Skip to main content
Advanced Search
Photograph Collection
Search Collection
Search by Event
Search by Subject
Search by Tag
Contribute
About
How to Use
Terms of Use
Permission for Use and Reproduction
My Account
Register
Bookmarks
Log in
Advanced Search
UBCIC Photographs
Digital Collection
Return to Library & Archives
Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs Newsletter (February 1978)
Edit item
Title
Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs Newsletter (February 1978)
Is Part Of
1.06-01.03 Nesika: UBCIC News
1.06.-01 Newsletters and bulletins sub-series
Date
February 1978
Subject
Add value
Add linked data
Add linked data
Add value
Add value
Add value
Language
english
Add value
Add linked data
Add linked data
Identifier
1.06-01.03-02.02
pages
9
topic
Add value
Add value
Contributor
George Manuel
Holly Horwood
Add value
Add linked data
Type
periodical
extracted text
CUNION OF B.C. INDIAN CHIEFS MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. Box 86003 North Vancouver, B.C. V7L 4J5 W. Telephone: (604) 986-2236 STREET ADDRESS: 303 East Esplanade Street North Vancouver, B.C. V7L > TAS Telex: 04-352579 R FEBRUARY ee Le PS Ls en SE oe ASSISTANT LIBRARIAN is needed for the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs Resource Centre. This Resource Centre houses a growing collection of research material as well as Audio-Visual and Educational material relevant to the concerns of B.C. Indians. This is an excellent opportunity to train in all aspects of information work. DUTIES: The job would involve clerical duties such as typing, filing, indexing, clipping newspapers, photocopying, preparing catalog cards, etc., as well as dealing with the public both by phone and in person and doing research work. The day to day operation of the Resource Centre is quite varied. The applicant should be quite adaptable. QUALIFICATIONS: Accurate typing and clerical abilities are essential. The applicant should have a good knowledge of the current concerns of B.C. Indians as well as a willingness to learn and keep up to date on issues. Previous Library experience would be helpful, but is not essential. SALARY IS NEGOTIABLE. TO APPLY: Please send a letter (or resume) outlining previous experience and qualifications for the job to: Resource Centre Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs P.Q. Box 86003 North Vancouver, B.C. V7L 4J5 EEEEAEEEEELELE LES EEE EL ELSE LEELA EERE LEER EEE EEE EE EEEL EE EEEEEE EEE ELE LEAS ELEEEEEEEEELELEE JOBS FOR INDIANS: ALASKA HIGHWAY PIPELINE Rumours about jobs for Indians on pipeline construction projects are many and are diverse. Certainly a great many issues remain unclear. The companies involved have made no promises about including Indian people - merely vague recommendations such as that 20% of the local people should be hired. In order to clear up alot of misunderstandings and to get definite answers to our questions at an early stage, the Union is holding a couple of Workshops on this Subject in March. The first workshop will be held in Ft. St. John on March 6th & 7th, 1978, to talk about the pipeline, its construction and the kinds of jobs available; why Indians find so many barriers in employment in this field and what we can do about it. Representatives from the company and Manpower, the Labour unions and the D.I.A. have been invited for one session to speak on where they stand on this, what they have to offer, and to answer any questions we might have. The Second workshop will be held in se at the end of March (more details will be included in the next news- letter). ANYONE WHO MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN PIPELINE JOBS AND WANTING FURTHER INFORMATION SHOULD CONTACT THE UNION OF B.C. INDIAN CHIEFS OFFICE. INDIAN GOVERNMENT WORKSHOPS The Union of B. C. Chiess is sponsoring the first 0f four work- Shops on Indian Government. The first one to be held 44 for the Central Interior Region. Details aieas follows: DATES: Saturday and Sunday, March 11, 12, 1978 LOCATION: Kamloops Indian Student Residence, Kamloops, B. C. THEME : Indian Government OBJECTIVES OF CONFERENCE: - to provide an opportunity for your Regional Vice-president to give a report to you on the attributes of your Chief's organization (U.B.C.1.C.). - the main focus though will be to report on the activities of Indian Government portfolio and enter into a discussion with Chiefs, Band Councils and participants on the concept of Indian Government. PARTICIPATION: We urge all Chiefs and Band Councils of the Central Interior Region to attend and feel free to bring along a delegation of members from your band if at all feasible. TENTATIVE DATES: Coastal Region - Terrace - March 18 - 19/78 Northern Region - Pr. George - March28 -29 Southern Western Region - Duncan - April 1 - 2 FoR FURTHER INFORMATION PLS. CONTACT B. Manuel or C. Gilbert at 986-2236 WEST COAST OIL PORTS INQUIRY THIRD PARTY INTERVENTIONS FUNDS (D.I.A.): The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs applied for monies to do research on Indian Traplines in and around the Fort St. John District. This research is to be conducted as the result of a request from the National Energy Board during its hearings on the Silver Dahl and Grizzly-Bullmoose-Sunkunka Pipeline Certifications in November 1977. The research will provide the National Energy Board with a base of information on Indian Traplines, their routes, their knowledge of the wildlife and their future as hunters and trappers. Also, information will be gathered as to the "global" effects of resource development on Indian people. LITIGATION (D.I.A.): (je. court action) The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs is developing a position concerning Litigation monies. At present, funds may be available through the Dept. of Indian Affairs for specific cases, an example of this, is the mercury poison case in the Treaty 3 area. BESLSSSPSSEASLORHSSAASHSAASSHSAHSRHASSASHSHSAASHASSHASAHSHAASAHSSHAHSAASSAREHAGEAREGS CANADIAN ARCTIC RESOURCES COMMITTEE (CARC) WORKSHOP: A Canadian Arctic Resources Committee workshop is being held on Monday, February 20, 1978 through Wednesday, February 22, 1978 in Edmonton, Alberta. The general theme of the CARC workshop is centered around development in the north and the effects of such on the people and the environment north of 60 degrees. The U.B.C.1.C. has accepted an invitation to attend. George Manuel will be chairing an evening session on Tuesday the 21st at 8 p.m. This session will be for native groups to make their presentations. Also in attendance from the U.B.C.1.C. will be: Ernie Willie (Executive Director), Debbie Hoggan, Norman Froste, and Rick Salter (KOPI). This is the second of such workshops on people, resources and the environment north of 60 degrees. The workshop will be chaired by Dr. Andrew Thompson of West Coast 0il Ports Inquiry fame. ———S— Se Se Se Se Se Se Se eS Se eS Se eS SE SE SE SE SE SE SE SE SE SE SE SEC SE SE SEC SE SECU SE SE SE SE SE SE SE SE SE SE SE SE SE SE SE SEC SB SE SE SE SE SE SB SB SB SE SM SE SE SE SB SE ee Se Se eS Se ee Se Se ee Se Se eS eS = THE NORTH-EAST COAL TRIP - Froste, Sinclair & Phaneuf: Following the CARC workshop, Norman Froste, Jim Sinclair (Community Information Research Group), and Richard Phaneuf (National Indian Brotherhood - Mercury Research) will be making a field trip into the North-East to look as the coal development picture. They will be working closely with and taking direction from the Indian people in the Treaty 8 area of B.C. on this study trip. Consultation will take place with the local people upon arrival in Fort St. John and this is scheduled for the afternoon of Wednesday, the 22nd of February 1978. ——— Se ee eS Se SE eS eS SE Se Se Se Se SE eS SE SE SE SE SE SE Se eS Se SE Se ee SE SE eS Se Se Se SE SE Se SE SE SE SE SE SE SE SE SE SB BE EB SE SB SE SB SB SE SE SS SE SE eS SE SK Se eS SE Se SE EK SK Se Se Se Se Se ES = TREATY & WORKSHOP: On February 2nd and 3rd, a very successful workshop was conducted at the Fort St. John Indian Friendship Centre in Fort St. John, B.C. The Workshop was co-ordinated by the Union at the request of the Indian people in the north-east. Resource people from the Union were: Mary Lou Andrew (Fieldworker), Steven Basil (Audio-Visual Technician), and Louise Mandell (Lawyer). Professor Doug Sanders and Professor Michael Jackson from the Faculty of Law at the University of British Columbia gave of their legal expertise at this workshop. Other invited resource people were Father Rene Fumoleau (Historian who authored a book on Treaty 8 + "As Long As This Land Shall Last") and John Smith (Treaty 7 Resource person). All aspects of Treaty 8 were discussed in some detail. Sanders, Jackson and Mandell went over the legal - historical aspects of the Treaty; and Fumoleau added his personal touch to the historical background gleaned from his years of research on the subject. The workshop was well attended by local people from the Treaty 8 area and from reports brought back to the Union office, the response was an entirely positive one. The local people maintained an active participation with many questions asked and much discussion initiated. KEKEKKKKEKK EERE EERE EER EERE REEEKERK EEK ERE EEE REE KKEKEKKKEKKEEKEKEKKEKEEKEEKEEEEEEKREEEEEEEKREREEREREEEKEEKEE EEKEEKEKEEKEKEKEEEEKREEKEEKEKEKEKKE KEKKEKKEKEEREEEK EERE KE CEE EERE “ATTENTION | THE FORT RUPERT BAND COUNCIL ARE ASKING ANY OF THEIR MEMBERS WHO ARE NOW LIVING OFF THE RESERVE IF THEY WOULD SEND THEIR PRESENT ADDRESS 10 THE BAND OFFICE AT: FORT RUPERT BAND OFFICE P.0. BOX 1440 PORT HARDY, B.C, VON 2P0 THE BAND COUNCIL FEELS THAT THEY ARE LOSING TOUCH WITH THOSE MEMBERS WHO ARE NOW LIVING OFF THE RESERVE AND THEY WOULD LIKE 10 KEEP IN CONTACT IF POSSIBLE. WHAT IS HAPPENING ABOUT THE M.T.A.? Since the first education workshop on the Master Tuition Agreement (M.T.A.) which took place in Vancouver on January 16th - 19th, 1978, alot has happened. All Chiefs and Band Councils have received a report on the first M.T.A. workshop plus the names of the education resource people who attended it. A handbook on understanding the Master Tuition Agreement has been finished, and did that ever take alot of work: It was put together as a result of the four day M.T.A. workshop in January. This handbook has been sent out to resource people throughout the Province. If you would like a copy of this handbook, "Under- Standing the Master Tuition Agreement", just write to Rosalee Tizya, Education Co-Ordinator, Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, P.O. Box 86003, North Vancouver, B.C. V7L 4J5 or phone 986-2236. There have already been M.T.A. workshops at Penticton and Bella Coola. These workshops were well attended. People expressed a great deal of concern over the education of their children, and how that education was affected by the M.T.A. Here is a schedule of other M.T.A. Workshops: MARCH 2nd & 3rd - WILLIAMS LAKE MARCH 9th & 10th - TERRACE (yet to be confirmed) MARCH 13th & 14th - SAANICH MARCH 23rd & 24th - VERNON MARCH 28th - 30th - SEABIRD ISLAND It will be the Band members who will say what they want done about the M.T.A. Then at the General Assembly of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs to be held in Penticton on April 18th, 19th, 20th and 21st, 1978, the Chiefs will make a decision concerning the M.T.A. on behalf of the member governments (Band Councils) of the U.B.C.1.6. Po Wy. 1 ea as Ee | The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs Youth Development Portfolio is pleased to announce > the opening of an essay writing contest for B.C.'s Indian Youth. The Contest is directed towards young people under the age of 19 who are interested in writing essays on Native issues. The contest will be broken down into two (2) group catagories and each group will be judged separately. The groups and prizes will be as follows: GROUP FIRST PRIZE SECOND PRIZE THIRD PRIZE Elementary School $ 75.00 $ 50.00 $ 25.00 Jr. & Sr. High School $ 100.00 $ 75.00 $ 50.00 FIRST PRIZE ALSO INCLUDES AN ALL EXPENSE PAID TRIP TO THE CHIEFS GENERAL ASSEMBLY WHICH IS BEING HELD IN PENTICTON, APRIL 18th - 21st, 1978. Contestants are urged to write their essays on subjects that they personally feel to be of importance to B.C.'s Indian people. GOOD LUCK! KEKKEKE KKKKKEE 5 oy ae at . AND FROM ouR NEWSCLIPPING FILes .. , Zax THE PROVINCE, Saturday, Feb. 4, 1978 B.C. Indians become Canada’s iatest separatists as their leaders announce they want their own land, their own government and their own control of the hunting and fishing which is their traditional way of life. Page4 B.C. Indians want own province, own gov t, own life B.C. Indians want their own people on their own land with ali the rights of a sepa- . rate province, the Union of B.C. Indian ’ Chiefs said Friday. “We were here first,”’ said UBCIC presi- dent George Manuel. ; ‘“‘We want the same authority as a provin- cial government — and we’re entitled to it, . under Section 91 of the British North America Act that lumps us under federal jurisdiction along with banking, military and postal services and criminal law. For municipal governments to try to dictate to - usis totally unacceptable.” - Fora start, the UBCIC said, Indian re- ‘ serve lands should be increased to the point . where they could support the Indian people ‘ fully — even those who do not now live on * reserves. And, the chiefs said, Indians want unre- stricted access to hunting and fishing, plus the right to issue licences for hunting. trap- ping and fishing by non-Indians. The UBCIC claims to represent ‘nore than 45,000 of the status Indians in }.C. covered by federal Indian treaties. There are another 5,000 or so, not covered py treaty, whom the chiefs would like 'v take into camp. “Right now the federal government de- cides which of these non-status Indians can live on our reserves. We want that right, _ says Manuel. All of these demands are slated for the agenda of a four-day conference to be held April 18-21 in Penticton. ‘What we’re doing now is defining more | particularly the aboriginal rights that have been always dealt with in such general terms,” says Manuel. He says Canada’s estimated 300,000 In- dians live in ‘have-not’ communities that are as deserving of Ottawa’s enrichment subsidies as Quebec and the Maritimes. ““We should get some of it — we were here first,” is his view. Prince Edward Island, with a population of 110,000, was handed $720 million in 1970. Indians, that year, got federal funds of $50 million — ‘‘and two-thirds of that was sap- ped away by bureaucratic bodies before we got our hands on it. “Rather than go to the public for hand- outs, we’re insisting on the means for self- help. We want enough territory to enable us’ to sustain our people, territory that could be lucratively productive in timber, fish, game, tourism. : “We want more involvement in wildlife reproduction. Right now, industry is the number one enemy in polluting our rivers and reducing the salmon spawn — and get- ting off scot free. And that’s got to stop. With 57 per cent of our people unemployed in the summer, and 90 per cent unemployed in winter, the survival of fish and game asa basic resource is vital.”’ There's no point in Indians having aboriginal rights, says Manuel, if they’re not backed up by political authority. ‘‘We don’t want the white man out. He’s here to stay. But so are we. And we’re going ahead with this whether the federal and provincial governments like it or not.”’ 20 The Citizen, Wednesday, a 8, 1978. British Columbia Indians will press for their aboriginal rights, George Manuel, president of the North Vancouver-based Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, said Friday. He issued the following statement: “The Union of B.C. In- dian Chiefs defines aboriginal rights to mean that we collectively, as In- dian people, have the right within the framework of the Canadian Constitution, to govern, through our own unique form of govern- ment (Band Councils) an expanded version of our In- dian Reserve Lands, that is sufficiently large enough to provide for the essential needs of all our people. “The Union of B.C. In- dian Chiefs recognizes that some people regard Indian Reserve Lands as un- desirable and a negative place to live: But the fact remains that they (Indian He Reserve Lands) are very sacred and form the foun- ee dation on which to build eee and develop our aboriginal rights. “The Union of B.C. In- dian Chiefs therefore resolves and declares as our working position as: A) Indian Reserve Lands THE x AN D are to be maintained and protected never to be alienated from our I S people: and B) Indian Reserve Lands are to be expanded suf- O "i | R ficiently to provide for the economic, ) educational, social, C A [ L i i [ R EK - cultural and spiritual well-being of all Indian People (including those referred to as non- —_—__——_— status). — “The Union of B.C. In- Oe Se eee dian Chiefs recognizes soa there are some who regard our legitimate Indian Spee ee eee eR Indians Will Seek Rights Government (Band Coun- cils) with contempt, but the fact remains that: 1( Our aboriginal rights struggle is rooted back before European inva- sion at which time our people recognized Chiefs and Councils as the legitimate gover- ning authority, as our , unique form of govern- ment. Chiefs and Councils to this day, have been maintained by our peo- ple as our own unique governing authority, distinct in Canada from other forms of govern- ment. 2 — 3 Chiefs and Councils are one living evidence of our unique way of life, therefore, they form part of the foundation on which to build and develop our aboriginal rights. When our people's aboriginal rights are finally realized, they will have to be channell- ed through a legitimate governing authority of our people. “The Union of B.C. In- dian Chiefs therefore resolves and declares as our position that: 1) Chiefs and Councils must be maintained as the recognized legal governing authority of our people. Chiefs and Councils’ range of jurisdiction must be broadened to encompass all those | areas of concern to our people. Chiefs and Councils’ authority must be ex- panded to allow our people's legitimate , governing authority to | address their problems adequately.”’ 4 — 2 — 3 — iti SOVEREIGNTY THE GOAL Indian Tig Q By HOLLY HORW Ig The head of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs said Friday that B.C. native people have no wish to sell their aboriginal rights but instead will work toward political sovereignty with status equal to that of the provincial government. “We have no interest at all in selling our aboriginal rights for dollars and cents,” George Manuel said. “‘That idea scares the heck out of me. What we want is a degree of sovereignty with financial resources avail- able to us on the basis of need.”’ Addressing a press conference at the organization's headquarters in North Van- couver, Manuel said that the proposal is not new and does not necessarily replace In- dian land claims. However he indicated the . concept does qualify the land claim ques- tion, making it ‘‘clearer, more specific, and says exactly what native peoples are after.” Manuel said the mechanism for setting up a legitimate Indian government is al- ready provided for in the British North America Act. Section 91-28 of the act stipulates only very broadly, Manuel said, that the federal government has control ‘‘over Indians and land reserved for Indians.” “In a way we are designing a new Indian Act,” Manuel's son Bob said later. ‘“‘We are redefining what jurisdiction to transfer from ourselves to the federal government, the provincial government, and our own tribal groups. Manuel explained the key areas in which . Such a government would concentrate are the expansion of reserves, planning and development of lands, fishing and hunting regulations, including licensing, and con- servation and ecological issues. s ‘not for sale’ A native government would also have some control over taxing its people, educa- tion. social and cultural matters and the au- thority to allow non-status Indians to be- come band members. Bob, chief of the Neskainlith Indian band in the Shuswap Lake area, said an example would be the expanded control of his band over nearby forests. ‘‘We would want a large enough area to provide jobs for our people, offering some kind of self-sufficien- cy. “We're talking now about managing our own reserves. We're investigating sustain- ed yield methods and selective logging. “‘We're learning your system.” Manuel said the question of a unique form of government to represent the inter- ests of B.C. Indians will be high on the list of priorities at a general assembly conference sponsored by UBCIC and slated for April 18-21 in Peachland. He said the goal of autonomy through a recognized Indian government is a long- term one to be accomplished through ne- gotiation with all levels of government. The union of chiefs is committed to the idea and will pursue it ‘‘whether other people like it or not.” Most of the pieces are already in place to make the idea work, Manuel said: The band councils and chiefs have long been recognized by native people as legitimate authorities. We would like to thank all those people who have submitted entries for our official logo contest. As you know, the contest closed on February 15th. L Ge-G-. 0 CONTE Sa Preliminary judging for the three best entries will be done before the General Assembly in April 1978. General Assembly for them to choose First, Second and Third prizes. The three best entries will then be presented to the Chiefs at the We would like to thank the following people for submitting their entries: N. Ritchie and Dorinna Wilma Joe from Mount Currie; Ronnie Combes from Chilliwack; Allan Prince from Stuart Trembleur; Gail Moody from Bella Coola; Hope; Dan Coon from Port Hardy; Ben Pelky and Ann Pelky from Saanich; Lyle Pius from Shelly; Vernon Brown from Vancouver and the Grade James Emma Joe from 9 Class of Mt. Elizabeth Secondary School in Kitimat - Garry Wilson, Pat Stewart, Ronald Winsor, Burton Amos, Lorraine Morrison, Jamie Ross, James Grant, Ray Nelson, and the person that drew the "Eagle" design (you didn't put your name on thls ASSEMBLY ‘ PEN TICT ON APR 18 -21,1978 x | if | | ) ny ¥ q =a ee = = —= — mii a i _—— r - ces = By — Tad i u<2 ae Saal = — cote a — cae P< = - - =i a _- : : : —_—Z £ —— = as —— eh e = ee = = eo site —-— = = —— ms : oo uaa : aS << - ——— —— : —s 5 — ye ae = , —_—— ee = _ =s 2 te — = salad UNION OF B.C. INDIAN CHIEFS 10th ANNUAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY AMATEUR TALENT NIGHT Come and be part of the 10th Annual General Assembly of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs. An Amateur Talent Night is being organized as part of the entertainment planned in conjunction with the U.B.C.I.C. General Assembly to be held April 18th - 21st, 1978 in the Peach Bowl Convention Centre, Westminster Avenue & Power Street, Penticton, B.C. The Talent Night, open to B.C. Indians of all ages, has been scheduled for 8:00 p.m., Thursday, April 20th, 1978. If you can sing, dance, tell jokes, play an instrument, perform mime, read poetry or otherwise entertain, please participate. A prize of $ 150.00 will be awarded to the most entertaining performance; Second prize is $ 100.00; Third prize is $ 50.00 and 10 consolation prizes will also be awarded. To register, please fill in the form at the bottom of this page and mail to the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs office (P.0. Box 86003, North Vancouver, B.C., V7L 4J5), as soon as possible. ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED UP UNTIL 4:00 p.m., APRIL 20th, 1978 at the Convention Centre. KREEKEKEKKKEKEKKEKEKKRKKEEKEKKRERKREKKREREKEKKEK KEKE KEKE KRKEKKEKRRKKRKRRKRERKEKREKKREKRKEE REGISTRATION FORM U.B.C.I.C. 10th ANNUAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY AMATEUR TALENT NIGHT NAME : | | AGE: PHONE NUMBER: ADDRESS: TYPE OF ENTERTAINMENT: NUMBER OF PERFORMERS:
Add value
Add URI
Files
Add file
Cancel
URI
Label
Year
Month
Day
