legally and morally, Indian people
have not given their surrender or their consent to the
possession of Indian lands and resources to any outside
government. While the B C T C is careful to say that they do
not "extinguish" aboriginal tide or rights, they "define" the
extent of aboriginal rights and interest in lands. When
something is exhaustively defined and set out it is limited.
Any aboriginal tide and rights not specifically listed in die
agreement will, for practical purposes, cease to exist. In
signing a treaty agreement which defines aboriginal rights all
rights not specifically set forth within the agreement will be
effectively surrendered.
This is an issue which obviously concerns the B C T C
greatly, as it illustrates the illegitimacy of die entire B C treaty
process. As a result of these concerns, the B C T C has spent a
considerable amount of energy in defining "First Nation" as
"an aboriginal governing body, organized and established by
aboriginal people with a mandate from its constituents to enter
into treaty negotiations on their behalf with Canada and
British Columbia".
The B C T C ' s definition of a First Nation includes those
Band governments set up under the Indian Act. A Band is not
an Indian Nation, it is simply one community or tribe in a
larger "Nation" of people. Negotiating with a Band is the
equivalent of negotiating for the rights of die country of
Canada with the province of Prince Edward Island. As all
JULY 1997
resources and lands within a Nation belong to the People of the
Nation as a whole, no one community has any right to alienate
or bargain away die rights and entitlements of the entire
Nation. The lack of legitimacy of this process is obviously a
point of concern for die B C T C .
Openness: The only good negotiations are carried on in
secret.
Part of the "public information" campaign of the
B C T C is to stress die need for secret negotiations. Closed
negotiations would seem to be in direct contradiction with
Indian government which operates on a consensual decision
making model. Small teams of negotiators or leaders do not
have die authority or capacity to make binding decisions which
will forever alter the rights of our future generations. If
negotiations cannot be carried on under the full view of the
members of an Indian community, how valid are they?
"Open sessions work well in framework negotiations
[the "table of contents" section of treaty negotiations] and in
the early stages o f a g r e e m e n t - i n - p r i n c i p l e
negotiations....However, once the negotiations advance, the
difficult task of finding solutions begins. If the only forum for
negotiations is open there will be little opportunity for the
parties to have a safe environment in which they can explore
options and look for innovative solutions." Negotiations done
in secret are defined as "safe", which implies that the
negotiations would not be safe if people whose rights are being
negotiated had full knowledge
Why is the appearance of openness, but not actual
openness so important to the success of the B C treaty process?
The B C T C identifies two stages to the treaty making process:
(1) developing a mandate and (2) negotiation. The message of
the Annual Report is that it is impossible to develop support
for the treaty (the mandate) without openness, yet there can be
no successful negotiations with too much openness (if die
people actually know what is being negotiated, they will no
longer support the process).
UBCIC WORKSHOPS
The UBCIC is developing workshops
to inform Indian people and communities
about the impact of the B.C. Treaty process on our Aboriginal Title and Rights.
We are prepared to offer this workshop to interested community groups,
bands, tribal councils etc.
For more information please contact
the UBCIC Vancouver office:
5th Floor - 342 Water Street
Vancouver, B.C. V6B 1B6
Tel: (604)684-0231 Fax: (604)684-5726
E-Mail: [email protected]
lb
UBCIC NEWS
Message
From
The
Chief Saul Terry, X'wisten
What
is investigative
journalism? Is it a
book review of a current book
on Indians? Is it coverage of
Royal commission reports commissioned by the governmental on pipelines, fishing, forestry, and water resources? Or
is it found in newspaper columns under a tenured journalists by-line? I pose these questions because it seems to me
that virtually all investigative
reporting in Canada on "Native Issues" is limited to these
kinds of articles. For the most
part, however, good investigative reporting on Indian issues
is not undertaken by journalists, not asked for by editors,
and not published or broadcast
by owners of the mass media.
This is true nationally — and
it's particularly the case here is
British Columbia.
So-called "ethnic" or
minority groups in B.C. see in
this state of affairs more than
just a predetermined choice of
issues, values or "voice" by the
white mainstream media. In
general, it raises a fundamental issue for a democratic society: majority power versus protection of minority rights — especially the right to be heard
and understood, without which
the rights of free speech and
expression are meaningless.
For us as Indian people
today, the mass media's treatment of our lives and the issues
2
President
UNION OF B.C. INDIAN CHIEFS
Investigative Journalism and Indian
Rights
that are most important to us is
a cause for concern and even
outrage. In B.C. we see the
media not simply affected by
bias but burdened by the values
and ideology that justify the
racist history of this province
and its, relations with our First
Nations.
When issues affecting
the lives of Indian people are
by the Canadian government.
This documentation can show
that under the co-opted rhetoric of "Indian Self-Government" Canada is revitalizing
its historic colonialist policies
of assimilation and termination of Indian identity. These
policies have always been genocidal in their ultimate objective, and never more so than
Indian life is never pursued. It
is in the political arena where
the root causes of our people's
distress lie and where, in the
end, solutions must be found.
Has the press, radio and
T V been totally co-opted by die
economic, political and bureaucratic forces aligned against our
people? The absence on journalistic investigation of the
Buffalo Jump of the 1980's and
subsequent policies indicates
"When it comes to Indian stories there is a fine,
to me that this is indeed the
easily-crossed line between editing and censorship- case.
censorship that invariably serves the interests of the
To illustrate my point, I
government and the economic power-brokers in
cite an investigative report published in 1987 by the Arizona
Canada and this province."
Republic, the daily newspaper
of Phoenix with a circulation of
examined by the news media,
3000,000. The article, "Fraud
today. There is an important
they are usually treated in isoin Indian country: a billion dol¬
story here. Politically this is
lation from the ongoing politilar betrayal," investigated the
critical for our Indian Nations.
cal struggle of Indian Nations
U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs
Yet the story in Canada is
in B.C., in Canada, and indeed
and located "Indian problems"
largely ignored by the mass
throughout the world for recin the political arena where
media. Why?
ognition of our Aboriginal T i they belong. For six months, a
The formidable and untle, our Right of Self-Governten-person investigative team
precedented challenges faced
ment, and our Right to a share
gathered statistical data from
by Indian Nations in British
of the economic benefits that
across the United States. The
Columbia today are truly newsothers derive from unceded
reports documented gross misworthy and cry out for in-depth
Indian lands and resources.
management by the Bureau
investigation by die mass mefrom top to bottom. They exdia. But instead we see a conIn British Columbia, our
posed the corruption which
tinuation of stories which senpeople struggled for survival
crippled Indian communities
sationalize and stereotype Inon a daily basis against the
as a whole, from lands and
dian people (in die guise of
concerted efforts of the provinresources by way of trusts, to
"human interest") or which
cial government, the federal
health, housing, education and
superficially examine their sogovernment and its Department
social assistance. The report
cial, economic, or health conof Indian Affairs to extinguish
concluded that the Bureau of
ditions. Research and analysis
aboriginal rights. Much like
Indian Affairs was the cause of
of die political dimensions of
ten years ago we can document
the political aggression being
MESSAGE F R O M THE PRESIDENT (Continued on page 7)
waged against Indian Nations
JULY J997
UBCIC NEWS
LONG RUNNING RAINFOREST BLOCKADE
ENDS WITH 24 ARRESTS HEREDITARY
CHIEF AGAIN A R R E S T E D FOR
PROTECTING SACRED RAINFOREST
( K I N G ISLAND, BRITISH C O L U M B I A ,
C A N A D A ) - JUNE 24, 1997 - Twenty
four people were arrested this morning in
one of British Columbia's longest
running and most effective protests to
stop clear-cutting of the province's ancient rainforests. The
blockade by Nuxalk First Nation and four environmental
groups, stopped all clear-cut logging by international Forest
Products (Interfor) at Ista on King Island for a total of eighteen
days.
Forty members of the R C M P descended on the blockade
at 6:45 this morning, and arrested 24 people who were
preventing Interfor contractors from clear-cut logging Ista.
Nuxalk Hereditary Chief Qwatsinas (Edward Moody) was
immediately arrested at die blockade for the second time in
two years, along with five other members of the Nuxalk
Nation. Other arrestees included 13 Canadian, five Europeans
and one from the US. A l l arrestees refused to sign a 'terms of
release' form at the site, and have been flown down to
Vancouver to appear before a Supreme Court of Canada judge
on Wednesday at 10 A M .
The R C M P climbing team was also on site, and scaled a
large tripod built from logs erected at the edge of a 37 hectare
clear-cut, (the size of 74 football fields) removing a Nuxalk
and Belgian woman. The R C M P also cut away a Canadian
and German woman who were locked onto a grapple yarder - a
large piece of logging equipment used to load logs from a
clear-cut.
" M y mother has been arrested for protecting Ista. M y
grandfather was arrested too." Said Colette Schooner, 16, of
the Nuxalk Nation who has been sitting in the tripod for 11
days. "Now I am here for the youth and future generations to
stop the clear-cutting of this sacred rainforest.''
"Having witnessed die huge clearcuts at Ista, I am
surprised and shocked that Canada still allows this kind of
logging to take place." Said Patricia Fromm of Germany, who
was locked to the grapple yarder.
The blockade site Ista on King Island is sacred to the
Nuxalk Nation. It is the place, according to die Nuxalk
creation story, where the first woman descended to the world.
The Great Bear Rainforest, of which Ista is a part, is of
extreme ecological importance because it contains die world's
largest remaining areas of temperate rainforest in the world.
The King Island blockade began on June 6 after eight
hereditary chiefs o f the N u x a l k N a t i o n i n v i t e d
environmentalists to the area to participate in an effort to stop
the clear-cut logging.
"We are thankful that our allies have responded to our
invitation to stop the clear-cutting of our territory by Interfor"
stated Head Hereditary Chief Nuximlayc of the Nuxalk Nation.
Ista was the site of 22 arrests in 1995, 17 of which were
Nuxalk first nations peoples. Now in 1997, there have been
JULY 1997
more arrests and still the clearcutting of Ista and many other
rainforest valleys continues.
"Instead of riling up the people of B C with his antienvironmental rhetoric, Glen Clarke would do well to start
listening to the people of B C , who have today given up their
rights and freedom in defense of this locally sacred and globally
important rainforest.'' commented Gavin Edwards, spokesperson
for the Forest Action Network.
Meanwhile, a second logging protest has begun further
south as six Greenpeace activists boarded a fully loaded log barge
laden with old growth rainforest, unfurling a banner reading
"Don't Buy Rainforest Destruction." The log barge, carrying
trees cut by Interior, has just made its way to Port Hardy on
Northern Vancouver Island. R C M P officers are currently on the
scene.
For More Information Contact:
Gavin Edwards
FOREST A C T I O N N E T W O R K
Box 625, Bella Coola, B C , Canada V 0 T ICO
TEL: (250) 799-5800 F A X : (250) 799-5830
1997 North American
Indigenous Games
VICTORIA, BC, C A N A D A
A U G U S T 3-10, 1997
Celebrate the Circle
The North American Indigenous Games are a truly unique
event. Unlike most major Games, the emphasis on culture
is equally as strong as the emphasis on sport. The reason
for this is rooted in Aboriginal philosophy which teaches that
the four spheres - the spiritual, physical, mental and emotional must all be present for balance and harmony.
The Elders teach us that in order to achieve good health and
wholeness, sport and culture must be part of each other.
They form an Indivisible Circle with no beginning and no
end.
This is the spirit of the NAIG, to Celebrate the Circle!
For More Information Call 250-361-1997
3
UBCIC NEWS
WORLD LEADERS CONFERENCE
ON TRADE
On November 18-26, 1997 the Asian Pacific Economic
Cooperation will meet in Vancouver to discuss trade and
investment opportunities. The reason the Asian Pacific countries
formed an alliance is because the World Trade Organization is
a monitoring and dispute resolution body, and the Asian Pacific
Economic Cooperation (or A P E C ) wants to build a powerhouse
to sidestep the powerful World Trade Organization (or WTO).
A P E C wants to eliminate global tariffs for at least 15 new
economic sectors and move quickly to identify specific products
and services for which they can eliminate duties and quotas
instead of waiting for another round of negotiations on global
free trade at the World Trade Organization. Once a large number
of A P E C countries agree on the outline of a deal, negotiations can
be moved to the WTO which has 13 0 member countries (the last
group of global negotiations took seven years to complete). WTO
agreements are binding and subject to dispute settlement. The
United States and Canada have been pushing for A P E C to gain
more prominence because they believe it's easier to get deals
among a smaller group of countries that are large enough to carry
enough weight to intervene on the world scene. Critics of A P E C
are concerned that deals reached through A P E C will not be
subject to the same scrutiny as those negotiated through the WTO
or the North American Free Trade Agreement known as N A F T A .
One example is the fact that Canada is rich in minerals,
energy and forests and will attract investment in these sectors.
This will certainly place a lot of pressure on the lands and
resources of Aboriginal Peoples. The Union of B.C. Indian
Chiefs joined The Issues Forum of The 1997 Peoples Summit and
sits on the Vancouver Steering Committee. We are there to assist
in providing a forum for Indigenous Peoples.
UBCIC PRESS RELEASE
Robert Manuel's Candidacy
for AFN National Chief
V A N C O U V E R , B.C. - July 3, 1997 - Chief Saul Terry,
stated today, that the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs is pleased at the
announcement that former Chief and President Robert Manuel is
putting his name forward to serve as National Chief of the
Assembly of First Nations. Chief Terry had these comments:
" T h e challenge of the position is to
maintain, protect and enhance the aboriginal
and treaty rights of all Indigenous Peoples. Our
unceded lands in British Columbia need to be
protected and we need a strong National Chief to
do this. His local, regional, national and
international political experience, along with
the knowledge of the treaty and aboriginal rights
principles gives Robert Manuel a solid foundation
to launch a substantive political position.
The position of National Chief is a very
difficult one, and I applaud all candidates who
have the courage to vie for this challenging
position. Indian Peoples can only benefit from
having these six leaders willing to give so
generously of their time and effort in their
committment to Indian Peoples."
(Excerpts regarding APEC & WTO was taken from L.
Eggertson article in the Globe & Mail, May 12th issue. Update on the Peoples Summit will be given in each UBCIC
Bulletin)
-30-
Quesnel Chief Nominates
Robert Manuel
Bella Coola - Lhtako Chief Frank Boucher, Jr. of Quesnel has
nominated Robert (Bobby) Manuel for National Chief.
Speaking from Bella Coola, Chief Boucher said: "I
believe Bobby Manuel will listen to the grass roots people. He
has strong ideals and good character which I can attest to as I
have known him a long time." Chief Boucher and Bobby
Manuel both attended Camosun College together in the
1970's.
"The Assembly of First Nations needs to be restructured
to regain its role as the voice of all First Nations within Canada.
I believe Bob Manuel has the qualities to achieve the goal," said
Boucher.
In the past few years, the A F N has been made into a
service delivery agent while they have been bypassed by Ottawa
on political issues.
4
"With over 25 years of political experience, Manuel has
the ability to see that Ottawa's assimilationist agenda is exposed, " said Boucher. "Our inherent Aboriginal rights are
strong - we must not negotiate them away."
Frank Boucher, Jr. has been Vice-President of the Union
of British Columbia Indian Chiefs for the past four years and
Chief of Lhtako (formerly Red Bluff) for the past 23 years.
Boucher is a Southern Carrier of the Athapaskan Language group while Manuel is a Secwepemc (Shuswap) of the
Salish language group.
Contact: Chief Frank Boucher Jr. Lhatko office:
(250) 747-2900
-30-
JULY 1997
UBCIC NEWS
A Constitution For
Corporations
While concerned citizens everywhere go about fighting the
erosion of rights in every facet of their lives, out of sight of the
world's public, two powerful processes are under way to remove
most of the remaining barriers to, and controls on, the global
mobility of capital. Most Canadians know nothing about these
process, which will entrench rules of global investment in favour
of transnational corporations and grant investors the unrestricted
right to buy, sell and move their businesses at their discretion.
The World Trade Organization set up a working
committee at its December 1996 meeting to study a Multilateral
Investment Agreement — the M I A — after developing countries
slowed the push by the US and Europe to fast-track the process.
Although the group is mandated to report back at the next W T O
meeting in two years, Director General Renato Ruggiero made it
clear that, in time, die M I A will be the centrepiece of the WTO.
"We are writing," he said, "the constitution of a single global
economy.''
Meanwhile, the Organization for Economic Co-operation
and Development is planning to ratify the Multilateral
Agreement on Investment (MAI) at its ministerial meeting in May
of this year. The stated objective of the US is 'to obtain a highstandard multilateral investment agreement that will protect US
investors abroad.'' While there are some variations between the
proposed treaties, the O E C D process is designed to establish the
ground rules and precedents that will then be incorporated into the
larger venue of the WTO.
The purpose of both treaties is to reduce or eliminate the
capacity of national and sub-national governments to limit die
degree and nature of foreign investment or to impose standards of
behavior on investors. They would sharply restrict die ability of
government everywhere to shape investment policy to promote
social, economic or environmental goals.
The M A I minces no words. It wants to "outlaw" national
practices that limit access of foreign capital to government
contracts and privatization programs, demand that foreign
companies hire or purchase locally i f they are allowed to operate
inside die country and protect key sectors of their economy, such
as transport, energy, real estate or financial services.
Noting that "to conquer a market one needs to be present
as a producer", the M A I includes a "general commitment to
grant the legal right for foreigners to operate and invest competitively
in all sectors of the economy.'' It proposes free, unregulated access
for global investors and investments and national treatment rights
for transnational corporations that would prevent any nation from
favouring local industry, farmers or resource companies.
The investment treaty would grant corporations the' 'freedom
to make financial transfers", wipe out national merger control and
anti-trust legislation enforcement measures and even address
national " taxation, labour or environment policies.'' The M A I is
calling for a "standstill" commitment so that countries could not
introduce any new restrictions on foreign capital in the future and
a "roll-back" commitment to eliminate all current measures
that " r u n counter to liberalization."
Most distressingly, the M A I would confer on private
investors the same rights and legal standing as national
governments to enforce the terms of the treaty. Under this
provision, M A I violations by governments could be challenged by
private investors through a binding dispute resolution system using
economic sanctions. As well, the M A I could prevent governments
from distinguishing between foreign investors or foreign targets
based on countries' human rights, labour or other records and preempt strategies for restricting corporate flight to low-wage havens.
This treaty would amount to nothing less than a global
charter of rights and freedoms for transnational corporations in
every nation of the world. Canadians have already had a taste of
what this would mean, as these same rights exist for the corporations
of our continent under the North American Free Trade Agreement.
As many of us predicted, free trade has left Canadian industry,
culture and resources totally vulnerable to takeover by American
business interests and profoundly undermined our ability to
maintain our own social, cultural and environmental laws.
Yet the Canadian government has become the world's
foremost cheerleader for economic globalization and is acting as a
stalking horse for the US in its campaign to promote these
investment treaties. That Canada is any part of this should bring
shame to all Canadians. For the government of Jean Chretien, who
ran against N A F T A and corporate domination and promised to
protect Canadian resources, social programs and culture, it is an act
of stunning hypocrisy.
Reprinted with permission from Canadian Forum
by Maude Barlow
"VOICE O F T H E P E O P L E S "
GATHERING
1
JULY 1997
TO REAFFIRM OUR ABORIGINAL
TITLE AND RIGHTS
JULY 11 & 12 1997
Cayoose Creek Campgrounds
Stl'atl'imx Nation
"Building Indian Government
Together as Nations"
Co-hosted by Cayoose Creek Indian Band, Stl'atl'imx
Nation and Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs
Contacts:
Cayoose Creek Indian Band - Chief Perry Redan (250) 256-4136
Stl'atl'imx Nation - Tribal Chief Mike Leach (250) 256-7523
Union of BC Indian Chiefs - Mildred Poplar (604) 684-0231
5
UBCIC NEWS
INSTITUTE OF INDIGENOUS
GOVERNMENT CELEBRATES
A n historical event for First Nations people! On May 23rd, 1997, families, friends,
students, faculty, staff and onlookers applauded as two Associate of Arts degrees and
two Certificates in Indigenous Government Studies was awarded. Shauna-Leigh
Moloney and Theodore Andrew Francis were the first in history to receive an Associate
of Arts degree from Canada's first autonomous degree-granting First Nation PostSecondary institution. Certificates in Indigenous Government Studies were awarded to
Melanie Elizabeth Gladstone and Randolph G. Timothy. Congratulations to the
students, families and the institute!!!
Hosted at the Open University, an Institute partner in learning, the convocation
highlighted the importance of inter-institutional co-operation in achieving First
Nations' educational needs
Chief Saul Terry, President of the Union of B C Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) and Chair
of the Board of Governors, proudly witnessed the historical moment in Indigenous
culture and education. It was six years ago that a resolution was passed at the UBCIC's
Annual General Assembly to establish
the Institute of Indigenous Government.
' 'The success of each student at the IIG
is therefore a success for our Nations as
a whole. With strength, courage,
determination and hard work, our
Grand Chief Bernard Charles and Resident
success is inevitable.''
Elder Nirkuschin (Glen Douglas)
Stated by Grand Chief Bernard Charles, President of IIG, "We have come
together as a way to remember this day in history, the first time in Canada that an
independent Indigenous post-secondary institution has granted a degree. This was a
dream of our visionaries and an element that is carried forward in the diversity of
Indigenous experiences and values
represented in our student body
and faculty.''
Addressing the Graduation
class, Judge Alfred Scow reflected
on his own education and on the
question of relevance that followed
Shauna-Leigh Maloney
him throughout the non-Indigenous system. " I learned as a boy, he said to tend
cattle when I saw all around me people who harvest fish! Today, these students
have a means to learn without giving up the culture and tradition that is so much a
part of them.''
The Dean of Academic Affairs, Dan Gottesman, noted the standards of
excellence that the IIG's first graduating class had established. 'The work of these
students is part of this Institute. They have both completed a program and helped
to make it what it is. The have created academic as well as personal
benchmarks for those who follow them.
The ceremony was punctuated by the thoughtful words and actions of IIG
Resident Elders, Nirkuschin (Glen Douglas), Kla-lelweik (Flora Dawson), and
Simoigit Ha 'g be gwatxw (Ken Harris). In addition, Tsimalano (Vincent Stogan
Theodore Andrew Francis
Sr.) performed a Calling of the Witnesses Ceremony, welcoming all to traditional
Musqueam Territory.
If you would like more information on how you can be apart of this exciting educational opportunity, contact the IIG at (604)
602-9555 or fax (604) 602-3432 or visit our Web at http://www.indigenous.bc.ca.
Applications are being accepted for the Fall 1997
and the Winter 1998 semesters
6
JULY 1997
UBCIC NEWS
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE (Continued from page 2)
the problems that were mani-fested in Indian communities.
It was further evident to the press that American Indian victims could
not overcome their oppression by the American government and the
B.I.A. without help from an informed American public. So the story
was published in the newspaper. Today those Indian people are
pursuing a class action suit.
Now the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs knows that similar and at
times identical problems exist in British Columbia and Canada. And
we have made available documentation and analysis that could be used
to expose, corrupt and destruct government policies and assist in
bringing about the dismantling of the Department of Indian Affairs and
put in its place alternative options. But my experience with news
journalists tells me that reporting in this country is a one way street.
That is to say, reporters phone my office regularly to inquire "what's
new?" and I am expected to supply Indian news or elaborate upon some
Indian story they may wish to develop. This exchange is always onesided, however, without exception, journalists do not pursue the
political "news" I give them as President of the UBCIC. They do not
go after the additional documentation and interviews that would verify
our Chiefs' considered view that the politicians and bureaucrats deliberately frame Indian Affairs policies to oppress Indian people and
further entrench their dependence and poverty.
Could it be that we do not have proper investigative journalism
in this country because media ownership is monopolized by business
interests that work hand-in-glove with government to maintain the
status quo? Or perhaps the media moguls believe that we live in a just
society, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary when it comes
to the lives of Indian people. When it comes to Indian stories, there is
afine,easily-crossed line between editing and censorship — censorship
that invariably serves the interests of the government and the economic
power-brokers in Canada and this province.
Morrisseau vs. Bennet
T V . Fish Story:
It is my experience during my terms in office as President that
the media has not offered the public much in the way of in-depth
reporting and political analysis. What makes matters worse, however,
is that, as the political offensive against Indian Nations and Indian
lands in B.C. rolls forward, it becomes increasingly difficult for our
political organization to obtain financial support for professional
research an analysis — ammunition that is essential for us to campaign
effectively in the political arena and ensure the survival of our people
into the 21st century. So it is very important to us that journalist take
every opportunity to seriously investigate and report on Indian Issues
in B.C. and Canada. More than ever, we need the statistical data and
hard evidence uncovered to enable us to better protect our people, our
lands and our resources.
But this is not just an Indian story. In the long run, I believe
that everyone in society will benefit from a renewed commitment to dig
hard and deep into the political strata of Indian life in B.C. If the news
media fully informs and educates the public — I am confident that truth
will be served and justice done by our people. In this event, British
Columbians as a whole will benefit spiritually, politically and even
economically. For colonialism victimizes both the colonizer and the
colonized, and ultimately the welfare of all depends on our respective
mutual development. This is the public interest that should be promoted by investigative journalists in B.C., now and in the years of
struggle ahead.
Chilean Indians, Activist Protest Licensing
of Dam
SANTIAGO (Reuter) - Indians and environmental
activists occupied Chile's indigenous affairs bureau and
environmental protection board Tuesday to protest the licensing
of a dam that will force hundreds of Indians off their land.
The National Environmental Commission (Conama)
Monday gave the green light to plan to build the $600 million
Ralco dam on the Bio Bio River in southern Chile.
Beating drums and denouncing Chilean "colonization,"
about 20 aborigines Tuesday took over the offices of the
National Indigenous Development Corporation (Conadi) and
unfurled banners from upper floors, including one reading
"Indigenous Dignity -- no to Ralco!"
' 'The Chilean government has once again shown its
colonizing mentality by not respecting our people or the law,"
said statement read by the occupiers, wearing ponchos and
playing reed flutes.
"Our grandfathers taught us well how to defend our
lands and if it's necessary, 10 times we will return to shed our
blood for our lands, but Ralco will not be built," they said.
They demanded to speak with Conadi's director, a
supporter of Ralco appointed by President Eduardo Frei's
government early this year after it abruptly fired the previous
director who was opposed to the dam. At the same time, about
30 environmental activists occupied the first floor of Conama's
offices.
Conama granted a license to private electric utility
Endesa to begin building the dam and bring it into operation
early in the next century. It will complement a smaller dam
opened last year by Endesa downstream, which was also bitterly
opposed by environmentalists.
The dam will force up to 700 Pehuenche Indians off part
of their ancestral lands and flood about 9,000 acres of farmland
and rare temperate rain forest on tire river's upper reaches.
In exchange for the license to build, Endesa will have to
compensate the Pehuenches w i t h land of similar value and also
buy 9,400 acres of land nearby for a wildlife reserve - an area
roughly similar to the area that will be flooded.
The dam's builders say Chile, w i t h almost no oil of its
own and vast hydroelectric potential, needs Ralco and other
dams to guarantee the country's booming economic growth into
the next century.
Endesa general manager Jose Yuraszech said Chile will
need about 10 more dams the size of Ralco to be built between
now and the year 2013 to satisfy energy demand, plus nine
more power plants fueled by natural gas piped in from
Argentina.
Opponents of the dam, which has also attracted
opposition from U.S., environmental groups, can still appeal in
court but they said they had little chance of stopping it there.
By Roger Atwood
UBCIC (November 1987)
JULY 1997
UBCIC (November. 1987) I
7
UBCIC NEWS
National Chief of the Assembly
of First Nations
It
is election time for the office of National Chief of the
Assembly of First Nations. This will take place during their
annual assembly on July 28 -3 0,1997. There is also a proposal
to restructure the organization including a name change.
It is necessary to take a look at one of the original intent of
such organizations as the National Indian Brotherhood.
Organizations like this was formed by Indian people because they
feared the loss of their lands and resources and that was the
number one reason although there are many other specific
reasons as well.
Every Federal Government in power has been determined
to provide a final solution to the Land Question and that is to
extinguish aboriginal title and rights of the Indian Nations
because they think it is good for Indian people to be assimilated
into dominant Canadian society. The early settlement of Canada
were active colonization years and the government was able to
encompass this whole country according to their way of life.
Years of strategies by the government have been instrumental in
weakening the sovereign political position Indian Nations held
and the Federal Government has been able to entrench their
assimilationist agenda to settle the Land Question.
The National Chief should provide strongleadership against
continued colonization process and be more visible in the Field of
nation-building at home and abroad.
Are the Assembly of First Nations Declaration and the
Treaty and Aboriginal Rights Principles to be taken seriously or
not?
The National Chief should adhere to these Declarations
and Principles theyare the Code of Ethics for Indian Governments
and how they do business. They articulate the Assembly of First
Nations' beliefs, values and moral identity. At no time should
Nations be encouraged to settle for less.
The qualifications of a National Chief, at this point in
history when the Federal Government is devolving its Trust
Responsibilities to Chiefs and Council are:
1. To inspire the Indian people, provide Spiritual Leadership
and be a role model;
2. To lead the Indian people as Nations towards their goal of
self-determination rather than towards complete colonization;
3. To protect Aboriginal Title, Rights and Treaties of Indian
Nations;
4. To implement unequivocally Article 1 of the A.F.N.
Constitution;
5. To hold the Federal Government to the Spirit and Intent of
all the Treaties negotiated to date;
8
6. To protect aboriginal rights to hunt, fish, trap and
gathering harvest;
7. To teach the Indian Philosophy, not only to Indian
communities but to the public at large;
8. To represent the sovereign postion of Indian Nations at the
International level;
9. To build stronger ties with all Indigenous Nations
throughout the world;
10. To communicate and warn Indian Nations of the Federal
and Provincial strategies to extinguish sovereign aboriginal
rights;
11. To build political ties on Aboriginal Title and Rights with
the Metis and Non-Status or Off-Reserve Indian Peoples;
12. To work in harmony with Indian Organizations and
Supporters to protect the Natural Resources and Environment
of Indian Territories.
13. To seek financial resources for the work and development
of Indian government.
ISSUE:
Can a National Chief fulfill the Principles of the A.F.N.
Declaration if he or she comes from an Indian Band who is
actively involved in the Federal Government's self-government
process through which the Band declare they do not want to be
under the authority of the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs
then in a final agreement, relieves the Minister of the Trust
Relationship? Can this National Chief truthfully fight for the
Aboriginal Title, Rights and Treaties of Sovereign Nations when
he or she is a party to the implementation of the Comprehensive
Land Claims Policy of the Federal Government?
The following is an official list in alphabetical
order of candidates for the office of National
Chief, to the Assembly of First Nations.
Mr. J. F. (Joe) Dion
C/O Tsawwassen Reserve
1257 Pacific Drive
Delta, BC
V4M 2K2
Phone: 604-943-2253
Fax: 604-943-6541
2) Mr. Philip Fontaine
PO Box 209
Winnipeg, MB
R3C 0M6
Phone: 204-956-0610
Fax: 204-642-0441
3) Ms. Wendy Grant-John
2nd Floor, 319 Seymour Blvd.
North Vancouver, BC
V6N 2C7
Phone: 604-987-2582
Fax: 604-987-6683
4) Mr. Robert (Bob) Manuel
899 Elder Road
Kamloops, BC
V2B 6K9
Phone: 250-679-3295
Fax: 250-679-3403
5)
Mr. Ovide Mercredi
Grand Rapids, MB
Phone: 613-830-2211
Fax: 613-241-5808
6) Mr. Larry Sault
RR No. 6
Hagersville, Ontario
N0A 1H0
Phone: 905-768-1133
Fax: 905-768-1225
JULY 1997
UBCIC NEWS
T H E A S S E M B L Y O F FIRST N A T I O N S
IS P L E A S E D T O W E L C O M E O U R
ELDERS, CHIEFS, GRANDCHIEFS
A N D PEOPLE TO T H E
18TH ANNUAL G E N E R A L
ASSEMBLY
Helping Spirit Lodge Society
5th Annual Golf Tournament
FUN GOLFERS WANTED!
Sunday Afternoon, September 28, 1997
12:00 p.m. (Noon)
E A R L Y PAID BIRDS GET B E S T T-TIMES!
J U L Y 2 9 , 30 8b 3 1 , 1 9 9 7
Tsawwassen Golf Club
VANCOUVER TRADE &
C O N V E N T I O N CENTRE
999 C A N A D A P L A C E , V A N C O U V E R , BC
EXIBIT H A L L A
1595 - 52nd Avenue, Delta, B C
$75.00 per person
(Includes golf game, and a donation of $15.00 to our First
Nations Family Violence Center with it's intervention
programs. Tax receipts available.)
ELECTION FOR OFFICE OF
NATIONAL CHIEF
HELP US H E L P OTHERS!!
Wednesday, July 30, 1997
P L E A S E C O N T A C T B E R N E WHITEFORD A T 8726649 FOR M O R E D E T A I L S !
For more information, please call the
Assembly of First Nations at ( 6 1 3 ) 2 4 1 6789 or (613) 2 4 1 - 5 8 0 8 / 5 8 0 7 / 4 8 9 8
GOLF, H A V E F U N , A N D H E L P US F U N D RAISE FOR
OUR FIRST NATIONS F A M I L Y V I O L E N C E CENTER
WITH IT'S INTERVENTION P R O G R A M S
UBCIC
NEWSLETTER
DEADLINE
The deadline for the next Newsletter has been
set for August 15, 1997. If you have any
information that you would like to see in the
next edition of the UBCIC NEWSLETTER,
Send by mail or fax to:
UBCIC NEWSLETTER
5th Floor - 342 Water Street
Vancouver, BC V6B 1B6
Phone: (604) 684-0231
Fax: (604)684-5726
JULY 1997
Please note that as of May 1, 1997 the Tsimshian Tribal Council
relocated to the Chatham Village Longhouse. Our phone and fax
number will remain the same. The new address is:
138 1st Avenue West
Prince Rupert, B C
V8J 1A8
(250) 627-8782 Phone
(250) 627-1938 Fax
We are pleased to announce that CESO Aboriginal Services has moved
to a new location. Our new address is:
CESO Aboriginal Services
Suite #212 - 1999 Marine Drive
North Vancouver, B C
V7P3J3
(604) 986-4566 or 1-800-986^566 Phone
(604) 984-3584 Fax
9
UBCIC NEWS
RESOURCE
T
CENTRE
UPDATE
he " A r c h i v i a " CD-ROM workstation was set up last
month in the Resource Centre and it is being used
frequently. Archivia - Aboriginal Peoples includes information
relating to selected textual and machine-readable Canadian
federal government records. While it does not include the records
themselves, it provides the ability to keyword search important
finding aids for Record Group 10 (Indian Affairs) Inventory,
Indian Treaties, Surrenders & Agreements, Bands & Agencies
and other files. The selected RG-10 finding aids cover most of
die Black Series records for B.C. Our Resource Centre has one
of die best collections of RG-10 microfilm in the province. The
combination of our extensive collection and the print & electronic
finding aids we have provides an important resource for
researchers.
If you would like to order a copy of Archivia - Aboriginal
Peoples for your own office, it is available from National Archives
for under $200.00. If you want more information about hardware
requirements to run Archivia or contact information for National
Archives call me or Lorraine Brooks here in the Resource Centre
at (604) 602-9555.
We were investigating die content of the 1881, 1891 and
1901 Census as it seemed some of B.C. was not included. The reels
that we have do in fact include all available information for B.C.
As suspected, some areas did not get included in some years
because everyone was away fishing, the weather was inclement,
etc. We do have a two volume index now which makes it easier to
determine if you are likely to find what you are looking for on the
Census reels. We have gathered a number of resources to help users
with genealogy research. This type of research if usually time
consuming and a great deal of patience and determination is
required. You will often have to search in a variety of resources and
at more than one site. If you are going get involved in this type of
research make sure you can make the time commitment.
Sarah Torsky, our Cataloguer, begins her maternity leave
at the end of this week and Sarah Nighswander, our replacement
Cataloguer has already started. Our two volunteers came and went
rather quickly. Dorine Cyr got a full-time job and Alma Peters
found die long trip in from the Mission too restrictive on her time.
Thanks to a summer student grant, we have hired a Micmac student
who is between her first and second years of the Library Technology
program at Langara College. Linda Muise will be working on some
important cataloguing projects for the Resource Centre.
10
If you would like to get a subscription to
a good basic computing magazine for your office
which will help with running your systems more
effectively and take some of the mystery out of
basic c o m p u t i n g , we can h i g h l y
recommend PC Novice (Smart Computing
in Plain English). To place an order
contact Sandhills Publishing F A X
(402) 479-2193. The annual
subscription price is $29 U.S. funds
for twelve issues.
The Resource Centre will be
open Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. 4:30 p.m. all summer long. After
surviving the extensive building renovations and being under piles
of debris last summer, we are looking forward to a clean, quiet July
and August. We hope that you have a safe and enjoyable summer.
JOB POSTING
RESEARCH ASSISTANT
The Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs has
an opening for a f u l l - t i m e Research Assistant i n its
Specific Claims Research Program. Job duties for this term
contract involve historical and archival research, and the
preparation of detailed written reports. Salary will be based
on qualifications and experience.
Candidates should possess a university degree and
some research experience. Superior organizational skills
c o m m u n i c a t i o n s s k i l l s are r e q u i r e d . S o u n d
knowledge of Indian governments, the goals of the UBCIC
and the principles of the Aboriginal Title and Rights position
are essential.
Interested candidates should fax resume, references
and samples of writing to the UBCIC Staffing Committee at
(604) 684-5726 NO LATER T H A N
FRIDAY AUGUST I , 1997. We thank
all applicants for their interest, however
only those candidates selected for
interviews will be contacted.
JULY 1997
UBCIC NEWS
COMMEMORATION OF THE TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF
PARTICIPATION OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES AT THE UNITED
NATIONS
To all Indigenous P e o p l e s , brothers and sisters,
Respectful Greetings,
In S e p t e m b e r of 1977, the Conference of Discrimination
against Indigenous P e o p l e s of the A m e r i c a s took place in
G e n e v a , Switzerland. 165 Indigenous P e o p l e s participated.
It w a s the first international gathering of Indigenous
P e o p l e s before the United Nations, an activity of the S p e c i a l
C o m m i t t e e on N o n G o v e r n m e n t a l O r g a n i z a t i o n s ' S u b Committee on R a c i s m , R a c i a l Discrimination and Apartheid.
There, Indigenous P e o p l e s from the Western Hemisphere
gave testimony on the situation of H u m a n Rights of our P e o p l e s
and the continuation of colonialism and genocide against us.
This s u m m e r will mark the 20th anniversary of this
gathering and the formal participation of Indigenous P e o p l e s
before the U N in G e n e v a . This conference gave birth to a great
consciousness raising at the international level on the situation
of Indigenous P e o p l e s all over the world. Participating Indigenous
Peoples made several recommendations to the U N , including
the suggestion that there be a more widespread and systematic
participation of Indigenous P e o p l e s at the U N level. This
recommendation w a s taken to the S u b - C o m m i s s i o n on the
Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, which
in turn r e c o m m e n d e d to the U N that the Working G r o u p on
Indigenous Populations be formed.
Another W o r l d C o n f e r e n c e took place in 1981, again in
G e n e v a , and in 1982, the W o r k i n g Group had its first meeting.
S i n c e the formation of the W o r k i n g G r o u p thousands of
Indigenous persons representing hundreds of Indigenous Nations
have participated directly in standard setting for the recognition
and observance of the H u m a n Rights and Fundamental F r e e d o m s
of Indigenous P e o p l e s , such as the U N Draft declaration on the
rights of Indigenous P e o p l e s , the Resolution by the G e n e r a l
A s s e m b l y declaring 1992 the year of Indigenous P e o p l e s , the
subsequent Declaration on the D e c a d e of Indigenous P e o p l e s ,
important studies on the Preservation of Indigenous Heritage,
the study on Treaties, and other issues of great importance to
Indigenous P e o p l e s .
The next s e s s i o n of the working Group on Indigenous
P o p u l a t i o n s in G e n e v a , b e g i n n i n g 2 8 J u l y , 1 9 9 7 , will
c o m m e m o r a t e this historic moment that marks the beginning of
the Indigenous P e o p l e s of the world at the United Nations.
For the International Indian Treaty Council, which had
been formed 1974, and had participated intemationally to achieve
this first conference and more ample and open Indigenous
participation at the U N , this moment is of great significance and
pride.
Indeed, as the International Indian Treaty Council w a s the
first Indigenous organization r e c o g n i z e d by the U N as a
consultative status Non-governmental organization in 1977, this
20th anniversary is of great significance and pride for us in this
respect as well.
JULY 1997
W e would therefore invite those who are able to attend the
next session of the W o r k i n g G r o u p where this important beginning
will be c o m m e m o r a t e d . W e would especially urge those brothers
and sisters who attended the first W o r l d C o n f e r e n c e in 1977 to
attend, that they may be recognized in a good w a y .
W e very much regret that our organization is unable
to provide any financial assistance for those interested in attending.
All will have to make their own arrangements.
If your attendance is possible, we would remind you that it
is important to bring traditional dress to this event, to again
demonstrate to the U N the diversity of our P e o p l e s , Nations and
cultures. If it is possible, please also bring traditions f o o d s for the
Indigenous P e o p l e s ' reception, keeping in mind that Switzerland
has regulations on the importation of meat. It is r e c o m m e n d e d that
frozen meat be sent through diplomatic pouch via the e m b a s s i e s
of friendly states.
There will be three major events in the c o m m e m o r a t i o n :
1) C o m m e m o r a t i n g the march of Indigenous P e o p l e s in 1977,
there will be a march of Indigenous P e o p l e s in traditional dress
through the main gates of the U N , on M o n d a y , July 2 8 , at 10:00 a m , demonstrating, as we done in 1977, that Indigenous
P e o p l e s cannot be denied entrance to the U N . O n c e inside the
U N , prior to the beginning of the regular s e s s i o n of the Working
Group, representatives of Indigenous P e o p l e s , c h o s e n at the
preparatory meeting on Saturday and S u n d a y at the World
Council of C h u r c h e s building in G e n e v a , will a d d r e s s the
session, and exchange gifts with representatives of the United
Nations.
2)
Thursday, July 3 1 , Indigenous P e o p l e s will host a reception for
representatives of the U N and the public in the evening at the
U N B e a c h , where traditional foods will be s e r v e d .
3)
The Lord Mayor of G e n e v a will host a reception on Friday,
August 3 1 , beginning at 5:00 P M . This event coincides with
the S w i s s national holiday and will be held in conjunction with
their celebration at the P r o m e n a d e des Bastions a c r o s s from
the P a l a c e N e u v e . This event is also of historic tradition, as it
marks the reception given in 1923 by the Lord Mayor of
G e n e v a , to D e s c a h e h , the C a y u g a Chief who, representing
the Iroquois C o n f e d e r a c y , w a s the first I n d i g e n o u s
representative to the L e a g u e of Nations. A n area for the sale
of crafts has also been set aside for this event.
If your presence is possible, and you need more
please contact:
information,
Bill ( J i m b o ) S i m m o n s
Kenneth Deer
International Indian T r e a t y C o u n c i l
S a n Francisco, California, U S ,
The Eastern Door
M o h a w k Territory
T e l : (415) 5 1 2 - 1 5 0 1
F a x : (415) 5 1 2 - 1 5 0 7
(514) 6 3 5 - 3 0 5 0
(514) 6 3 5 - 8 4 7 9
11
UBCIC NEWS
Why did the B . C . T . C . hold a press
conference to release their annual report?
V A N C O U V E R , B. C . ~ June 26, 1997 -- Indian Peoples respond to
the to the British Columbia Treaty Commission's (B.C.T.C.)
release of their annual report:
Chief Saul Terry, President of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs
had these comments:
"The press conference was a non-event meant to assuage
public fear and doubt that the treaty process is not working. The
B.C.T.C. is preparing the public in case of confrontations with
Indian Peoples this summer because opposition to the process is
growing. They want the public to believe that all Indian Peoples
outside the B.C.T.C. process are in the minority and are radicals.
The fact is, even within the Bands involved, there are many people
who do not support their leadership's involvement.
How can Indian people consent when most of the negotiations
are held in secret and behind closed doors? It's easy to sell the
process when you don't see how it will affect the people in it.
Openness closes down after Stage Three where the meat and
potatoes are on the table.
A l l that this report lists are the loan monies to Indian
peoples which are 80% repayable. The public should be asking
about the real costs involved. What about the monies spent
internally by the Province and Federal government which do not
show up in this report? Maybe the Reform Party should get on this.
No matter how many millions they spend, no matter how
many press conferences they hold, no matter how many reports they
release, the B.C.T.C. is not working for Indian Peoples. "
For information please contact: Chief Saul Terry 1-250256-4135
Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, Grand Chief Bernard Charles of
Semiahmoo had these comments:
"Everyone insists that because there is "no other game in
town'' that every First Nation should opt in. This pre-supposes that
everyone should make this decision despite the concerns that they
might have about flaws in the B . C . T . C . If there is other ball game
- we have to ask it we remain outside of the process at our peril?
On important issues such as overlapping claims and third
party interests it seems that you can only buy into the process
believing all parties will behave honourably and not be guided by
their own interests. No Nation should have been coerced or agreed
to submit or even agreed to submit a letter of intent if there was no
agreement in place regarding overlapping claims. This process is
being driven by those that have the most to gain - honourable
negotiation and agreements should have proceeded the process and
not be left as an afterthought. It should not be those first across
the mark who drive this cumbersome vehicle.
Many long established principles of past leaders have been
cast aside: recognition of title, continuing right to land and
resources and proper compensation. The overriding pressure to
settle long standing grievances is the driving force in this process.
No one has given satisfactory answers to the questions of "Is this
12
the best or the only way to settle things - or is it merely the most
expeditious way?"
If we are prepared to settle for less than we are entitled to we
need to do so only i f the overwhelming majority of our
constituency supports such action. Consent is only as valuable as
the informed nature on which it is based. Otherwise we are talking
about sophisticated manipulation rather than consent.
These are some of the failings of the B.C.T.C. process.
Likely there are others. The glossy handouts are too similar to the
White Paper policy of 1969. The only difference is that some First
Nations members, if they are not actually driving the bus, are at
least along for the ride. Many others prefer to walk rather than get
on board the B . C . T . C . "
-30 -
Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs Press
Statement Federal Election Results: Where
do we go from here?
VANCOUVER, B.C. - June 5, 1997 - Chief Saul Terry,
President of the Union of B. C. Indian Chiefs, in response to the
results of the federal election, stated:
"The 1997 election results are a mixed blessing for Indian
Peoples. The federal Liberals have lost their overwhelming
majority and space has been made within Parliament for other
parties who can add a balanced voice.''
"British Colombians voted in the Reform party, bringing into
Parliament their ignorance about the true history of this country.
Traditionally, the Loyal Opposition is a voice representing our
interests in Parliament and holding the government accountable to
their obligations toward Indian Peoples. But the Reform party
cannot be trusted to do this because they are living in a major state
of denial about our rightful place on tins Land.''
"The Prime Minister indicated that his government will
"stay the course" on its policies. This does not bode well for our
Peoples. We w i l l have to continue to convince the government
of the dire need for political, social and economic solutions for our
rapidly growing populations. The only solution we have is
decolonization. The federal government paid millions of dollars
for a Royal Commission to tell them this. We are prepared to work
with Mr. Chretien to restructure our relationship, using the RCAP
as a starting point. I hope that the new Parliament does not let die
millions it spent on R C A P go to waste by leaving this report unused
on their shelves."
"The revived New Democratic Party has die opportunity to
support our Peoples to bring about real political, social and
economic change. The human costs are too great to continue with
the status quo. To be effective a lasting solution will require our
concerted effort nation by nation right across this country, and I
believe it is achievable."
FEDERAL ELECTION (Continued on page 13)
JULY 1997
UBCIC NEWS
FEDERAL ELECTION (Continued from page 12)
"This is our country. Respect and recognition are the
solution to the Indian problem. People who came to this country
last week currently get more respect than the original peoples of
this Land. We are not a special interest group, we are the original
Peoples of this Land. We want to survive as Nations, not to blend
seemlessly into the Canadian mosaic.''
" W e do not want a repeat of what took place at
Gustafson Lake in B.C. or at Ipperwash in Ontario. The Liberal
government arrogantly avoids and denies the substantive
issues it must address to build a peaceful and lasting relationship
with Indian Peoples. This is evident in their plans to convert our
Nations to municipalities and our leaders to mayors. Our hopes and
aspirations as Peoples cannot be squashed into the existing system.
Real and immediate changes are necessary to recognize our
rightful place on this Land. Hopefully, members of this Parliament
will be courageous enough to work with us to achieve these
changes."
—30 —
INDIAN PEOPLES AND PACIFIC
S A L M O N TREATY TALKS
VANCOUVER, B.C. - JUNE 10, 1997- The Union of
B.C. Indian Chiefs issued these comments about the Pacific
Salmon Treaty talks which have lately received so much press
coverage.
In 1913 the C . N . Railway, while building its main track,
caused a rockslide at Hell's Gate. The Fraser River was entirely
blocked and twenty-two million salmon died. The Early Stuart
run was decimated. The fishery survived because Indian people
carried salmon over the rockslide enabling them to swim
upriver and spawn. The H e l l ' s Gate slide enabled the
Americans to get their boot in the door. The Americans assisted
Canada with money to clear the waterway and in return Canada
guaranteed the Americans a certain percentage of our fishery.
Chief Saul Terry, President of the Union of B.C.
Indian Chiefs, made these comments:
"Canada and B.C. have no credibility when they are
pounding the table and accusing the Americans of bullying
tactics. Indian Peoples in the Province know all about bullying
tactics over the fishery. We get it at home all of the time. Hour
Peoples fish for food or if we sell a couple of salmon to our
neighbour, we can be arrested and thrown in j a i l . "
"Indians within Washington State are entitled to 50%
of the total fishery catch of the state. Meanwhile, the Indian
Peoples within B. C. are reduced to begging for a few fish to feed
our families or to build our economies.
"It is admirable that the Premiere and DFO officials
have recognized the unfairness and inequity of a situation
where outside forces control access to the fishery resource.
Maybe now they can turn the insight onto themselves and act
fairly toward Indian Peoples with regards to the fishery.''
-30Contact Chief Saul Terry, Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, (604)
684-0231
JULY 1997
B.C. CHIEFS RESPOND TO TIMBER
JOB INITIATIVES
V A N C O U V E R - JUNE 19, 1997 -- the Chiefs of the Union of
B.C. Indian Chiefs offered these comments on Premier Clark's
announcement of the new Timber Jobs Initiatives Plan. The
U.B.C.I.C leaders were concerned that the Indian Peoples had
not been involved in the structuring of the plan, and raised
concerns that the plan does not address ultimate ownership of
the forestry resource or the manner in which forestry practices
severely impact the aboriginal rights of Indian Peoples.
Chief A r t Manuel, Neskonlith Indian Band and Chair of the
Shuswap Tribal
"There are interests who say that it would be racist to
give one special group timber. Yet the Provincial government
hasn't given one Indian one stick of timber in the Kamloops
timber supply area. I consider that racist.''
"We need a serious plan to protect wildlife resources
and values and not just jobs. We need to put in place a process
to certify forest product show i f the products come from an area
and through a process which is sustainably managed and
developed. We need a process of certification which shows
whether or not the forest practices respects our aboriginal
rights. At present, the Forest Practices Code is shallow because
it does not in corporate our aboriginal values.''
"I'm concerned about the definition of 'displaced forest
workers' My People have been displaced by the forestry
industry. Our traditional use, our hunting...we have been
displaced. More respect needs to be given to that fact. Forests
are very important to our Peoples and not just for wage jobs, but
for immediate sustenance and food. The forest workers who
worked 700 hours in the industry last year, should not get more
respect and credence than our Peoples.''
Chief Cassidy Sill, Ulkatcho and Chair Southern C a r r i e r
Tribal Council
"I can see that their old habits are still there, current
legislation, policy and programs exclude Indian altogether.
They have already announced a dollar commitment to the
I.W.A., we need parallel program dollars."
Chief Saul Terry, President of the Union of B . C . Indian
Chiefs and Chief of Bridge River:
"We need to work out ways to work together in a
political process, to share the resources. We are looking for
more than jobs. We are looking for a more meaningful role in
terms of the recognition of the social and economic importance
of the forestry to our Peoples. We want to participate in the
economy in a meaningful way, and not only to have temporary
jobs."
"We are concerned about the past destruction of our
forests. Some of our people are saying that they do not agree
with this plan: that the very people who caused the destruction
are being sent back out to repair the damage. We have to deal
with the unfinished business of the Land Question. We are
T I M B E R J O B I N I T I A T I V E S (Continued on page 16)
13
UBCIC NEWS
U B C I C TO P U B L I S H C L A I M S
RESEARCH GUIDE
T h e U n i o n of B C I n d i a n C h i e f s R e s e a r c h
D e p a r t m e n t h a s started p r e p a r i n g a m a n u a l o n land rights
r e s e a r c h in British C o l u m b i a . T h e g o a l of this publication
is t o a s s i s t n o n - p r o f e s s i o n a l , c o m m u n i t y - b a s e d
r e s e a r c h e r s in a c c e s s i n g a n d u s i n g a v a i l a b l e r e s o u r c e s for
their l a n d s r e s e a r c h projects.
T h e m a n u a l will be p u b l i s h e d by the U n i o n of B C
I n d i a n C h i e f s , a n d is s c h e d u l e d f o r S p r i n g 1 9 9 8
publication.
CLAIMS POLICY R E F O R M DISCUSSIONS CONTINUE
T h e A s s e m b l y of First N a t i o n s L a n d R i g h t s Unit a n d
the C h i e f s C o m m i t t e e o n C l a i m s h a v e b e e n w o r k i n g with
S p e c i f i c C l a i m s B r a n c h officials to identify f l a w s in t h e
e x i s t i n g p o l i c y a n d e x p l o r e the e s t a b l i s h m e n t of a n e w
I n d e p e n d e n t C l a i m s B o d y to be e s t a b l i s h e d through
legislation. T h e s e discussions h a v e been proceeding
d e s p i t e t h e lack of a f o r m a l p r o t o c o l c o m m i t t i n g the
F e d e r a l G o v e r n m e n t in writing to p o l i c y r e f o r m .
T h e r e h a v e b e e n a n u m b e r of m e e t i n g s o v e r t h e
last f e w m o n t h s , a n d there are s e v e r a l m o r e s e s s i o n s
s c h e d u l e d o v e r the next f e w w e e k s . T h e U B C I C h a s b e e n
r e p r e s e n t e d at t h e C h i e f s C o m m i t t e e o n C l a i m s b y
Neskonlith C h i e f and S h u s w a p Nation Tribal Council C h a i r
C h i e f A r t h u r M a n u e l a n d W a y n e H a i m i l a , w h o brings to
the task h i s e x p e r i e n c e with the J o i n t W o r k i n g G r o u p , t h e
p r e d e c e s s o r of the C h i e f s C o m m m i t t e e on C l a i m s .
T h e A F N ' s L a n d R i g h t s Unit will m a k e a d e t a i l e d
report updating the s c o p e a n d d i r e c t i o n of t h e s e policy
reform t a l k s at the A F N ' s A n n u a l G e n e r a l A s s e m b l y t a k i n g
p l a c e in V a n c o u v e r at the e n d of J u l y .
ABORIGINAL P E O P L E S CD-ROM
T h e N a t i o n a l A r c h i v e s of C a n a d a " A b o r i g i n a l
P e o p l e s " C D - R O M is finally a v a i l a b l e . T h i s r e s e a r c h tool
pulls t o g e t h e r in o n e p l a c e r e f e r e n c e s to a b o r i g i n a l p e o p l e
in certain g o v e r n m e n t record g r o u p s at t h e N a t i o n a l
A r c h i v e s of C a n a d a . It is particularly helpful for sifting
through the c o m p l e x i t i e s of R G 10 ( N a t i o n a l A r c h i v e s of
C a n a d a R e c o r d G r o u p 1 0 , c o n s i s t i n g of D e p a r t m e n t of
Indian A f f a i r s R e c o r d s ) . H o w e v e r , R e s e a r c h e r s must still
work t h r o u g h the R G 10 i n v e n t o r y a n d f i n d i n g - a i d s a n d
they s h o u l d be a w a r e that not all R G 10 finding aids w e r e
i n c l u d e d in the C D - R O M . R e s e a r c h e r s c a n c h e c k out t h e
A b o r i g i n a l P e o p l e s C D - R O M a n y t i m e at the C D - R O M
r e s e a r c h w o r k station in the U B C I C R e s o u r c e C e n t r e . Bill
R u s s e l l f r o m the N a t i o n a l A r c h i v e s , w h o h e l p e d d e v e l o p
this r e s e a r c h product, will be h o l d i n g a d e m o n s t r a t i o n
s e s s i o n a n d orientation at the U B C I C R e s o u r c e C e n t r e o n
F r i d a y , A u g u s t 15th f r o m 9 a m to 12 p . m . See you there!
Inco Attempts to Undermine
Environmental Assessment of
The Voisey Bay Project
lnnu Nation calls for Rejection of Construction Plans During
Environmental Review
For the third time i n three years, the Voisey's Bay Nickel
Company (a subsidiary of Inco) is attempting to build a road
and airstrip at Emish (Voisey's Bay) this summer - despite the
fact that the entire Voisey's Bay mining project is currently the
subject of an ongoing public environmental assessment under
an agreement between Canada, Newfoundland, the Labrador
Inuit Association and the lnnu Nation.
The lnnu Nation and the Labrador Inuit association
fought earlier attempts by the company to proceed with
construction at the site, and successfully negotiated a
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Canada and
Newfoundland which was intended to ensure a single,
comprehensive environmental review of the Voisey's Bay
Project. The M O U provides for a more rigorous examination of
the issues associated with this project than would be the case
under Canada or Newfoundland's E A legislation, and defines a
more appropriate and accessible process for lnnu and Inuit
participation i n the examination of the full scope of
environmental, cultural and social effects which may result
from the large large nickel mine that is being proposed on lnnu
and Inuit land.
Despite the fact that the assessment process is well
underway, and that last fall, the company itself agreed that the
entire project-including the infrastructure-should be subject to a
comprehensive environmental review, Voisey's Bay Nickel has
now submitted a separate registration for the infrastructure
under the provincial environmental assessment process on 21
May 1997. They have reversed their deci arguing that their
proposed infrastructure was not contemplated or included in the
mine-mill project that was submitted under the current
environmental assessment process being conducted under the
M O U . According to the company, this new infrastructure
proposal is merely intended to support advanced exploration
activities by providing improved access to the site. However,
the proposed road and airstrip are to be located in the same
locations and are only slightly smaller titan the permanent road
and airstrip being assessed under the M O U !
The lnnu Nation believes that Voisey's Bay Nickel is
once again attempting to undermine the environmental
assessment process and the work of the Environmental Review
Panel under the M O U in order to accelerate the development of
the mine and meet their ambitious production objectives. lnnu
objectives, which include the settlement of a land rights
agreement with government, the conclusion of an impactbenefits agreement with the company, and the completion of a
comprehensive environmental assessment of the environmental
and social impacts of the project are being undermined by
Inco's desire for quick profits.
The purpose of an environmental assessment is to predict
and evaluate the impacts of a project before irreversible
decisions are made, and use this information to make
appropriate, informed choices in project planning. Roads and
airstrips are irreversible decisions with real impacts. The lnnu
Nation believes that the entire project must be assessed as a
whole. The effects of individual parts of the project, like the
road and the airstrip, can only be appreciated and understood in
the context of tire mine they are intended to serve.
The company's piecemeal approach to project
development not only undermines the M O U process, which was
VOISEY BAY PROJECT (Continued on page 15)
14
JULY 1997
UBCIC NEWS
VOISEY BAY PROJECT (Continued from page 14)
intended to review and assess the project as a whole, but it
makes sense from a planning perspective. Proceeding with
infrastructure development prior to the completion of the
environmental assessment would make it nearly impossible for
the Panel to make responsible recommendations about how the
project should be planned in order to minimze the effect that it
will have on the environment as much of the infrastructure will
already be in place! There are still a number of difficult
problems, such as the safe and permanent disposal of mine
wastes, which must be resolved. Without a clear picture of the
whole project, it is possible that decisions taken today will have
to be changed later as these and other considerations are taken
into account, which will result in impacts which might have
been avoided with proper planning and assessment.
The Innu and Inuit w i l l have to l i v e w i t h the
consequences. FOR M O R E I N F O R M A T I O N : Innu Nation
Tel: (709) 497-8398 Fax: (709) 497-8396.
H y d r o Reviving' Great Whale
Front page, The (Montreal) Gazette, Saturday, 7 June
Seventeen months after the Parti Quebecois government
shelved Phase II of the James Bay hydroelectric project, it's
back on the table, and this time Hydro-Quebec has set its sights
on diverting two of the largest rivers in northern Quebec.
The plan was presented to Cree leaders in two meetings
this week in Montreal and Quebec City.
Hydro-Quebec and Cree officials say Hydro has proposed to
divert and drain die water of the Great Whale and Rupert rivers
into existing hydroelectric projects through a series of canals.
Crees waged a noisy six-year international campaign
against the original Great Whale proposal, which would have
diverted several rives into a series of reservoirs built along the
Great Whale River. The new proposal would not involve new
dams in die north, but would reduce the flow of the Great
Whale and Rupert rivers to a trickle.
Cree opposition was a major factor in Jacques Parizeau's
decision as premier to shelve the original project in December
1995 [note: it was actually November].
Cree leaders were shocked when they were informed of
the plans this week.
"It's going to be very difficult for the people to accept," said
David Masty, an official of the Great Whale community,
situated at die river's mouth.
I think people sent out a very strong message on that
already. It w i l l have the same impact as i f the river was
dammed.''
Under the proposal, the Great Whale River would be
diverted at its headwater, Lac Bienville, a lake about twice the
size of the island of Montreal. The river's flow would be
reduced by about 85 percent and the diverted water would flow
southward through more than 10 kilometres of canals into the
existing La Grand Hydro Complex. The Lac Bienville area is
home to the world's largest caribou herds.
Cree fears about the environmental and social effects of
hydro development were at the heart of the acrimonious debate
over the original Great Whale project.
The new plan would also redirect the Rupert River,
which flows through the heartland of Cree territory, northward
JULY 1997
to the East mam and La Grande complexes, at least 20 km
away. The two rivers provide drinking water to the
communities of Great Whale and Waskaganish, and to dozens
of hunting camps along their shores.
Shirley Bishop, an aide to Resources Minister Guy
Chevrette, at first denied knowledge of the proposal. Later
yesterday she confirmed that two meetings had been held
between Hydro-Quebec and Cree leaders, although she would
not reveal what was discussed.
"Hydro-Quebec hasn't talked to us about that," Bishop
said. "When they want to do something like that, they have to
ask the government first, and they haven't." Hydro-Quebec
spokesman Steve Flanagan confirmed that the meetings were
held to discuss possible projects along the Great Whale and
Rupert rivers, but said the plan involves only the ' 'partial
diversion'' of die rivers and no final decision has been made on
whether it will go ahead.
"These rivers, like many others in Quebec, have a
potential and we will see whether there is an economic
interest," Flanagan said. He said hydro-development in James
Bay is back on the table because of a desire to export power to
the United States and a rise in energy consumption in Quebec.
Earlier this week, the utility announced it would divert
four rivers into existing hydro projects on the Lower North
Shore and Lac St. Jean.
A US energy analyst said Hydro-Quebec has been selling
ever-increasing amounts of power to the north-eastern states
and is now desperate for more water to replenish its reservoirs,
winch have fallen to dangerously low levels.
' 'It seems Quebec took a big gamble and ended up
losing," said Ian Goodman, of the Goodman Group of Boston.
Goodman has worked as a consultant to the Crees. ' 'HydroQuebec appears to have oversold die province's energy and they
did so at less than what it costs to produce it.''
While Quebec has more than enough energy for domestic
levels, its energy supplies have fallen to critically low levels
because of its aggressive export program, said Goodman.
The National Energy Board says Hydro's experts to the
US have nearly tripled since 1990. Quebec exported five
terrawatt-hours of power in 1990, almost all to the US. This
rose to 17 terrawatt-hours in 1995 and fell somewhat to 13.9
terrawatt-hours last year.
Internal hydro-Quebec documents reveal that Quebec's
reservoir levels have fallen to 21 percent of their total capacity
Le Devoir reported Wednesday.
A battle appears to be brewing within the Quebec
government over the river diversions already announced.
Environment Minister David Clinche said Thursday that
any new Hydro-Quebec projects will be subjected to the same
environmental review as those of any other developer. But
Chevrette said deregulation in die energy industry means
information about water levels in reservoirs can't be made
public anymore because it would put Hydro-Quebec at a
commercial disadvantage.
N A T I V E FOREST N E T W O R K
Eastern North American Resource Centre
(802) 863-0571 Phone
(802) 862-2532 Fax
15
UBCIC NEWS
Letter from Innu People to Queen Elizabeth II
26 June 1997, Nitassinan
Madam,
We would like to bring to your attention the fact that the
Innu People of Labrador and Quebec - we call our homeland
Nitassinan - feel gravely threatened by the way our rights are
denied by the Canadian government.
We believe we are entitled as a People to full ownership
rights over the lands which we have lived upon since the
glaciers retreated from this peninsula 10,000 years ago. And
we believe that both natural justice an international law support
our position. As far as the Canadian government is concerned,
however, it is only prepared to discuss our land rights i f we first
agree to surrender our ownership. This is manifestly unfair and
unjust. It amounts to the bullying of a numerically small People
into the surrender of their birthright by a large and powerful
industrialized state.
The history of colonization here has been lamentable and
has severely demoralized our People. They turn now to drink
and self destruction. We have the highest rate of suicide in
North America. Children as young as 12 have taken their own
life recently. We feel powerless to prevent the massive mining
project now planned and many of us are driven into discussing
mere financial compensation, even though we know that he
mines and hydro-electric dams will destroy our land and our
culture and that money will not save us.
The Labrador part of Nitassinan was claimed as British
soil until very recently (1949), when without consulting us, your
government ceded it to Canada. We have never, however,
signed any treaty with either Great Britain or Canada. Nor
have we ever given up our right to self-determination.
The fact that we have become financially dependent on
the state which violates our rights is a reflection of our
desperate circumstances. It does not mean that we acquiesce in
those violations.
We have been treated as non-People, with no more rights
than the caribou which we depend and which are now
themselves being threatened by N A T O war exercises and other
so-called 'development'. In spite of this, we remain a People in
the fullest sense of the word. We have not given up, and we are
now looking to rebuild our pride and self esteem.
We have many friends in Great Britain where thousands
of ordinary people have spent many years supporting our rights.
We would like to count, you You Majesty, as one of those
friends.
Yours faithfully,
Tanien Ashini
Vice-President, Innu Nation
16
The Penticton Indian Band is extremely grateful and
very proud of the fact that many, of our adult Band members
have made the decision to seek treatment for their drug and
alcohol addictions. To date,over 200 adult members of our
community have attended various drug and alcohol treatment
centres throughout the Province. Our community has greatly
benefited from the positive impact these individuals have had
on our community.
Due to the generational nature of drug and alcohol
addiction, however, too many of our youth are currently dealing
with their own drug and alcohol addictions . This problem is
exacerbated by the fact that 75% of our populationis under 25
years of age. Further, this problem has undertaken a grave
dimension given the proliferation of drugs and drug dealers/
bootleggers who have decided to expoloit the aforementioned
circumstances.
Therefore, we would greatly appreciate any and all
copies ob bylaws, Band Council Resolutions, letters or notices
which you may have prepared and used to prohibit drug trafficking and bootlegging in your communitites. In adition, we
would also greatly appreciate copies of any bylaws or Band
Council Resolutions you may have enacted or drafted to expel
undesirable individuals from your communities.
Sincerely yours
Chief Stewart Phillip
O K A N A G A N NATION
TIMBER JOB INITIATIVES (Continued frompage13)
dealing with the water quality, wildlife...harvesting from the
forests to sustain our Peoples."
Chief Alex Paul, Chehalis Band
' 'The current practices of the Ministry of Forests in
dealing with aboriginal Peoples are insulting, degrading and
pave the way for confrontation. We are tired of seeing logs
rolling out of our territory day by day while our people sit on the
sidelines collecting welfare."
Chief Stewart Phillip, Penticton Band
" I f this new initiative does not provide us with jobs and
opportunities it is meaningless to us. If we are not
meaningfully involved in the forestry industry: the Province
will trigger a backlash within our community forcing First
Nations to consider the formation of coalitions with
environmental organizations such as Green Peace's
involvement on King Island."
Chief Frank Boucher, Red Bluff and Vice-President Union
of B.C. Indian Chiefs
"The forestry industry has unilaterally displaced a whole
range of user groups, including our people, and has forced our
people into towns and onto reserves. The Province takes a huge
portion of its funding from the forestry industry. Indian
governments at the Band level should be funded to the same
degree that the Provincial government is. The forestry industry
should be major contributor to our budgets, these are our
resources."
-30-
JULY 1997
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 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 die British Columbia Ministry
of Environment, 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" x 36" / Scale: 1:2 000 000 / Six Colours
JULY 1997
17
UBCIC NEWS
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JULY 1997
Union of B.C. Indian Chiets
NEWSLETTER
JULY 1997
Provincial Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs
wants to eliminate the tax exemption of status Indians.
7 he provincial Select Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs’, composed of members from all parties in
the Legislature, released its Recommendations. While the Standing Committee was originally supposed to seek public
input into the Nisga’a Agreement in Principle, their Recommendations explore a wider range of issues. If the province
adopts the Recommendations, aboriginal title and rights will be increasingly threatened, as the recommendations impact not
only treaty negotiations, but all areas of Indian peoples’ rights and title.
While many Indian people were horrified at the manner in which the Nisga’a AIP drastically increased provincial
interference and authority over Indian matters, the Recommendations want to cut back from the standards established in
Nisga’a.
Some of the main points of the Recommendations are:
IN THIS ISSUE... Making Indians into administration which the door open to their
2. President's Message Tax Paying includes. tasallOns participation’’
it Sacred Rati ‘*Citizens”’ business licensing, > Approximate size and
aac a zoning, public works, location of the
4. World Leaders Conference » Eliminate the tax policing, financial settlement lands [which
on Trade exemption for status administration, will be to a maximum
% Aconstiniion ie Indians. Indians should marriage, adoption, of 5% of an Indian
Corporations pay income tax, sales local health and local community/nation’s
6. IIG Celebrates tax, and GST education. traditional territory]
. . 7 regardless if we work should be identified
" waite ee or purchase goods on Money For Nothing early in the process
pote ge UISeMS en ae ath reserve. and Tricks For Free so that development
8. National Chief of the > Creation of a “‘Cash can proceed over the
Assembly of First Nations Master’s of Our Own for Land’’ formula rest of the land.
10. Resource Centre Update Poverty to simplify the sale of > All treaties should
Vi. Jitieeneuel Peoples athe > Eliminate the Indian Indian lands to the include ‘‘certainty
United Nations Act for a form of “‘self provincial Crown language’’ which
12. UBCIC's Press Releases Boverminent waneh jnrougn sear clearly establishes that
24, acai aan translates to the > The province should the ‘‘First
: eas ™ peaks administration of social “focus its resources Nation”’’ involved in
Whale: Propos4 governments self- treaty process but to recognize underlying
16. Letter from Innu People to finance. Self continue to talk to provincial title and
Qos Elvan government will be a those outside the jurisdiction over all
form of self process so as to keep non-settlement lands.
oo BORER ESP
1
JULY 1997
UBCIC NEWS
Tricks Continued from Page I
> The BCTC should offer incentives to encourage
“‘numerically larger groups of First Nations to
negotiate’’
> To speed negotiations the provincial government will
offer financial incentives, including time-dependent
loan rebates, to those “‘First Nations’’ willing to
negotiate quickly.
>» Any future treaties should not include a commercial
allocation of a fishery, unless a particular group has
gone to court to prove that they have a right to a
commercial fishery.
» Annual fishery allocations should be decided by the
federal and provincial governments.
> The province should have ultimate authority for the
management of wildlife, including the ability to
allocate game to Indian peoples.
>» Where the province 1s willing to acknowledge Indian
Jurisdiction to manage resources, this is usually only
to the extent that Indian standards “‘meet or exceed’’
provincial standards or do not contradict provincial
laws.
> Treaties should be ratified by a free vote in the
provincial legislature.
Under Their Thumb
> All self government agreements will be subject to the
Canadian Constitution, Charter or Rights and
Freedoms, and the Criminal Code.
The ABC’s of Treaty Making: Coming soon to a
Grade School near you
> The BCTC should step up its public information
campaign, including working with the Ministry of
Education to develop school cirriculum.
Look who came for dinner!
>» Third parties should develop a compensation package
for any third party legal interests in Crown land as a
result of treaty settlements. While offering monetary
compensation to third parties the province should offer
an apology to Indian peoples for the past wrongs done
by the province.
>» Third party interests should have greater input and
involvement in treaty negotiations. This could include
paying the travel expenses of third parties to enable
their involvement in negotiations.
B.C Treaty Commission [997 Annual Report:
Troubled By Definition of “First Nation" and Selling Secret Negotiations
The British Columbia Treaty Commission (the “‘BCTC’’) recently released its 1997 Annual Report. Several
issues highlighted in the Annual Report are troublesome. In particular, the ‘public information’’ campaign which has been
launched by the BCTC in classrooms across the province, the definition of *‘First Nations’’ which are involved in the BC treaty
process, and the criteria of “‘openness’’ in treaty negotiations which dramatically reduces the information available to Indian
peoples about the deals that their ‘‘First Nation’’ governments and negotiators are making on their behalf.
Public Information Campaign:
The BCTC has decided that it needs to sell treaties to
British Columbians and will assume an ‘“‘expanded role in
public education’’. The BCTC has hired a communications
manager and ts “‘working in cooperation with educators to
ensure there are appropriate information materials on the BC
treaty process in the classroom.’’ The BCTC has plans to
actively encourage media interest in treaty making and
distribute a video of their version of the treaty process to all
school resource centres and libraries in the province.
As part of its ‘‘public information’’ campaign aimed at
building public support for treaties in BC, the BCTC has
worked on a handbook entitled ‘‘Understanding the B.C.
Treaty Process”’ with the First Nations Schools Association,
Tripartite Public Education Committee (First Nations Summit,
BC, and Canada), B.C. Teacher’s Federation and the B.C.
Treaty Commission (the ““Handbook’’).
The Handbook will be used to teach all children within
the British Columbia school system, including Indian children,
about Indian peoples and our rights. Our children are our
future, and if we allow BC children to be taught this
information, what sort of future can we look forward to?
The Handbook strongly promotes the BC Treaty Process
as the only solution available, does not give an accurate or full
description of the extent of Indian nights and title to the land
and reduces our aspirations for self determination into a stunted
form of self administration where Indian people have
permission to deliver *‘culturally appropriate’’ soctal services.
The Handbook states that treaties may involve a small
portion of provincial Crown lands the title of which will be
handed over to a ‘First Nation’’, the starting point of the
Handbook is that Indian peoples do not have title to our
homelands, and that the only legal title Indians can achieve is
that which we bargain for through treaties.
Continued Page Ib
la
JULY 1997
UBCIC NEWS
Definition of ‘‘First Nations’: Who is Canada and BC
willing to negotiate with to gain access and ownership of
your lands and resources?
The Annual Report touches repeatedly on issues such as
overlap (both with other Indian nations, and also within one
nation where only Band/First Nation has entered treaty
negotiations) where Canada and the province are negotiating
with ‘‘First Nations’’ with dubious authority to treaty over
lands which they do not hold exclusive aboriginal title and
jurisdiction over. The Annual Report ‘‘recognizes the need to
remain flexible in determining what ts a First Nation for treaty
purposes. The challenge is to be fair, and yet reinforce the
concept of nationhood to preserve the integrity of the process.’’
It is obviously impossible to establish ‘‘certainty’’ and ensure
that the province has gained possession of a piece of land
where there are overlapping Indian claims to a portion of land
and only one Indian community or nation is willing to make a
deal.
The reason that the federal and provincial governments
are willing to enter into treaties ts the fact that Indian peoples
have legally recognized aboriginal title and rights to lands and
resources, From the government’s perspective this creates
“‘uncertainty’” in that their own jurisdiction and tenure over
unceded Indian lands is uncertain. However, when ‘‘First
Nations’’ enter into treaties they do so on the basis that title to
aboriginal lands and resources ultimately rests with the Crown,
both federal and provincial, and are negotiating for title on the
province's terms.
So long as Indian people have not surrendered their
lands or entered into treaties with Canada Indian title over the
land continues to exist. Legally and morally, Indian people
have not given their surrender or their consent to the
possession of Indian lands and resources to any outside
government, While the BCTC ts careful to say that they do
not “‘extinguish’’ aboriginal ttle or rights, they “‘define’’ the
extent of aboriginal rights and interest in lands. When
something is exhaustively defined and set out it is limited.
Any aboriginal title and rights not specifically listed in the
agreement will, for practical purposes, cease to exist. In
Signing a treaty agreement which defines aboriginal rights all
rights not specifically set forth within the agreement will be
effectively surrendered.
This is an issue which obviously concerns the BCTC
greatly, as it illustrates the illegitimacy of the entire BC treaty
process. Asa result of these concerns, the BCTC has spent a
considerable amount of energy in defining “‘First Nation’’ as
‘‘an aboriginal governing body, organized and established by
aboriginal people with a mandate from its constituents to enter
into treaty negotiations on their behalf with Canada and
British Columbia’’.
The BCTC’s definition of a First Nation includes those
Band governments set up under the Indian Act. A Band is not
an Indian Nation, it is simply one community or tribe in a
larger ‘‘Nation’’ of people. Negotiating with a Band is the
equivalent of negotiating for the rights of the country of
Canada with the province of Prince Edward Island. As all
resources and lands within a Nation belong to the People of the
Nation as a whole, no one community has any nght to alienate
or bargain away the rights and entitlements of the entire
Nation. The lack of legitimacy of this process is obviously a
point of concern for the BCTC.
Openness: The only good negotiations are carried on in
secret,
Part of the “‘public information”’ campaign of the
BCTC is to stress the need for secret negotiations. Closed
negotiations would seem to be in direct contradiction with
Indian government which operates on a consensual decision
making model. Small teams of negotiators or leaders do not
have the authority or capacity to make binding decisions which
will forever alter the rights of our future generations. If
negotiations cannot be carried on under the full view of the
members of an indian community, how valid are they?
*““Open sessions work well in framework negotiations
[the “‘table of contents’’ section of treaty negotiations] and in
the early stages of agreement-in-principle
negotiations.... However, once the negotiations advance, the
difficult task of finding solutions begins. If the only forum for
negotiations is open there will be little opportunity for the
parties to have a safe environment in which they can explore
options and look for innovative solutions.’ Negotiations done
in secret are defined as ‘‘safe’’, which implies that the
negotiations would not be safe if people whose rights are being
negotiated had full knowledge
Why is the appearance of openness, but not actual
openness so important to the success of the BC treaty process?
The BCTC identifies two stages to the treaty making process:
(1) developing a mandate and (2) negotiation. The message of
the Annual Report is that it is impossible to develop support
for the treaty (the mandate) without openness, yet there can be
no successful negotiations with too much openness (if the
people actually know what is being negotiated, they will no
longer support the process).
UBCIC WORKSHOPS
The UECIC is developing workshops
to inform Indian people and communities
about the impact of the B.C. Treaty proc-
ess on our Aboriginal Title and Rights.
We are prepared to offer this work-
PIC Memos tibet mee celle
bands, tribal councils etc.
For more information please contact
the UBCIC Vancouver office:
oth Floor - 342 Water Street
Vancouver, B.C. V6B 1B6
Tel: (604)684-0231 Fax: (604)684-5726
E-Mail: ubcicabc.sympatico.ca
JULY 1997
lb
UBCIC NEWS
Chief Saul Terry, X'wisten
rail
hat is investigative
& & journalism? Is it a
book review of a current book
on Indians? Is it coverage of
Royal commission reports com-
missioned by the governmen-
tal on pipelines, fishing, for-
estry, and water resources? Or
is it found in newspaper col-
ummns under a tenured journal-
ists by-line? I pose these ques-
tions because it seems to me
that virtually all investigative
reporting in Canada on "Na-
live Issues” is limited to these
kinds of articles. For the most
part, however, good investiga-
tive reporting on Indian issues
is not undertaken by journal-
ists, not asked for by editors,
and not published or broadcast
by owners of the mass media.
This is true nationally -- and
it's particularly the case here is
Bnitsh Columbia.
So-called “ethnic” or
minority groups in B.C. see in
this state of affairs more than
Just a predetermined choice of
issues, values or "voice" by the
white mainstream media. In
general, it raises a fundamen-
tal issue for a democratic soci-
ety: majority power versus pro-
tection of minority rights -- es-
pecially the right to be heard
and understood, without which
the nghts of free speech and
expression are meaningless.
For us as Indian people
today, the mass media's treat-
ment of our lives and the issues
Message Mromn
The President
UNION OF B.C. INDIAN CHIEFS
Investigative Journalism and Indian
Rights
that are most important tous is
a cause for concern and even
outrage. In B.C. we see the
media not simply affected by
bias but burdened by the values
and ideology that justify the
racist history of this province
and its relations with our First
Nations.
When issues affecting
the lives of Indian people are
by the Canadian government.
This documentation can show
that under the co-opted rheto-
ric of "Indian Self-Govern-
ment” Canada 1s revitalizing
its historic colonialist policies
of assimilation and termina-
tion of Indian identity. These
policies have always been geno-
cidal in their ultimate objec-
tive, and never more so than
"When it comes to Indian stories there is a fine,
easily-crossed line between editing and censorship—
censorship that invariably serves the.interests of the
government and the economic power-brokers in
Canada and this province.”
Indian life is never pursued. It
is in the political arena where
the root causes of our people's
distress lie and where, tn the
end, solutions must be found.
Has the press, radio and
TV been totally co-opted by the
economic, political and bureau-
cratic forces aligned against our
people? The absence on jour-
nalistic investigation of the
Buffalo Jump of the 1980's and
subsequent policies indicates
to me that this is indeed the
case.
To illustrate my point, I
cite an investigative report pub-
lished in 1987 by the Arizona
Republic, the daily newspaper
examined by the news media,
they are usually treated in tso-
lation from the ongoing politi-
cal struggle of Indian Nations
in B.C., in Canada, and indeed
throughout the world for rec-
ognition of our Aboriginal T1-
tle, our Right of Self-Govern-
ment, and our Right to a share
of the economic benefits that
others derive from unceded
Indian lands and resources.
In British Columbia, our
people struggled for survival
on a daily basis against the
concerted efforts of the provin-
cial government, the federal
government andits Department
of Indian Affairs to extinguish
aboriginal rights. Much like
ten years ago we can document
the political aggression being
waged against Indian Nations
today. There is an important
story here. Politically this is
critical for our Indtan Nations.
Yet the story in Canada is
largely ignored by the mass
media. Why?
The formidable and un-
precedented challenges faced
by Indian Nations in British
Columbia today are truly news-
worthy and cry out for in-depth
investigation by the mass me-
dia. But instead we see a con-
tinuation of stories which sen-
sationalize and stereotype In-
dian people (in the guise of
"human Interest") or which
superficially examine their so-
cial, economic, or health con-
ditions. Research and analysis
of the political dimensions of
of Phoenix witha circulation of
3000,000. The article, "Fraud
in Indian country: abillion dol-
lar betrayal," investigated the
U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs
and located "Indian problems"
in the political arena where
they belong. For six months, a
ten-person investigative team
gathered statistical data from
across the United States. The
reports documented gross mis-
management by the Bureau
from top to bottom. They ex-
posed the corruption which
cnppled Indian communities
as a whole, from lands and
resources by way of trusts, to
health, housing, education and
social assistance. The report
concluded that the Bureau of
Indian Affairs was the cause of
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT (Continued on page 7)
2
JULY 1997
UBCIC NEWS
LONG RUNNING RAINFOREST BLOCKADE
ENDS WITH 24 ARRESTS HEREDITARY
CHIEF AGAIN ARRESTED FOR
PROTECTING SACRED RAINFOREST
(KING ISLAND, BRITISH COLUMBIA,
_ CANADA)-- JUNE 24, 1997 -- Twenty
) four people were arrested this morning in
one of British Columbia’s longest
running and most effective protests to
stop clear-cutting of the province’s ancient rainforests. The
blockade by Nuxalk First Nation and four environmental
groups, stopped all clear-cut logging by international Forest
Products (Interfor) at Ista on King Island for a total of eighteen
days.
Forty members of the RCMP descended on the biockade
at 6:45 this morning, and arrested 24 people who were
preventing Interfor contractors from clear-cut logging Ista.
Nuxalk Hereditary Chief Qwatsinas (Edward Moody) was
iminediately arrested at the blockade for the second time tn
two years, along with five other members of the Nuxalk
Nation. Other arrestees included 13 Canadian, five Europeans
and one from the US. All arrestees refused to sign a ‘terms of
release’ form at the site, and have been flown down to
Vancouver to appear before a Supreme Court of Canada judge
on Wednesday at 10 AM.
The RCMP climbing team was also on site, and scaled a
large tripod built from logs erected at the edge of a 37 hectare
clear-cut, (the size of 74 football fields) removing a Nuxalk
and Belgian woman. The RCMP also cut away a Canadian
and German woman who were locked onto a grapple yarder - a
large piece of logging equipment used to load logs from a
clear-cut.
‘“My mother has been arrested for protecting Ista. My
grandfather was arrested too.’’ Said Colette Schooner, 16, of
the Nuxalk Nation who has been sitting in the tnpod for |}
days. “‘Now I am here for the youth and future generations to
stop the clear-cutting of this sacred rainforest.”’
‘“‘Having witnessed the huge clearcuts at Ista, I am
surprised and shocked that Canada still allows this kind of
logging to take place.’’ Said Patricia Fromm of Germany, who
was locked to the grapple yarder.
The blockade site Ista on King Island is sacred to the
Nuxalk Nation. It is the place, according to the Nuxalk
creation story, where the first woman descended to the world.
The Great Bear Rainforest, of which Ista is a part, is of
extreme ecological importance because it contains the world’s
largest remaining areas of temperate rainforest in the world.
The King Island blockade began on June 6 after eight
hereditary chiefs of the Nuxalk Nation invited
environmentalists to the area to participate in an effort to stop
the clear-cut logging.
‘‘We are thankful that our allies have responded to our
invitation to stop the clear-cutting of our territory by Interfor’’
stated Head Hereditary Chief Nuximlayc of the Nuxalk Nation.
Ista was the site of 22 arrests in 1995, 17 of which were
Nuxalk first nations peoples. Now in 1997, there have been
more arrests and stil! the clearcutting of Ista and many other
rainforest valleys continues.
‘Instead of nling up the people of BC with his anti-
environmental rhetoric, Glen Clarke would do well to start
listening to the people of BC, who have today given up their
rights and freedom in defense of this locally sacred and globally
important rainforest.’’ commented Gavin Edwards, spokesperson
for the Forest Action Network.
Meanwhile, a second logging protest has begun further
south as six Greenpeace activists boarded a fully loaded log barge
laden with ofd growth rainforest, unfurling a banner reading
‘Don’t Buy Rainforest Destruction.’’ The log barge, carrying
trees cut by Interfor, has just made its way to Port Hardy on
Northern Vancouver Island. RCMP officers are currently on the
scene.
For More Information Contact:
Gavin Edwards
FOREST ACTION NETWORK
Box 625, Bella Coola, BC, Canada VOT ICO
TEL: (250) 799-5800 FAX: (250) 799-5830
1997 North American
Indigenous Games
VICTORIA, BC, CANADA
AUGUST 3-10, 1997
The North American Indigenous Games are a truly unique
event. Unlike most major Games, the emphasis on culture
is equally as strong as the emphasis on sport. The reason
for this is rooted in Aboriginal philosophy which teaches that
the four spheres - the spiritual, physical, mental and emo-
tional must all be present for balance and harmony.
The Elders teach us that in order to achieve good health and
wholeness, sport and culture must be part of each other.
They form an indivisible Circle with no beginning and no
end,
This is the spirit of the NAIG, to Celebrate the Circle!
For More Information Call 250-361-1997
JULY 1997
UBCIC NEWS
WORLD LEADERS CONFERENCE ON TRADE
On November 18-26, 1997 the Asian Pacific Economic
Cooperation will meet in Vancouver to discuss trade and
investment opportunities. The reason the Asian Pacific countries
formed an alliance is because the World Trade Organization is
a monitoring and dispute resolution body, and the Asian Pacific
Economic Cooperation (or APEC) wants to build a powerhouse
to sidestep the powerful World Trade Organization (or WTO).
APEC wants to eliminate global tariffs for at least 15 new
economic sectors and move quickly to identify specific products
and services for which they can eliminate duties and quotas
instead of waiting for another round of negotiations on global
free trade at the World Trade Organization. Once a large number
of APEC countries agree on the outline ofa deal, negotiations can
be moved to the WTO which has 130 member countries (the last
group of global negotiations took seven years to complete). WTO
agreements are binding and subject to dispute settlement. The
United States and Canada have been pushing for APEC to gain
more prominence because they believe it’s easier to get deals
among a smaller group ofcountries that are large enough to carry
enough weight to intervene on the world scene. Critics of APEC
are concerned that deals reached through APEC will not be
subject to the same scrutiny as those negotiated throughthe WTO
or the North American Free Trade Agreement known as NAFTA.
One example is the fact that Canada is rich in minerals,
energy and forests and will attract investment in these sectors.
This will certainly place a lot of pressure on the lands and
resources of Aboriginal Peoples. The Union of B.C. Indian
Chiefs joined The Issues Forum of The 1997 Peoples Summit and
sits onthe Vancouver Steering Committee. We are there to assist
in providing a forum for Indigenous Peoples.
(Excerpts regarding APEC & WTO was taken from L.
Eggertson article in the Globe & Mail, May 12th issue. Up-
date on the Peoples Summit will be given in each UBCIC
Bulletin)
UBCIC PRESS RELEASE
Robert Manuel’s Candidacy
for AFN National Chief
VANCOUVER, B.C. - July 3, 1997 -- Chief Saul Terry,
stated today, that the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs is pleased at the
announcement that former Chief and President Robert Manuel is
putting his name forward to serve as National Chief of the
Assembly of First Nations. Chief Terry had these comments:
‘“The challenge of the position is to
maintain, protect and enhance the aboriginal
and treaty rights of all Indigenous Peoples. Our
unceded lands in British Columbia need to be
protected and we need a strong National Chief to
do this. His local, regional, national and
international political experience, along with
the knowledge of the treaty and aboriginal rights
principles gives Robert Manuel asolid foundation
to launch a substantive political position.
The position of National Chief is a very
difficult one, and | applaud all candidates who
have the courage to vie for this challenging
position. Indian Peoples can only benefit from
having these six leaders willing to give so
generously of their time and effort in their
committment to Indian Peoples.’’
Quesnel Chief Nominates
Robert Manuel
Bella Coola - Lhtako Chief Frank Boucher, Jr. of Quesnel has
nominated Robert (Bobby) Manuel for National Chief.
Speaking from Bella Coola, Chief Boucher said: "I
believe Bobby Manuel will listen to the grass roots people. He
has strong ideals and good character which | can attest to as I
have known him a long time." Chief Boucher and Bobby
Manuel both attended Camosun College together in the
1970's,
"The Assembly of First Nations needs to be restructured
to regain its role as the voice of all First Nations within Canada.
[ believe Bob Manuel has the qualities to achieve the goal," said
Boucher.
In the past few years, the AFN has been made into a
service delivery agent while they have been bypassed by Ottawa
on political issues.
"With over 25 years of political experience, Manuel has
the ability to see that Ottawa's assimilationist agenda is ex-
posed, " said Boucher. “Our inherent Aboriginal rights are
strong - we must not negotiate them away."
Frank Boucher, Jr. has been Vice-President of the Union
of British Columbia Indian Chiefs for the past four years and
Chief of Lhtako (formerly Red Bluff) for the past 23 years.
Boucher is a Southern Carmier of the Athapaskan Lan-
guage group while Manuel is a Secwepemc (Shuswap) of the
Salish language group.
Contact: Chief Frank Boucher Jr. Lhatko office:
(250) 747-2900
- 30 -
JULY 1997
UBCIC NEWS
A Constitution For
Corporations
While concerned citizens everywhere go about fighting the
erosion of rights in every facet of their lives, out of sight of the
world’s public, two powerful processes are under way to remove
most of the remaining barriers to, and controls on, the global
mobility of capital. Most Canadians know nothing about these
process, which will entrench rules of global investment in favour
of transnational corporations and grant investors the unrestricted
right to buy, sell and move their businesses at their discretion.
The World Trade Organization set up a working
committee at its December 1996 meeting to study a Multilateral
Investment Agreement -- the MIA -- after developing countries
slowed the push by the US and Europe to fast-track the process.
Although the group is mandated to report back at the next WFO
meeting in two years, Director General Renato Ruggiero made it
clear that, in time, the MIA will be the centrepiece of the WTO.
““We are writing,”’ he said, “‘the constitution of a single global
economy,’’
Meanwhile, the Organization for Economic Co-operation
and Development is planning to ratify the Multilateral
Agreement on Investment (MAJ) at its ministerial meeting in May
of this year. The stated objective of the US is ‘‘to obtain a high-
standard multilateral investment agreement that will protect US
investors abroad.’’ While there are some variations between the
proposed treaties, the OECD process is designed to establish the
ground rules and precedents that will then be incorporated into the
larger venue of the WTO,
The purpose of both treaties is to reduce or eliminate the
capacity of national and sub-national governments to limit the
degree and nature of foreign investment or to impose standards of
behavior on investors. They would sharply restrict the ability of
government everywhere to shape investment policy to promote
social, economic or environmental goals.
The MAI minces no words. It wants to “‘outlaw’’ national
practices that limit access of foreign capital to government
contracts and privatization programs, demand that foreign
companies hire or purchase locally if they are allowed to operate
inside the country and protect key sectors of their economy, such
as transport, energy, real estate or financial services.
Noting that “‘to conquer a market one needs to be present
as a producer’’, the MAI includes a ‘‘general commitment to
grantthe legal nght for foreigners to operate and invest competitively
in all sectors of the economy.’’ It proposes free, unregulated access
for global investors and investments and national treatment nights
for transnational corporations that would prevent any nation from
favouring local industry, farmers or resource companies.
The investment treaty would grant corporations the ‘‘freedom
to make financial transfers’, wipe out national merger control and
anti-trust legislation enforcement measures and even address
national ‘taxation, labour or environment policies.’’ The MAI is
calling for a “*standstill’’ commitment so that countries could not
introduce any new restrictions on foreign capital in the future and
a ‘‘roll-back’’ commitment to eliminate all current measures
that ‘‘run counter to liberalization.’
Most distressingly, the MAI would confer on private
investors the same rights and legal standing as national
governments to enforce the terms of the treaty. Under this
provision, MAI violations by governments could be challenged by
private investors through a binding dispute resolution system using
economic sanctions. As well, the MAI could prevent governments
from distinguishing between foreign investors or foreign targets
based on countnes’ human rights, labour or other records and pre-
empt strategies for restricting corporate flight to low-wage havens.
JULY 1997
This treaty would amount to nothing less than a global
charter of nghts and freedoms for transnational corporations in
every nation of the world. Canadians have already had a taste of
what this would mean, as these same rights exist for the corporations
ofour continent under the North American Free Trade Agreement.
As many of us predicted, free trade has left Canadian industry,
culture and resources totally vulnerable to takeover by American
business interests and profoundly undermined our ability to
maintain our own social, cultural and environmental laws.
Yet the Canadian government has become the world’s
foremost cheerleader for economic globalization and is acting asa
stalking horse for the US in its campaign to promote these
investment treaties. That Canada is any part of this should bring
shame to all Canadians. For the government of Jean Chretien, who
ran against NAFTA and corporate domination and promised to
protect Canadian resources, social programsand culture, itis an act
of stunning hypocrisy.
Reprinted with permission from Canadian Forum
by Maude Barlow
"VOICE OF THE PEOPLES"
GATHERING
TO REAFFIRM OUR ABORIGINAL
TITLE AND RIGHTS
JULY 11 & 12 1997
Cayoose Creek Campgrounds
Silatl'imx Nation
"Building Indian Government
Together as Nations"
Co-hosted by Cayoose Creek Indian Band, Sti'atl'imx
Nation and Unionof B.C. Indian Chiefs
Contacts:
Cayoose Creek Indian Band - Chief Perry Redan (250) 256-4136
Stl'atl'imx Nation - Tribal Chief Mike Leach (250) 256-7523
Union of BC Indian Chiefs - Mildred Poplar (604) 684-0231
UBCIC NEWS
An historical event for First Nations peopie! On May 23rd, 1997, families, friends,
students, faculty, staff and onlookers applauded as two Associate of Aris degrees and
two Certificates in Indigenous Government Studies was awarded. Shauna-Leigh
Maloney and Theodore Andrew Francis were the first in history to receive an Associate
of Arts degree from Canada’s first autonomous degree-granting First Nation Post-
Secondary institution. Certificates in Indigenous Government Studies were awarded to
Melanie Elizabeth Gladstone and Randolph G. Timothy. Congratulations to the
students, families and the institute!!!
Hosted at the Open University, an Institute partner in learning, the convocation
highlighted the importance of inter-institutional co-operation in achieving First
Nations’ educational needs
Chief Saul Terry, President of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) and Chair
of the Board of Governors, proudly witnessed the historical moment in Indigenous
culture and education. It was six years ago that a resolution was passed at the UBCIC’s
Annual General Assembly to establish
the Institute of Indigenous Government.
‘*The success of each student at the IG
is therefore a success for our Nations as
a whole. With strength, courage,
Grand Chief Bernard Charles and Resident determination and hard work, our
Elder Nirkuschin (Glen Douglas) success is inevitable.
Stated by Grand Chief Bernard Charles, President of IIG, ‘‘We have come
together as a way to remember this day in history, the first time in Canada that an
independent Indigenous post-secondary institution has granted a degree. This was a
dream of our visionaries and an element that is carried forward in the diversity of
Indigenous experiences and values
represented in our student body
and faculty.”’
Addressing the Graduation
class, Judge Alfred Scow reflected
on his own education and on the as
question of relevance that followed wheuees ah WV pal oxneny
him throughout the non-Indigenous system. “‘I learned as a boy, he said to tend
cattle when J saw all around me people who harvest fish! Today, these students
have a means to learn without giving up the culture and tradition that is so much a
part of them.”’
The Dean of Academic Affairs, Dan Gottesman, noted the standards of
excellence that the IIG’s first graduating class had established. ‘The work of these
students is part of this Institute. They have both completed a program and helped
to make it what it is. The have created academic as well as personal
benchmarks for those who follow them.
The ceremony was punctuated by the thoughtful words and actions of IG
Resident Elders, Nirkuschin (Glen Douglas), X/a-lelweik (Flora Dawson), and
Simoigit Ha’g be gwatxw (Ken Harris). In addition, Tsimalano (Vincent Stogan
Sr.) performed a Calling of the Witnesses Ceremony, welcoming all to traditional
Musqueam Territory.
If you would like more information on how you can be apart of this exciting educational opportunity, contact the IIG at (604)
602-9555 or fax (604) 602-3432 or visit our Web at http:/Avww.indigenous.be.ca.
Applications are being accepted for the Fall I 997
and the Winter 1998 semesters rl
6 JULY 1997
UBCIC NEWS
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE (Continued from page 2)
the problems that were mani-fested in Indian communities.
It was further evident to the press that American Indian victims could
not overcome their oppression by the American government and the
B.L.A. without help from an informed American public. So the story
was published in the newspaper. Today those Indian people are
pursuing a class action suit.
Now the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs knows that similar and at
times identical problems exist in British Columbia and Canada. And
we have made available documentation and analysis that could be used
to expose, corrupt and destruct government policies and assist in
bringing about the dismantling of the Department of Indian Affairs and
put in its place alternative options. But my experience with news
journalists tells me that reporting in this country is a one way street.
That is to say, reporters phone my office regularly to inquire "what's
new?" and I am expected to supply Indian news or elaborate upon some
Indian story they may wish to develop. This exchange 1s always one-
sided, however, without exception, journalists do not pursue the
political "news" | give them as President of the UBCIC. They do not
go after the additional documentation and interviews that would venfy
our Chiefs' considered view that the politicians and bureaucrats delib-
erately frame Indian Affairs policies to oppress Indian people and
further entrench their dependence and poverty.
Could it be that we do not have proper investigative journalism
in this country because media ownership is monopolized by business
interests that work hand-in-glove with government to maintain the
status quo? Or perhaps the media moguls believe that we live in a just
society, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary when it comes
to the lives of Indian people. When it comes to Indian stories, there is
a fine, easily-crossed line between editing and censorship -- censorship
that invariably serves the interests of the government and the economic
power-brokers in Canada and this province.
Morrisseau vs, Bennet
T V. Fish Story:
It is my expenence during my terms in office as President that
the media has not offered the public much in the way of in-depth
reporting and political analysis. What makes matters worse, however,
is that, as the political offensive against Indian Nations and Indian
lands in B.C. rolls forward, it becomes increasingly difficult for our
political organization to obtain financial support for professional
research an analysis -- ammunition that is essential for us to campaign
effectively in the political arena and ensure the survival of our people
into the 21st century. So itis very important to us that journalist take
every opportunity to senously investigate and report on Indian Issues
in B.C, and Canada. More than ever, we need the statistical data and
hard evidence uncovered to enable us to better protect our people, our
lands and our resources.
But this is not just an Indian story. In the long run, I believe
that everyone in society will benefit from a renewed commitment to dig
hard and deep into the politica! strata of Indian life in B.C. Ifthe news
media fully informs and educates the public -- am confident that truth
will be served and justice done by our people. In this event, Bntish
Columbians as a whole will benefit spiritually, politically and even
economically. For colomalism victumizes both the colonizer and the
colonized, and ultimately the welfare of all depends on our respective
mutual development. This 1s the public interest that should be pro-
moted by investigative journalists in B.C., now and in the years of
struggle ahead.
UBCIC (November. 1987)
JULY 1997
Chilean Indians, Activist Protest Licensing
of Dam
SANTIAGO (Reuter) - Indians and environmental
activists occupied Chile’s indigenous affairs bureau and
environmental protection board Tuesday to protest the licensing
of a dam that will force hundreds of Indians off their land.
The National Environmental Commission (Conama)
Monday gave the green light to plan to build the $600 million
Ralco dam on the Bio Bio River in southern Chile.
Beating drums and denouncing Chilean ‘‘colonization,’’
about 20 aborigines Tuesday took over the offices of the
National Indigenous Development Corporation (Conadi) and
unfurled banners from upper floors, including one reading
‘Indigenous Dignity -- no to Ralco!”’
‘“The Chilean government has once again shown its
colonizing mentality by not respecting our people or the law,”’
Said statement read by the occupiers, wearing ponchos and
playing reed flutes.
‘‘Our grandfathers taught us well how to defend our
lands and if it’s necessary, 10 times we will return to shed our
blood for our lands, but Ralco will not be built,’’ they said.
They demanded to speak with Conadi’s director, a
supporter of Ralco appointed by President Eduardo Frei’s
government early this year after it abruptly fired the previous
director who was opposed to the dam. At the same time, about
30 environmental activists occupied the first floor of Conama’s
offices.
Conama granted a license to private electric utility
Endesa to begin building the dam and bring it into operation
early in the next century. It will complement a smaller dam
opened last year by Endesa downstream, which was also bitterly
opposed by environmentalists.
The dam will force up to 700 Pehuenche Indians off part
of their ancestral lands and flood about 9,000 acres of farmland
and rare temperate rain forest on the nver’s upper reaches.
In exchange for the license to build, Endesa will have to
compensate the Pehuenches with land of similar value and also
buy 9,400 acres of land nearby for a wildlife reserve -- an area
roughly similar to the area that will be flooded.
The dam’s builders say Chile, with almost no oil of its
own and vast hydroelectric potential, needs Ralco and other
dams to guarantee the country’s booming economic growth into
the next century.
Endesa general manager Jose Yuraszech said Chile will
need about 10 more dams the size of Ralco to be built between
now and the year 2013 to satisfy energy demand, plus nine
more power plants fueled by natural gas piped in from
Argentina.
Opponents of the dam, which has also attracted
opposition from U.S., environmental groups, can still appeal in
court but they said they had little chance of stopping it there.
By Roger Atwood
UBCIC NEWS
National Chief of the Assembly
of First Nations
é] t is election time for the office of National Chief of the
jf Assembly of First Nations. This will take place during their
annual assembly on July 28-30, 1997. There is alsoa proposal
to restructure the organization including a name change.
It is necessary to take a look at one of the original intent of
such organizations as the National Indian Brotherhood.
Organizations like this was formed by Indian people because they
feared the loss of their lands and resources and that was the
number one reason although there are many other specific
reasons as well.
Every Federal Government in power has been determined
to provide a final solution to the Land Question and that is to
extinguish aboriginal title and rights of the Indian Nations
because they think it 1s good for Indian people to be assimilated
into dominant Canadian society. The early settlement of Canada
were active colonization years and the government was able to
encompass this whole country according to their way of life.
Years of strategies by the government have been instrumental in
weakening the sovereign political position Indian Nations held
and the Federal Government has been able to entrench their
assimilationist agenda to setile the Land Question.
The National Chief should provide strong leadership against
continued colonization process and be more visible in the field of
nation-building at home and abroad.
Are the Assembly of First Nations Declaration and the
Treaty and Aboriginal Rights Principles to be taken seriously or
not?
The National Chief should adhere to these Declarations
and Principles as they are the Code of Ethics for Indian Governments
and how they do business. They articulate the Assembly of First
Nations’ beliefs, values and mora! identity. At no time should
Nations be encouraged to settle for less.
The qualifications of a National Chief, at this point in
history when the Federal Government is devolving its Trust
Responsibilities to Chiefs and Council are:
|. To inspire the Indian people, provide Spiritual Leadership
and be a role model,
2. To lead the Indian people as Nations towards their goal of
self-determination rather than towards complete colonization,
3. To protect Aboriginal Title, Rights and Treaties of Indian
Nations;
4. To implement unequivocally Article | of the A.F.N.
Constitution;
5. To hold the Federal Government to the Spirit and Intent of
all the Treaties negonated to date;
6. To protect aboriginal rights to hunt, fish, trap and
gathering harvest;
7. To teach the Indian Philosophy, not only to Indian
communities but to the public at large;
8. To represent the sovereign postion of Indian Nations at the
International level;
9. To build stronger ties with all Indigenous Nations
throughout the world;
10. To communicate and warn Indian Nations of the Federal
and Provincial strategies to extinguish sovereign aboriginal
rights;
11. To build political ties on Aboriginal Title and Rights with
the Metis and Non-Status or Off-Reserve Indian Peoples;
12. To work in harmony with Indian Organizations and
Supporters to protect the Natural Resources and Environment
of Indian Territories.
13. To seek financial resources for the work and development
of Indian government.
ISSUE:
Can a National Chief fulfill the Principles of the A.F.N.
Declaration if he or she comes from an Indian Band who is
actively involved in the Federal Government’s self-government
process through which the Band declare they do not want to be
under the authority of the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs
then ina final agreement, relieves the Minister of the Trust
Relationship? Can this National Chief truthfully fight for the
Aboriginal Title, Rights and Treaties of Sovereign Nations when
he or she ts a party to the implementation of the Comprehensive
Land Claims Policy of the Federal Government?
The following is an official list in alphabetical
order of candidates for the office of National
Chief, to the Assembly of First Nations.
4) Mr. Robert (Bob) Manuel
899 Elder Road
Mr. J. F. (Joe) Dion
C/O Tsawwassen Reserve
1257 Pacific Drive Kamloops, BC
Delta, BC V2B 6K9
V4M 2K2 Phone: 250-679-3295
Phone: 604-943-2253 Fax: 250-679-3403
Fax: 604-943-6541
Mr. Gvide Mercredi
Grand Rapids, MB
Phone: 613-830-2211
Fax: 613-241-5808
2) Mr. Philip Fontaine 5)
PO Box 209
Winnipeg, MB
R3C 0M6
Phone: 204-956-0610
Fax: 204-642-0441
3) Ms. Wendy Grant-John 6) Mr. Larry Sault
2nd Floor, 319 Seymour Blvd. RR No. 6
North Vancouver, BC Hagersville, Ontario
V6N 2C7 NOA 1HO
Phone: 905-768-1133
Fax: 905-768-1225
Phone: 604-987-2582
Fax: 604-987-6683
JULY 1907
UBCIC NEWS
THE ASSEMBLY OF FIRST NATIONS
IS PLEASED TOWELCOME OUR
ELDERS, CHIEFS, GRANDCHIEFS
AND PEOPLE TO THE
18TH ANNUAL GENERAL
ASSEMBLY
JULY 29, 30 & 31, 1997
VANCOUVER TRADE &
CONVENTION CENTRE
999 CANADA PLACE, VANCOUVER, BC
EXIBIT HALL A
ELECTION FOR OFFICE OF
NATIONAL CHIEF
Wednesday, July 30, 1997
For more information, please call the
Assembly of First Nations at (613) 241-
6789 or (613) 241~5808/5807/4898
Helping Spirit Lodge Society
Sth Annual Golf Tournament
FUN GOLFERS WANTED!
Sunday Afternoon, September 28, 1997
12:00 p.m. (Noon)
EARLY PAID BIRDS GET BEST T-TEIMES!
Tsawwassen Golf Club
1595 - 52nd Avenue, Delta, BC
$75.00 per person
(Includes golf game, and a donation of $15.00 to our First
Nations Family Violence Center with it's intervention
programs. Tax receipts available.)
HELP US HELP OTHERS!!
PLEASE CONTACT BERNIE WHITEFORD AT 872-
6649 FOR MORE DETAILS!
GOLF, HAVE FUN, AND HELP US FUND RAISE FOR
OUR FIRST NATIONS FAMILY VIOLENCE CENTER
WITH IT'S INTERVENTION PROGRAMS
UBCIC
NEWSLETTER
DEADLINE
The deadline for the next Newsletter has been
set for August 15, 1997. Ifyou have any
information that you would like to see in the
next edition of the UBCIC NEWSLETTER,
Send by mail or fax to:
UBCIC NEWSLETTER
Sth Floor - 342 Water Street
Vancouver, BC V6B 1B6
Phone: (604) 684-023]
Fax: (604) 684-5726
Please note that as of May 1, 1997 the Tsimshian Tribal Council
relocated to the Chatham Village Longhouse. Our phone and fax
number will remain the same. The new address is:
138 Ist Avenue West
Prince Rupert, BC
V8J 1A8
(250) 627-8782 Phone
(250) 627-1938 Fax
We are pleased to announce that CESO Aboriginal Services has moved
to a new location. Our new address 1s:
CESO Aboriginal Services
Suite #212 - 1999 Marine Drive
North Vancouver, BC
V7P 333
(604) 986-4566 or 1-800-986-4566 Phone
(604) 984-3584 Fax
JULY 1997
UBCIC NEWS
RESOURCE CENTRE UPDATE
he ‘‘Archivia’” CD-ROM workstation was set up last
month in the Resource Centre and it 1s being used
frequently. Archivia - Aboriginal Peoples includes information
relating to selected textual and machine-readable Canadian
federal government records. While it does not include the records
themselves, it provides the ability to keyword search important
finding aids for Record Group 10 (Indian Affairs) Inventory,
Indian Treaties, Surrenders & Agreements, Bands & Agencies
and other files. The selected RG-10 finding aids cover most of
the Black Series records for B.C. Our Resource Centre has one
of the best collections of RG-10 microfilm in the province. The
combination of our extensive collection and the print & electronic
finding aids we have provides an important resource for
researchers.
If you would like to order a copy of Archivia - Aboriginal
Peopies for your own office, it is available from National Archives
for under $200.00. If you want more information about hardware
requirements to run Archivia or contact information for National
Archives call me or Lorraine Brooks here inthe Resource Centre
at (604) 602-9555.
We were investigating the content of the 1881, 1891 and
1901 Census as it seemed some of B.C. was not included. The reels
that we have do in fact include all available information for B.C.
As suspected, some areas did not get included in some years
because everyone was away fishing, the weather was inclement,
etc. We do have a two volume index now which makes it easier to
determine tf you are likely to find what you are looking for on the
Census reels. We have gathered a number of resources to help users
with genealogy research. This type of research if usually time
consuming and a great deal of patience and determination is
required. You will often have to search in a variety of resources and
at more than one site. If you are going get involved in this type of
research make sure you can make the time commutment.
Sarah Torsky, our Cataloguer, begins her maternity leave
at the end of this week and Sarah Nighswander, our replacement
Cataloguer has already started. Our two volunteers came and went
rather quickly. Dorine Cyr got a full-time job and Alma Peters
found the long tnp in from the Mission too restrictive on her time.
Thanks toa swmmer student grant, we have hired aMicmac student
who ts between her first and second years of the Library Technology
program at Langara College. Linda Muise will be working on some
important cataloguing projects for the Resource Centre.
If you would like to get a subscription to
a good basic computing magazine for your office
which will help with running your systems more
effectively and take some of the mystery out of
basic computing, we can highly
recommend PC Novice (Smart Computing
in Plain English). To place an order
contact Sandhills Publishing FAX
(402) 479-2193, The annual
subscription price is $29 U.S. funds
for twelve issues.
The Resource Centre will be
open Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. -
4:30 p.m. all summer long. After
surviving the extensive building renovations and being under piles
of debris last summer, we are looking forward to a clean, quiet July
and August. We hopethat you have asafe and enjoyable summer.
JOB POSTING
RESEARCH ASSISTANT
The Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs has
an opening for a full-time Research Assistant in its
Specific Claims Research Program. Job duties for this term
contract involve historical and archival research, and the
preparation of detailed written reports. Salary will be based
on qualifications and experience.
Candidates should possess a university degree and
some research experience. Superior organizational skills
communications skills are required. Sound
knowledge of Indian governments, the goals of the UBCIC
and the principles of the Aboriginal Title and Rights position
are essential.
Interested candidates should fax resume, references
and samples of writing to the UBCIC Staffing Committee at
(604) 684-5726 NO LATER THAN
FRIDAY AUGUST 1, 1997. We thank
all applicants for their interest, however
only those candidates selected for
interviews will be contacted.
10
JULY 1997
UBCIC NEWS
COMMEMORATION OF THE TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF
PARTICIPATION OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES AT THE UNITED
NATIONS
To all Indigenous Peoples, brothers and sisters,
Respectful Greetings,
In September of 1977, the Conference of Discrimination
against Indigenous Peoples of the Americas took place in
Geneva, Switzerland. 165 Indigenous Peoples participated.
tt was the first international gathering of Indigenous
Peoples before the United Nations, an activity of the Special
Committee on Non Governmental Organizations’ Sub-
Committee on Racism, Racial Discrimination and Apartheid.
There, Indigenous Peoples from the Westem Hemisphere
gave testimony on the situation of Human Rights of our Peoples
and the continuation of colonialism and genocide against us.
This summer will mark the 20th anniversary of this
gathering and the formal participation of Indigenous Peoples
before the UN in Geneva. This conference gave birth to a great
consciousness raising at the international level on the situation
of Indigenous Peoples all over the world. Participating Indigenous
Peoples made several recommendations to the UN, including
the suggestion that there be a more widespread and systematic
participation of Indigenous Peoples at the UN level. This
recommendation was taken to the Sub-Commission on the
Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, which
in turn recommended to the UN that the Working Group on
Indigenous Populations be formed.
Another World Conference took place in 1981, again in
Geneva, and in 1982, the Working Group had its first meeting.
Since the formation of the Working Group thousands of
Indigenous persons representing hundreds of Indigenous Nations
have participated directly in standard setting for the recognition
and observance ofthe Human Rights andFundamental Freedoms
of Indigenous Peoples, such as the UN Draft declaration on the
rights of Indigenous Peoples, the Resolution by the General
Assembly declaring 1992 the year of Indigenous Peoples, the
subsequent Declaration on the Decade of Indigenous Peoples,
important studies on the Preservation of Indigenous Heritage,
the study on Treaties, and other issues of great importance to
Indigenous Peoples.
The next session of the working Group on Indigenous
Populations in Geneva, beginning 28 July, 1997, will
commemorate this historic moment that marks the beginning of
the Indigenous Peoples of the world at the United Nations.
For the International Indian Treaty Council, which had
been formed 1974, andhad participated intemationailly to achieve
this first conference and more ample and open Indigenous
participation at the UN, this moment is of great significance and
pride.
Indeed, as the Internationa! Indian Treaty Council was the
first Indigenous organization recognized by the UN as a
consultative status Non-governmental organization in 1977, this
20th anniversary is of great significance and pride for us in this
respect as well.
We would therefore invite those who are able to attend the
next session of the Working Group where this important beginning
will be commemorated. We would especially urge those brothers
and sisters who attended the first World Conference in 1977 to
attend, that they may be recognized in a good way.
We very much regret that our organization is unable
to provide any financial assistance for those interested in attending.
All will have to make their own arrangements.
If your attendance is possible, we would remind you that it
is important to bring traditional dress to this event, to again
demonstrate to the UN the diversity of our Peoples, Nations and
cultures. If ttis possible, please also bring traditions foods for the
Indigenous Peoples’ reception, keeping in mind that Switzerland
has regulations onthe importation of meat. Itisrecommended that
frozen meat be sent through diplomatic pouch via the embassies
of friendly states.
There will be three major events in the commemoration:
1) Commemorating the march of Indigenous Peoples in 1977,
there willbe a march of Indigenous Peoples in traditional dress
through the main gates of the UN, on Monday, July 28, at 10-
:00 am, demonstrating, as we done in 1977, that Indigenous
Peoples cannot be denied entrance to the UN. Once inside the
UN, prior to the beginning of the regular session of the Working
Group, representatives of Indigenous Peoples, chosen at the
preparatory meeting on Saturday and Sunday at the World
Council of Churches building in Geneva, will address the
session, and exchange gifts with representatives of the United
Nations.
2) Thursday, July 31, Indigenous Peoples willhost a reception for
representatives of the UN and the public in the evening at the
UN Beach, where traditional foods will be served.
3) The Lord Mayor of Geneva will host a reception on Friday,
August 31, beginning at 5:00 PM. This event coincides with
the Swiss national holiday and will be held in conjunction with
their celebration at the Promenade des Bastions across from
the Palace Neuve. This event is also of historic tradition, as it
marks the reception given in 1923 by the Lord Mayor of
Geneva, to Descaheh, the Cayuga Chief who, representing
the Iroquois Confederacy, was the first Indigenous
representative to the League of Nations. An area for the sale
of crafts has also been set aside for this event.
If your presence is possible, and you need more information,
please contact:
Kenneth Deer
The Eastern Door
Mohawk Territory
(514) 635-3050
(514) 635-8479
Bill Jimbo ) Simmons
International Indian Treaty Council
oan Francisco, California, US,
Tel: (415) 512-1501
Fax: (415) 512-1507
JULY 1997
11
UBCIC NEWS
Why did the B.C.T.C. hold a press
conference to release their annual report?
VANCOUVER, B.C.-- June 26, 1997 -- Indian Peoples respond to
the to the British Columbia Treaty Commission’s (B.C.T.C.)
release of their annual report:
Chief Saul Terry, President of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs
had these comments:
‘*The press conference was a non-event meant to assuage
public fear and doubt that the treaty process is not working. The
B.C.T.C. is preparing the public in case of confrontations with
Indian Peoples this summer because opposition to the process is
growing. They want the public to believe that all Indian Peoples
outside the B.C.T.C. process are in the minority and are radicals.
The fact is, even within the Bands involved, there are many people
who do not support their leadership’s involvement.
How can Indian people consent when most ofthe negotiations
are held in secret and behind closed doors? It’s easy to sell the
process when you don’t see how it will affect the people in it.
Openness closes down after Stage Three where the meat and
potatoes are on the table.
All that this report lists are the loan monies to Indian
peoples which are 80% repayable. The public should be asking
about the real costs involved. What about the monies spent
internally by the Province and Federal government which do not
show up in this report? Maybe the Reform Party should get on this.
No matter how many millions they spend, no matter how
many press conferences they hold, no matter how many reports they
release, the B.C.T.C. is not working for Indian Peoples. ‘*
For information please contact: Chief Saul Terry 1-250-
256-4135
Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, Grand Chief Bernard Charles of
Semiahmoo had these comments:
‘Everyone insists that because there is ‘‘no other game in
town’’ thatevery First Nation should opt in. This pre-supposes that
everyone should make this decision despite the concerns that they
might have about flaws in the B.C.T.C. If there is other ball game
- we have to ask it we remain outside of the process at our peril?
On important issues such as overlapping claims and third
party interests it seems that you can only buy into the process
believing all parties will behave honourably and not be guided by
their own interests. No Nation should have been coerced or agreed
to submit or even agreed to submit a letter of intent if there was no
agreement in place regarding overlapping claims. This process is
being driven by those that have the most to gain - honourable
negotiation and agreements should have proceeded the process and
not be left as an afterthought. It should not be those first across
the mark who drive this cumbersome vehicle.
Many long established principles of past leaders have been
cast aside: recognition of title, continuing right to land and
resources and proper compensation. The overriding pressure to
settle long standing grievances is the driving force in this process.
No one has given satisfactory answers to the questions of ‘‘Is this
12
the best or the only way to settle things - or is it merely the most
expeditious way?’’
If we are prepared to settle for less than we are entitled to we
need to do so only if the overwhelming majority of our
constituency supports such action. Consent is only as valuable as
the informed nature on which itis based. Otherwise we are talking
about sophisticated manipulation rather than consent.
These are some of the failings of the B.C.T.C. process.
Likely there are others. The glossy handouts are too similar to the
White Paper policy of 1969. The only difference is that some First
Nations members, if they are not actually driving the bus, are at
least along for the ride. Many others prefer to walk rather than get
on board the B.C.T.C.”’
+30 =
Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs Press
Statement Federal Election Results: Where
do we go from here?
VANCOUVER, B.C. - June 5, 1997 -- Chief Saul Terry,
President of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, in response to the
results of the federal election, stated.
‘*The 1997 election results are a mixed blessing for Indian
Peoples. The federal Liberals have lost their overwhelming
majority and space has been made within Parliament for other
parties who can add a balanced voice.”’
‘British Colombians voted in the Reform party, bringing into
Parliament their ignorance about the true history of this country.
Traditionally, the Loyal Opposition is a voice representing our
interests in Parliament and holding the government accountable to
their obligations toward Indian Peoples. But the Reform party
cannot be trusted to do this because they are living in a major state
of denial about our rightful place on this Land.’”’
‘The Prime Minister indicated that his government will
‘*stay the course’ on its policies. This does not bode well for our
Peoples. We will have to continue to convince the government
of the dire need for political, social and economic solutions for our
rapidly growing populations. The only solution we have is
decolonization. The federal government paid millions of dollars
for a Royal Commission to tell them this. We are prepared to work
with Mr. Chretien to restructure our relationship, using the RCAP
as a Starting point. I hope that the new Parliament does not let the
millions it spent on RCAP go to waste by leaving this report unused
on their shelves.”’
‘*The revived New Democratic Party has the opportunity to
support our Peoples to bring about real political, social and
economic change. The human costs are too great to continue with
the status quo. To be effective a lasting solution will require our
concerted effort nation by nation right across this country, and I
believe it is achievable.”’
FEDERAL ELECTION (Continued on page 13)
JULY 1997
UBCIC NEWS
FEDERAL ELECTION (Continued from page 12)
*“‘This is our country. Respect and recognition are the
solution to the Indian problem. People who came to this country
last week currently get more respect than the original peoples of
this Land. Weare not a special interest group, we are the original
Peoples of this Land. We want to survive as Nations, not to blend
seemlessly into the Canadian mosaic.”’
‘‘We do not want a repeat of what took place at
Gustafson Lake in B.C. or at Ipperwash in Ontario. The Liberal
government arrogantly avoids and denies the substantive
issues it must address to build a peaceful and lasting relationship
with Indian Peoples. This is evident in their plans to convert our
Nations tomunicipalities and our leaders to mayors. Our hopes and
aspirations as Peoples cannot be squashed into the existing system.
Real and immediate changes are necessary to recognize our
rightful place on this Land. Hopefully, members of this Parliament
will be courageous enough to work with us to achieve these
changes.”’ — 30 —
INDIAN PEOPLES AND PACIFIC
SALMON TREATY TALKS
VANCOUVER, B.C. -- JUNE 10, 1997 -- The Union of
B.C. Indian Chiefs issued these comments about the Pacific
Salmon Treaty talks which have lately received so much press
coverage.
In 1913 the C.N. Railway, while building its main track,
caused a rockslide at Hell’s Gate, The Fraser River was entirely
blocked and twenty-two million salmon died. The Early Stuart
run was decimated. The fishery survived because Indian people
carried salmon over the rockslide enabling them to swim
upriver and spawn. The Hell’s Gate slide enabled the
Americans to get their bootin the door. The Americans assisted
Canada with money to clear the waterway and in return Canada
guaranteed the Americans a certain percentage of our fishery.
Chief Saul Terry, President of the Union of B.C.
Indian Chiefs, made these comments:
‘“‘Canada and B.C. have no credibility when they are
pounding the table and accusing the Americans of bullying
tactics. Indian Peoples in the Province know all about bullying
tactics over the fishery. We get it at home all of the time. If our
Peoples fish for food or if we sell a couple of salmon to our
neighbour, we can be arrested and thrown in jail.”’
‘Indians within Washington State are entitled to 50%
of the total fishery catch of the state. Meanwhile, the Indian
Peoples within B.C. are reduced to begging for a few fish to feed
our families or to build our economies.
‘‘It is admirable that the Premiere and DFO officials
have recognized the unfairness and inequity of a situation
where outside forces control access to the fishery resource.
Maybe now they can turn the insight onto themselves and act
fairly toward Indian Peoples with regards to the fishery.”’
= 30 -
Contact Chief Saul Terry, Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, (604)
684-0231
ETS =
JULY 1997
B.C. CHIEFS RESPOND TO TIMBER
JOB INITIATIVES
VANCOUVER -- JUNE 19, 1997 -- the Chiefs of the Union of
B.C. Indian Chiefs offered these comments on Premier Clark’s
announcement of the new Timber Jobs Initiatives Plan. The
U.B.C.I.C leaders were concerned that the Indian Peoples had
not been involved in the structuring of the plan, and raised
concerns that the plan does not address ultimate ownership of
the forestry resource or the manner in which forestry practices
severely impact the aboriginal rights of Indian Peoples.
Chief Art Manuel, Neskonlith Indian Band and Chair of the
Shuswap Tribal
“There are interests who say that it would be racist to
give one special group timber. Yet the Provincial government
hasn’t given one Indian one stick of timber in the Kamloops
timber supply area. I consider that racist.”’
‘We need a serious plan to protect wildlife resources
and values and not just jobs. We need to put in place a process
to certify forest product show if the products come from an area
and through a process which is sustainably managed and
developed. We need a process of certification which shows
whether or not the forest practices respects our aboriginal
rights. At present, the Forest Practices Code is shallow because
it does not in corporate our aboriginal values.’’
‘‘T’m concerned about the definition of ‘displaced forest
workers’ My People have been displaced by the forestry
industry. Our traditional use, our hunting...we have been
displaced. More respect needs to be given to that fact. Forests
are very important to our Peoples and not just for wage jobs, but
for immediate sustenance and food. The forest workers who
worked 700 hours in the industry last year, should not get more
respect and credence than our Peoples.”’
Chief Cassidy Sill, Ulkatcho and Chair Southern Carrier
Tribal Council
“*I can see that their old habits are still there. current
legislation, policy and programs exclude Indian altogether.
They have already announced a dollar commitment to the
I.W.A., we need parallel program dollars.”’
Chief Saul Terry, President of the Union of B.C. Indian
Chiefs and Chief of Bridge River:
‘“We need to work out ways to work together in a
political process, to share the resources. We are looking for
more than jobs. We are looking for a more meaningful role in
terms of the recognition of the social and economic importance
of the forestry to our Peoples. We want to participate in the
economy in a meaningful way, and not only to have temporary
jobs.”’
‘“*We are concerned about the past destruction of our
forests. Some of our people are saying that they do not agree
with this plan: that the very people who caused the destruction
are being sent back out to repair the damage. We have to deal
with the unfinished business of the Land Question. We are
TIMBER JOB INITIATIVES (Continued on page 16)
13
UBCIC NEWS
UBCIC TO PUBLISH CLAIMS
RESEARCH GUIDE
The Union of BC indian Chiefs Research
Department has started preparing a manual on land rights
research in British Columbia. The goal of this publication
is to assist non-professional, community-based
researchers in accessing and using available resources for
their lands research projects.
The manual will be published by the Union of BC
Indian Chiefs, and is scheduled for Spring 1998
publication.
CLAIMS POLICY REFORM DISCUSSIONS CONTINUE
The Assembly of First Nations Land Rights Unit and
the Chiefs Committee on Claims have been working with
Specific Claims Branch officials to identify flaws in the
existing policy and explore the establishment of a new
Independent Claims Body to be established through
legislation. These discussions have been proceeding
despite the lack of a formal protocol committing the
Federal Government in writing to policy reform.
There have been a number of meetings over the
last few months, and there are several more sessions
scheduled over the next few weeks, The UBCIC has been
represented at the Chiefs Committee on Claims by
Neskonlith Chief and Shuswap Nation Tribal Council Chair
Chief Arthur Manuel and Wayne Haimila, who brings to
the task his experience with the Joint Working Group, the
predecessor of the Chiefs Commmittee on Claims.
The AFN's Land Rights Unit will make a detailed
report updating the scope and direction of these policy
reform talks at the AFN’s Annual General Assembly taking
place in Vancouver at the end of July.
ABORIGINAL PEOPLES CD-ROM
The National Archives of Canada “Aboriginal
Peoples” CD-ROM Is finally available. This research tool
pulls together in one place references to aboriginal people
in certain government record groups at the National
Archives of Canada. It is particularly helpful for sifting
through the complexities of RG 10 (National Archives of
Canada Record Group 10, consisting of Department of
indian Affairs Records). However, Researchers must still
work through the RG 10 inventory and finding-aids and
they should be aware that not all RG 10 finding aids were
included in the CD-ROM. Researchers can check out the
Aboriginal Peoples CD-ROM any time at the CD-ROM
research work Station in the UBCIC Resource Centre. Bill
Russell from the National Archives, who helped develop
this research product, will be holding a demonstration
session and orientation at the UBCIC Resource Centre on
Friday, August 15th from 9 am to 12 p.m. See you there!
Inco Attempts to Undermine
Environmental Assessment of
The Voisey Bay Project
innu Nation calls for Rejection of Construction Plans During
Environmental Review
For the third time in three years, the Voisey’s Bay Nickel
Company (a subsidiary of Inco) is attempting to build a road
and airstrip at Emish (Voisey’s Bay) this summer - despite the
fact that the entire Voisey’s Bay mining project is currently the
subject of an ongoing public environmental assessment under
an agreement between Canada, Newfoundland, the Labrador
Inuit Association and the Innu Nation.
The Innu Nation and the Labrador Inuit association
fought earlier attempts by the company to proceed with
construction at the site, and successfully negotiated a
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Canada and
Newfoundland which was intended to ensure a single,
comprehensive environmental review of the Voisey’s Bay
Project. The MOU provides for a more rigorous examination of
the issues associated with this project than would be the case
under Canada or Newfoundland’s EA legislation, and defines a
more appropriate and accessible process for Innu and Inuit
participation in the examination of the full scope of
environmental, cultural and social effects which may result
from the large large nickel mine that is being proposed on Innu
and Inuit land.
Despite the fact that the assessment process 1s well
underway, and that last fall, the company itself agreed that the
entire project-including the infrastructure-should be subject toa
comprehensive environmental review, Voisey’s Bay Nickel has
now submitted a separate registration for the infrastructure
under the provincial environmental assessment process on 21
May 1997. They have reversed their deci arguing that their
proposed infrastructure was not contemplated or included in the
mine-mill project that was submitted under the current
environmental assessment process being conducted under the
MOU. According to the company, this new infrastructure
proposal is merely intended to support advanced exploration
activities by providing improved access to the site. However,
the proposed road and airstrip are to be located in the same
locations and are only slightly smaller than the permanent road
and airstrip being assessed under the MOU!
The Innu Nation believes that Voisey’s Bay Nickel is
once again attempting to undermine the environmental
assessment process and the work of the Environmental Review
Panel under the MOU in order to accelerate the development of
the mine and meet their ambitious production objectives. Innu
objectives, which include the settlement of a land rights
agreement with government, the conclusion of an impact-
benefits agreement with the company, and the completion of a
comprehensive environmental assessment of the environmental
and social impacts of the project are being undermined by
Inco’s desire for quick profits.
The purpose of an environmental assessment is to predict
and evaluate the impacts of a project before irreversible
decisions are made, and use this information to make
appropriate, informed choices in project planning. Roads and
airstrips are irreversible decisions with real impacts. The Innu
Nation believes that the entire project must be assessed as a
whole. The effects of individual parts of the project, like the
road and the airstrip, can only be appreciated and understood in
the context of the mine they are intended to serve.
The company’s piecemeal approach to project
development not only undermines the MOU process, which was
VOISEY BAY PROJECT (Continued on page 15)
14
JULY 1997
UBCIC NEWS
VOISEY BAY PROJECT (Continued from page 14)
intended to review and assess the project as a whole, but it
makes sense from a planning perspective. Proceeding with
infrastructure development prior to the completion of the
environmental assessment would make it nearly impossible for
the Panel to make responsible recommendations about how the
project should be planned in order to minimze the effect that it
will have on the environment as much of the infrastructure will
already be in place! There are still a number of difficult
problems, such as the safe and permanent disposal of mine
wastes, which must be resolved. Without a clear picture of the
whole project, it is possible that decisions taken today will have
to be changed later as these and other considerations are taken
into account, which will result in impacts which might have
been avoided with proper planning and assessment.
The Innu and Inuit will have to live with the
consequences. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Innu Nation
Tel: (709) 497-8398 Fax: (709) 497-8396.
Hydro Reviving Great Whale
Front page, The (Montreal) Gazette, Saturday, 7 June
Seventeen months after the Parti Quebecois government
shelved Phase II of the James Bay hydroelectric project, it’s
back on the table, and this time Hydro-Quebec has set its sights
on diverting two of the largest rivers in northern Quebec.
The plan was presented to Cree leaders in two meetings
this week in Montreal and Quebec City.
Hydro-Quebec and Cree officials say Hydro has proposed to
divert and drain the water of the Great Whale and Rupert rivers
into existing hydroelectric projects through a series of canals.
Crees waged a noisy six-year international campaign
against the original Great Whale proposal, which would have
diverted several rives into a series of reservoirs built along the
Great Whale River. The new proposal would not involve new
dams in the north, but would reduce the flow of the Great
Whale and Rupert rivers to a trickle.
Cree opposition was a major factor in Jacques Parizeau’s
decision as premier to shelve the original project in December
1995 [note: it was actually November].
Cree leaders were shocked when they were informed of
the plans this week.
“It’s going to be very difficult for the people to accept,’’ said
David Masty, an official of the Great Whale community,
situated at the river’s mouth.
I think people sent out a very strong message on that
already. It will have the same impact as if the river was
dammed.”’
Under the proposal, the Great Whale River would be
diverted at its headwater, Lac Bienville, a lake about twice the
size of the island of Montreal. The river’s flow would be
reduced by about 85 percent and the diverted water would flow
southward through more than 10 kilometres of canals into the
existing La Grand Hydro Complex. The Lac Bienville area is
home to the world’s largest caribou herds.
Cree fears about the environmental and social effects of
hydro development were at the heart of the acrimonious debate
over the original Great Whale project.
The new plan would also redirect the Rupert River,
which flows through the heartland of Cree territory, northward
to the East main and La Grande complexes, at least 20 km
away. The two rivers provide drinking water to the
communities of Great Whale and Waskaganish, and to dozens
of hunting camps along their shores.
Shirley Bishop, an aide to Resources Minister Guy
Chevrette, at first denied knowledge of the proposal. Later
yesterday she confirmed that two meetings had been held
between Hydro-Quebec and Cree leaders, although she would
not reveal what was discussed.
**Hydro-Quebec hasn’t talked to us about that,’’ Bishop
said. “*‘When they want to do something like that, they have to
ask the government first, and they haven’t.’’ Hydro-Quebec
spokesman Steve Flanagan confirmed that the meetings were
held to discuss possible projects along the Great Whale and
Rupert rivers, but said the plan involves only the ‘‘partial
diversion”’ of the rivers and no final decision has been made on
whether it will go ahead.
“*These rivers, like many others in Quebec, have a
potential and we will see whether there is an economic
interest,’ Flanagan said. He said hydro-development in James
Bay is back on the table because of a desire to export power to
the United States and a rise in energy consumption in Quebec.
Earlier this week, the utility announced it would divert
four rivers into existing hydro projects on the Lower North
Shore and Lac St. Jean.
A US energy analyst said Hydro-Quebec has been selling
ever-increasing amounts of power to the north-eastern states
and is now desperate for more water to replenish its reservoirs,
which have fallen to dangerously low levels.
“It seems Quebec took a big gamble and ended up
losing,’’ said Jan Goodman, of the Goodman Group of Boston.
Goodman has worked as a consultant to the Crees. ‘‘Hydro-
Quebec appears to have oversold the province’s energy and they
did so at less than what it costs to produce it.”’
While Quebec has more than enough energy for domestic
levels, its energy supplies have fallen to critically low levels
because of its aggressive export program, said Goodman.
The National Energy Board says Hydro’s experts to the
US have nearly tripled since 1990. Quebec exported five
terrawatt-hours of power in 1990, almost all to the US. This
rose to 17 terrawatt-hours in 1995 and fell somewhat to 13.9
terrawatt-hours last year.
Internal hydro-Quebec documents reveal that Quebec’s
reservoir levels have fallen to 21 percent of their total capacity
Le Devoir reported Wednesday.
A battle appears to be brewing within the Quebec
government over the river diversions already announced.
Environment Minister David Clinche said Thursday that
any new Hydro-Quebec projects will be subjected to the same
environmental review as those of any other developer. But
Chevrette said deregulation in the energy industry means
information about water levels in reservoirs can’t be made
public anymore because it would put Hydro-Quebec at a
commercial disadvantage.
NATIVE FOREST NETWORK
Eastern North American Resource Centre
(802) 863-0571 Phone
(802) 862-2532 Fax
JULY L907
UBCIC NEWS
Letter from Innu People to Queen Elizabeth Il
26 June 1997, Nitassinan
Madam,
We would like to bring to your attention the fact that the
Innu People of Labrador and Quebec - we call our homeland
Nitassinan - feel gravely threatened by the way our rights are
denied by the Canadian government.
We believe we are entitled as a People to full ownership
rights over the lands which we have lived upon since the
glaciers retreated from this peninsula 10,000 years ago. And
we believe that both natural justice an international law support
our position, As far as the Canadian government is concerned,
however, it is only prepared to discuss our land nghts if we first
agree to surrender our ownership. This is manifestly unfair and
unjust. It amounts to the bullying of a numerically small People
into the surrender of their birthright by a large and powerful
industrialized state.
The history of colonization here has been lamentable and
has severely demoralized our People. They turn now to drink
and self destruction. We have the highest rate of suicide in
North America. Children as young as 12 have taken their own
life recently. We feel powerless to prevent the massive mining
project now planned and many of us are driven into discussing
mere financial compensation, even though we know that he
mines and hydro-electric dams will destroy our land and our
culture and that money will not save us.
The Labrador part of Nitassinan was claimed as British
soil until very recently (1949), when without consulting us, your
government ceded it to Canada. We have never, however,
Signed any treaty with either Great Britain or Canada. Nor
have we ever given up our right to self-determination.
The fact that we have become financially dependent on
the state which violates our rights is a reflection of our
desperate circumstances. It does not mean that we acquiesce in
those violations.
We have been treated as non-People, with no more rights
than the cartbou which we depend and which are now
themselves being threatened by NATO war exercises and other
so-called ‘development’. In spite of this, we remain a People in
the fullest sense of the word. We have not given up, and we are
now looking to rebuild our pride and self esteem.
We have many frends in Great Britain where thousands
of ordinary people have spent many years supporting our rights.
We would like to count, you You Majesty, as one of those
fnends.
Yours faithfully,
Tanien Ashini
Vice-President, Innu Nation
The Penticton Indian Band is extremely grateful and
very proud of the fact that many, of our adult Band members
have made the decision to seek treatment for their drug and
alcohol addictions. To date,over 200 adult members of our
community have attended various drug and alcohol treatment
centres throughout the Province. Our community has greatly
benefited from the positive impact these individuals have had
on our community.
Due to the generational nature of drug and alcohol
addiction, however, too many of our youth are currently dealing
with their own drug and alcohol addictions . This problem is
exacerbated by the fact that 75% of our populationis under 25
years of age. Further, this problem has undertaken a grave
dimension given the proliferation of drugs and dmg dealers/
bootleggers who have decided to expoloit the aforementioned
circumstances.
Therefore, we would greatly appreciate any and all
copies ob bylaws, Band Council Resolutions, letters or notices
which you may have prepared and used to prohibit drug traf-
ficking and bootlegging in your communitites. In adition, we
would also greatly appreciate copies of any bylaws or Band
Council Resolutions you may have enacted or drafted to expel
undesirable individuals from your communities.
Sincerely yours
Chief Stewart Phillip
OKANAGAN NATION
TIMBER JOB INITIATIVES (Continued from page 13)
dealing with the water quality, wildlife...harvesting from the
forests to sustain our Peoples.”’
Chief Alex Paul, Chehalis Band
‘*The current practices of the Ministry of Forests in
dealing with aboriginal Peoples are insulting, degrading and
pave the way for confrontation. We are tired of seeing logs
rolling out of our termitory day by day while our people sit on the
sidelines collecting welfare.’’
Chief Stewart Phillip, Penticton Band
‘*Tf this new initiative does not provide us with jobs and
opportunities it is meaningless to us. If we are not
meaningfully involved in the forestry industry: the Province
will tigger a backlash within our community forcing First
Nations to consider the formation of coalitions with
environmental organizations such as Green Peace’s
involvement on King Island.’’
Chief Frank Boucher, Red Bluff and Vice-President Union
of B.C. Indian Chiefs
‘*The forestry industry has unilaterally displaced a whole
range of user groups, including our people, and has forced our
people into towns and onto reserves. The Province takes a huge
portion of its funding from the forestry industry. Indian
govermments at the Band level should be funded to the same
degree that the Provincial government is. The forestry industry
should be major contributor to our budgets, these are our
resources.”’
-30-
16
JULY 1997
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 British Columbia. The six colour map measures
28" x 36",
The tribal territones 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
drafis 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. Ail 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
JULY 1997 17
UBCIC NEWS
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18 JULY 1997
-
Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs
NEWSLETTER
JULY 1997
Provincial Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs
wants to eliminate the tax exemption of status Indians.
7
he provincial Select Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs', composed of members from all parties in
the Legislature, released its Recommendations. While the Standing Committee was originally supposed to seek public
input into the Nisga'a Agreement in Principle, their Recommendations explore a wider range of issues. If the province
adopts the Recommendations, aboriginal title and rights will be increasingly threatened, as the recommendations impact not
only treaty negotiations, but all areas of Indian peoples' rights and title.
While many Indian people were horrified at the manner in which the Nisga'a AIP drastically increased provincial
interference and authority over Indian matters, the Recommendations want to cut back from the standards established in
Nisga'a.
Some of the main points of the Recommendations are:
IN THIS ISSUE...
2. President's Message
3. Sacred Rainforest
4. World Leaders Conference
on Trade
>
5. A Constitution for
Corporations
6. EG Celebrates
7. Chilean Indians, Activist
Protest Licensing of Dam
10. Resource Centre Update
12. UBCIC's Press Releases
14. Specific Claims Update
15. Hydro Reviving Great
Whale Proposal
16. Letter from Innu People to
Queen Elizabeth II
Eliminate the tax
exemption for status
Indians. Indians should
pay income tax, sales
tax, and GST
regardless if we work
or purchase goods on
reserve.
Money For Nothing
and Tricks For Free
>
8. National Chief of the
Assembly of First Nations
11. Indigenous Peoples at the
United Nations
administration which
includes: taxation,
business licensing,
zoning, public works,
policing, financial
administration,
marriage, adoption,
local health and local
education.
Making Indians into
Tax Paying
"Citizens"
>
Master's of Our Own
Poverty
Eliminate the Indian
Act for a form of "self
government" which
translates to the
administration of social
programs which Indian
governments selffinance.
Self
government will be a
form of self
>
Creation of a "Cash
for L a n d " formula
to simplify the sale of
Indian lands to the
provincial Crown
through treaties.
The province should
"focus its resources
on those bands in the
treaty process but
continue to talk to
those outside the
process so as to keep
the door open to their
participation".
> Approximate size and
location of the
settlement lands [which
will be to a maximum
of 5% of an Indian
community/nation's
traditional territory]
should be identified
early in the process
so that development
can proceed over the
rest of the land.
> A l l treaties should
include "certainty
language" which
clearly establishes that
the " F i r s t
Nation" involved in
the treaty clearly agrees
to recognize underlying
provincial title and
jurisdiction over all
non-settlement lands.
Continued Page la
JULY J997
1
UBCIC NEWS
Tricks Continued
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
from Page 1
The B C T C should offer incentives to encourage
"numerically larger groups of First Nations to
negotiate"
To speed negotiations the provincial government will
offer financial incentives, including time-dependent
loan rebates, to those "First Nations" willing to
negotiate quickly.
Any future treaties should not include a commercial
allocation of a fishery, unless a particular group has
gone to court to prove that they have a right to a
commercial fishery.
Annual fishery allocations should be decided by the
federal and provincial governments.
The province should have ultimate authority for the
management of wildlife, including the ability to
allocate game to Indian peoples.
Where the province is willing to acknowledge Indian
jurisdiction to manage resources, this is usually only
to the extent that Indian standards "meet or exceed"
provincial standards or do not contradict provincial
laws.
Treaties should be ratified by a free vote in the
provincial legislature.
>
>
>
>
Under Their Thumb
A l l self government agreements will be subject to the
Canadian Constitution, Charter or Rights and
Freedoms, and the Criminal Code.
The A B C ' s of Treaty Making: Coming soon to a
Grade School near you
The B C T C should step up its public information
campaign, including working with the Ministry of
Education to develop school cirriculum.
Look who came for dinner!
Third parties should develop a compensation package
for any third party legal interests in Crown land as a
result of treaty settlements. While offering monetary
compensation to third parties the province should offer
an apology to Indian peoples for the past wrongs done
by the province.
Third party interests should have greater input and
involvement in treaty negotiations. This could include
paying the travel expenses of third parties to enable
their involvement in negotiations.
B.C. Treaty Commission 1997 Annual Report:
Troubled By D e f i n i t i o n of "First N a t i o n " and Selling Secret Negotiations
The British Columbia Treaty Commission (the " B C T C " ) recently released its 1997 Annual Report. Several
issues highlighted in the Annual Report are troublesome. In particular, die "public information" campaign which has been
launched by die B C T C in classrooms across the province, the definition of "First Nations" which are involved in the B C treaty
process, and the criteria of "openness" in treaty negotiations which dramatically reduces the information available to Indian
peoples about the deals that their "First Nation" governments and negotiators are making on their behalf.
Public Information Campaign:
The B C T C has decided that it needs to sell treaties to
British Columbians and will assume an "expanded role in
public education". The B C T C has hired a communications
manager and is "working in cooperation with educators to
ensure there are appropriate information materials on the B C
treaty process in the classroom.'' The B C T C has plans to
actively encourage media interest in treaty making and
distribute a video of their version of the treaty process to all
school resource centres and libraries in the province.
As part of its "public information" campaign aimed at
building public support for treaties in B C , the B C T C has
worked on a handbook entitled "Understanding the B.C.
Treaty Process" with the First Nations Schools Association,
Tripartite Public Education Committee (First Nations Summit,
BC, and Canada), B.C. Teacher's Federation and the B.C.
Treaty Commission (the "Handbook").
la
The Handbook will be used to teach all children within
the British Columbia school system, including Indian children,
about Indian peoples and our rights. Our children are our
future, and i f we allow B C children to be taught this
information, what sort of future can we look forward to?
The Handbook strongly promotes the B C Treaty Process
as the only solution available, does not give an accurate or full
description of the extent of Indian rights and title to the land
and reduces our aspirations for self determination into a stunted
form of self administration where Indian people have
permission to deliver "culturally appropriate" social services.
The Handbook states that treaties may involve a small
portion of provincial Crown lands the title of which will be
handed over to a "First Nation", the starting point of the
Handbook is that Indian peoples do not have title to our
homelands, and that the only legal title Indians can achieve is
that which we bargain for through treaties.
Continued Page lb
JULY 1997
UBCIC NEWS
Definition of "First Nations": Who is Canada and B C
willing to negotiate with to gain access and ownership of
your lands and resources?
The Annual Report touches repeatedly on issues such as
overlap (both with other Indian nations, and also within one
nation where only Band/First Nation has entered treaty
negotiations) where Canada and the province are negotiating
with "First Nations" with dubious authority to treaty over
lands which they do not hold exclusive aboriginal title and
jurisdiction over. The Annual Report "recognizes the need to
remain flexible in determining what is a First Nation for treaty
purposes. The challenge is to be fair, and yet reinforce the
concept of nationhood to preserve the integrity of the process.''
It is obviously impossible to establish "certainty" and ensure
that the province has gained possession of a piece of land
where there are overlapping Indian claims to a portion of land
and only one Indian community or nation is willing to make a
deal.
The reason that the federal and provincial governments
are willing to enter into treaties is the fact that Indian peoples
have legally recognized aboriginal title and rights to lands and
resources. From the government's perspective this creates
"uncertainty" in that their own jurisdiction and tenure over
unceded Indian lands is uncertain. However, when "First
Nations" enter into treaties they do so on the basis that title to
aboriginal lands and resources ultimately rests w i t h the Crown,
both federal and provincial, and are negotiating for title on the
province's terms.
So long as Indian people have not surrendered their
lands or entered into treaties with Canada Indian tide over the
land continues to exist. Legally and morally, Indian people
have not given their surrender or their consent to the
possession of Indian lands and resources to any outside
government. While the B C T C is careful to say that they do
not "extinguish" aboriginal tide or rights, they "define" the
extent of aboriginal rights and interest in lands. When
something is exhaustively defined and set out it is limited.
Any aboriginal tide and rights not specifically listed in die
agreement will, for practical purposes, cease to exist. In
signing a treaty agreement which defines aboriginal rights all
rights not specifically set forth within the agreement will be
effectively surrendered.
This is an issue which obviously concerns the B C T C
greatly, as it illustrates the illegitimacy of die entire B C treaty
process. As a result of these concerns, the B C T C has spent a
considerable amount of energy in defining "First Nation" as
"an aboriginal governing body, organized and established by
aboriginal people with a mandate from its constituents to enter
into treaty negotiations on their behalf with Canada and
British Columbia".
The B C T C ' s definition of a First Nation includes those
Band governments set up under the Indian Act. A Band is not
an Indian Nation, it is simply one community or tribe in a
larger "Nation" of people. Negotiating with a Band is the
equivalent of negotiating for the rights of die country of
Canada with the province of Prince Edward Island. As all
JULY 1997
resources and lands within a Nation belong to the People of the
Nation as a whole, no one community has any right to alienate
or bargain away die rights and entitlements of the entire
Nation. The lack of legitimacy of this process is obviously a
point of concern for die B C T C .
Openness: The only good negotiations are carried on in
secret.
Part of the "public information" campaign of the
B C T C is to stress die need for secret negotiations. Closed
negotiations would seem to be in direct contradiction with
Indian government which operates on a consensual decision
making model. Small teams of negotiators or leaders do not
have die authority or capacity to make binding decisions which
will forever alter the rights of our future generations. If
negotiations cannot be carried on under the full view of the
members of an Indian community, how valid are they?
"Open sessions work well in framework negotiations
[the "table of contents" section of treaty negotiations] and in
the early stages o f a g r e e m e n t - i n - p r i n c i p l e
negotiations....However, once the negotiations advance, the
difficult task of finding solutions begins. If the only forum for
negotiations is open there will be little opportunity for the
parties to have a safe environment in which they can explore
options and look for innovative solutions." Negotiations done
in secret are defined as "safe", which implies that the
negotiations would not be safe if people whose rights are being
negotiated had full knowledge
Why is the appearance of openness, but not actual
openness so important to the success of the B C treaty process?
The B C T C identifies two stages to the treaty making process:
(1) developing a mandate and (2) negotiation. The message of
the Annual Report is that it is impossible to develop support
for the treaty (the mandate) without openness, yet there can be
no successful negotiations with too much openness (if die
people actually know what is being negotiated, they will no
longer support the process).
UBCIC WORKSHOPS
The UBCIC is developing workshops
to inform Indian people and communities
about the impact of the B.C. Treaty process on our Aboriginal Title and Rights.
We are prepared to offer this workshop to interested community groups,
bands, tribal councils etc.
For more information please contact
the UBCIC Vancouver office:
5th Floor - 342 Water Street
Vancouver, B.C. V6B 1B6
Tel: (604)684-0231 Fax: (604)684-5726
E-Mail: [email protected]
lb
UBCIC NEWS
Message
From
The
Chief Saul Terry, X'wisten
What
is investigative
journalism? Is it a
book review of a current book
on Indians? Is it coverage of
Royal commission reports commissioned by the governmental on pipelines, fishing, forestry, and water resources? Or
is it found in newspaper columns under a tenured journalists by-line? I pose these questions because it seems to me
that virtually all investigative
reporting in Canada on "Native Issues" is limited to these
kinds of articles. For the most
part, however, good investigative reporting on Indian issues
is not undertaken by journalists, not asked for by editors,
and not published or broadcast
by owners of the mass media.
This is true nationally — and
it's particularly the case here is
British Columbia.
So-called "ethnic" or
minority groups in B.C. see in
this state of affairs more than
just a predetermined choice of
issues, values or "voice" by the
white mainstream media. In
general, it raises a fundamental issue for a democratic society: majority power versus protection of minority rights — especially the right to be heard
and understood, without which
the rights of free speech and
expression are meaningless.
For us as Indian people
today, the mass media's treatment of our lives and the issues
2
President
UNION OF B.C. INDIAN CHIEFS
Investigative Journalism and Indian
Rights
that are most important to us is
a cause for concern and even
outrage. In B.C. we see the
media not simply affected by
bias but burdened by the values
and ideology that justify the
racist history of this province
and its, relations with our First
Nations.
When issues affecting
the lives of Indian people are
by the Canadian government.
This documentation can show
that under the co-opted rhetoric of "Indian Self-Government" Canada is revitalizing
its historic colonialist policies
of assimilation and termination of Indian identity. These
policies have always been genocidal in their ultimate objective, and never more so than
Indian life is never pursued. It
is in the political arena where
the root causes of our people's
distress lie and where, in the
end, solutions must be found.
Has the press, radio and
T V been totally co-opted by die
economic, political and bureaucratic forces aligned against our
people? The absence on journalistic investigation of the
Buffalo Jump of the 1980's and
subsequent policies indicates
"When it comes to Indian stories there is a fine,
to me that this is indeed the
easily-crossed line between editing and censorship- case.
censorship that invariably serves the interests of the
To illustrate my point, I
government and the economic power-brokers in
cite an investigative report published in 1987 by the Arizona
Canada and this province."
Republic, the daily newspaper
of Phoenix with a circulation of
examined by the news media,
3000,000. The article, "Fraud
today. There is an important
they are usually treated in isoin Indian country: a billion dol¬
story here. Politically this is
lation from the ongoing politilar betrayal," investigated the
critical for our Indian Nations.
cal struggle of Indian Nations
U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs
Yet the story in Canada is
in B.C., in Canada, and indeed
and located "Indian problems"
largely ignored by the mass
throughout the world for recin the political arena where
media. Why?
ognition of our Aboriginal T i they belong. For six months, a
The formidable and untle, our Right of Self-Governten-person investigative team
precedented challenges faced
ment, and our Right to a share
gathered statistical data from
by Indian Nations in British
of the economic benefits that
across the United States. The
Columbia today are truly newsothers derive from unceded
reports documented gross misworthy and cry out for in-depth
Indian lands and resources.
management by the Bureau
investigation by die mass mefrom top to bottom. They exdia. But instead we see a conIn British Columbia, our
posed the corruption which
tinuation of stories which senpeople struggled for survival
crippled Indian communities
sationalize and stereotype Inon a daily basis against the
as a whole, from lands and
dian people (in die guise of
concerted efforts of the provinresources by way of trusts, to
"human interest") or which
cial government, the federal
health, housing, education and
superficially examine their sogovernment and its Department
social assistance. The report
cial, economic, or health conof Indian Affairs to extinguish
concluded that the Bureau of
ditions. Research and analysis
aboriginal rights. Much like
Indian Affairs was the cause of
of die political dimensions of
ten years ago we can document
the political aggression being
MESSAGE F R O M THE PRESIDENT (Continued on page 7)
waged against Indian Nations
JULY J997
UBCIC NEWS
LONG RUNNING RAINFOREST BLOCKADE
ENDS WITH 24 ARRESTS HEREDITARY
CHIEF AGAIN A R R E S T E D FOR
PROTECTING SACRED RAINFOREST
( K I N G ISLAND, BRITISH C O L U M B I A ,
C A N A D A ) - JUNE 24, 1997 - Twenty
four people were arrested this morning in
one of British Columbia's longest
running and most effective protests to
stop clear-cutting of the province's ancient rainforests. The
blockade by Nuxalk First Nation and four environmental
groups, stopped all clear-cut logging by international Forest
Products (Interfor) at Ista on King Island for a total of eighteen
days.
Forty members of the R C M P descended on the blockade
at 6:45 this morning, and arrested 24 people who were
preventing Interfor contractors from clear-cut logging Ista.
Nuxalk Hereditary Chief Qwatsinas (Edward Moody) was
immediately arrested at die blockade for the second time in
two years, along with five other members of the Nuxalk
Nation. Other arrestees included 13 Canadian, five Europeans
and one from the US. A l l arrestees refused to sign a 'terms of
release' form at the site, and have been flown down to
Vancouver to appear before a Supreme Court of Canada judge
on Wednesday at 10 A M .
The R C M P climbing team was also on site, and scaled a
large tripod built from logs erected at the edge of a 37 hectare
clear-cut, (the size of 74 football fields) removing a Nuxalk
and Belgian woman. The R C M P also cut away a Canadian
and German woman who were locked onto a grapple yarder - a
large piece of logging equipment used to load logs from a
clear-cut.
" M y mother has been arrested for protecting Ista. M y
grandfather was arrested too." Said Colette Schooner, 16, of
the Nuxalk Nation who has been sitting in the tripod for 11
days. "Now I am here for the youth and future generations to
stop the clear-cutting of this sacred rainforest.''
"Having witnessed die huge clearcuts at Ista, I am
surprised and shocked that Canada still allows this kind of
logging to take place." Said Patricia Fromm of Germany, who
was locked to the grapple yarder.
The blockade site Ista on King Island is sacred to the
Nuxalk Nation. It is the place, according to die Nuxalk
creation story, where the first woman descended to the world.
The Great Bear Rainforest, of which Ista is a part, is of
extreme ecological importance because it contains die world's
largest remaining areas of temperate rainforest in the world.
The King Island blockade began on June 6 after eight
hereditary chiefs o f the N u x a l k N a t i o n i n v i t e d
environmentalists to the area to participate in an effort to stop
the clear-cut logging.
"We are thankful that our allies have responded to our
invitation to stop the clear-cutting of our territory by Interfor"
stated Head Hereditary Chief Nuximlayc of the Nuxalk Nation.
Ista was the site of 22 arrests in 1995, 17 of which were
Nuxalk first nations peoples. Now in 1997, there have been
JULY 1997
more arrests and still the clearcutting of Ista and many other
rainforest valleys continues.
"Instead of riling up the people of B C with his antienvironmental rhetoric, Glen Clarke would do well to start
listening to the people of B C , who have today given up their
rights and freedom in defense of this locally sacred and globally
important rainforest.'' commented Gavin Edwards, spokesperson
for the Forest Action Network.
Meanwhile, a second logging protest has begun further
south as six Greenpeace activists boarded a fully loaded log barge
laden with old growth rainforest, unfurling a banner reading
"Don't Buy Rainforest Destruction." The log barge, carrying
trees cut by Interior, has just made its way to Port Hardy on
Northern Vancouver Island. R C M P officers are currently on the
scene.
For More Information Contact:
Gavin Edwards
FOREST A C T I O N N E T W O R K
Box 625, Bella Coola, B C , Canada V 0 T ICO
TEL: (250) 799-5800 F A X : (250) 799-5830
1997 North American
Indigenous Games
VICTORIA, BC, C A N A D A
A U G U S T 3-10, 1997
Celebrate the Circle
The North American Indigenous Games are a truly unique
event. Unlike most major Games, the emphasis on culture
is equally as strong as the emphasis on sport. The reason
for this is rooted in Aboriginal philosophy which teaches that
the four spheres - the spiritual, physical, mental and emotional must all be present for balance and harmony.
The Elders teach us that in order to achieve good health and
wholeness, sport and culture must be part of each other.
They form an Indivisible Circle with no beginning and no
end.
This is the spirit of the NAIG, to Celebrate the Circle!
For More Information Call 250-361-1997
3
UBCIC NEWS
WORLD LEADERS CONFERENCE
ON TRADE
On November 18-26, 1997 the Asian Pacific Economic
Cooperation will meet in Vancouver to discuss trade and
investment opportunities. The reason the Asian Pacific countries
formed an alliance is because the World Trade Organization is
a monitoring and dispute resolution body, and the Asian Pacific
Economic Cooperation (or A P E C ) wants to build a powerhouse
to sidestep the powerful World Trade Organization (or WTO).
A P E C wants to eliminate global tariffs for at least 15 new
economic sectors and move quickly to identify specific products
and services for which they can eliminate duties and quotas
instead of waiting for another round of negotiations on global
free trade at the World Trade Organization. Once a large number
of A P E C countries agree on the outline of a deal, negotiations can
be moved to the WTO which has 13 0 member countries (the last
group of global negotiations took seven years to complete). WTO
agreements are binding and subject to dispute settlement. The
United States and Canada have been pushing for A P E C to gain
more prominence because they believe it's easier to get deals
among a smaller group of countries that are large enough to carry
enough weight to intervene on the world scene. Critics of A P E C
are concerned that deals reached through A P E C will not be
subject to the same scrutiny as those negotiated through the WTO
or the North American Free Trade Agreement known as N A F T A .
One example is the fact that Canada is rich in minerals,
energy and forests and will attract investment in these sectors.
This will certainly place a lot of pressure on the lands and
resources of Aboriginal Peoples. The Union of B.C. Indian
Chiefs joined The Issues Forum of The 1997 Peoples Summit and
sits on the Vancouver Steering Committee. We are there to assist
in providing a forum for Indigenous Peoples.
UBCIC PRESS RELEASE
Robert Manuel's Candidacy
for AFN National Chief
V A N C O U V E R , B.C. - July 3, 1997 - Chief Saul Terry,
stated today, that the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs is pleased at the
announcement that former Chief and President Robert Manuel is
putting his name forward to serve as National Chief of the
Assembly of First Nations. Chief Terry had these comments:
" T h e challenge of the position is to
maintain, protect and enhance the aboriginal
and treaty rights of all Indigenous Peoples. Our
unceded lands in British Columbia need to be
protected and we need a strong National Chief to
do this. His local, regional, national and
international political experience, along with
the knowledge of the treaty and aboriginal rights
principles gives Robert Manuel a solid foundation
to launch a substantive political position.
The position of National Chief is a very
difficult one, and I applaud all candidates who
have the courage to vie for this challenging
position. Indian Peoples can only benefit from
having these six leaders willing to give so
generously of their time and effort in their
committment to Indian Peoples."
(Excerpts regarding APEC & WTO was taken from L.
Eggertson article in the Globe & Mail, May 12th issue. Update on the Peoples Summit will be given in each UBCIC
Bulletin)
-30-
Quesnel Chief Nominates
Robert Manuel
Bella Coola - Lhtako Chief Frank Boucher, Jr. of Quesnel has
nominated Robert (Bobby) Manuel for National Chief.
Speaking from Bella Coola, Chief Boucher said: "I
believe Bobby Manuel will listen to the grass roots people. He
has strong ideals and good character which I can attest to as I
have known him a long time." Chief Boucher and Bobby
Manuel both attended Camosun College together in the
1970's.
"The Assembly of First Nations needs to be restructured
to regain its role as the voice of all First Nations within Canada.
I believe Bob Manuel has the qualities to achieve the goal," said
Boucher.
In the past few years, the A F N has been made into a
service delivery agent while they have been bypassed by Ottawa
on political issues.
4
"With over 25 years of political experience, Manuel has
the ability to see that Ottawa's assimilationist agenda is exposed, " said Boucher. "Our inherent Aboriginal rights are
strong - we must not negotiate them away."
Frank Boucher, Jr. has been Vice-President of the Union
of British Columbia Indian Chiefs for the past four years and
Chief of Lhtako (formerly Red Bluff) for the past 23 years.
Boucher is a Southern Carrier of the Athapaskan Language group while Manuel is a Secwepemc (Shuswap) of the
Salish language group.
Contact: Chief Frank Boucher Jr. Lhatko office:
(250) 747-2900
-30-
JULY 1997
UBCIC NEWS
A Constitution For
Corporations
While concerned citizens everywhere go about fighting the
erosion of rights in every facet of their lives, out of sight of the
world's public, two powerful processes are under way to remove
most of the remaining barriers to, and controls on, the global
mobility of capital. Most Canadians know nothing about these
process, which will entrench rules of global investment in favour
of transnational corporations and grant investors the unrestricted
right to buy, sell and move their businesses at their discretion.
The World Trade Organization set up a working
committee at its December 1996 meeting to study a Multilateral
Investment Agreement — the M I A — after developing countries
slowed the push by the US and Europe to fast-track the process.
Although the group is mandated to report back at the next W T O
meeting in two years, Director General Renato Ruggiero made it
clear that, in time, die M I A will be the centrepiece of the WTO.
"We are writing," he said, "the constitution of a single global
economy.''
Meanwhile, the Organization for Economic Co-operation
and Development is planning to ratify the Multilateral
Agreement on Investment (MAI) at its ministerial meeting in May
of this year. The stated objective of the US is 'to obtain a highstandard multilateral investment agreement that will protect US
investors abroad.'' While there are some variations between the
proposed treaties, the O E C D process is designed to establish the
ground rules and precedents that will then be incorporated into the
larger venue of the WTO.
The purpose of both treaties is to reduce or eliminate the
capacity of national and sub-national governments to limit die
degree and nature of foreign investment or to impose standards of
behavior on investors. They would sharply restrict die ability of
government everywhere to shape investment policy to promote
social, economic or environmental goals.
The M A I minces no words. It wants to "outlaw" national
practices that limit access of foreign capital to government
contracts and privatization programs, demand that foreign
companies hire or purchase locally i f they are allowed to operate
inside die country and protect key sectors of their economy, such
as transport, energy, real estate or financial services.
Noting that "to conquer a market one needs to be present
as a producer", the M A I includes a "general commitment to
grant the legal right for foreigners to operate and invest competitively
in all sectors of the economy.'' It proposes free, unregulated access
for global investors and investments and national treatment rights
for transnational corporations that would prevent any nation from
favouring local industry, farmers or resource companies.
The investment treaty would grant corporations the' 'freedom
to make financial transfers", wipe out national merger control and
anti-trust legislation enforcement measures and even address
national " taxation, labour or environment policies.'' The M A I is
calling for a "standstill" commitment so that countries could not
introduce any new restrictions on foreign capital in the future and
a "roll-back" commitment to eliminate all current measures
that " r u n counter to liberalization."
Most distressingly, the M A I would confer on private
investors the same rights and legal standing as national
governments to enforce the terms of the treaty. Under this
provision, M A I violations by governments could be challenged by
private investors through a binding dispute resolution system using
economic sanctions. As well, the M A I could prevent governments
from distinguishing between foreign investors or foreign targets
based on countries' human rights, labour or other records and preempt strategies for restricting corporate flight to low-wage havens.
This treaty would amount to nothing less than a global
charter of rights and freedoms for transnational corporations in
every nation of the world. Canadians have already had a taste of
what this would mean, as these same rights exist for the corporations
of our continent under the North American Free Trade Agreement.
As many of us predicted, free trade has left Canadian industry,
culture and resources totally vulnerable to takeover by American
business interests and profoundly undermined our ability to
maintain our own social, cultural and environmental laws.
Yet the Canadian government has become the world's
foremost cheerleader for economic globalization and is acting as a
stalking horse for the US in its campaign to promote these
investment treaties. That Canada is any part of this should bring
shame to all Canadians. For the government of Jean Chretien, who
ran against N A F T A and corporate domination and promised to
protect Canadian resources, social programs and culture, it is an act
of stunning hypocrisy.
Reprinted with permission from Canadian Forum
by Maude Barlow
"VOICE O F T H E P E O P L E S "
GATHERING
1
JULY 1997
TO REAFFIRM OUR ABORIGINAL
TITLE AND RIGHTS
JULY 11 & 12 1997
Cayoose Creek Campgrounds
Stl'atl'imx Nation
"Building Indian Government
Together as Nations"
Co-hosted by Cayoose Creek Indian Band, Stl'atl'imx
Nation and Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs
Contacts:
Cayoose Creek Indian Band - Chief Perry Redan (250) 256-4136
Stl'atl'imx Nation - Tribal Chief Mike Leach (250) 256-7523
Union of BC Indian Chiefs - Mildred Poplar (604) 684-0231
5
UBCIC NEWS
INSTITUTE OF INDIGENOUS
GOVERNMENT CELEBRATES
A n historical event for First Nations people! On May 23rd, 1997, families, friends,
students, faculty, staff and onlookers applauded as two Associate of Arts degrees and
two Certificates in Indigenous Government Studies was awarded. Shauna-Leigh
Moloney and Theodore Andrew Francis were the first in history to receive an Associate
of Arts degree from Canada's first autonomous degree-granting First Nation PostSecondary institution. Certificates in Indigenous Government Studies were awarded to
Melanie Elizabeth Gladstone and Randolph G. Timothy. Congratulations to the
students, families and the institute!!!
Hosted at the Open University, an Institute partner in learning, the convocation
highlighted the importance of inter-institutional co-operation in achieving First
Nations' educational needs
Chief Saul Terry, President of the Union of B C Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) and Chair
of the Board of Governors, proudly witnessed the historical moment in Indigenous
culture and education. It was six years ago that a resolution was passed at the UBCIC's
Annual General Assembly to establish
the Institute of Indigenous Government.
' 'The success of each student at the IIG
is therefore a success for our Nations as
a whole. With strength, courage,
determination and hard work, our
Grand Chief Bernard Charles and Resident
success is inevitable.''
Elder Nirkuschin (Glen Douglas)
Stated by Grand Chief Bernard Charles, President of IIG, "We have come
together as a way to remember this day in history, the first time in Canada that an
independent Indigenous post-secondary institution has granted a degree. This was a
dream of our visionaries and an element that is carried forward in the diversity of
Indigenous experiences and values
represented in our student body
and faculty.''
Addressing the Graduation
class, Judge Alfred Scow reflected
on his own education and on the
question of relevance that followed
Shauna-Leigh Maloney
him throughout the non-Indigenous system. " I learned as a boy, he said to tend
cattle when I saw all around me people who harvest fish! Today, these students
have a means to learn without giving up the culture and tradition that is so much a
part of them.''
The Dean of Academic Affairs, Dan Gottesman, noted the standards of
excellence that the IIG's first graduating class had established. 'The work of these
students is part of this Institute. They have both completed a program and helped
to make it what it is. The have created academic as well as personal
benchmarks for those who follow them.
The ceremony was punctuated by the thoughtful words and actions of IIG
Resident Elders, Nirkuschin (Glen Douglas), Kla-lelweik (Flora Dawson), and
Simoigit Ha 'g be gwatxw (Ken Harris). In addition, Tsimalano (Vincent Stogan
Theodore Andrew Francis
Sr.) performed a Calling of the Witnesses Ceremony, welcoming all to traditional
Musqueam Territory.
If you would like more information on how you can be apart of this exciting educational opportunity, contact the IIG at (604)
602-9555 or fax (604) 602-3432 or visit our Web at http://www.indigenous.bc.ca.
Applications are being accepted for the Fall 1997
and the Winter 1998 semesters
6
JULY 1997
UBCIC NEWS
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE (Continued from page 2)
the problems that were mani-fested in Indian communities.
It was further evident to the press that American Indian victims could
not overcome their oppression by the American government and the
B.I.A. without help from an informed American public. So the story
was published in the newspaper. Today those Indian people are
pursuing a class action suit.
Now the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs knows that similar and at
times identical problems exist in British Columbia and Canada. And
we have made available documentation and analysis that could be used
to expose, corrupt and destruct government policies and assist in
bringing about the dismantling of the Department of Indian Affairs and
put in its place alternative options. But my experience with news
journalists tells me that reporting in this country is a one way street.
That is to say, reporters phone my office regularly to inquire "what's
new?" and I am expected to supply Indian news or elaborate upon some
Indian story they may wish to develop. This exchange is always onesided, however, without exception, journalists do not pursue the
political "news" I give them as President of the UBCIC. They do not
go after the additional documentation and interviews that would verify
our Chiefs' considered view that the politicians and bureaucrats deliberately frame Indian Affairs policies to oppress Indian people and
further entrench their dependence and poverty.
Could it be that we do not have proper investigative journalism
in this country because media ownership is monopolized by business
interests that work hand-in-glove with government to maintain the
status quo? Or perhaps the media moguls believe that we live in a just
society, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary when it comes
to the lives of Indian people. When it comes to Indian stories, there is
afine,easily-crossed line between editing and censorship — censorship
that invariably serves the interests of the government and the economic
power-brokers in Canada and this province.
Morrisseau vs. Bennet
T V . Fish Story:
It is my experience during my terms in office as President that
the media has not offered the public much in the way of in-depth
reporting and political analysis. What makes matters worse, however,
is that, as the political offensive against Indian Nations and Indian
lands in B.C. rolls forward, it becomes increasingly difficult for our
political organization to obtain financial support for professional
research an analysis — ammunition that is essential for us to campaign
effectively in the political arena and ensure the survival of our people
into the 21st century. So it is very important to us that journalist take
every opportunity to seriously investigate and report on Indian Issues
in B.C. and Canada. More than ever, we need the statistical data and
hard evidence uncovered to enable us to better protect our people, our
lands and our resources.
But this is not just an Indian story. In the long run, I believe
that everyone in society will benefit from a renewed commitment to dig
hard and deep into the political strata of Indian life in B.C. If the news
media fully informs and educates the public — I am confident that truth
will be served and justice done by our people. In this event, British
Columbians as a whole will benefit spiritually, politically and even
economically. For colonialism victimizes both the colonizer and the
colonized, and ultimately the welfare of all depends on our respective
mutual development. This is the public interest that should be promoted by investigative journalists in B.C., now and in the years of
struggle ahead.
Chilean Indians, Activist Protest Licensing
of Dam
SANTIAGO (Reuter) - Indians and environmental
activists occupied Chile's indigenous affairs bureau and
environmental protection board Tuesday to protest the licensing
of a dam that will force hundreds of Indians off their land.
The National Environmental Commission (Conama)
Monday gave the green light to plan to build the $600 million
Ralco dam on the Bio Bio River in southern Chile.
Beating drums and denouncing Chilean "colonization,"
about 20 aborigines Tuesday took over the offices of the
National Indigenous Development Corporation (Conadi) and
unfurled banners from upper floors, including one reading
"Indigenous Dignity -- no to Ralco!"
' 'The Chilean government has once again shown its
colonizing mentality by not respecting our people or the law,"
said statement read by the occupiers, wearing ponchos and
playing reed flutes.
"Our grandfathers taught us well how to defend our
lands and if it's necessary, 10 times we will return to shed our
blood for our lands, but Ralco will not be built," they said.
They demanded to speak with Conadi's director, a
supporter of Ralco appointed by President Eduardo Frei's
government early this year after it abruptly fired the previous
director who was opposed to the dam. At the same time, about
30 environmental activists occupied the first floor of Conama's
offices.
Conama granted a license to private electric utility
Endesa to begin building the dam and bring it into operation
early in the next century. It will complement a smaller dam
opened last year by Endesa downstream, which was also bitterly
opposed by environmentalists.
The dam will force up to 700 Pehuenche Indians off part
of their ancestral lands and flood about 9,000 acres of farmland
and rare temperate rain forest on tire river's upper reaches.
In exchange for the license to build, Endesa will have to
compensate the Pehuenches w i t h land of similar value and also
buy 9,400 acres of land nearby for a wildlife reserve - an area
roughly similar to the area that will be flooded.
The dam's builders say Chile, w i t h almost no oil of its
own and vast hydroelectric potential, needs Ralco and other
dams to guarantee the country's booming economic growth into
the next century.
Endesa general manager Jose Yuraszech said Chile will
need about 10 more dams the size of Ralco to be built between
now and the year 2013 to satisfy energy demand, plus nine
more power plants fueled by natural gas piped in from
Argentina.
Opponents of the dam, which has also attracted
opposition from U.S., environmental groups, can still appeal in
court but they said they had little chance of stopping it there.
By Roger Atwood
UBCIC (November 1987)
JULY 1997
UBCIC (November. 1987) I
7
UBCIC NEWS
National Chief of the Assembly
of First Nations
It
is election time for the office of National Chief of the
Assembly of First Nations. This will take place during their
annual assembly on July 28 -3 0,1997. There is also a proposal
to restructure the organization including a name change.
It is necessary to take a look at one of the original intent of
such organizations as the National Indian Brotherhood.
Organizations like this was formed by Indian people because they
feared the loss of their lands and resources and that was the
number one reason although there are many other specific
reasons as well.
Every Federal Government in power has been determined
to provide a final solution to the Land Question and that is to
extinguish aboriginal title and rights of the Indian Nations
because they think it is good for Indian people to be assimilated
into dominant Canadian society. The early settlement of Canada
were active colonization years and the government was able to
encompass this whole country according to their way of life.
Years of strategies by the government have been instrumental in
weakening the sovereign political position Indian Nations held
and the Federal Government has been able to entrench their
assimilationist agenda to settle the Land Question.
The National Chief should provide strongleadership against
continued colonization process and be more visible in the Field of
nation-building at home and abroad.
Are the Assembly of First Nations Declaration and the
Treaty and Aboriginal Rights Principles to be taken seriously or
not?
The National Chief should adhere to these Declarations
and Principles theyare the Code of Ethics for Indian Governments
and how they do business. They articulate the Assembly of First
Nations' beliefs, values and moral identity. At no time should
Nations be encouraged to settle for less.
The qualifications of a National Chief, at this point in
history when the Federal Government is devolving its Trust
Responsibilities to Chiefs and Council are:
1. To inspire the Indian people, provide Spiritual Leadership
and be a role model;
2. To lead the Indian people as Nations towards their goal of
self-determination rather than towards complete colonization;
3. To protect Aboriginal Title, Rights and Treaties of Indian
Nations;
4. To implement unequivocally Article 1 of the A.F.N.
Constitution;
5. To hold the Federal Government to the Spirit and Intent of
all the Treaties negotiated to date;
8
6. To protect aboriginal rights to hunt, fish, trap and
gathering harvest;
7. To teach the Indian Philosophy, not only to Indian
communities but to the public at large;
8. To represent the sovereign postion of Indian Nations at the
International level;
9. To build stronger ties with all Indigenous Nations
throughout the world;
10. To communicate and warn Indian Nations of the Federal
and Provincial strategies to extinguish sovereign aboriginal
rights;
11. To build political ties on Aboriginal Title and Rights with
the Metis and Non-Status or Off-Reserve Indian Peoples;
12. To work in harmony with Indian Organizations and
Supporters to protect the Natural Resources and Environment
of Indian Territories.
13. To seek financial resources for the work and development
of Indian government.
ISSUE:
Can a National Chief fulfill the Principles of the A.F.N.
Declaration if he or she comes from an Indian Band who is
actively involved in the Federal Government's self-government
process through which the Band declare they do not want to be
under the authority of the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs
then in a final agreement, relieves the Minister of the Trust
Relationship? Can this National Chief truthfully fight for the
Aboriginal Title, Rights and Treaties of Sovereign Nations when
he or she is a party to the implementation of the Comprehensive
Land Claims Policy of the Federal Government?
The following is an official list in alphabetical
order of candidates for the office of National
Chief, to the Assembly of First Nations.
Mr. J. F. (Joe) Dion
C/O Tsawwassen Reserve
1257 Pacific Drive
Delta, BC
V4M 2K2
Phone: 604-943-2253
Fax: 604-943-6541
2) Mr. Philip Fontaine
PO Box 209
Winnipeg, MB
R3C 0M6
Phone: 204-956-0610
Fax: 204-642-0441
3) Ms. Wendy Grant-John
2nd Floor, 319 Seymour Blvd.
North Vancouver, BC
V6N 2C7
Phone: 604-987-2582
Fax: 604-987-6683
4) Mr. Robert (Bob) Manuel
899 Elder Road
Kamloops, BC
V2B 6K9
Phone: 250-679-3295
Fax: 250-679-3403
5)
Mr. Ovide Mercredi
Grand Rapids, MB
Phone: 613-830-2211
Fax: 613-241-5808
6) Mr. Larry Sault
RR No. 6
Hagersville, Ontario
N0A 1H0
Phone: 905-768-1133
Fax: 905-768-1225
JULY 1997
UBCIC NEWS
T H E A S S E M B L Y O F FIRST N A T I O N S
IS P L E A S E D T O W E L C O M E O U R
ELDERS, CHIEFS, GRANDCHIEFS
A N D PEOPLE TO T H E
18TH ANNUAL G E N E R A L
ASSEMBLY
Helping Spirit Lodge Society
5th Annual Golf Tournament
FUN GOLFERS WANTED!
Sunday Afternoon, September 28, 1997
12:00 p.m. (Noon)
E A R L Y PAID BIRDS GET B E S T T-TIMES!
J U L Y 2 9 , 30 8b 3 1 , 1 9 9 7
Tsawwassen Golf Club
VANCOUVER TRADE &
C O N V E N T I O N CENTRE
999 C A N A D A P L A C E , V A N C O U V E R , BC
EXIBIT H A L L A
1595 - 52nd Avenue, Delta, B C
$75.00 per person
(Includes golf game, and a donation of $15.00 to our First
Nations Family Violence Center with it's intervention
programs. Tax receipts available.)
ELECTION FOR OFFICE OF
NATIONAL CHIEF
HELP US H E L P OTHERS!!
Wednesday, July 30, 1997
P L E A S E C O N T A C T B E R N E WHITEFORD A T 8726649 FOR M O R E D E T A I L S !
For more information, please call the
Assembly of First Nations at ( 6 1 3 ) 2 4 1 6789 or (613) 2 4 1 - 5 8 0 8 / 5 8 0 7 / 4 8 9 8
GOLF, H A V E F U N , A N D H E L P US F U N D RAISE FOR
OUR FIRST NATIONS F A M I L Y V I O L E N C E CENTER
WITH IT'S INTERVENTION P R O G R A M S
UBCIC
NEWSLETTER
DEADLINE
The deadline for the next Newsletter has been
set for August 15, 1997. If you have any
information that you would like to see in the
next edition of the UBCIC NEWSLETTER,
Send by mail or fax to:
UBCIC NEWSLETTER
5th Floor - 342 Water Street
Vancouver, BC V6B 1B6
Phone: (604) 684-0231
Fax: (604)684-5726
JULY 1997
Please note that as of May 1, 1997 the Tsimshian Tribal Council
relocated to the Chatham Village Longhouse. Our phone and fax
number will remain the same. The new address is:
138 1st Avenue West
Prince Rupert, B C
V8J 1A8
(250) 627-8782 Phone
(250) 627-1938 Fax
We are pleased to announce that CESO Aboriginal Services has moved
to a new location. Our new address is:
CESO Aboriginal Services
Suite #212 - 1999 Marine Drive
North Vancouver, B C
V7P3J3
(604) 986-4566 or 1-800-986^566 Phone
(604) 984-3584 Fax
9
UBCIC NEWS
RESOURCE
T
CENTRE
UPDATE
he " A r c h i v i a " CD-ROM workstation was set up last
month in the Resource Centre and it is being used
frequently. Archivia - Aboriginal Peoples includes information
relating to selected textual and machine-readable Canadian
federal government records. While it does not include the records
themselves, it provides the ability to keyword search important
finding aids for Record Group 10 (Indian Affairs) Inventory,
Indian Treaties, Surrenders & Agreements, Bands & Agencies
and other files. The selected RG-10 finding aids cover most of
die Black Series records for B.C. Our Resource Centre has one
of die best collections of RG-10 microfilm in the province. The
combination of our extensive collection and the print & electronic
finding aids we have provides an important resource for
researchers.
If you would like to order a copy of Archivia - Aboriginal
Peoples for your own office, it is available from National Archives
for under $200.00. If you want more information about hardware
requirements to run Archivia or contact information for National
Archives call me or Lorraine Brooks here in the Resource Centre
at (604) 602-9555.
We were investigating die content of the 1881, 1891 and
1901 Census as it seemed some of B.C. was not included. The reels
that we have do in fact include all available information for B.C.
As suspected, some areas did not get included in some years
because everyone was away fishing, the weather was inclement,
etc. We do have a two volume index now which makes it easier to
determine if you are likely to find what you are looking for on the
Census reels. We have gathered a number of resources to help users
with genealogy research. This type of research if usually time
consuming and a great deal of patience and determination is
required. You will often have to search in a variety of resources and
at more than one site. If you are going get involved in this type of
research make sure you can make the time commitment.
Sarah Torsky, our Cataloguer, begins her maternity leave
at the end of this week and Sarah Nighswander, our replacement
Cataloguer has already started. Our two volunteers came and went
rather quickly. Dorine Cyr got a full-time job and Alma Peters
found die long trip in from the Mission too restrictive on her time.
Thanks to a summer student grant, we have hired a Micmac student
who is between her first and second years of the Library Technology
program at Langara College. Linda Muise will be working on some
important cataloguing projects for the Resource Centre.
10
If you would like to get a subscription to
a good basic computing magazine for your office
which will help with running your systems more
effectively and take some of the mystery out of
basic c o m p u t i n g , we can h i g h l y
recommend PC Novice (Smart Computing
in Plain English). To place an order
contact Sandhills Publishing F A X
(402) 479-2193. The annual
subscription price is $29 U.S. funds
for twelve issues.
The Resource Centre will be
open Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. 4:30 p.m. all summer long. After
surviving the extensive building renovations and being under piles
of debris last summer, we are looking forward to a clean, quiet July
and August. We hope that you have a safe and enjoyable summer.
JOB POSTING
RESEARCH ASSISTANT
The Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs has
an opening for a f u l l - t i m e Research Assistant i n its
Specific Claims Research Program. Job duties for this term
contract involve historical and archival research, and the
preparation of detailed written reports. Salary will be based
on qualifications and experience.
Candidates should possess a university degree and
some research experience. Superior organizational skills
c o m m u n i c a t i o n s s k i l l s are r e q u i r e d . S o u n d
knowledge of Indian governments, the goals of the UBCIC
and the principles of the Aboriginal Title and Rights position
are essential.
Interested candidates should fax resume, references
and samples of writing to the UBCIC Staffing Committee at
(604) 684-5726 NO LATER T H A N
FRIDAY AUGUST I , 1997. We thank
all applicants for their interest, however
only those candidates selected for
interviews will be contacted.
JULY 1997
UBCIC NEWS
COMMEMORATION OF THE TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF
PARTICIPATION OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES AT THE UNITED
NATIONS
To all Indigenous P e o p l e s , brothers and sisters,
Respectful Greetings,
In S e p t e m b e r of 1977, the Conference of Discrimination
against Indigenous P e o p l e s of the A m e r i c a s took place in
G e n e v a , Switzerland. 165 Indigenous P e o p l e s participated.
It w a s the first international gathering of Indigenous
P e o p l e s before the United Nations, an activity of the S p e c i a l
C o m m i t t e e on N o n G o v e r n m e n t a l O r g a n i z a t i o n s ' S u b Committee on R a c i s m , R a c i a l Discrimination and Apartheid.
There, Indigenous P e o p l e s from the Western Hemisphere
gave testimony on the situation of H u m a n Rights of our P e o p l e s
and the continuation of colonialism and genocide against us.
This s u m m e r will mark the 20th anniversary of this
gathering and the formal participation of Indigenous P e o p l e s
before the U N in G e n e v a . This conference gave birth to a great
consciousness raising at the international level on the situation
of Indigenous P e o p l e s all over the world. Participating Indigenous
Peoples made several recommendations to the U N , including
the suggestion that there be a more widespread and systematic
participation of Indigenous P e o p l e s at the U N level. This
recommendation w a s taken to the S u b - C o m m i s s i o n on the
Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, which
in turn r e c o m m e n d e d to the U N that the Working G r o u p on
Indigenous Populations be formed.
Another W o r l d C o n f e r e n c e took place in 1981, again in
G e n e v a , and in 1982, the W o r k i n g Group had its first meeting.
S i n c e the formation of the W o r k i n g G r o u p thousands of
Indigenous persons representing hundreds of Indigenous Nations
have participated directly in standard setting for the recognition
and observance of the H u m a n Rights and Fundamental F r e e d o m s
of Indigenous P e o p l e s , such as the U N Draft declaration on the
rights of Indigenous P e o p l e s , the Resolution by the G e n e r a l
A s s e m b l y declaring 1992 the year of Indigenous P e o p l e s , the
subsequent Declaration on the D e c a d e of Indigenous P e o p l e s ,
important studies on the Preservation of Indigenous Heritage,
the study on Treaties, and other issues of great importance to
Indigenous P e o p l e s .
The next s e s s i o n of the working Group on Indigenous
P o p u l a t i o n s in G e n e v a , b e g i n n i n g 2 8 J u l y , 1 9 9 7 , will
c o m m e m o r a t e this historic moment that marks the beginning of
the Indigenous P e o p l e s of the world at the United Nations.
For the International Indian Treaty Council, which had
been formed 1974, and had participated intemationally to achieve
this first conference and more ample and open Indigenous
participation at the U N , this moment is of great significance and
pride.
Indeed, as the International Indian Treaty Council w a s the
first Indigenous organization r e c o g n i z e d by the U N as a
consultative status Non-governmental organization in 1977, this
20th anniversary is of great significance and pride for us in this
respect as well.
JULY 1997
W e would therefore invite those who are able to attend the
next session of the W o r k i n g G r o u p where this important beginning
will be c o m m e m o r a t e d . W e would especially urge those brothers
and sisters who attended the first W o r l d C o n f e r e n c e in 1977 to
attend, that they may be recognized in a good w a y .
W e very much regret that our organization is unable
to provide any financial assistance for those interested in attending.
All will have to make their own arrangements.
If your attendance is possible, we would remind you that it
is important to bring traditional dress to this event, to again
demonstrate to the U N the diversity of our P e o p l e s , Nations and
cultures. If it is possible, please also bring traditions f o o d s for the
Indigenous P e o p l e s ' reception, keeping in mind that Switzerland
has regulations on the importation of meat. It is r e c o m m e n d e d that
frozen meat be sent through diplomatic pouch via the e m b a s s i e s
of friendly states.
There will be three major events in the c o m m e m o r a t i o n :
1) C o m m e m o r a t i n g the march of Indigenous P e o p l e s in 1977,
there will be a march of Indigenous P e o p l e s in traditional dress
through the main gates of the U N , on M o n d a y , July 2 8 , at 10:00 a m , demonstrating, as we done in 1977, that Indigenous
P e o p l e s cannot be denied entrance to the U N . O n c e inside the
U N , prior to the beginning of the regular s e s s i o n of the Working
Group, representatives of Indigenous P e o p l e s , c h o s e n at the
preparatory meeting on Saturday and S u n d a y at the World
Council of C h u r c h e s building in G e n e v a , will a d d r e s s the
session, and exchange gifts with representatives of the United
Nations.
2)
Thursday, July 3 1 , Indigenous P e o p l e s will host a reception for
representatives of the U N and the public in the evening at the
U N B e a c h , where traditional foods will be s e r v e d .
3)
The Lord Mayor of G e n e v a will host a reception on Friday,
August 3 1 , beginning at 5:00 P M . This event coincides with
the S w i s s national holiday and will be held in conjunction with
their celebration at the P r o m e n a d e des Bastions a c r o s s from
the P a l a c e N e u v e . This event is also of historic tradition, as it
marks the reception given in 1923 by the Lord Mayor of
G e n e v a , to D e s c a h e h , the C a y u g a Chief who, representing
the Iroquois C o n f e d e r a c y , w a s the first I n d i g e n o u s
representative to the L e a g u e of Nations. A n area for the sale
of crafts has also been set aside for this event.
If your presence is possible, and you need more
please contact:
information,
Bill ( J i m b o ) S i m m o n s
Kenneth Deer
International Indian T r e a t y C o u n c i l
S a n Francisco, California, U S ,
The Eastern Door
M o h a w k Territory
T e l : (415) 5 1 2 - 1 5 0 1
F a x : (415) 5 1 2 - 1 5 0 7
(514) 6 3 5 - 3 0 5 0
(514) 6 3 5 - 8 4 7 9
11
UBCIC NEWS
Why did the B . C . T . C . hold a press
conference to release their annual report?
V A N C O U V E R , B. C . ~ June 26, 1997 -- Indian Peoples respond to
the to the British Columbia Treaty Commission's (B.C.T.C.)
release of their annual report:
Chief Saul Terry, President of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs
had these comments:
"The press conference was a non-event meant to assuage
public fear and doubt that the treaty process is not working. The
B.C.T.C. is preparing the public in case of confrontations with
Indian Peoples this summer because opposition to the process is
growing. They want the public to believe that all Indian Peoples
outside the B.C.T.C. process are in the minority and are radicals.
The fact is, even within the Bands involved, there are many people
who do not support their leadership's involvement.
How can Indian people consent when most of the negotiations
are held in secret and behind closed doors? It's easy to sell the
process when you don't see how it will affect the people in it.
Openness closes down after Stage Three where the meat and
potatoes are on the table.
A l l that this report lists are the loan monies to Indian
peoples which are 80% repayable. The public should be asking
about the real costs involved. What about the monies spent
internally by the Province and Federal government which do not
show up in this report? Maybe the Reform Party should get on this.
No matter how many millions they spend, no matter how
many press conferences they hold, no matter how many reports they
release, the B.C.T.C. is not working for Indian Peoples. "
For information please contact: Chief Saul Terry 1-250256-4135
Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, Grand Chief Bernard Charles of
Semiahmoo had these comments:
"Everyone insists that because there is "no other game in
town'' that every First Nation should opt in. This pre-supposes that
everyone should make this decision despite the concerns that they
might have about flaws in the B . C . T . C . If there is other ball game
- we have to ask it we remain outside of the process at our peril?
On important issues such as overlapping claims and third
party interests it seems that you can only buy into the process
believing all parties will behave honourably and not be guided by
their own interests. No Nation should have been coerced or agreed
to submit or even agreed to submit a letter of intent if there was no
agreement in place regarding overlapping claims. This process is
being driven by those that have the most to gain - honourable
negotiation and agreements should have proceeded the process and
not be left as an afterthought. It should not be those first across
the mark who drive this cumbersome vehicle.
Many long established principles of past leaders have been
cast aside: recognition of title, continuing right to land and
resources and proper compensation. The overriding pressure to
settle long standing grievances is the driving force in this process.
No one has given satisfactory answers to the questions of "Is this
12
the best or the only way to settle things - or is it merely the most
expeditious way?"
If we are prepared to settle for less than we are entitled to we
need to do so only i f the overwhelming majority of our
constituency supports such action. Consent is only as valuable as
the informed nature on which it is based. Otherwise we are talking
about sophisticated manipulation rather than consent.
These are some of the failings of the B.C.T.C. process.
Likely there are others. The glossy handouts are too similar to the
White Paper policy of 1969. The only difference is that some First
Nations members, if they are not actually driving the bus, are at
least along for the ride. Many others prefer to walk rather than get
on board the B . C . T . C . "
-30 -
Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs Press
Statement Federal Election Results: Where
do we go from here?
VANCOUVER, B.C. - June 5, 1997 - Chief Saul Terry,
President of the Union of B. C. Indian Chiefs, in response to the
results of the federal election, stated:
"The 1997 election results are a mixed blessing for Indian
Peoples. The federal Liberals have lost their overwhelming
majority and space has been made within Parliament for other
parties who can add a balanced voice.''
"British Colombians voted in the Reform party, bringing into
Parliament their ignorance about the true history of this country.
Traditionally, the Loyal Opposition is a voice representing our
interests in Parliament and holding the government accountable to
their obligations toward Indian Peoples. But the Reform party
cannot be trusted to do this because they are living in a major state
of denial about our rightful place on tins Land.''
"The Prime Minister indicated that his government will
"stay the course" on its policies. This does not bode well for our
Peoples. We w i l l have to continue to convince the government
of the dire need for political, social and economic solutions for our
rapidly growing populations. The only solution we have is
decolonization. The federal government paid millions of dollars
for a Royal Commission to tell them this. We are prepared to work
with Mr. Chretien to restructure our relationship, using the RCAP
as a starting point. I hope that the new Parliament does not let die
millions it spent on R C A P go to waste by leaving this report unused
on their shelves."
"The revived New Democratic Party has die opportunity to
support our Peoples to bring about real political, social and
economic change. The human costs are too great to continue with
the status quo. To be effective a lasting solution will require our
concerted effort nation by nation right across this country, and I
believe it is achievable."
FEDERAL ELECTION (Continued on page 13)
JULY 1997
UBCIC NEWS
FEDERAL ELECTION (Continued from page 12)
"This is our country. Respect and recognition are the
solution to the Indian problem. People who came to this country
last week currently get more respect than the original peoples of
this Land. We are not a special interest group, we are the original
Peoples of this Land. We want to survive as Nations, not to blend
seemlessly into the Canadian mosaic.''
" W e do not want a repeat of what took place at
Gustafson Lake in B.C. or at Ipperwash in Ontario. The Liberal
government arrogantly avoids and denies the substantive
issues it must address to build a peaceful and lasting relationship
with Indian Peoples. This is evident in their plans to convert our
Nations to municipalities and our leaders to mayors. Our hopes and
aspirations as Peoples cannot be squashed into the existing system.
Real and immediate changes are necessary to recognize our
rightful place on this Land. Hopefully, members of this Parliament
will be courageous enough to work with us to achieve these
changes."
—30 —
INDIAN PEOPLES AND PACIFIC
S A L M O N TREATY TALKS
VANCOUVER, B.C. - JUNE 10, 1997- The Union of
B.C. Indian Chiefs issued these comments about the Pacific
Salmon Treaty talks which have lately received so much press
coverage.
In 1913 the C . N . Railway, while building its main track,
caused a rockslide at Hell's Gate. The Fraser River was entirely
blocked and twenty-two million salmon died. The Early Stuart
run was decimated. The fishery survived because Indian people
carried salmon over the rockslide enabling them to swim
upriver and spawn. The H e l l ' s Gate slide enabled the
Americans to get their boot in the door. The Americans assisted
Canada with money to clear the waterway and in return Canada
guaranteed the Americans a certain percentage of our fishery.
Chief Saul Terry, President of the Union of B.C.
Indian Chiefs, made these comments:
"Canada and B.C. have no credibility when they are
pounding the table and accusing the Americans of bullying
tactics. Indian Peoples in the Province know all about bullying
tactics over the fishery. We get it at home all of the time. Hour
Peoples fish for food or if we sell a couple of salmon to our
neighbour, we can be arrested and thrown in j a i l . "
"Indians within Washington State are entitled to 50%
of the total fishery catch of the state. Meanwhile, the Indian
Peoples within B. C. are reduced to begging for a few fish to feed
our families or to build our economies.
"It is admirable that the Premiere and DFO officials
have recognized the unfairness and inequity of a situation
where outside forces control access to the fishery resource.
Maybe now they can turn the insight onto themselves and act
fairly toward Indian Peoples with regards to the fishery.''
-30Contact Chief Saul Terry, Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, (604)
684-0231
JULY 1997
B.C. CHIEFS RESPOND TO TIMBER
JOB INITIATIVES
V A N C O U V E R - JUNE 19, 1997 -- the Chiefs of the Union of
B.C. Indian Chiefs offered these comments on Premier Clark's
announcement of the new Timber Jobs Initiatives Plan. The
U.B.C.I.C leaders were concerned that the Indian Peoples had
not been involved in the structuring of the plan, and raised
concerns that the plan does not address ultimate ownership of
the forestry resource or the manner in which forestry practices
severely impact the aboriginal rights of Indian Peoples.
Chief A r t Manuel, Neskonlith Indian Band and Chair of the
Shuswap Tribal
"There are interests who say that it would be racist to
give one special group timber. Yet the Provincial government
hasn't given one Indian one stick of timber in the Kamloops
timber supply area. I consider that racist.''
"We need a serious plan to protect wildlife resources
and values and not just jobs. We need to put in place a process
to certify forest product show i f the products come from an area
and through a process which is sustainably managed and
developed. We need a process of certification which shows
whether or not the forest practices respects our aboriginal
rights. At present, the Forest Practices Code is shallow because
it does not in corporate our aboriginal values.''
"I'm concerned about the definition of 'displaced forest
workers' My People have been displaced by the forestry
industry. Our traditional use, our hunting...we have been
displaced. More respect needs to be given to that fact. Forests
are very important to our Peoples and not just for wage jobs, but
for immediate sustenance and food. The forest workers who
worked 700 hours in the industry last year, should not get more
respect and credence than our Peoples.''
Chief Cassidy Sill, Ulkatcho and Chair Southern C a r r i e r
Tribal Council
"I can see that their old habits are still there, current
legislation, policy and programs exclude Indian altogether.
They have already announced a dollar commitment to the
I.W.A., we need parallel program dollars."
Chief Saul Terry, President of the Union of B . C . Indian
Chiefs and Chief of Bridge River:
"We need to work out ways to work together in a
political process, to share the resources. We are looking for
more than jobs. We are looking for a more meaningful role in
terms of the recognition of the social and economic importance
of the forestry to our Peoples. We want to participate in the
economy in a meaningful way, and not only to have temporary
jobs."
"We are concerned about the past destruction of our
forests. Some of our people are saying that they do not agree
with this plan: that the very people who caused the destruction
are being sent back out to repair the damage. We have to deal
with the unfinished business of the Land Question. We are
T I M B E R J O B I N I T I A T I V E S (Continued on page 16)
13
UBCIC NEWS
U B C I C TO P U B L I S H C L A I M S
RESEARCH GUIDE
T h e U n i o n of B C I n d i a n C h i e f s R e s e a r c h
D e p a r t m e n t h a s started p r e p a r i n g a m a n u a l o n land rights
r e s e a r c h in British C o l u m b i a . T h e g o a l of this publication
is t o a s s i s t n o n - p r o f e s s i o n a l , c o m m u n i t y - b a s e d
r e s e a r c h e r s in a c c e s s i n g a n d u s i n g a v a i l a b l e r e s o u r c e s for
their l a n d s r e s e a r c h projects.
T h e m a n u a l will be p u b l i s h e d by the U n i o n of B C
I n d i a n C h i e f s , a n d is s c h e d u l e d f o r S p r i n g 1 9 9 8
publication.
CLAIMS POLICY R E F O R M DISCUSSIONS CONTINUE
T h e A s s e m b l y of First N a t i o n s L a n d R i g h t s Unit a n d
the C h i e f s C o m m i t t e e o n C l a i m s h a v e b e e n w o r k i n g with
S p e c i f i c C l a i m s B r a n c h officials to identify f l a w s in t h e
e x i s t i n g p o l i c y a n d e x p l o r e the e s t a b l i s h m e n t of a n e w
I n d e p e n d e n t C l a i m s B o d y to be e s t a b l i s h e d through
legislation. T h e s e discussions h a v e been proceeding
d e s p i t e t h e lack of a f o r m a l p r o t o c o l c o m m i t t i n g the
F e d e r a l G o v e r n m e n t in writing to p o l i c y r e f o r m .
T h e r e h a v e b e e n a n u m b e r of m e e t i n g s o v e r t h e
last f e w m o n t h s , a n d there are s e v e r a l m o r e s e s s i o n s
s c h e d u l e d o v e r the next f e w w e e k s . T h e U B C I C h a s b e e n
r e p r e s e n t e d at t h e C h i e f s C o m m i t t e e o n C l a i m s b y
Neskonlith C h i e f and S h u s w a p Nation Tribal Council C h a i r
C h i e f A r t h u r M a n u e l a n d W a y n e H a i m i l a , w h o brings to
the task h i s e x p e r i e n c e with the J o i n t W o r k i n g G r o u p , t h e
p r e d e c e s s o r of the C h i e f s C o m m m i t t e e on C l a i m s .
T h e A F N ' s L a n d R i g h t s Unit will m a k e a d e t a i l e d
report updating the s c o p e a n d d i r e c t i o n of t h e s e policy
reform t a l k s at the A F N ' s A n n u a l G e n e r a l A s s e m b l y t a k i n g
p l a c e in V a n c o u v e r at the e n d of J u l y .
ABORIGINAL P E O P L E S CD-ROM
T h e N a t i o n a l A r c h i v e s of C a n a d a " A b o r i g i n a l
P e o p l e s " C D - R O M is finally a v a i l a b l e . T h i s r e s e a r c h tool
pulls t o g e t h e r in o n e p l a c e r e f e r e n c e s to a b o r i g i n a l p e o p l e
in certain g o v e r n m e n t record g r o u p s at t h e N a t i o n a l
A r c h i v e s of C a n a d a . It is particularly helpful for sifting
through the c o m p l e x i t i e s of R G 10 ( N a t i o n a l A r c h i v e s of
C a n a d a R e c o r d G r o u p 1 0 , c o n s i s t i n g of D e p a r t m e n t of
Indian A f f a i r s R e c o r d s ) . H o w e v e r , R e s e a r c h e r s must still
work t h r o u g h the R G 10 i n v e n t o r y a n d f i n d i n g - a i d s a n d
they s h o u l d be a w a r e that not all R G 10 finding aids w e r e
i n c l u d e d in the C D - R O M . R e s e a r c h e r s c a n c h e c k out t h e
A b o r i g i n a l P e o p l e s C D - R O M a n y t i m e at the C D - R O M
r e s e a r c h w o r k station in the U B C I C R e s o u r c e C e n t r e . Bill
R u s s e l l f r o m the N a t i o n a l A r c h i v e s , w h o h e l p e d d e v e l o p
this r e s e a r c h product, will be h o l d i n g a d e m o n s t r a t i o n
s e s s i o n a n d orientation at the U B C I C R e s o u r c e C e n t r e o n
F r i d a y , A u g u s t 15th f r o m 9 a m to 12 p . m . See you there!
Inco Attempts to Undermine
Environmental Assessment of
The Voisey Bay Project
lnnu Nation calls for Rejection of Construction Plans During
Environmental Review
For the third time i n three years, the Voisey's Bay Nickel
Company (a subsidiary of Inco) is attempting to build a road
and airstrip at Emish (Voisey's Bay) this summer - despite the
fact that the entire Voisey's Bay mining project is currently the
subject of an ongoing public environmental assessment under
an agreement between Canada, Newfoundland, the Labrador
Inuit Association and the lnnu Nation.
The lnnu Nation and the Labrador Inuit association
fought earlier attempts by the company to proceed with
construction at the site, and successfully negotiated a
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Canada and
Newfoundland which was intended to ensure a single,
comprehensive environmental review of the Voisey's Bay
Project. The M O U provides for a more rigorous examination of
the issues associated with this project than would be the case
under Canada or Newfoundland's E A legislation, and defines a
more appropriate and accessible process for lnnu and Inuit
participation i n the examination of the full scope of
environmental, cultural and social effects which may result
from the large large nickel mine that is being proposed on lnnu
and Inuit land.
Despite the fact that the assessment process is well
underway, and that last fall, the company itself agreed that the
entire project-including the infrastructure-should be subject to a
comprehensive environmental review, Voisey's Bay Nickel has
now submitted a separate registration for the infrastructure
under the provincial environmental assessment process on 21
May 1997. They have reversed their deci arguing that their
proposed infrastructure was not contemplated or included in the
mine-mill project that was submitted under the current
environmental assessment process being conducted under the
M O U . According to the company, this new infrastructure
proposal is merely intended to support advanced exploration
activities by providing improved access to the site. However,
the proposed road and airstrip are to be located in the same
locations and are only slightly smaller titan the permanent road
and airstrip being assessed under the M O U !
The lnnu Nation believes that Voisey's Bay Nickel is
once again attempting to undermine the environmental
assessment process and the work of the Environmental Review
Panel under the M O U in order to accelerate the development of
the mine and meet their ambitious production objectives. lnnu
objectives, which include the settlement of a land rights
agreement with government, the conclusion of an impactbenefits agreement with the company, and the completion of a
comprehensive environmental assessment of the environmental
and social impacts of the project are being undermined by
Inco's desire for quick profits.
The purpose of an environmental assessment is to predict
and evaluate the impacts of a project before irreversible
decisions are made, and use this information to make
appropriate, informed choices in project planning. Roads and
airstrips are irreversible decisions with real impacts. The lnnu
Nation believes that the entire project must be assessed as a
whole. The effects of individual parts of the project, like the
road and the airstrip, can only be appreciated and understood in
the context of tire mine they are intended to serve.
The company's piecemeal approach to project
development not only undermines the M O U process, which was
VOISEY BAY PROJECT (Continued on page 15)
14
JULY 1997
UBCIC NEWS
VOISEY BAY PROJECT (Continued from page 14)
intended to review and assess the project as a whole, but it
makes sense from a planning perspective. Proceeding with
infrastructure development prior to the completion of the
environmental assessment would make it nearly impossible for
the Panel to make responsible recommendations about how the
project should be planned in order to minimze the effect that it
will have on the environment as much of the infrastructure will
already be in place! There are still a number of difficult
problems, such as the safe and permanent disposal of mine
wastes, which must be resolved. Without a clear picture of the
whole project, it is possible that decisions taken today will have
to be changed later as these and other considerations are taken
into account, which will result in impacts which might have
been avoided with proper planning and assessment.
The Innu and Inuit w i l l have to l i v e w i t h the
consequences. FOR M O R E I N F O R M A T I O N : Innu Nation
Tel: (709) 497-8398 Fax: (709) 497-8396.
H y d r o Reviving' Great Whale
Front page, The (Montreal) Gazette, Saturday, 7 June
Seventeen months after the Parti Quebecois government
shelved Phase II of the James Bay hydroelectric project, it's
back on the table, and this time Hydro-Quebec has set its sights
on diverting two of the largest rivers in northern Quebec.
The plan was presented to Cree leaders in two meetings
this week in Montreal and Quebec City.
Hydro-Quebec and Cree officials say Hydro has proposed to
divert and drain die water of the Great Whale and Rupert rivers
into existing hydroelectric projects through a series of canals.
Crees waged a noisy six-year international campaign
against the original Great Whale proposal, which would have
diverted several rives into a series of reservoirs built along the
Great Whale River. The new proposal would not involve new
dams in die north, but would reduce the flow of the Great
Whale and Rupert rivers to a trickle.
Cree opposition was a major factor in Jacques Parizeau's
decision as premier to shelve the original project in December
1995 [note: it was actually November].
Cree leaders were shocked when they were informed of
the plans this week.
"It's going to be very difficult for the people to accept," said
David Masty, an official of the Great Whale community,
situated at die river's mouth.
I think people sent out a very strong message on that
already. It w i l l have the same impact as i f the river was
dammed.''
Under the proposal, the Great Whale River would be
diverted at its headwater, Lac Bienville, a lake about twice the
size of the island of Montreal. The river's flow would be
reduced by about 85 percent and the diverted water would flow
southward through more than 10 kilometres of canals into the
existing La Grand Hydro Complex. The Lac Bienville area is
home to the world's largest caribou herds.
Cree fears about the environmental and social effects of
hydro development were at the heart of the acrimonious debate
over the original Great Whale project.
The new plan would also redirect the Rupert River,
which flows through the heartland of Cree territory, northward
JULY 1997
to the East mam and La Grande complexes, at least 20 km
away. The two rivers provide drinking water to the
communities of Great Whale and Waskaganish, and to dozens
of hunting camps along their shores.
Shirley Bishop, an aide to Resources Minister Guy
Chevrette, at first denied knowledge of the proposal. Later
yesterday she confirmed that two meetings had been held
between Hydro-Quebec and Cree leaders, although she would
not reveal what was discussed.
"Hydro-Quebec hasn't talked to us about that," Bishop
said. "When they want to do something like that, they have to
ask the government first, and they haven't." Hydro-Quebec
spokesman Steve Flanagan confirmed that the meetings were
held to discuss possible projects along the Great Whale and
Rupert rivers, but said the plan involves only the ' 'partial
diversion'' of die rivers and no final decision has been made on
whether it will go ahead.
"These rivers, like many others in Quebec, have a
potential and we will see whether there is an economic
interest," Flanagan said. He said hydro-development in James
Bay is back on the table because of a desire to export power to
the United States and a rise in energy consumption in Quebec.
Earlier this week, the utility announced it would divert
four rivers into existing hydro projects on the Lower North
Shore and Lac St. Jean.
A US energy analyst said Hydro-Quebec has been selling
ever-increasing amounts of power to the north-eastern states
and is now desperate for more water to replenish its reservoirs,
winch have fallen to dangerously low levels.
' 'It seems Quebec took a big gamble and ended up
losing," said Ian Goodman, of the Goodman Group of Boston.
Goodman has worked as a consultant to the Crees. ' 'HydroQuebec appears to have oversold die province's energy and they
did so at less than what it costs to produce it.''
While Quebec has more than enough energy for domestic
levels, its energy supplies have fallen to critically low levels
because of its aggressive export program, said Goodman.
The National Energy Board says Hydro's experts to the
US have nearly tripled since 1990. Quebec exported five
terrawatt-hours of power in 1990, almost all to the US. This
rose to 17 terrawatt-hours in 1995 and fell somewhat to 13.9
terrawatt-hours last year.
Internal hydro-Quebec documents reveal that Quebec's
reservoir levels have fallen to 21 percent of their total capacity
Le Devoir reported Wednesday.
A battle appears to be brewing within the Quebec
government over the river diversions already announced.
Environment Minister David Clinche said Thursday that
any new Hydro-Quebec projects will be subjected to the same
environmental review as those of any other developer. But
Chevrette said deregulation in die energy industry means
information about water levels in reservoirs can't be made
public anymore because it would put Hydro-Quebec at a
commercial disadvantage.
N A T I V E FOREST N E T W O R K
Eastern North American Resource Centre
(802) 863-0571 Phone
(802) 862-2532 Fax
15
UBCIC NEWS
Letter from Innu People to Queen Elizabeth II
26 June 1997, Nitassinan
Madam,
We would like to bring to your attention the fact that the
Innu People of Labrador and Quebec - we call our homeland
Nitassinan - feel gravely threatened by the way our rights are
denied by the Canadian government.
We believe we are entitled as a People to full ownership
rights over the lands which we have lived upon since the
glaciers retreated from this peninsula 10,000 years ago. And
we believe that both natural justice an international law support
our position. As far as the Canadian government is concerned,
however, it is only prepared to discuss our land rights i f we first
agree to surrender our ownership. This is manifestly unfair and
unjust. It amounts to the bullying of a numerically small People
into the surrender of their birthright by a large and powerful
industrialized state.
The history of colonization here has been lamentable and
has severely demoralized our People. They turn now to drink
and self destruction. We have the highest rate of suicide in
North America. Children as young as 12 have taken their own
life recently. We feel powerless to prevent the massive mining
project now planned and many of us are driven into discussing
mere financial compensation, even though we know that he
mines and hydro-electric dams will destroy our land and our
culture and that money will not save us.
The Labrador part of Nitassinan was claimed as British
soil until very recently (1949), when without consulting us, your
government ceded it to Canada. We have never, however,
signed any treaty with either Great Britain or Canada. Nor
have we ever given up our right to self-determination.
The fact that we have become financially dependent on
the state which violates our rights is a reflection of our
desperate circumstances. It does not mean that we acquiesce in
those violations.
We have been treated as non-People, with no more rights
than the caribou which we depend and which are now
themselves being threatened by N A T O war exercises and other
so-called 'development'. In spite of this, we remain a People in
the fullest sense of the word. We have not given up, and we are
now looking to rebuild our pride and self esteem.
We have many friends in Great Britain where thousands
of ordinary people have spent many years supporting our rights.
We would like to count, you You Majesty, as one of those
friends.
Yours faithfully,
Tanien Ashini
Vice-President, Innu Nation
16
The Penticton Indian Band is extremely grateful and
very proud of the fact that many, of our adult Band members
have made the decision to seek treatment for their drug and
alcohol addictions. To date,over 200 adult members of our
community have attended various drug and alcohol treatment
centres throughout the Province. Our community has greatly
benefited from the positive impact these individuals have had
on our community.
Due to the generational nature of drug and alcohol
addiction, however, too many of our youth are currently dealing
with their own drug and alcohol addictions . This problem is
exacerbated by the fact that 75% of our populationis under 25
years of age. Further, this problem has undertaken a grave
dimension given the proliferation of drugs and drug dealers/
bootleggers who have decided to expoloit the aforementioned
circumstances.
Therefore, we would greatly appreciate any and all
copies ob bylaws, Band Council Resolutions, letters or notices
which you may have prepared and used to prohibit drug trafficking and bootlegging in your communitites. In adition, we
would also greatly appreciate copies of any bylaws or Band
Council Resolutions you may have enacted or drafted to expel
undesirable individuals from your communities.
Sincerely yours
Chief Stewart Phillip
O K A N A G A N NATION
TIMBER JOB INITIATIVES (Continued frompage13)
dealing with the water quality, wildlife...harvesting from the
forests to sustain our Peoples."
Chief Alex Paul, Chehalis Band
' 'The current practices of the Ministry of Forests in
dealing with aboriginal Peoples are insulting, degrading and
pave the way for confrontation. We are tired of seeing logs
rolling out of our territory day by day while our people sit on the
sidelines collecting welfare."
Chief Stewart Phillip, Penticton Band
" I f this new initiative does not provide us with jobs and
opportunities it is meaningless to us. If we are not
meaningfully involved in the forestry industry: the Province
will trigger a backlash within our community forcing First
Nations to consider the formation of coalitions with
environmental organizations such as Green Peace's
involvement on King Island."
Chief Frank Boucher, Red Bluff and Vice-President Union
of B.C. Indian Chiefs
"The forestry industry has unilaterally displaced a whole
range of user groups, including our people, and has forced our
people into towns and onto reserves. The Province takes a huge
portion of its funding from the forestry industry. Indian
governments at the Band level should be funded to the same
degree that the Provincial government is. The forestry industry
should be major contributor to our budgets, these are our
resources."
-30-
JULY 1997
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 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 die British Columbia Ministry
of Environment, 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" x 36" / Scale: 1:2 000 000 / Six Colours
JULY 1997
17
UBCIC NEWS
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JULY 1997
Union of B.C. Indian Chiets
NEWSLETTER
JULY 1997
Provincial Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs
wants to eliminate the tax exemption of status Indians.
7 he provincial Select Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs’, composed of members from all parties in
the Legislature, released its Recommendations. While the Standing Committee was originally supposed to seek public
input into the Nisga’a Agreement in Principle, their Recommendations explore a wider range of issues. If the province
adopts the Recommendations, aboriginal title and rights will be increasingly threatened, as the recommendations impact not
only treaty negotiations, but all areas of Indian peoples’ rights and title.
While many Indian people were horrified at the manner in which the Nisga’a AIP drastically increased provincial
interference and authority over Indian matters, the Recommendations want to cut back from the standards established in
Nisga’a.
Some of the main points of the Recommendations are:
IN THIS ISSUE... Making Indians into administration which the door open to their
2. President's Message Tax Paying includes. tasallOns participation’’
it Sacred Rati ‘*Citizens”’ business licensing, > Approximate size and
aac a zoning, public works, location of the
4. World Leaders Conference » Eliminate the tax policing, financial settlement lands [which
on Trade exemption for status administration, will be to a maximum
% Aconstiniion ie Indians. Indians should marriage, adoption, of 5% of an Indian
Corporations pay income tax, sales local health and local community/nation’s
6. IIG Celebrates tax, and GST education. traditional territory]
. . 7 regardless if we work should be identified
" waite ee or purchase goods on Money For Nothing early in the process
pote ge UISeMS en ae ath reserve. and Tricks For Free so that development
8. National Chief of the > Creation of a “‘Cash can proceed over the
Assembly of First Nations Master’s of Our Own for Land’’ formula rest of the land.
10. Resource Centre Update Poverty to simplify the sale of > All treaties should
Vi. Jitieeneuel Peoples athe > Eliminate the Indian Indian lands to the include ‘‘certainty
United Nations Act for a form of “‘self provincial Crown language’’ which
12. UBCIC's Press Releases Boverminent waneh jnrougn sear clearly establishes that
24, acai aan translates to the > The province should the ‘‘First
: eas ™ peaks administration of social “focus its resources Nation”’’ involved in
Whale: Propos4 governments self- treaty process but to recognize underlying
16. Letter from Innu People to finance. Self continue to talk to provincial title and
Qos Elvan government will be a those outside the jurisdiction over all
form of self process so as to keep non-settlement lands.
oo BORER ESP
1
JULY 1997
UBCIC NEWS
Tricks Continued from Page I
> The BCTC should offer incentives to encourage
“‘numerically larger groups of First Nations to
negotiate’’
> To speed negotiations the provincial government will
offer financial incentives, including time-dependent
loan rebates, to those “‘First Nations’’ willing to
negotiate quickly.
>» Any future treaties should not include a commercial
allocation of a fishery, unless a particular group has
gone to court to prove that they have a right to a
commercial fishery.
» Annual fishery allocations should be decided by the
federal and provincial governments.
> The province should have ultimate authority for the
management of wildlife, including the ability to
allocate game to Indian peoples.
>» Where the province 1s willing to acknowledge Indian
Jurisdiction to manage resources, this is usually only
to the extent that Indian standards “‘meet or exceed’’
provincial standards or do not contradict provincial
laws.
> Treaties should be ratified by a free vote in the
provincial legislature.
Under Their Thumb
> All self government agreements will be subject to the
Canadian Constitution, Charter or Rights and
Freedoms, and the Criminal Code.
The ABC’s of Treaty Making: Coming soon to a
Grade School near you
> The BCTC should step up its public information
campaign, including working with the Ministry of
Education to develop school cirriculum.
Look who came for dinner!
>» Third parties should develop a compensation package
for any third party legal interests in Crown land as a
result of treaty settlements. While offering monetary
compensation to third parties the province should offer
an apology to Indian peoples for the past wrongs done
by the province.
>» Third party interests should have greater input and
involvement in treaty negotiations. This could include
paying the travel expenses of third parties to enable
their involvement in negotiations.
B.C Treaty Commission [997 Annual Report:
Troubled By Definition of “First Nation" and Selling Secret Negotiations
The British Columbia Treaty Commission (the “‘BCTC’’) recently released its 1997 Annual Report. Several
issues highlighted in the Annual Report are troublesome. In particular, the ‘public information’’ campaign which has been
launched by the BCTC in classrooms across the province, the definition of *‘First Nations’’ which are involved in the BC treaty
process, and the criteria of “‘openness’’ in treaty negotiations which dramatically reduces the information available to Indian
peoples about the deals that their ‘‘First Nation’’ governments and negotiators are making on their behalf.
Public Information Campaign:
The BCTC has decided that it needs to sell treaties to
British Columbians and will assume an ‘“‘expanded role in
public education’’. The BCTC has hired a communications
manager and ts “‘working in cooperation with educators to
ensure there are appropriate information materials on the BC
treaty process in the classroom.’’ The BCTC has plans to
actively encourage media interest in treaty making and
distribute a video of their version of the treaty process to all
school resource centres and libraries in the province.
As part of its ‘‘public information’’ campaign aimed at
building public support for treaties in BC, the BCTC has
worked on a handbook entitled ‘‘Understanding the B.C.
Treaty Process”’ with the First Nations Schools Association,
Tripartite Public Education Committee (First Nations Summit,
BC, and Canada), B.C. Teacher’s Federation and the B.C.
Treaty Commission (the ““Handbook’’).
The Handbook will be used to teach all children within
the British Columbia school system, including Indian children,
about Indian peoples and our rights. Our children are our
future, and if we allow BC children to be taught this
information, what sort of future can we look forward to?
The Handbook strongly promotes the BC Treaty Process
as the only solution available, does not give an accurate or full
description of the extent of Indian nights and title to the land
and reduces our aspirations for self determination into a stunted
form of self administration where Indian people have
permission to deliver *‘culturally appropriate’’ soctal services.
The Handbook states that treaties may involve a small
portion of provincial Crown lands the title of which will be
handed over to a ‘First Nation’’, the starting point of the
Handbook is that Indian peoples do not have title to our
homelands, and that the only legal title Indians can achieve is
that which we bargain for through treaties.
Continued Page Ib
la
JULY 1997
UBCIC NEWS
Definition of ‘‘First Nations’: Who is Canada and BC
willing to negotiate with to gain access and ownership of
your lands and resources?
The Annual Report touches repeatedly on issues such as
overlap (both with other Indian nations, and also within one
nation where only Band/First Nation has entered treaty
negotiations) where Canada and the province are negotiating
with ‘‘First Nations’’ with dubious authority to treaty over
lands which they do not hold exclusive aboriginal title and
jurisdiction over. The Annual Report ‘‘recognizes the need to
remain flexible in determining what ts a First Nation for treaty
purposes. The challenge is to be fair, and yet reinforce the
concept of nationhood to preserve the integrity of the process.’’
It is obviously impossible to establish ‘‘certainty’’ and ensure
that the province has gained possession of a piece of land
where there are overlapping Indian claims to a portion of land
and only one Indian community or nation is willing to make a
deal.
The reason that the federal and provincial governments
are willing to enter into treaties ts the fact that Indian peoples
have legally recognized aboriginal title and rights to lands and
resources, From the government’s perspective this creates
“‘uncertainty’” in that their own jurisdiction and tenure over
unceded Indian lands is uncertain. However, when ‘‘First
Nations’’ enter into treaties they do so on the basis that title to
aboriginal lands and resources ultimately rests with the Crown,
both federal and provincial, and are negotiating for title on the
province's terms.
So long as Indian people have not surrendered their
lands or entered into treaties with Canada Indian title over the
land continues to exist. Legally and morally, Indian people
have not given their surrender or their consent to the
possession of Indian lands and resources to any outside
government, While the BCTC ts careful to say that they do
not “‘extinguish’’ aboriginal ttle or rights, they “‘define’’ the
extent of aboriginal rights and interest in lands. When
something is exhaustively defined and set out it is limited.
Any aboriginal title and rights not specifically listed in the
agreement will, for practical purposes, cease to exist. In
Signing a treaty agreement which defines aboriginal rights all
rights not specifically set forth within the agreement will be
effectively surrendered.
This is an issue which obviously concerns the BCTC
greatly, as it illustrates the illegitimacy of the entire BC treaty
process. Asa result of these concerns, the BCTC has spent a
considerable amount of energy in defining “‘First Nation’’ as
‘‘an aboriginal governing body, organized and established by
aboriginal people with a mandate from its constituents to enter
into treaty negotiations on their behalf with Canada and
British Columbia’’.
The BCTC’s definition of a First Nation includes those
Band governments set up under the Indian Act. A Band is not
an Indian Nation, it is simply one community or tribe in a
larger ‘‘Nation’’ of people. Negotiating with a Band is the
equivalent of negotiating for the rights of the country of
Canada with the province of Prince Edward Island. As all
resources and lands within a Nation belong to the People of the
Nation as a whole, no one community has any nght to alienate
or bargain away the rights and entitlements of the entire
Nation. The lack of legitimacy of this process is obviously a
point of concern for the BCTC.
Openness: The only good negotiations are carried on in
secret,
Part of the “‘public information”’ campaign of the
BCTC is to stress the need for secret negotiations. Closed
negotiations would seem to be in direct contradiction with
Indian government which operates on a consensual decision
making model. Small teams of negotiators or leaders do not
have the authority or capacity to make binding decisions which
will forever alter the rights of our future generations. If
negotiations cannot be carried on under the full view of the
members of an indian community, how valid are they?
*““Open sessions work well in framework negotiations
[the “‘table of contents’’ section of treaty negotiations] and in
the early stages of agreement-in-principle
negotiations.... However, once the negotiations advance, the
difficult task of finding solutions begins. If the only forum for
negotiations is open there will be little opportunity for the
parties to have a safe environment in which they can explore
options and look for innovative solutions.’ Negotiations done
in secret are defined as ‘‘safe’’, which implies that the
negotiations would not be safe if people whose rights are being
negotiated had full knowledge
Why is the appearance of openness, but not actual
openness so important to the success of the BC treaty process?
The BCTC identifies two stages to the treaty making process:
(1) developing a mandate and (2) negotiation. The message of
the Annual Report is that it is impossible to develop support
for the treaty (the mandate) without openness, yet there can be
no successful negotiations with too much openness (if the
people actually know what is being negotiated, they will no
longer support the process).
UBCIC WORKSHOPS
The UECIC is developing workshops
to inform Indian people and communities
about the impact of the B.C. Treaty proc-
ess on our Aboriginal Title and Rights.
We are prepared to offer this work-
PIC Memos tibet mee celle
bands, tribal councils etc.
For more information please contact
the UBCIC Vancouver office:
oth Floor - 342 Water Street
Vancouver, B.C. V6B 1B6
Tel: (604)684-0231 Fax: (604)684-5726
E-Mail: ubcicabc.sympatico.ca
JULY 1997
lb
UBCIC NEWS
Chief Saul Terry, X'wisten
rail
hat is investigative
& & journalism? Is it a
book review of a current book
on Indians? Is it coverage of
Royal commission reports com-
missioned by the governmen-
tal on pipelines, fishing, for-
estry, and water resources? Or
is it found in newspaper col-
ummns under a tenured journal-
ists by-line? I pose these ques-
tions because it seems to me
that virtually all investigative
reporting in Canada on "Na-
live Issues” is limited to these
kinds of articles. For the most
part, however, good investiga-
tive reporting on Indian issues
is not undertaken by journal-
ists, not asked for by editors,
and not published or broadcast
by owners of the mass media.
This is true nationally -- and
it's particularly the case here is
Bnitsh Columbia.
So-called “ethnic” or
minority groups in B.C. see in
this state of affairs more than
Just a predetermined choice of
issues, values or "voice" by the
white mainstream media. In
general, it raises a fundamen-
tal issue for a democratic soci-
ety: majority power versus pro-
tection of minority rights -- es-
pecially the right to be heard
and understood, without which
the nghts of free speech and
expression are meaningless.
For us as Indian people
today, the mass media's treat-
ment of our lives and the issues
Message Mromn
The President
UNION OF B.C. INDIAN CHIEFS
Investigative Journalism and Indian
Rights
that are most important tous is
a cause for concern and even
outrage. In B.C. we see the
media not simply affected by
bias but burdened by the values
and ideology that justify the
racist history of this province
and its relations with our First
Nations.
When issues affecting
the lives of Indian people are
by the Canadian government.
This documentation can show
that under the co-opted rheto-
ric of "Indian Self-Govern-
ment” Canada 1s revitalizing
its historic colonialist policies
of assimilation and termina-
tion of Indian identity. These
policies have always been geno-
cidal in their ultimate objec-
tive, and never more so than
"When it comes to Indian stories there is a fine,
easily-crossed line between editing and censorship—
censorship that invariably serves the.interests of the
government and the economic power-brokers in
Canada and this province.”
Indian life is never pursued. It
is in the political arena where
the root causes of our people's
distress lie and where, tn the
end, solutions must be found.
Has the press, radio and
TV been totally co-opted by the
economic, political and bureau-
cratic forces aligned against our
people? The absence on jour-
nalistic investigation of the
Buffalo Jump of the 1980's and
subsequent policies indicates
to me that this is indeed the
case.
To illustrate my point, I
cite an investigative report pub-
lished in 1987 by the Arizona
Republic, the daily newspaper
examined by the news media,
they are usually treated in tso-
lation from the ongoing politi-
cal struggle of Indian Nations
in B.C., in Canada, and indeed
throughout the world for rec-
ognition of our Aboriginal T1-
tle, our Right of Self-Govern-
ment, and our Right to a share
of the economic benefits that
others derive from unceded
Indian lands and resources.
In British Columbia, our
people struggled for survival
on a daily basis against the
concerted efforts of the provin-
cial government, the federal
government andits Department
of Indian Affairs to extinguish
aboriginal rights. Much like
ten years ago we can document
the political aggression being
waged against Indian Nations
today. There is an important
story here. Politically this is
critical for our Indtan Nations.
Yet the story in Canada is
largely ignored by the mass
media. Why?
The formidable and un-
precedented challenges faced
by Indian Nations in British
Columbia today are truly news-
worthy and cry out for in-depth
investigation by the mass me-
dia. But instead we see a con-
tinuation of stories which sen-
sationalize and stereotype In-
dian people (in the guise of
"human Interest") or which
superficially examine their so-
cial, economic, or health con-
ditions. Research and analysis
of the political dimensions of
of Phoenix witha circulation of
3000,000. The article, "Fraud
in Indian country: abillion dol-
lar betrayal," investigated the
U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs
and located "Indian problems"
in the political arena where
they belong. For six months, a
ten-person investigative team
gathered statistical data from
across the United States. The
reports documented gross mis-
management by the Bureau
from top to bottom. They ex-
posed the corruption which
cnppled Indian communities
as a whole, from lands and
resources by way of trusts, to
health, housing, education and
social assistance. The report
concluded that the Bureau of
Indian Affairs was the cause of
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT (Continued on page 7)
2
JULY 1997
UBCIC NEWS
LONG RUNNING RAINFOREST BLOCKADE
ENDS WITH 24 ARRESTS HEREDITARY
CHIEF AGAIN ARRESTED FOR
PROTECTING SACRED RAINFOREST
(KING ISLAND, BRITISH COLUMBIA,
_ CANADA)-- JUNE 24, 1997 -- Twenty
) four people were arrested this morning in
one of British Columbia’s longest
running and most effective protests to
stop clear-cutting of the province’s ancient rainforests. The
blockade by Nuxalk First Nation and four environmental
groups, stopped all clear-cut logging by international Forest
Products (Interfor) at Ista on King Island for a total of eighteen
days.
Forty members of the RCMP descended on the biockade
at 6:45 this morning, and arrested 24 people who were
preventing Interfor contractors from clear-cut logging Ista.
Nuxalk Hereditary Chief Qwatsinas (Edward Moody) was
iminediately arrested at the blockade for the second time tn
two years, along with five other members of the Nuxalk
Nation. Other arrestees included 13 Canadian, five Europeans
and one from the US. All arrestees refused to sign a ‘terms of
release’ form at the site, and have been flown down to
Vancouver to appear before a Supreme Court of Canada judge
on Wednesday at 10 AM.
The RCMP climbing team was also on site, and scaled a
large tripod built from logs erected at the edge of a 37 hectare
clear-cut, (the size of 74 football fields) removing a Nuxalk
and Belgian woman. The RCMP also cut away a Canadian
and German woman who were locked onto a grapple yarder - a
large piece of logging equipment used to load logs from a
clear-cut.
‘“My mother has been arrested for protecting Ista. My
grandfather was arrested too.’’ Said Colette Schooner, 16, of
the Nuxalk Nation who has been sitting in the tnpod for |}
days. “‘Now I am here for the youth and future generations to
stop the clear-cutting of this sacred rainforest.”’
‘“‘Having witnessed the huge clearcuts at Ista, I am
surprised and shocked that Canada still allows this kind of
logging to take place.’’ Said Patricia Fromm of Germany, who
was locked to the grapple yarder.
The blockade site Ista on King Island is sacred to the
Nuxalk Nation. It is the place, according to the Nuxalk
creation story, where the first woman descended to the world.
The Great Bear Rainforest, of which Ista is a part, is of
extreme ecological importance because it contains the world’s
largest remaining areas of temperate rainforest in the world.
The King Island blockade began on June 6 after eight
hereditary chiefs of the Nuxalk Nation invited
environmentalists to the area to participate in an effort to stop
the clear-cut logging.
‘‘We are thankful that our allies have responded to our
invitation to stop the clear-cutting of our territory by Interfor’’
stated Head Hereditary Chief Nuximlayc of the Nuxalk Nation.
Ista was the site of 22 arrests in 1995, 17 of which were
Nuxalk first nations peoples. Now in 1997, there have been
more arrests and stil! the clearcutting of Ista and many other
rainforest valleys continues.
‘Instead of nling up the people of BC with his anti-
environmental rhetoric, Glen Clarke would do well to start
listening to the people of BC, who have today given up their
rights and freedom in defense of this locally sacred and globally
important rainforest.’’ commented Gavin Edwards, spokesperson
for the Forest Action Network.
Meanwhile, a second logging protest has begun further
south as six Greenpeace activists boarded a fully loaded log barge
laden with ofd growth rainforest, unfurling a banner reading
‘Don’t Buy Rainforest Destruction.’’ The log barge, carrying
trees cut by Interfor, has just made its way to Port Hardy on
Northern Vancouver Island. RCMP officers are currently on the
scene.
For More Information Contact:
Gavin Edwards
FOREST ACTION NETWORK
Box 625, Bella Coola, BC, Canada VOT ICO
TEL: (250) 799-5800 FAX: (250) 799-5830
1997 North American
Indigenous Games
VICTORIA, BC, CANADA
AUGUST 3-10, 1997
The North American Indigenous Games are a truly unique
event. Unlike most major Games, the emphasis on culture
is equally as strong as the emphasis on sport. The reason
for this is rooted in Aboriginal philosophy which teaches that
the four spheres - the spiritual, physical, mental and emo-
tional must all be present for balance and harmony.
The Elders teach us that in order to achieve good health and
wholeness, sport and culture must be part of each other.
They form an indivisible Circle with no beginning and no
end,
This is the spirit of the NAIG, to Celebrate the Circle!
For More Information Call 250-361-1997
JULY 1997
UBCIC NEWS
WORLD LEADERS CONFERENCE ON TRADE
On November 18-26, 1997 the Asian Pacific Economic
Cooperation will meet in Vancouver to discuss trade and
investment opportunities. The reason the Asian Pacific countries
formed an alliance is because the World Trade Organization is
a monitoring and dispute resolution body, and the Asian Pacific
Economic Cooperation (or APEC) wants to build a powerhouse
to sidestep the powerful World Trade Organization (or WTO).
APEC wants to eliminate global tariffs for at least 15 new
economic sectors and move quickly to identify specific products
and services for which they can eliminate duties and quotas
instead of waiting for another round of negotiations on global
free trade at the World Trade Organization. Once a large number
of APEC countries agree on the outline ofa deal, negotiations can
be moved to the WTO which has 130 member countries (the last
group of global negotiations took seven years to complete). WTO
agreements are binding and subject to dispute settlement. The
United States and Canada have been pushing for APEC to gain
more prominence because they believe it’s easier to get deals
among a smaller group ofcountries that are large enough to carry
enough weight to intervene on the world scene. Critics of APEC
are concerned that deals reached through APEC will not be
subject to the same scrutiny as those negotiated throughthe WTO
or the North American Free Trade Agreement known as NAFTA.
One example is the fact that Canada is rich in minerals,
energy and forests and will attract investment in these sectors.
This will certainly place a lot of pressure on the lands and
resources of Aboriginal Peoples. The Union of B.C. Indian
Chiefs joined The Issues Forum of The 1997 Peoples Summit and
sits onthe Vancouver Steering Committee. We are there to assist
in providing a forum for Indigenous Peoples.
(Excerpts regarding APEC & WTO was taken from L.
Eggertson article in the Globe & Mail, May 12th issue. Up-
date on the Peoples Summit will be given in each UBCIC
Bulletin)
UBCIC PRESS RELEASE
Robert Manuel’s Candidacy
for AFN National Chief
VANCOUVER, B.C. - July 3, 1997 -- Chief Saul Terry,
stated today, that the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs is pleased at the
announcement that former Chief and President Robert Manuel is
putting his name forward to serve as National Chief of the
Assembly of First Nations. Chief Terry had these comments:
‘“The challenge of the position is to
maintain, protect and enhance the aboriginal
and treaty rights of all Indigenous Peoples. Our
unceded lands in British Columbia need to be
protected and we need a strong National Chief to
do this. His local, regional, national and
international political experience, along with
the knowledge of the treaty and aboriginal rights
principles gives Robert Manuel asolid foundation
to launch a substantive political position.
The position of National Chief is a very
difficult one, and | applaud all candidates who
have the courage to vie for this challenging
position. Indian Peoples can only benefit from
having these six leaders willing to give so
generously of their time and effort in their
committment to Indian Peoples.’’
Quesnel Chief Nominates
Robert Manuel
Bella Coola - Lhtako Chief Frank Boucher, Jr. of Quesnel has
nominated Robert (Bobby) Manuel for National Chief.
Speaking from Bella Coola, Chief Boucher said: "I
believe Bobby Manuel will listen to the grass roots people. He
has strong ideals and good character which | can attest to as I
have known him a long time." Chief Boucher and Bobby
Manuel both attended Camosun College together in the
1970's,
"The Assembly of First Nations needs to be restructured
to regain its role as the voice of all First Nations within Canada.
[ believe Bob Manuel has the qualities to achieve the goal," said
Boucher.
In the past few years, the AFN has been made into a
service delivery agent while they have been bypassed by Ottawa
on political issues.
"With over 25 years of political experience, Manuel has
the ability to see that Ottawa's assimilationist agenda is ex-
posed, " said Boucher. “Our inherent Aboriginal rights are
strong - we must not negotiate them away."
Frank Boucher, Jr. has been Vice-President of the Union
of British Columbia Indian Chiefs for the past four years and
Chief of Lhtako (formerly Red Bluff) for the past 23 years.
Boucher is a Southern Carmier of the Athapaskan Lan-
guage group while Manuel is a Secwepemc (Shuswap) of the
Salish language group.
Contact: Chief Frank Boucher Jr. Lhatko office:
(250) 747-2900
- 30 -
JULY 1997
UBCIC NEWS
A Constitution For
Corporations
While concerned citizens everywhere go about fighting the
erosion of rights in every facet of their lives, out of sight of the
world’s public, two powerful processes are under way to remove
most of the remaining barriers to, and controls on, the global
mobility of capital. Most Canadians know nothing about these
process, which will entrench rules of global investment in favour
of transnational corporations and grant investors the unrestricted
right to buy, sell and move their businesses at their discretion.
The World Trade Organization set up a working
committee at its December 1996 meeting to study a Multilateral
Investment Agreement -- the MIA -- after developing countries
slowed the push by the US and Europe to fast-track the process.
Although the group is mandated to report back at the next WFO
meeting in two years, Director General Renato Ruggiero made it
clear that, in time, the MIA will be the centrepiece of the WTO.
““We are writing,”’ he said, “‘the constitution of a single global
economy,’’
Meanwhile, the Organization for Economic Co-operation
and Development is planning to ratify the Multilateral
Agreement on Investment (MAJ) at its ministerial meeting in May
of this year. The stated objective of the US is ‘‘to obtain a high-
standard multilateral investment agreement that will protect US
investors abroad.’’ While there are some variations between the
proposed treaties, the OECD process is designed to establish the
ground rules and precedents that will then be incorporated into the
larger venue of the WTO,
The purpose of both treaties is to reduce or eliminate the
capacity of national and sub-national governments to limit the
degree and nature of foreign investment or to impose standards of
behavior on investors. They would sharply restrict the ability of
government everywhere to shape investment policy to promote
social, economic or environmental goals.
The MAI minces no words. It wants to “‘outlaw’’ national
practices that limit access of foreign capital to government
contracts and privatization programs, demand that foreign
companies hire or purchase locally if they are allowed to operate
inside the country and protect key sectors of their economy, such
as transport, energy, real estate or financial services.
Noting that “‘to conquer a market one needs to be present
as a producer’’, the MAI includes a ‘‘general commitment to
grantthe legal nght for foreigners to operate and invest competitively
in all sectors of the economy.’’ It proposes free, unregulated access
for global investors and investments and national treatment nights
for transnational corporations that would prevent any nation from
favouring local industry, farmers or resource companies.
The investment treaty would grant corporations the ‘‘freedom
to make financial transfers’, wipe out national merger control and
anti-trust legislation enforcement measures and even address
national ‘taxation, labour or environment policies.’’ The MAI is
calling for a “*standstill’’ commitment so that countries could not
introduce any new restrictions on foreign capital in the future and
a ‘‘roll-back’’ commitment to eliminate all current measures
that ‘‘run counter to liberalization.’
Most distressingly, the MAI would confer on private
investors the same rights and legal standing as national
governments to enforce the terms of the treaty. Under this
provision, MAI violations by governments could be challenged by
private investors through a binding dispute resolution system using
economic sanctions. As well, the MAI could prevent governments
from distinguishing between foreign investors or foreign targets
based on countnes’ human rights, labour or other records and pre-
empt strategies for restricting corporate flight to low-wage havens.
JULY 1997
This treaty would amount to nothing less than a global
charter of nghts and freedoms for transnational corporations in
every nation of the world. Canadians have already had a taste of
what this would mean, as these same rights exist for the corporations
ofour continent under the North American Free Trade Agreement.
As many of us predicted, free trade has left Canadian industry,
culture and resources totally vulnerable to takeover by American
business interests and profoundly undermined our ability to
maintain our own social, cultural and environmental laws.
Yet the Canadian government has become the world’s
foremost cheerleader for economic globalization and is acting asa
stalking horse for the US in its campaign to promote these
investment treaties. That Canada is any part of this should bring
shame to all Canadians. For the government of Jean Chretien, who
ran against NAFTA and corporate domination and promised to
protect Canadian resources, social programsand culture, itis an act
of stunning hypocrisy.
Reprinted with permission from Canadian Forum
by Maude Barlow
"VOICE OF THE PEOPLES"
GATHERING
TO REAFFIRM OUR ABORIGINAL
TITLE AND RIGHTS
JULY 11 & 12 1997
Cayoose Creek Campgrounds
Silatl'imx Nation
"Building Indian Government
Together as Nations"
Co-hosted by Cayoose Creek Indian Band, Sti'atl'imx
Nation and Unionof B.C. Indian Chiefs
Contacts:
Cayoose Creek Indian Band - Chief Perry Redan (250) 256-4136
Stl'atl'imx Nation - Tribal Chief Mike Leach (250) 256-7523
Union of BC Indian Chiefs - Mildred Poplar (604) 684-0231
UBCIC NEWS
An historical event for First Nations peopie! On May 23rd, 1997, families, friends,
students, faculty, staff and onlookers applauded as two Associate of Aris degrees and
two Certificates in Indigenous Government Studies was awarded. Shauna-Leigh
Maloney and Theodore Andrew Francis were the first in history to receive an Associate
of Arts degree from Canada’s first autonomous degree-granting First Nation Post-
Secondary institution. Certificates in Indigenous Government Studies were awarded to
Melanie Elizabeth Gladstone and Randolph G. Timothy. Congratulations to the
students, families and the institute!!!
Hosted at the Open University, an Institute partner in learning, the convocation
highlighted the importance of inter-institutional co-operation in achieving First
Nations’ educational needs
Chief Saul Terry, President of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) and Chair
of the Board of Governors, proudly witnessed the historical moment in Indigenous
culture and education. It was six years ago that a resolution was passed at the UBCIC’s
Annual General Assembly to establish
the Institute of Indigenous Government.
‘*The success of each student at the IG
is therefore a success for our Nations as
a whole. With strength, courage,
Grand Chief Bernard Charles and Resident determination and hard work, our
Elder Nirkuschin (Glen Douglas) success is inevitable.
Stated by Grand Chief Bernard Charles, President of IIG, ‘‘We have come
together as a way to remember this day in history, the first time in Canada that an
independent Indigenous post-secondary institution has granted a degree. This was a
dream of our visionaries and an element that is carried forward in the diversity of
Indigenous experiences and values
represented in our student body
and faculty.”’
Addressing the Graduation
class, Judge Alfred Scow reflected
on his own education and on the as
question of relevance that followed wheuees ah WV pal oxneny
him throughout the non-Indigenous system. “‘I learned as a boy, he said to tend
cattle when J saw all around me people who harvest fish! Today, these students
have a means to learn without giving up the culture and tradition that is so much a
part of them.”’
The Dean of Academic Affairs, Dan Gottesman, noted the standards of
excellence that the IIG’s first graduating class had established. ‘The work of these
students is part of this Institute. They have both completed a program and helped
to make it what it is. The have created academic as well as personal
benchmarks for those who follow them.
The ceremony was punctuated by the thoughtful words and actions of IG
Resident Elders, Nirkuschin (Glen Douglas), X/a-lelweik (Flora Dawson), and
Simoigit Ha’g be gwatxw (Ken Harris). In addition, Tsimalano (Vincent Stogan
Sr.) performed a Calling of the Witnesses Ceremony, welcoming all to traditional
Musqueam Territory.
If you would like more information on how you can be apart of this exciting educational opportunity, contact the IIG at (604)
602-9555 or fax (604) 602-3432 or visit our Web at http:/Avww.indigenous.be.ca.
Applications are being accepted for the Fall I 997
and the Winter 1998 semesters rl
6 JULY 1997
UBCIC NEWS
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE (Continued from page 2)
the problems that were mani-fested in Indian communities.
It was further evident to the press that American Indian victims could
not overcome their oppression by the American government and the
B.L.A. without help from an informed American public. So the story
was published in the newspaper. Today those Indian people are
pursuing a class action suit.
Now the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs knows that similar and at
times identical problems exist in British Columbia and Canada. And
we have made available documentation and analysis that could be used
to expose, corrupt and destruct government policies and assist in
bringing about the dismantling of the Department of Indian Affairs and
put in its place alternative options. But my experience with news
journalists tells me that reporting in this country is a one way street.
That is to say, reporters phone my office regularly to inquire "what's
new?" and I am expected to supply Indian news or elaborate upon some
Indian story they may wish to develop. This exchange 1s always one-
sided, however, without exception, journalists do not pursue the
political "news" | give them as President of the UBCIC. They do not
go after the additional documentation and interviews that would venfy
our Chiefs' considered view that the politicians and bureaucrats delib-
erately frame Indian Affairs policies to oppress Indian people and
further entrench their dependence and poverty.
Could it be that we do not have proper investigative journalism
in this country because media ownership is monopolized by business
interests that work hand-in-glove with government to maintain the
status quo? Or perhaps the media moguls believe that we live in a just
society, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary when it comes
to the lives of Indian people. When it comes to Indian stories, there is
a fine, easily-crossed line between editing and censorship -- censorship
that invariably serves the interests of the government and the economic
power-brokers in Canada and this province.
Morrisseau vs, Bennet
T V. Fish Story:
It is my expenence during my terms in office as President that
the media has not offered the public much in the way of in-depth
reporting and political analysis. What makes matters worse, however,
is that, as the political offensive against Indian Nations and Indian
lands in B.C. rolls forward, it becomes increasingly difficult for our
political organization to obtain financial support for professional
research an analysis -- ammunition that is essential for us to campaign
effectively in the political arena and ensure the survival of our people
into the 21st century. So itis very important to us that journalist take
every opportunity to senously investigate and report on Indian Issues
in B.C, and Canada. More than ever, we need the statistical data and
hard evidence uncovered to enable us to better protect our people, our
lands and our resources.
But this is not just an Indian story. In the long run, I believe
that everyone in society will benefit from a renewed commitment to dig
hard and deep into the politica! strata of Indian life in B.C. Ifthe news
media fully informs and educates the public -- am confident that truth
will be served and justice done by our people. In this event, Bntish
Columbians as a whole will benefit spiritually, politically and even
economically. For colomalism victumizes both the colonizer and the
colonized, and ultimately the welfare of all depends on our respective
mutual development. This 1s the public interest that should be pro-
moted by investigative journalists in B.C., now and in the years of
struggle ahead.
UBCIC (November. 1987)
JULY 1997
Chilean Indians, Activist Protest Licensing
of Dam
SANTIAGO (Reuter) - Indians and environmental
activists occupied Chile’s indigenous affairs bureau and
environmental protection board Tuesday to protest the licensing
of a dam that will force hundreds of Indians off their land.
The National Environmental Commission (Conama)
Monday gave the green light to plan to build the $600 million
Ralco dam on the Bio Bio River in southern Chile.
Beating drums and denouncing Chilean ‘‘colonization,’’
about 20 aborigines Tuesday took over the offices of the
National Indigenous Development Corporation (Conadi) and
unfurled banners from upper floors, including one reading
‘Indigenous Dignity -- no to Ralco!”’
‘“The Chilean government has once again shown its
colonizing mentality by not respecting our people or the law,”’
Said statement read by the occupiers, wearing ponchos and
playing reed flutes.
‘‘Our grandfathers taught us well how to defend our
lands and if it’s necessary, 10 times we will return to shed our
blood for our lands, but Ralco will not be built,’’ they said.
They demanded to speak with Conadi’s director, a
supporter of Ralco appointed by President Eduardo Frei’s
government early this year after it abruptly fired the previous
director who was opposed to the dam. At the same time, about
30 environmental activists occupied the first floor of Conama’s
offices.
Conama granted a license to private electric utility
Endesa to begin building the dam and bring it into operation
early in the next century. It will complement a smaller dam
opened last year by Endesa downstream, which was also bitterly
opposed by environmentalists.
The dam will force up to 700 Pehuenche Indians off part
of their ancestral lands and flood about 9,000 acres of farmland
and rare temperate rain forest on the nver’s upper reaches.
In exchange for the license to build, Endesa will have to
compensate the Pehuenches with land of similar value and also
buy 9,400 acres of land nearby for a wildlife reserve -- an area
roughly similar to the area that will be flooded.
The dam’s builders say Chile, with almost no oil of its
own and vast hydroelectric potential, needs Ralco and other
dams to guarantee the country’s booming economic growth into
the next century.
Endesa general manager Jose Yuraszech said Chile will
need about 10 more dams the size of Ralco to be built between
now and the year 2013 to satisfy energy demand, plus nine
more power plants fueled by natural gas piped in from
Argentina.
Opponents of the dam, which has also attracted
opposition from U.S., environmental groups, can still appeal in
court but they said they had little chance of stopping it there.
By Roger Atwood
UBCIC NEWS
National Chief of the Assembly
of First Nations
é] t is election time for the office of National Chief of the
jf Assembly of First Nations. This will take place during their
annual assembly on July 28-30, 1997. There is alsoa proposal
to restructure the organization including a name change.
It is necessary to take a look at one of the original intent of
such organizations as the National Indian Brotherhood.
Organizations like this was formed by Indian people because they
feared the loss of their lands and resources and that was the
number one reason although there are many other specific
reasons as well.
Every Federal Government in power has been determined
to provide a final solution to the Land Question and that is to
extinguish aboriginal title and rights of the Indian Nations
because they think it 1s good for Indian people to be assimilated
into dominant Canadian society. The early settlement of Canada
were active colonization years and the government was able to
encompass this whole country according to their way of life.
Years of strategies by the government have been instrumental in
weakening the sovereign political position Indian Nations held
and the Federal Government has been able to entrench their
assimilationist agenda to setile the Land Question.
The National Chief should provide strong leadership against
continued colonization process and be more visible in the field of
nation-building at home and abroad.
Are the Assembly of First Nations Declaration and the
Treaty and Aboriginal Rights Principles to be taken seriously or
not?
The National Chief should adhere to these Declarations
and Principles as they are the Code of Ethics for Indian Governments
and how they do business. They articulate the Assembly of First
Nations’ beliefs, values and mora! identity. At no time should
Nations be encouraged to settle for less.
The qualifications of a National Chief, at this point in
history when the Federal Government is devolving its Trust
Responsibilities to Chiefs and Council are:
|. To inspire the Indian people, provide Spiritual Leadership
and be a role model,
2. To lead the Indian people as Nations towards their goal of
self-determination rather than towards complete colonization,
3. To protect Aboriginal Title, Rights and Treaties of Indian
Nations;
4. To implement unequivocally Article | of the A.F.N.
Constitution;
5. To hold the Federal Government to the Spirit and Intent of
all the Treaties negonated to date;
6. To protect aboriginal rights to hunt, fish, trap and
gathering harvest;
7. To teach the Indian Philosophy, not only to Indian
communities but to the public at large;
8. To represent the sovereign postion of Indian Nations at the
International level;
9. To build stronger ties with all Indigenous Nations
throughout the world;
10. To communicate and warn Indian Nations of the Federal
and Provincial strategies to extinguish sovereign aboriginal
rights;
11. To build political ties on Aboriginal Title and Rights with
the Metis and Non-Status or Off-Reserve Indian Peoples;
12. To work in harmony with Indian Organizations and
Supporters to protect the Natural Resources and Environment
of Indian Territories.
13. To seek financial resources for the work and development
of Indian government.
ISSUE:
Can a National Chief fulfill the Principles of the A.F.N.
Declaration if he or she comes from an Indian Band who is
actively involved in the Federal Government’s self-government
process through which the Band declare they do not want to be
under the authority of the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs
then ina final agreement, relieves the Minister of the Trust
Relationship? Can this National Chief truthfully fight for the
Aboriginal Title, Rights and Treaties of Sovereign Nations when
he or she ts a party to the implementation of the Comprehensive
Land Claims Policy of the Federal Government?
The following is an official list in alphabetical
order of candidates for the office of National
Chief, to the Assembly of First Nations.
4) Mr. Robert (Bob) Manuel
899 Elder Road
Mr. J. F. (Joe) Dion
C/O Tsawwassen Reserve
1257 Pacific Drive Kamloops, BC
Delta, BC V2B 6K9
V4M 2K2 Phone: 250-679-3295
Phone: 604-943-2253 Fax: 250-679-3403
Fax: 604-943-6541
Mr. Gvide Mercredi
Grand Rapids, MB
Phone: 613-830-2211
Fax: 613-241-5808
2) Mr. Philip Fontaine 5)
PO Box 209
Winnipeg, MB
R3C 0M6
Phone: 204-956-0610
Fax: 204-642-0441
3) Ms. Wendy Grant-John 6) Mr. Larry Sault
2nd Floor, 319 Seymour Blvd. RR No. 6
North Vancouver, BC Hagersville, Ontario
V6N 2C7 NOA 1HO
Phone: 905-768-1133
Fax: 905-768-1225
Phone: 604-987-2582
Fax: 604-987-6683
JULY 1907
UBCIC NEWS
THE ASSEMBLY OF FIRST NATIONS
IS PLEASED TOWELCOME OUR
ELDERS, CHIEFS, GRANDCHIEFS
AND PEOPLE TO THE
18TH ANNUAL GENERAL
ASSEMBLY
JULY 29, 30 & 31, 1997
VANCOUVER TRADE &
CONVENTION CENTRE
999 CANADA PLACE, VANCOUVER, BC
EXIBIT HALL A
ELECTION FOR OFFICE OF
NATIONAL CHIEF
Wednesday, July 30, 1997
For more information, please call the
Assembly of First Nations at (613) 241-
6789 or (613) 241~5808/5807/4898
Helping Spirit Lodge Society
Sth Annual Golf Tournament
FUN GOLFERS WANTED!
Sunday Afternoon, September 28, 1997
12:00 p.m. (Noon)
EARLY PAID BIRDS GET BEST T-TEIMES!
Tsawwassen Golf Club
1595 - 52nd Avenue, Delta, BC
$75.00 per person
(Includes golf game, and a donation of $15.00 to our First
Nations Family Violence Center with it's intervention
programs. Tax receipts available.)
HELP US HELP OTHERS!!
PLEASE CONTACT BERNIE WHITEFORD AT 872-
6649 FOR MORE DETAILS!
GOLF, HAVE FUN, AND HELP US FUND RAISE FOR
OUR FIRST NATIONS FAMILY VIOLENCE CENTER
WITH IT'S INTERVENTION PROGRAMS
UBCIC
NEWSLETTER
DEADLINE
The deadline for the next Newsletter has been
set for August 15, 1997. Ifyou have any
information that you would like to see in the
next edition of the UBCIC NEWSLETTER,
Send by mail or fax to:
UBCIC NEWSLETTER
Sth Floor - 342 Water Street
Vancouver, BC V6B 1B6
Phone: (604) 684-023]
Fax: (604) 684-5726
Please note that as of May 1, 1997 the Tsimshian Tribal Council
relocated to the Chatham Village Longhouse. Our phone and fax
number will remain the same. The new address is:
138 Ist Avenue West
Prince Rupert, BC
V8J 1A8
(250) 627-8782 Phone
(250) 627-1938 Fax
We are pleased to announce that CESO Aboriginal Services has moved
to a new location. Our new address 1s:
CESO Aboriginal Services
Suite #212 - 1999 Marine Drive
North Vancouver, BC
V7P 333
(604) 986-4566 or 1-800-986-4566 Phone
(604) 984-3584 Fax
JULY 1997
UBCIC NEWS
RESOURCE CENTRE UPDATE
he ‘‘Archivia’” CD-ROM workstation was set up last
month in the Resource Centre and it 1s being used
frequently. Archivia - Aboriginal Peoples includes information
relating to selected textual and machine-readable Canadian
federal government records. While it does not include the records
themselves, it provides the ability to keyword search important
finding aids for Record Group 10 (Indian Affairs) Inventory,
Indian Treaties, Surrenders & Agreements, Bands & Agencies
and other files. The selected RG-10 finding aids cover most of
the Black Series records for B.C. Our Resource Centre has one
of the best collections of RG-10 microfilm in the province. The
combination of our extensive collection and the print & electronic
finding aids we have provides an important resource for
researchers.
If you would like to order a copy of Archivia - Aboriginal
Peopies for your own office, it is available from National Archives
for under $200.00. If you want more information about hardware
requirements to run Archivia or contact information for National
Archives call me or Lorraine Brooks here inthe Resource Centre
at (604) 602-9555.
We were investigating the content of the 1881, 1891 and
1901 Census as it seemed some of B.C. was not included. The reels
that we have do in fact include all available information for B.C.
As suspected, some areas did not get included in some years
because everyone was away fishing, the weather was inclement,
etc. We do have a two volume index now which makes it easier to
determine tf you are likely to find what you are looking for on the
Census reels. We have gathered a number of resources to help users
with genealogy research. This type of research if usually time
consuming and a great deal of patience and determination is
required. You will often have to search in a variety of resources and
at more than one site. If you are going get involved in this type of
research make sure you can make the time commutment.
Sarah Torsky, our Cataloguer, begins her maternity leave
at the end of this week and Sarah Nighswander, our replacement
Cataloguer has already started. Our two volunteers came and went
rather quickly. Dorine Cyr got a full-time job and Alma Peters
found the long tnp in from the Mission too restrictive on her time.
Thanks toa swmmer student grant, we have hired aMicmac student
who ts between her first and second years of the Library Technology
program at Langara College. Linda Muise will be working on some
important cataloguing projects for the Resource Centre.
If you would like to get a subscription to
a good basic computing magazine for your office
which will help with running your systems more
effectively and take some of the mystery out of
basic computing, we can highly
recommend PC Novice (Smart Computing
in Plain English). To place an order
contact Sandhills Publishing FAX
(402) 479-2193, The annual
subscription price is $29 U.S. funds
for twelve issues.
The Resource Centre will be
open Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. -
4:30 p.m. all summer long. After
surviving the extensive building renovations and being under piles
of debris last summer, we are looking forward to a clean, quiet July
and August. We hopethat you have asafe and enjoyable summer.
JOB POSTING
RESEARCH ASSISTANT
The Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs has
an opening for a full-time Research Assistant in its
Specific Claims Research Program. Job duties for this term
contract involve historical and archival research, and the
preparation of detailed written reports. Salary will be based
on qualifications and experience.
Candidates should possess a university degree and
some research experience. Superior organizational skills
communications skills are required. Sound
knowledge of Indian governments, the goals of the UBCIC
and the principles of the Aboriginal Title and Rights position
are essential.
Interested candidates should fax resume, references
and samples of writing to the UBCIC Staffing Committee at
(604) 684-5726 NO LATER THAN
FRIDAY AUGUST 1, 1997. We thank
all applicants for their interest, however
only those candidates selected for
interviews will be contacted.
10
JULY 1997
UBCIC NEWS
COMMEMORATION OF THE TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF
PARTICIPATION OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES AT THE UNITED
NATIONS
To all Indigenous Peoples, brothers and sisters,
Respectful Greetings,
In September of 1977, the Conference of Discrimination
against Indigenous Peoples of the Americas took place in
Geneva, Switzerland. 165 Indigenous Peoples participated.
tt was the first international gathering of Indigenous
Peoples before the United Nations, an activity of the Special
Committee on Non Governmental Organizations’ Sub-
Committee on Racism, Racial Discrimination and Apartheid.
There, Indigenous Peoples from the Westem Hemisphere
gave testimony on the situation of Human Rights of our Peoples
and the continuation of colonialism and genocide against us.
This summer will mark the 20th anniversary of this
gathering and the formal participation of Indigenous Peoples
before the UN in Geneva. This conference gave birth to a great
consciousness raising at the international level on the situation
of Indigenous Peoples all over the world. Participating Indigenous
Peoples made several recommendations to the UN, including
the suggestion that there be a more widespread and systematic
participation of Indigenous Peoples at the UN level. This
recommendation was taken to the Sub-Commission on the
Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, which
in turn recommended to the UN that the Working Group on
Indigenous Populations be formed.
Another World Conference took place in 1981, again in
Geneva, and in 1982, the Working Group had its first meeting.
Since the formation of the Working Group thousands of
Indigenous persons representing hundreds of Indigenous Nations
have participated directly in standard setting for the recognition
and observance ofthe Human Rights andFundamental Freedoms
of Indigenous Peoples, such as the UN Draft declaration on the
rights of Indigenous Peoples, the Resolution by the General
Assembly declaring 1992 the year of Indigenous Peoples, the
subsequent Declaration on the Decade of Indigenous Peoples,
important studies on the Preservation of Indigenous Heritage,
the study on Treaties, and other issues of great importance to
Indigenous Peoples.
The next session of the working Group on Indigenous
Populations in Geneva, beginning 28 July, 1997, will
commemorate this historic moment that marks the beginning of
the Indigenous Peoples of the world at the United Nations.
For the International Indian Treaty Council, which had
been formed 1974, andhad participated intemationailly to achieve
this first conference and more ample and open Indigenous
participation at the UN, this moment is of great significance and
pride.
Indeed, as the Internationa! Indian Treaty Council was the
first Indigenous organization recognized by the UN as a
consultative status Non-governmental organization in 1977, this
20th anniversary is of great significance and pride for us in this
respect as well.
We would therefore invite those who are able to attend the
next session of the Working Group where this important beginning
will be commemorated. We would especially urge those brothers
and sisters who attended the first World Conference in 1977 to
attend, that they may be recognized in a good way.
We very much regret that our organization is unable
to provide any financial assistance for those interested in attending.
All will have to make their own arrangements.
If your attendance is possible, we would remind you that it
is important to bring traditional dress to this event, to again
demonstrate to the UN the diversity of our Peoples, Nations and
cultures. If ttis possible, please also bring traditions foods for the
Indigenous Peoples’ reception, keeping in mind that Switzerland
has regulations onthe importation of meat. Itisrecommended that
frozen meat be sent through diplomatic pouch via the embassies
of friendly states.
There will be three major events in the commemoration:
1) Commemorating the march of Indigenous Peoples in 1977,
there willbe a march of Indigenous Peoples in traditional dress
through the main gates of the UN, on Monday, July 28, at 10-
:00 am, demonstrating, as we done in 1977, that Indigenous
Peoples cannot be denied entrance to the UN. Once inside the
UN, prior to the beginning of the regular session of the Working
Group, representatives of Indigenous Peoples, chosen at the
preparatory meeting on Saturday and Sunday at the World
Council of Churches building in Geneva, will address the
session, and exchange gifts with representatives of the United
Nations.
2) Thursday, July 31, Indigenous Peoples willhost a reception for
representatives of the UN and the public in the evening at the
UN Beach, where traditional foods will be served.
3) The Lord Mayor of Geneva will host a reception on Friday,
August 31, beginning at 5:00 PM. This event coincides with
the Swiss national holiday and will be held in conjunction with
their celebration at the Promenade des Bastions across from
the Palace Neuve. This event is also of historic tradition, as it
marks the reception given in 1923 by the Lord Mayor of
Geneva, to Descaheh, the Cayuga Chief who, representing
the Iroquois Confederacy, was the first Indigenous
representative to the League of Nations. An area for the sale
of crafts has also been set aside for this event.
If your presence is possible, and you need more information,
please contact:
Kenneth Deer
The Eastern Door
Mohawk Territory
(514) 635-3050
(514) 635-8479
Bill Jimbo ) Simmons
International Indian Treaty Council
oan Francisco, California, US,
Tel: (415) 512-1501
Fax: (415) 512-1507
JULY 1997
11
UBCIC NEWS
Why did the B.C.T.C. hold a press
conference to release their annual report?
VANCOUVER, B.C.-- June 26, 1997 -- Indian Peoples respond to
the to the British Columbia Treaty Commission’s (B.C.T.C.)
release of their annual report:
Chief Saul Terry, President of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs
had these comments:
‘*The press conference was a non-event meant to assuage
public fear and doubt that the treaty process is not working. The
B.C.T.C. is preparing the public in case of confrontations with
Indian Peoples this summer because opposition to the process is
growing. They want the public to believe that all Indian Peoples
outside the B.C.T.C. process are in the minority and are radicals.
The fact is, even within the Bands involved, there are many people
who do not support their leadership’s involvement.
How can Indian people consent when most ofthe negotiations
are held in secret and behind closed doors? It’s easy to sell the
process when you don’t see how it will affect the people in it.
Openness closes down after Stage Three where the meat and
potatoes are on the table.
All that this report lists are the loan monies to Indian
peoples which are 80% repayable. The public should be asking
about the real costs involved. What about the monies spent
internally by the Province and Federal government which do not
show up in this report? Maybe the Reform Party should get on this.
No matter how many millions they spend, no matter how
many press conferences they hold, no matter how many reports they
release, the B.C.T.C. is not working for Indian Peoples. ‘*
For information please contact: Chief Saul Terry 1-250-
256-4135
Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, Grand Chief Bernard Charles of
Semiahmoo had these comments:
‘Everyone insists that because there is ‘‘no other game in
town’’ thatevery First Nation should opt in. This pre-supposes that
everyone should make this decision despite the concerns that they
might have about flaws in the B.C.T.C. If there is other ball game
- we have to ask it we remain outside of the process at our peril?
On important issues such as overlapping claims and third
party interests it seems that you can only buy into the process
believing all parties will behave honourably and not be guided by
their own interests. No Nation should have been coerced or agreed
to submit or even agreed to submit a letter of intent if there was no
agreement in place regarding overlapping claims. This process is
being driven by those that have the most to gain - honourable
negotiation and agreements should have proceeded the process and
not be left as an afterthought. It should not be those first across
the mark who drive this cumbersome vehicle.
Many long established principles of past leaders have been
cast aside: recognition of title, continuing right to land and
resources and proper compensation. The overriding pressure to
settle long standing grievances is the driving force in this process.
No one has given satisfactory answers to the questions of ‘‘Is this
12
the best or the only way to settle things - or is it merely the most
expeditious way?’’
If we are prepared to settle for less than we are entitled to we
need to do so only if the overwhelming majority of our
constituency supports such action. Consent is only as valuable as
the informed nature on which itis based. Otherwise we are talking
about sophisticated manipulation rather than consent.
These are some of the failings of the B.C.T.C. process.
Likely there are others. The glossy handouts are too similar to the
White Paper policy of 1969. The only difference is that some First
Nations members, if they are not actually driving the bus, are at
least along for the ride. Many others prefer to walk rather than get
on board the B.C.T.C.”’
+30 =
Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs Press
Statement Federal Election Results: Where
do we go from here?
VANCOUVER, B.C. - June 5, 1997 -- Chief Saul Terry,
President of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, in response to the
results of the federal election, stated.
‘*The 1997 election results are a mixed blessing for Indian
Peoples. The federal Liberals have lost their overwhelming
majority and space has been made within Parliament for other
parties who can add a balanced voice.”’
‘British Colombians voted in the Reform party, bringing into
Parliament their ignorance about the true history of this country.
Traditionally, the Loyal Opposition is a voice representing our
interests in Parliament and holding the government accountable to
their obligations toward Indian Peoples. But the Reform party
cannot be trusted to do this because they are living in a major state
of denial about our rightful place on this Land.’”’
‘The Prime Minister indicated that his government will
‘*stay the course’ on its policies. This does not bode well for our
Peoples. We will have to continue to convince the government
of the dire need for political, social and economic solutions for our
rapidly growing populations. The only solution we have is
decolonization. The federal government paid millions of dollars
for a Royal Commission to tell them this. We are prepared to work
with Mr. Chretien to restructure our relationship, using the RCAP
as a Starting point. I hope that the new Parliament does not let the
millions it spent on RCAP go to waste by leaving this report unused
on their shelves.”’
‘*The revived New Democratic Party has the opportunity to
support our Peoples to bring about real political, social and
economic change. The human costs are too great to continue with
the status quo. To be effective a lasting solution will require our
concerted effort nation by nation right across this country, and I
believe it is achievable.”’
FEDERAL ELECTION (Continued on page 13)
JULY 1997
UBCIC NEWS
FEDERAL ELECTION (Continued from page 12)
*“‘This is our country. Respect and recognition are the
solution to the Indian problem. People who came to this country
last week currently get more respect than the original peoples of
this Land. Weare not a special interest group, we are the original
Peoples of this Land. We want to survive as Nations, not to blend
seemlessly into the Canadian mosaic.”’
‘‘We do not want a repeat of what took place at
Gustafson Lake in B.C. or at Ipperwash in Ontario. The Liberal
government arrogantly avoids and denies the substantive
issues it must address to build a peaceful and lasting relationship
with Indian Peoples. This is evident in their plans to convert our
Nations tomunicipalities and our leaders to mayors. Our hopes and
aspirations as Peoples cannot be squashed into the existing system.
Real and immediate changes are necessary to recognize our
rightful place on this Land. Hopefully, members of this Parliament
will be courageous enough to work with us to achieve these
changes.”’ — 30 —
INDIAN PEOPLES AND PACIFIC
SALMON TREATY TALKS
VANCOUVER, B.C. -- JUNE 10, 1997 -- The Union of
B.C. Indian Chiefs issued these comments about the Pacific
Salmon Treaty talks which have lately received so much press
coverage.
In 1913 the C.N. Railway, while building its main track,
caused a rockslide at Hell’s Gate, The Fraser River was entirely
blocked and twenty-two million salmon died. The Early Stuart
run was decimated. The fishery survived because Indian people
carried salmon over the rockslide enabling them to swim
upriver and spawn. The Hell’s Gate slide enabled the
Americans to get their bootin the door. The Americans assisted
Canada with money to clear the waterway and in return Canada
guaranteed the Americans a certain percentage of our fishery.
Chief Saul Terry, President of the Union of B.C.
Indian Chiefs, made these comments:
‘“‘Canada and B.C. have no credibility when they are
pounding the table and accusing the Americans of bullying
tactics. Indian Peoples in the Province know all about bullying
tactics over the fishery. We get it at home all of the time. If our
Peoples fish for food or if we sell a couple of salmon to our
neighbour, we can be arrested and thrown in jail.”’
‘Indians within Washington State are entitled to 50%
of the total fishery catch of the state. Meanwhile, the Indian
Peoples within B.C. are reduced to begging for a few fish to feed
our families or to build our economies.
‘‘It is admirable that the Premiere and DFO officials
have recognized the unfairness and inequity of a situation
where outside forces control access to the fishery resource.
Maybe now they can turn the insight onto themselves and act
fairly toward Indian Peoples with regards to the fishery.”’
= 30 -
Contact Chief Saul Terry, Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, (604)
684-0231
ETS =
JULY 1997
B.C. CHIEFS RESPOND TO TIMBER
JOB INITIATIVES
VANCOUVER -- JUNE 19, 1997 -- the Chiefs of the Union of
B.C. Indian Chiefs offered these comments on Premier Clark’s
announcement of the new Timber Jobs Initiatives Plan. The
U.B.C.I.C leaders were concerned that the Indian Peoples had
not been involved in the structuring of the plan, and raised
concerns that the plan does not address ultimate ownership of
the forestry resource or the manner in which forestry practices
severely impact the aboriginal rights of Indian Peoples.
Chief Art Manuel, Neskonlith Indian Band and Chair of the
Shuswap Tribal
“There are interests who say that it would be racist to
give one special group timber. Yet the Provincial government
hasn’t given one Indian one stick of timber in the Kamloops
timber supply area. I consider that racist.”’
‘We need a serious plan to protect wildlife resources
and values and not just jobs. We need to put in place a process
to certify forest product show if the products come from an area
and through a process which is sustainably managed and
developed. We need a process of certification which shows
whether or not the forest practices respects our aboriginal
rights. At present, the Forest Practices Code is shallow because
it does not in corporate our aboriginal values.’’
‘‘T’m concerned about the definition of ‘displaced forest
workers’ My People have been displaced by the forestry
industry. Our traditional use, our hunting...we have been
displaced. More respect needs to be given to that fact. Forests
are very important to our Peoples and not just for wage jobs, but
for immediate sustenance and food. The forest workers who
worked 700 hours in the industry last year, should not get more
respect and credence than our Peoples.”’
Chief Cassidy Sill, Ulkatcho and Chair Southern Carrier
Tribal Council
“*I can see that their old habits are still there. current
legislation, policy and programs exclude Indian altogether.
They have already announced a dollar commitment to the
I.W.A., we need parallel program dollars.”’
Chief Saul Terry, President of the Union of B.C. Indian
Chiefs and Chief of Bridge River:
‘“We need to work out ways to work together in a
political process, to share the resources. We are looking for
more than jobs. We are looking for a more meaningful role in
terms of the recognition of the social and economic importance
of the forestry to our Peoples. We want to participate in the
economy in a meaningful way, and not only to have temporary
jobs.”’
‘“*We are concerned about the past destruction of our
forests. Some of our people are saying that they do not agree
with this plan: that the very people who caused the destruction
are being sent back out to repair the damage. We have to deal
with the unfinished business of the Land Question. We are
TIMBER JOB INITIATIVES (Continued on page 16)
13
UBCIC NEWS
UBCIC TO PUBLISH CLAIMS
RESEARCH GUIDE
The Union of BC indian Chiefs Research
Department has started preparing a manual on land rights
research in British Columbia. The goal of this publication
is to assist non-professional, community-based
researchers in accessing and using available resources for
their lands research projects.
The manual will be published by the Union of BC
Indian Chiefs, and is scheduled for Spring 1998
publication.
CLAIMS POLICY REFORM DISCUSSIONS CONTINUE
The Assembly of First Nations Land Rights Unit and
the Chiefs Committee on Claims have been working with
Specific Claims Branch officials to identify flaws in the
existing policy and explore the establishment of a new
Independent Claims Body to be established through
legislation. These discussions have been proceeding
despite the lack of a formal protocol committing the
Federal Government in writing to policy reform.
There have been a number of meetings over the
last few months, and there are several more sessions
scheduled over the next few weeks, The UBCIC has been
represented at the Chiefs Committee on Claims by
Neskonlith Chief and Shuswap Nation Tribal Council Chair
Chief Arthur Manuel and Wayne Haimila, who brings to
the task his experience with the Joint Working Group, the
predecessor of the Chiefs Commmittee on Claims.
The AFN's Land Rights Unit will make a detailed
report updating the scope and direction of these policy
reform talks at the AFN’s Annual General Assembly taking
place in Vancouver at the end of July.
ABORIGINAL PEOPLES CD-ROM
The National Archives of Canada “Aboriginal
Peoples” CD-ROM Is finally available. This research tool
pulls together in one place references to aboriginal people
in certain government record groups at the National
Archives of Canada. It is particularly helpful for sifting
through the complexities of RG 10 (National Archives of
Canada Record Group 10, consisting of Department of
indian Affairs Records). However, Researchers must still
work through the RG 10 inventory and finding-aids and
they should be aware that not all RG 10 finding aids were
included in the CD-ROM. Researchers can check out the
Aboriginal Peoples CD-ROM any time at the CD-ROM
research work Station in the UBCIC Resource Centre. Bill
Russell from the National Archives, who helped develop
this research product, will be holding a demonstration
session and orientation at the UBCIC Resource Centre on
Friday, August 15th from 9 am to 12 p.m. See you there!
Inco Attempts to Undermine
Environmental Assessment of
The Voisey Bay Project
innu Nation calls for Rejection of Construction Plans During
Environmental Review
For the third time in three years, the Voisey’s Bay Nickel
Company (a subsidiary of Inco) is attempting to build a road
and airstrip at Emish (Voisey’s Bay) this summer - despite the
fact that the entire Voisey’s Bay mining project is currently the
subject of an ongoing public environmental assessment under
an agreement between Canada, Newfoundland, the Labrador
Inuit Association and the Innu Nation.
The Innu Nation and the Labrador Inuit association
fought earlier attempts by the company to proceed with
construction at the site, and successfully negotiated a
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Canada and
Newfoundland which was intended to ensure a single,
comprehensive environmental review of the Voisey’s Bay
Project. The MOU provides for a more rigorous examination of
the issues associated with this project than would be the case
under Canada or Newfoundland’s EA legislation, and defines a
more appropriate and accessible process for Innu and Inuit
participation in the examination of the full scope of
environmental, cultural and social effects which may result
from the large large nickel mine that is being proposed on Innu
and Inuit land.
Despite the fact that the assessment process 1s well
underway, and that last fall, the company itself agreed that the
entire project-including the infrastructure-should be subject toa
comprehensive environmental review, Voisey’s Bay Nickel has
now submitted a separate registration for the infrastructure
under the provincial environmental assessment process on 21
May 1997. They have reversed their deci arguing that their
proposed infrastructure was not contemplated or included in the
mine-mill project that was submitted under the current
environmental assessment process being conducted under the
MOU. According to the company, this new infrastructure
proposal is merely intended to support advanced exploration
activities by providing improved access to the site. However,
the proposed road and airstrip are to be located in the same
locations and are only slightly smaller than the permanent road
and airstrip being assessed under the MOU!
The Innu Nation believes that Voisey’s Bay Nickel is
once again attempting to undermine the environmental
assessment process and the work of the Environmental Review
Panel under the MOU in order to accelerate the development of
the mine and meet their ambitious production objectives. Innu
objectives, which include the settlement of a land rights
agreement with government, the conclusion of an impact-
benefits agreement with the company, and the completion of a
comprehensive environmental assessment of the environmental
and social impacts of the project are being undermined by
Inco’s desire for quick profits.
The purpose of an environmental assessment is to predict
and evaluate the impacts of a project before irreversible
decisions are made, and use this information to make
appropriate, informed choices in project planning. Roads and
airstrips are irreversible decisions with real impacts. The Innu
Nation believes that the entire project must be assessed as a
whole. The effects of individual parts of the project, like the
road and the airstrip, can only be appreciated and understood in
the context of the mine they are intended to serve.
The company’s piecemeal approach to project
development not only undermines the MOU process, which was
VOISEY BAY PROJECT (Continued on page 15)
14
JULY 1997
UBCIC NEWS
VOISEY BAY PROJECT (Continued from page 14)
intended to review and assess the project as a whole, but it
makes sense from a planning perspective. Proceeding with
infrastructure development prior to the completion of the
environmental assessment would make it nearly impossible for
the Panel to make responsible recommendations about how the
project should be planned in order to minimze the effect that it
will have on the environment as much of the infrastructure will
already be in place! There are still a number of difficult
problems, such as the safe and permanent disposal of mine
wastes, which must be resolved. Without a clear picture of the
whole project, it is possible that decisions taken today will have
to be changed later as these and other considerations are taken
into account, which will result in impacts which might have
been avoided with proper planning and assessment.
The Innu and Inuit will have to live with the
consequences. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Innu Nation
Tel: (709) 497-8398 Fax: (709) 497-8396.
Hydro Reviving Great Whale
Front page, The (Montreal) Gazette, Saturday, 7 June
Seventeen months after the Parti Quebecois government
shelved Phase II of the James Bay hydroelectric project, it’s
back on the table, and this time Hydro-Quebec has set its sights
on diverting two of the largest rivers in northern Quebec.
The plan was presented to Cree leaders in two meetings
this week in Montreal and Quebec City.
Hydro-Quebec and Cree officials say Hydro has proposed to
divert and drain the water of the Great Whale and Rupert rivers
into existing hydroelectric projects through a series of canals.
Crees waged a noisy six-year international campaign
against the original Great Whale proposal, which would have
diverted several rives into a series of reservoirs built along the
Great Whale River. The new proposal would not involve new
dams in the north, but would reduce the flow of the Great
Whale and Rupert rivers to a trickle.
Cree opposition was a major factor in Jacques Parizeau’s
decision as premier to shelve the original project in December
1995 [note: it was actually November].
Cree leaders were shocked when they were informed of
the plans this week.
“It’s going to be very difficult for the people to accept,’’ said
David Masty, an official of the Great Whale community,
situated at the river’s mouth.
I think people sent out a very strong message on that
already. It will have the same impact as if the river was
dammed.”’
Under the proposal, the Great Whale River would be
diverted at its headwater, Lac Bienville, a lake about twice the
size of the island of Montreal. The river’s flow would be
reduced by about 85 percent and the diverted water would flow
southward through more than 10 kilometres of canals into the
existing La Grand Hydro Complex. The Lac Bienville area is
home to the world’s largest caribou herds.
Cree fears about the environmental and social effects of
hydro development were at the heart of the acrimonious debate
over the original Great Whale project.
The new plan would also redirect the Rupert River,
which flows through the heartland of Cree territory, northward
to the East main and La Grande complexes, at least 20 km
away. The two rivers provide drinking water to the
communities of Great Whale and Waskaganish, and to dozens
of hunting camps along their shores.
Shirley Bishop, an aide to Resources Minister Guy
Chevrette, at first denied knowledge of the proposal. Later
yesterday she confirmed that two meetings had been held
between Hydro-Quebec and Cree leaders, although she would
not reveal what was discussed.
**Hydro-Quebec hasn’t talked to us about that,’’ Bishop
said. “*‘When they want to do something like that, they have to
ask the government first, and they haven’t.’’ Hydro-Quebec
spokesman Steve Flanagan confirmed that the meetings were
held to discuss possible projects along the Great Whale and
Rupert rivers, but said the plan involves only the ‘‘partial
diversion”’ of the rivers and no final decision has been made on
whether it will go ahead.
“*These rivers, like many others in Quebec, have a
potential and we will see whether there is an economic
interest,’ Flanagan said. He said hydro-development in James
Bay is back on the table because of a desire to export power to
the United States and a rise in energy consumption in Quebec.
Earlier this week, the utility announced it would divert
four rivers into existing hydro projects on the Lower North
Shore and Lac St. Jean.
A US energy analyst said Hydro-Quebec has been selling
ever-increasing amounts of power to the north-eastern states
and is now desperate for more water to replenish its reservoirs,
which have fallen to dangerously low levels.
“It seems Quebec took a big gamble and ended up
losing,’’ said Jan Goodman, of the Goodman Group of Boston.
Goodman has worked as a consultant to the Crees. ‘‘Hydro-
Quebec appears to have oversold the province’s energy and they
did so at less than what it costs to produce it.”’
While Quebec has more than enough energy for domestic
levels, its energy supplies have fallen to critically low levels
because of its aggressive export program, said Goodman.
The National Energy Board says Hydro’s experts to the
US have nearly tripled since 1990. Quebec exported five
terrawatt-hours of power in 1990, almost all to the US. This
rose to 17 terrawatt-hours in 1995 and fell somewhat to 13.9
terrawatt-hours last year.
Internal hydro-Quebec documents reveal that Quebec’s
reservoir levels have fallen to 21 percent of their total capacity
Le Devoir reported Wednesday.
A battle appears to be brewing within the Quebec
government over the river diversions already announced.
Environment Minister David Clinche said Thursday that
any new Hydro-Quebec projects will be subjected to the same
environmental review as those of any other developer. But
Chevrette said deregulation in the energy industry means
information about water levels in reservoirs can’t be made
public anymore because it would put Hydro-Quebec at a
commercial disadvantage.
NATIVE FOREST NETWORK
Eastern North American Resource Centre
(802) 863-0571 Phone
(802) 862-2532 Fax
JULY L907
UBCIC NEWS
Letter from Innu People to Queen Elizabeth Il
26 June 1997, Nitassinan
Madam,
We would like to bring to your attention the fact that the
Innu People of Labrador and Quebec - we call our homeland
Nitassinan - feel gravely threatened by the way our rights are
denied by the Canadian government.
We believe we are entitled as a People to full ownership
rights over the lands which we have lived upon since the
glaciers retreated from this peninsula 10,000 years ago. And
we believe that both natural justice an international law support
our position, As far as the Canadian government is concerned,
however, it is only prepared to discuss our land nghts if we first
agree to surrender our ownership. This is manifestly unfair and
unjust. It amounts to the bullying of a numerically small People
into the surrender of their birthright by a large and powerful
industrialized state.
The history of colonization here has been lamentable and
has severely demoralized our People. They turn now to drink
and self destruction. We have the highest rate of suicide in
North America. Children as young as 12 have taken their own
life recently. We feel powerless to prevent the massive mining
project now planned and many of us are driven into discussing
mere financial compensation, even though we know that he
mines and hydro-electric dams will destroy our land and our
culture and that money will not save us.
The Labrador part of Nitassinan was claimed as British
soil until very recently (1949), when without consulting us, your
government ceded it to Canada. We have never, however,
Signed any treaty with either Great Britain or Canada. Nor
have we ever given up our right to self-determination.
The fact that we have become financially dependent on
the state which violates our rights is a reflection of our
desperate circumstances. It does not mean that we acquiesce in
those violations.
We have been treated as non-People, with no more rights
than the cartbou which we depend and which are now
themselves being threatened by NATO war exercises and other
so-called ‘development’. In spite of this, we remain a People in
the fullest sense of the word. We have not given up, and we are
now looking to rebuild our pride and self esteem.
We have many frends in Great Britain where thousands
of ordinary people have spent many years supporting our rights.
We would like to count, you You Majesty, as one of those
fnends.
Yours faithfully,
Tanien Ashini
Vice-President, Innu Nation
The Penticton Indian Band is extremely grateful and
very proud of the fact that many, of our adult Band members
have made the decision to seek treatment for their drug and
alcohol addictions. To date,over 200 adult members of our
community have attended various drug and alcohol treatment
centres throughout the Province. Our community has greatly
benefited from the positive impact these individuals have had
on our community.
Due to the generational nature of drug and alcohol
addiction, however, too many of our youth are currently dealing
with their own drug and alcohol addictions . This problem is
exacerbated by the fact that 75% of our populationis under 25
years of age. Further, this problem has undertaken a grave
dimension given the proliferation of drugs and dmg dealers/
bootleggers who have decided to expoloit the aforementioned
circumstances.
Therefore, we would greatly appreciate any and all
copies ob bylaws, Band Council Resolutions, letters or notices
which you may have prepared and used to prohibit drug traf-
ficking and bootlegging in your communitites. In adition, we
would also greatly appreciate copies of any bylaws or Band
Council Resolutions you may have enacted or drafted to expel
undesirable individuals from your communities.
Sincerely yours
Chief Stewart Phillip
OKANAGAN NATION
TIMBER JOB INITIATIVES (Continued from page 13)
dealing with the water quality, wildlife...harvesting from the
forests to sustain our Peoples.”’
Chief Alex Paul, Chehalis Band
‘*The current practices of the Ministry of Forests in
dealing with aboriginal Peoples are insulting, degrading and
pave the way for confrontation. We are tired of seeing logs
rolling out of our termitory day by day while our people sit on the
sidelines collecting welfare.’’
Chief Stewart Phillip, Penticton Band
‘*Tf this new initiative does not provide us with jobs and
opportunities it is meaningless to us. If we are not
meaningfully involved in the forestry industry: the Province
will tigger a backlash within our community forcing First
Nations to consider the formation of coalitions with
environmental organizations such as Green Peace’s
involvement on King Island.’’
Chief Frank Boucher, Red Bluff and Vice-President Union
of B.C. Indian Chiefs
‘*The forestry industry has unilaterally displaced a whole
range of user groups, including our people, and has forced our
people into towns and onto reserves. The Province takes a huge
portion of its funding from the forestry industry. Indian
govermments at the Band level should be funded to the same
degree that the Provincial government is. The forestry industry
should be major contributor to our budgets, these are our
resources.”’
-30-
16
JULY 1997
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 British Columbia. The six colour map measures
28" x 36",
The tribal territones 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
drafis 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. Ail 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
JULY 1997 17
UBCIC NEWS
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