UBCIC News - volume 1, number 3 (July 1978) · UBCIC Photograph Collection

UBCIC News - volume 1, number 3 (July 1978)

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UBCIC News - volume 1, number 3 (July 1978)

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1.06-01.03 Nesika: UBCIC News

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July 1978

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FISHING: LILLOOET, GITKSAN-CARRIER,
STUART TREMBLEUR, SQUAMISH ......
CENTRAL INTERIOR CONFERENCE: A NEW VICE-PRESIDENT ......
OWEEKENO IS STILL IN THE DARK ........

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Vol.l No.3 = July 1978

FISHING: LILLOOET, GITKSAN-CARRIER,
STUART TREMBLEUR, SQUAMISH

CENTRAL INTERIOR CONFERENCE: A NEW VICE-PRESIDENT. .. .

OWEEKENO IS STILL IN THE DARK

oe ee ee ee

EDITORIAL

It is no surprise to Indian people that the confrontation with Fisheries Officers took place in
Lillooet.

“Everyone is aware of the fact that this area is the most sought after

for food fishing as a ways and means of preparing winter food. The

fact is, that all the other systems have been destroyed.” Chief Saul Terry, to

West Coast Oil Ports Inquiry

It is no surprise that the CONFRONTATION took place in the name of CONSERVATION.

Fraser River salmon have suffered greatly in the last hundred years. This is some of what we have
seen:

1870 B.C.’s first commercial cannery was built on the Fraser River.

1901 Only 31 years later there were 49 canneries operating on the Fraser. Our lead-
ers were writing protest letters about over-fishing of the salmon.

1904-06 Three government hatcheries were built near Lillooet and Fisheries began
“overseeing” the spawning salmon. Because Lillooet was a big spawning area
Fisheries attempted to control Indian fishing as a direct threat to their Hatcher-
ies. On the other hand, Indian people were watching the fish die at these
Hatcheries from poor management. By 1937 the Hatcheries were closed.

1913-14 The next crisis for Fraser River salmon was caused by the construction of the
Canadian Northern Pacific railroad through the Fraser Canyon. Rocks and
gravel fell in the canyon and caused severe blockage at Hell’s Gate. Fisheries
took temporary measures and did not built a fish ladder until 1945. But they
immediately banned Indian fishing on the Fraser. In part, they were more wor-
ried about the trapped salmon being ready prey to Indian Fishermen than they
were about the dying fish.

It happened that during the Hell’s Gate Disaster the McKenna-McBride Commission on Indian Af-
fairs was travelling to reserves to hear about Indian lands in question. But when they got to the
Lillooet area the Indians were mad about fishing - McKenna-McBride heard about fish.

‘In building this new railway there has been a slide in the river so

the fish could not get by. Besides that, they have started canneries

and using fish traps, so there is not enough fish going up the river,

and the government allowed us two days out of the week to fish.... Paul Spintlum , to

McKenna-McBride Commission

The McKenna-McBride Commission affirmed exclusive rights of Fishing for Indians in several places
on the Fraser. That is why today when Fisheries restricts our fishing we look back again to the
decisions of the McKenna - McBride Commission which guaranteed our fishing rights.

“None of the restrictions on Native fishing have ever been approved
by Native people. These laws were laid down for a dying ethnic
group, a group which is now one of the fastest growing ethnic groups

ae Chief Victor Adolph, to
West Coast Oil Ports Inquiry
OUR COVER:

| The two-headed sea-serpent will turn a person to “to travel by canoe to and from potlatches”’. He

stone if not approached with the right cere- is manager and principal owner of the Indian
mony. Artist Larry Rosso is called “Siskolas” - owned “Screencraft Enterprises” in Vancouver.

The UBCIC NEWS is the official voice of the

Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs.
It is dedicated to building a strong foundation
for Indian Government by providing an awareness

of the political and social issues affecting the

Indians of British Columbia.

Signed articles and opinions are the views of
the individuals concerned and not necessarily
those of the UBCIC.

EDITOR: Beth Cuthand

Summer Editor: Linda Day

Written Contributions: Chief Randy Porter; George Manuel, Rosalee Tizya, Lillian Basil,
Donna Kydd, John Rogers, Michelle Stiff, Dina Schooner, Jim Brisebois, |
Clifford Hanuse, Nancy Hannum, John Warren, Pauline Douglas.

Photographs: UBCIC Communications Staff

Typesetting: The Indian Voice

The Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs
440 West Hastings Street

Vancouver, B.C.
V6B 1L1

Telephone: 684-0231
Telex: 04-54220

‘TABLE OF CONTENTS

Editorial

The Fraser Boils

President’s Message

Oweekeno Still in the Dark
Condemned School for Telegraph Creek
Central Interior Conference Report
Letters

Up-date

Gitskan Carrier Victory

The true Protectors of the

Fish’

He is an Indian, a poem

Hat Creek project still

Threatens the valley

Forestry Program

You Don’t Need Big Words...
Stuart Trembleur Negotiates
Pollution at Nootka Band
Squamish Band By-laws

Youth Development

Doug Hance Memorial

Whiteman’s Indian, a Book Review

‘UBCIC 3

LILLOOET ASSERTS RIGHTS

Fisheries officials listen intently as Chief Saul Terry outlines our demands.

Nothing less than total involve-
ment in the management and re-
production of the Fisheries can
prevent future confrontations over
Indian Fishing Rights. That is what
12 bands told Hugh Anderson,
acting parliamentary secretary to
Fisheries Minister Romeo Le Blanc,
Saturday, July 22.

The meeting between Lillooet

area bands and the government was
requested by government repre-
sentatives after serious confronta-
tions took place between Indian
Fishing People and Fisheries Offic-
ers on the banks of the Fraser in
mid-July.

At the request of the bands in-
volved, the U.B.C.I.C, fisheries and
legal staff began to look into ways

that our fishing rights could be pro-
tected. It was decided that an in-
junction should be sought as a
temporary measure to stop the
harassment of Indian fishing people
by the Department of Fisheries.
The Argument was heard Tuesday
in Federal Court 5 days after it
had been requested. The injunction
was denied.

con’t P 6.

The Bridge River meets the Fraser, the scene of a confrontation.

PRESIDENT’S

MESSAGE

With the passing of a busy winter and spring,
summer is upon us now, and at the UBCIC we
are taking time to enjoy the beautiful weather
in your communities. I send greetings to those
I have visited in the past few weeks. Thanks for
your hospitality, and for your invitations, as
we continue to attend meetings and gatherings
around the Province.

I would encourage everyone to take advantage
of the opportunity to speak with our staff and
fieldworkers as they travel the Province. We are
all making efforts to visit every community
requesting our help, and to get to know what
the issues are that you feel are most important.

From no electricity and running water in
Oweekeno to a condemned school in Telegraph
Creek, from Federal Fisheries harassment of
Indian people fishing in Lillooet to the election
of a new Vice-President for the Central Interior
Region, the staff and leaders would like to as-
sure you that to the best of our ability and re-
sources, we are putting forth a good effort to
meet each issue with equal strength and wisdom.

I would alsa like to take this opportunity to
thank Don Moses for the strength, time and
talent he had given to the UBCIC, not only as
Vice-President of the Central Interior, but also
as head of the Social-Economic portfolio. While
he was in, Don kept going steadily, and never
hesitated to help out when help was needed.
Don is resigning in order to run for the Liberal
Party. On behalf of Indian people in B.C.;
‘good luck, Don, in your new endeavours’”’.

Again with the salmon runs, come the Fisheries
Department bearing guns, dogs and regulations,
harassing Indian people as they fish for food.
Safeguarding our livelihood and right to food,
the people of the Lillooet District refuse to
accept changes to their licences by Fisheries,
to reduce the fishing days from four to
two. Although we did not succeed in our injunc-
tion against the Federal Fisheries in this one
case, we would like to assure every Indian man,
woman and child, that the UBCIC is committed
to protect our right to tish and would again be
prepared to go to court, to the Press, to the
rivers, and anywhere else we see anyone thinking
that they can threaten our rights and our liveli-
hood without our (consent) approval.

We will continue to negotiate with all Parties
and ask for your continued support.

Sincerely,

George Manuel

UBCIC 5

LILLOOET

s at e

ae.

Fisheries officers confiscated many fish but later returned some to

(their rightful owners.

fie ae

BACKGROUND

The Lillooet fishing struggle be-
gan Wednesday, July 12 when
Fisheries announced a 2-day, closure
of the food fishery. They said the
closure was necessary because they
had mis-calculated the number of
salmon coming to spawn this year.
Lillooet area Indians refused to ac-
cept the closures, arguing that
Indians should not be made scape-
goats of fisheries mismanagement
and over-fishing by commercial
fleets. Fisheries went ahead with
the closure and brought in many
fisheries officers to enforce the ban. ‘

At this cafe ‘alone, UBCIC staff (van, centr
vehicles. Inside, 17 Fisheries officers were discussing our injunction but
Yell silent when the Indians entered the cafe. y

UBCIC 6

Lillooet area Fishing people met repeatedly to discuss the
actions they would take to recover their legal right to fish.

tre), counted 10 Fisheries.

Indians on both sides of the river
decided to fish Tuesday, a day that
was closed to food fishing. Two
Indians were charged with “posses-
sion of fish without legal excuse.”
Fish were confiscated, including a
fish cooking by the fire. The people
were angry and frustrated, our
right to fish is as natural to us as
our right to breathe.

The Lillooet struggle was covered
by the press, radio and T.V. all over
Canada. Perhaps it was because of
this national coverage that Liberal
M.P. Jack Pearsal, Coast-Chilcotin,
a meeting with

requested the

)

Lillooet area bands and Romeo Le-
Blanc’s parliamentary — secretary
Hugh Anderson.

The Saturday meeting was a
good one. The bands strongly
criticized Fisheries for their “mili-
tary style tactics” used in the
Lillooet confrontation. They op-
posed the red tape and the unre-
sponsiveness of Fisheries to do
something about the mismanage-
ment of the fisheries resource.
They warned that if Indian fishing
rights were curtailed further, they
would be forced to take a stronger
stand. George Manuel challenged
the government to sit down with
Indian people and interpret what
fishing rights mean.

LILLOOET

The Bands made the following

demands:

‘i

that fisheries reaffirm the
four-day licences issued to
Lillooet area fishing people
this year,

that Fisheries and Indian peo-
ple consult and agree on
future bans and that those
bans be worked so that other
species could be caught,

that Fisheries officials can not
enter Indian Fishing grounds
unless permission has been
granted by the Chief and

Council,

Throughout the heat of the Lillooet fish-
ing struggle, vacationing UBCIC field-
worker, Mary-Lou Andrew continued
preparing fish to feed her 9 children this
winter.

that Indians have the right to
transport fish when in posses-
sion of a valid Indian status
card,

that provincial and federal
governments take immediate
steps to clean up pollution in
streams and rivers and take to

task industries destroying the -

waterways,

that Indian Bands be respon-
sible for the management of
waterways running by or
through reserves,

Cont’d

that a province-wide commit-
tee be set up between Fisher-
ies and Bands to deal with all
Fisheries matters.

Hugh Anderson said he would
have to make a report to Romeo
LeBlanc before commenting in any
way on the demands.

Throughout our struggle for fishing rights,
the sun and the wind still dry out fish as
they have for centuries.

UBCIC 7

OWEEKENDO IS STILL IN

—-

Fishing w

The people of Oweekeno have been
in the dark since December 2nd,
1977 just thirteen days before they
finished paying off a power system
which has been burnt out countless
times and whose repairs have cost
the Band most of the capital costs
left in their annual budget.

As early as 1972, DIA files show
that studies ‘on a power system for
Oweekeno recorded a 60 kilowatt
need. However, they wired the
village for 15 kilowatt power and a
15 kilowatt generator was instal-
led. It was overloaded and kept
burning out. Each time it burnt
out, the DIA had the diesel engine
sent to Vancouver to be repaired,
at a cost of $5-7,000 each time.
This ‘came out of Band Capital
Funds.

Each’ time the power failed, the
freezers were affected. Fish and
meat stores were spoiled. If the
owner was out of town,at-the time,
the freezer itself would be
damaged. In a remote area where
store-bought fish and meat are
very expensive, these fish and game
stocks are very important. When
the power failed in the winter,
pipes froze and the water supply
was affected.

UBCIC 8

harf at Gweekena |

THE DARK

On December 2nd, 1977, the power
failed again. “Send it down and
we'll fix it up again” said the DIA
agent as usual. The Band Council
decided that it was crazy to throw
yet another $5,000 down the drain.
This time the people of Oweekeno
said no. Everybody, the DIA and
the community, knows very well
that a 15 kilowatt generator is
totally inadequate.

The old power system had swall-
owed up Band housing dollars
since 1971. Since then, some
houses have been condemned. Eight

-
: ¢ E Be eT
ee Lng i =
cota ir ‘
te wt ee

Chief Councillor Frank Johnson tries to fix the temporary water pump _

families need houses now; there
is nothing for them. Two families
have moved into the condemned
houses, patching them up as best
they can. A neighbouring commu-
nity, Bella Coola, has donated
their housing funds for two new
houses in Oweekeno, to help
out. The old power system swallow-
ed the housing budget, but couldn t
have carried the extra power load
of new houses any way.

The present water supply cannot
cope with expanded use either.
This problem is again blamed on
the DIA engineers. Some years
ago, we were told, the DIA decided
a well would supply the Band’s wa-
ter needs. At considerable expense
to the Band, a well was duly sunk
in the recommended area -- and
the people received salt water.
Since then, the DIA has conducted
another study and propose another
well, to be completed as soon as
possible of course. Just to keep
up community morale, the council
has installed a small pump by the
village creek this spring. After two
months of beautiful sunshine and
no rain, the creek is drying up.

- a eT
RT Gs:

The community used to be self
sufficient; it lies at the head of
Rivers Inlet, one of the richest sal-
mon grounds in the world. The
people claim that the Department
of Fisheries Licence Limitation pro-
gram has limited all the Oweekeno
fishermen out of the fisheries.
When we flew up Rivers Inlet,
the whole area was just thick
with sports and commercial fishing
boats. The fishermen of Oweekeno
have to find logging jobs and go
firefighting to pay their high gro-
cery and fuel bills. Food fishing
regulations are confusing.

A few years ago, the Band built
up the Oweekeno Fishing Resort,
Sports fishermen from all over the
world were making bookings for
a year ahead. The project was ma-
king money. A tragic accident took
the life of the man behind the pro-
ject, Danny Walkus. The resort
had a bad year; and the DIA urgent-
ly recommended a white couple
to manage the resort and teach
the community people how to run
it. It was not a good recommenda-
tion. After a second bad year,
most appliances were damaged and
the business was closed. With no
power or water or training the
Band couldn’t think of trying to
open up again this year anyway.

While the DIA will not write off
the resort debt, the Manager of
Social Economic Development has
written to the Band saying this
won’t affect Band financing for
future projects. Other DIA agents
warn the Band that it will. A num-
ber of people from the Band and
on behalf of the Band have been
trying to unravel the Fish Resort
Finances as recorded in DIA files,
trying to get their record clear. It
is like quicksand.

The last seven months have been
totally frustrating for the Owee-
keno Band Council. After each
meeting with DIA agents, they are
made to understand that an interim
generator is on its way and that
the water question is to be settled
immediatel They understand
that the village is going to be wired

for 60 kilowatt power, in readiness
for whatever new power system

the Band deems most efficient.
They are given to understand that
funding arrangements. have been

dealt with. They clearly remember
DIA promises that this is a priority.
Immediateley after each meeting,
even after the meeting with the
Regional Director, it turns out

there is something wrong; the in-
terim generator cannot be found
after all; the funds still have to be

Band meet with DIA July 5: more promises for immediate generator.

found after all........ It goes on and
on; an ugly picture of a lazy in-
efficient bureaucracy ‘bullying a
small community, a_ particularly
cynical example of DIA “highest
priority treatment”’.

When they called in help. from
UBCIC, Band Councillors were
accused by DIA agents of turning
the issue into a political one. Such
abuse of funds and power on the
part of the DIA is clearly both a
legal and a political issue, and must
be dealt with as such.

At time of going to Press, July 24, there is still no power in Oweekeno

TIRBCIC 9

TELEGRAPH CREEK SCHOOL
A DANGER TO STUDENTS:

THE TELEGRAPH CREEK
SCHOOL IS A DANGEROUS
PLACE FOR THE STUDENTS.

Conditions became so bad for the
70 children that attend Grades
l to 7 there, that parents pulled
their children from the school in
February this year.

The Fire Inspector has declared
the School unsafe:-

- the two furnaces are bal-
anced on piles of bricks in an
uninsulated basement. They
should at least be in a fire
separated area;

One of the furnaces
resting on loose bricks

- the classroom doors were put
in backwards, so that open
doors block the way out in
the hall in emergencies;

- stores in the basement would
catch fire and burn in an in-
stant;

UBCIC 10

the propane water heater is
unprotected, It should be in
a fire separated area;

a fire alarm was installed in
February. The children did-
n’t understand its use or
what to do when it went off;

There are two small fire ex-

tinguishers, but no water;
and finally

about 100 yards from the
School stand three 1,000 gal-
lon propane tanks. There is
not even a fence around
these tanks.

The water system is dangerous.

-- the water in the drinking
fountain is at maximum pol-
lution level;

the school toilets don’t work
properly. Nobody knows

where the septic tanks are.
People suspect they might be
leaking into the water sup-

ply;

eo:

The School building . twisted and split wood

last winter the water pipes
froze up and there was no
water. The School Board had
someone go to Telegraph
Creek to install a plastic
tank. This tank leaks 30 gal-
lons per hour, due to poor
installation.

Much of the wood is rotten, twisted
and split. The building is almost
totally uninsulated.

The School is thirty years old: the
people have been experiencing

these problems for the last eight
years. For eight years they have
been trying to get the School Board
to make some improvements. There
was no response from School Dis-
trict No. 87, based in Fort Nelson,
500 miles from Telegraph Creek.

Finally, conditions got so bad that
parents refused to send their child-
ren to school.

80% of the students are Indian.
Under the Master Tuition Agree-
ment, this means that 80% of the
capital and operating costs come
from the DIA, paid to the Provin-
cial Department of Education on
behalf of the Tahltan Band. The
Master Tuition agreement is the
agreement between the Province
and the DIA covering Indian educa-
tion in B.C, Our people have never
been consulted in this. The joint
agreement between the School
Boards and the DIA concerning
the Telegraph Creek School has
been lost.

In February, when they pulled
their children from the School,
the Tahltan Band Council asked
the UBCIC Education Portfolio to
give a workshop on the MTA. The
people wanted to know exactly
‘what their children are entitled to
and to find ways of forcing im-
provements to the Telegraph Creek
situation. One of the results of their
actions was that the Inspector for
the Department of Education had a
study prepared about the School’s
needs. The Tahltan Band _ hired
their own architect.

On June 20th, the Tahltan Band
Council called a full Band meet-
ing, inviting all the residents of

Telegraph Creek. They invited rep-

classrooms are badly lit

Children of Telegraph Creek

resentatives from the Provincial De-
partment of Education, from the
DIA and the District School Board.
They asked the UBCIC Education
Portfolio to go too.

The study prepared by the B.C.
Education Department, considered
the building “structurally sound”
and recommended renovating the
school, to bring it up to “minimum
standards”. The Band Council does
not want to pour all their funds in-
to renovating a school that does not

serve their needs, which cannot ex- |

pand, which only takes children
to Grade 7, and which will only
need the same major repairs in five
years time, with another eight
years’ work to get these attended

ea oo i

to. According to the architect hired
by the Band:

“The only part of the building
not in need of renovation is
the floor framing and _ the
squared log shell.

In other areas of the Province,
many schools in better condi-
tion than the Telegraph Creek
one have been demolished or a-
bandoned”.

The Band Council, supported by
the non-Indian residents of Tele-
graph Creek and by the DIA, want
to spend a few more dollars to
build a school what will serve their
needs and that will last for at least
another thirty years.

The Department of Education has
to have a Band Council Resolution
in order to get the funds for their
proposals. Since the Band does not
approve of the Departments’ pro-
posals, Council refused to sign a
BCR. The result of all this was a
decision that the Ministers rep-
resentative take the Band’s recom-
mendations .back to Minister Mc-
Geer, and arrange a meeting to
discuss these as soon as possible.
The UBCIC is to be invited.

To date we have received no notice
of any meeting, in spite of a num-
ber of reminders. In the meantime
the School remains a danger to the
children of Telegraph Creek.
UBCIC Ll

The Central Interior Regional
Conference held in Vernon on July
25-27 brought together 140 people
to share ideas, and discuss alter-
natives and solutions to the issues
we are facing today. In attendance
were 36 delegates, chiefs and coun-
cillors representing the Lillooet-
Lytton, Thompson-Nicola, Okana-
gan, and Kootenay Districts. There
were also students and observers at-
tending from bands in the interior
and Vancouver, as well as a few
guests from the Colville Band in
Washington.

The conference, chaired by
Richard Vedan and Louise Gabriel,
gave bands and individuals the
opportunity to express concerns
and ask specific questions of
portfolio co-ordinators of the
Union. At the same time UBCIC
staff gave feedback on what has
been happening in each of their
departments since the General As-
sembly. Workshops were held for
informal discussions on Fishing,
Social Development, Indian
Government, Energy and Resour-
ces, and Education.

In the area of Social Develop-
ment, portfolio co-ordinator Ernie
Willie, and assistant Richard Vedan
gave an overview on what has hap-
pened since April. One of the major
items that came up since the Pen-
ticton Assembly has been the con-
sequence of statements made by
Minister of Human Resources, Bill
Vander Zalm, regarding the situa-
tion and lifestyles of urban Indians
in Vancouver. George Manuel invit-
ed the Minister and his staff to con-
sult with UBCIC to determine how
to address this situation in a posi-
tive and effective manner. He
and Richard Vedan met with
Mr. Vander Zalm and two of his
staff on July 6, and have establish-
ed a joint exploratory committee.
Regarding the transfer of social ser-
vices from the federal government
to the provincial government,

UBCIC 12

Richard said, ‘We are strongly and
actively working towards a tri-
partite (three part) role in these
negotiations towards the provisions
of social services.” At the Social

Development workshop people
showed considerable concern for
the high degree of social disorgani-
zation and family breakdown, alco-
holism, and child neglect. There
was very good discussion and sug-
gestions as to where we should
focus our energies in addressing
these problems.

Rick Salter, co-ordinator of the
Energy and Resources portfolio,
gave an over-view of their goals::
“our job is to protect your land,
your. resources, and your waters
from being used solely for the
economic development of the non-
Indian. We try to find out what are
the major economic development
projects being planned by compan-
ies and governments, and we work
closely with bands who are facing

these projects and want help in how
to deal with it.” Workshop dis-
cussions centered around the major
projects being planned across our
land: the diversion of the Kootenay
River, uranium mining, Hat Creek
coal project, Alaska Highway Pipe-
line, and various projects planned
that rely heavily on the use of
water.

Rosalee Tizya explained the
Master Tuition Agreement, what it
means to bands, who is affected
by it, and what alternatives we have
for the education of our children.
Wayne Christian, chairperson of the
Okanagan Tribal Education Com-
mittee stressed the importance of
Indian control of Indian educa-
tion, “We have to start controlling
the educational institutes, the con-
tent and how those things are run.
Only through controlling our
educational system, will we make
Indian government a_ reality.”
Funds have been made available to
hold more workshops in the future.

REGIONAL CONFERENCE

The Indian Government discus-
sions included the issue of mem-
bership. Robert Manuel clarified
the membership options available
to Bands, to consider for the re-
writing of the Indian Act. Robert
stressed the importance of Bands
thinking about the regulations they
want enforced regarding inherit-
ance, marriage, divorce, and blood
quantum in membership for status
Indians. ‘

Fishing has been a major con-
troversy for B.C. Indians and at
the Conference were those people
who have been directly involved
in negotiations with Federal Fish-
eries Department officials. Major
fishing stories are contained in
this issue of UBCIC News. Within
the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs,
there has been a change of posi-
tions in the fishing portfolio, with
Lillian Basil taking responsibility as
Fishing co-ordinator, and Walt Tay-
lor as researcher.

One of the main purposes of in your new capacity as Vice-Presi-
this conference was to elect a new dent.
Vice-President to replace Don
Moses who will be running in the
next federal election. At this time
we welcome Saul Terry, Chief of
the Bridge River Band as the man
representing the Central Interior
Region as Vice-President. At the
conference, Saul addressed _ the
assembly stating: ‘Indian Govern-
ment is the whole issue. Into that
falls all other detailed issues like
our fishing, hunting, resources,
land, and membership. Through a
concerted effort by all.of us, not
only leadership but membership,
we can be a force that can be reck- .
oned with.” Chief Saul Terry

Saul Terry has been the .Chief ee nee

of the Bridge River Band since EDITORS’ NOTE
1973, and is actively involved in

the struggle against the problems (Resolutions and discussions at the
facing his people. We're sure Conference will be reported in
you will do a fine job Saul, and we more detail in the August issue of
extend our congratulations to you the UBCIC News.)

UBCIC 13

Dear Linda,

Thank you very much for having the U.B.C.L.C.
NEWS sent to me, I find that it most certainly
sends out the message for people who care about

our heritage. I found that in many places

throughout the paper, people are concerned a-
bout alcohol and what its doing to our people.

This is indeed a problem throughout Canada for
all we have to do is look at the percentage of our
people in Institutions. The percentage is terrible
because I believe it comes to around eighty-five
percent. I do alot of reading concerning alcohol
because I’m the Chairman of the A-A Group
here. I do my best at carrying the message even
when I’m here in the Institution.

My good friend, Moses Jimmy has a good mes-
sage also because here is a man, who has done a
great deal of suffering because of alcohol. If you
have people in mind who could be alcoholics,
tell them that there is an A-A Roundup here on
August 14-78. The doors open at six p.m. and
there will be a meal. We have Brothers here in
the program.

As for me, I’ve hurt many people because of my
drinking and as the result of it, I’m doing time
in the federal system. Alcohol is the wrong kind
of Spirit for proud people.

The Brothers here will be having a Bingo on
September 29-78. This function is being put on
to raise monies for a big Potlatch in the fall
sometime, There will be really good prizes and
those of us who do carve are starting to make
these prizes. We are really planning for this
Bingo and what better chance to get to know
more Natives in the area. There will be notices
sent out along with pictures of some of the
carvings.

We thank you very much for your concern be-
cause we need people like you who care about
people in Institutions.

Yours in the Brotherhood,

Robert O’Conner.
UBCIC 14

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

To All Band & Other Interested Parties
RE: Tl’azt’en Noyea Dzin

I would like to take this opportunity to say
‘thank you’ to all the Bands that attended this
festival; For all those that did not attend, we
hope you will be able to make it next year.
This was a moderate success, as Tache was
packed with people from surrounding areas and
was enjoyed by all. What with making new
friends, and meeting up with old friends.

Our recreation commission is inviting all
bands next year, for our third annual Noyea
Dzin. We are sure it will be better organized,
with more individual competitive events and
more cultural activities (lahal, dancing & sing-
ing), if this is accepted, we would be closer to
our goal of unity among the Lakes District Car-
riers and surrounding tribes. A traditional event,
where all our people could get out and have fun
without the frustrations of everyday life. I am
sure, all ages, from kids to elders, would enjoy
this event.

Once again, I thank the Bands that made it,
and to wish all the Bands good luck and spirit
in all their endeavors.

Tache Noyea Recreation Commission

STONE BAND HUNTING
Francis Haines of the Stone Band is finding out
just how slow the Canadian court system is. In
the last issue of UBCIC NEWS, we reported how
Frances was charged under the B.C. Wildlife Act
for shooting a moose out of season. In his de-
fence, Francis asserted our aboriginal right to
hunt game on our traditional tribal territory.
On July 19, his case went to court. The Judge,
decided he would take until August 12 to make
his judgement in this case. UBCIC lawyer was
assisting in this case and said she felt hopeful
that the judge would recognise our aboriginal
right to hunt. However, even if the Judge de-
cides against Francis Haines, the Indian people
will still firmly assert our aboriginal rights to
hunt and fish as we have done since time im-
memorial.

UP-DATE

VANDER ZALM

Human Resources Minister, Bill Vander Zalm
has agreed to set up a Joint Committee of the
Human Resources Department of the B.C. Pro-
vincial Government and_ the Union of B.C. In-
dian Chiefs.

“T want the Committee to take a serious look at
the problems of urban Indians and make firm
recommendations to both the Federal and Pro-
vincial governments,”’ President George Manuel
stated, after meeting with Vander Zalm, July 6.

The Joint Committee is a result of a request
made by the UBCIC after Vander Zalm remark-
ed June 16 that young Indians should go back to
the reserve because they are a burden on the
welfare budget of the Provincial Government.
During the July 6 meeting, Vander Zalm told
Manuel that he no longer proposed such a plan.

“Our young people have to come to the city to
find decent housing and employment. Until the
Federal government increases the budgets to
bands, we cannot develop our resources nor
provide for the needs of all our people at the
band level. Young people will have no choice
but to continue to come to the city.” President
Manuel declared.

The Committee will consist of two ministry
representatives and two representatives of the

UBCIC.

THE LOOPING IS DEAD!

The National Energy Board announced its
decision on the “looping” application. The
answer was “no”. Westcoast lost out in its bid
to “loop” portions of its present gas pipeline
from Chetwynd to Huntington.

The National Energy Board’s decision was re-
ported in the Vancouver Sun, the 13th July,
1978. The report spoke briefly of the partici-
pation and role of the UBRCIC in the hearings.
It seems that the National Energy Board has, for
the first time, listened to our witnesses, our
arguments on socio-economic and environmental
impacts, and our cross-examination of West-
coast’s “‘experts”’.

This may not be the last that we hear of West-
coast, particularly as they are part of the Foot-
hills (Yukon and Alberta) group which intend
to build the Alaska Highway Pipeline (Alcan)
through North and South Eastern B C.

It is nice therefore to be able to participate in a
“victory” and to show them we mean to protect
our rights through every step of their pipeline
journey.

UBCIC STAFF

On July 12, Ernie Willie was promoted to head
the Preventive Social Services Development
Program for the UBCIC. Dick Vedan will be

co-ordinating the program from August Ist, and
Julie Newman will be Fieldworker/Secretary.

On the same day, Rosalee Tizya was promoted
to UBCIC Administrator. Rosalee was co-ordina-
tor of the Education Portfolio since last Novem-
ber. Originally from Old Crow, Yukon, Rosalee
has been involved in political work for our
people for a considerable time. After working
in communications and education in the North-
west Territories and with the Committee for
Original People’s Entitlement, Rosalee moved to
Ottawa to head the National Indian Brother-
hood Education Portfolio,

B.C. has been the family base for many years
now so she has kept up with the issues and con-
cerns that we have been experiencing here.
UBCIC NEWS wishes all of you strength and
success in your new fields.

UBCIC 15

GITKSAN-CARRIER VICTORY

Members of the Gitskan-Carrier
Tribal Council have claimed a major
victory following a long legal
battle with the Federal Fisheries
Department. On July 10 and 11,
1978 thirteen out of 17 charges
against members of the Band for
illegally selling fish, and illegally
catching fish were dismissed
because federal fisheries witnesses
did not appear, officers could not
positively identify the Indian

people, evidence was insufficient, .

and the sale of fish could not be
proved.

Neil Sterret, a member of the
Fishing Rights Committee for the
Gitskan-Tribal Council views the
charges as part of the campaign
to harass Native food fishery and
help federal fisheries cover up sal-
mon loss due to their own poor
management. These charges involve
no more than 10 fish per person,
and probably only totally 60 fish
in all.

Looking back on the events
which started one year ago, Neil
Sterret said, “From the very be-
ginning we knew we probably were
not going to get a fair hearing from
Judge Cook based on comments
made last September. While trying
to establish a location for hearing
the cases, Judge Cook declared,
‘If there’s a drinking party in Ter-
race everybody could get there.’
Defence Council Stuart Rush and
Peter Grant were advised to file for
prohibitions against Judge Cook in
the Supreme Court of B.C. The
Tribal Council was concerned from
the beginning because not only
were we fighting a strong under-
cover campaign by Federal Fish-
erles against Indians, but we were
also up against the court system be-
cause we couldn’t get a fair trial
through Judge Cook. When Judge
Cook was removed from the case
because of his prejudicial state-
ments, the cases were then handled

UBCIC 18

by Judge Delores Holmes. The out-
come of the cases confirmed every-
thing the tribal council said from
the beginning. Federal Fisheries had
made a big mistake and the real

issue could be better resolved

through open communications be-
tween top level federal fisheries
officials and the Tribal Council,
rather than through the courts.”

Here is a brief update on what
charges were made and why they
were dropped in court. (A stay of
proceedings happens when the
Crown decides not to continue
with the case. They usually do this
when at trial it turns out their case
is very weak. Technically, they can
re-open the case at some future
date but this almost never hap-
pens.)

-- Michael McCall was charged for
illegal sale of salmon. The case
never came to trial and there was
a stay of proceedings. Two fish-
eries officers who were witnes-
ses for the Crown from Red
Deer, failed to show.

Edward Morris was charged for
the illegal sale of salmon. His
case ended with the same re-
sults as Michael McCall’s.

-- Herbert Wesley was charged with
one count of illegal sale of sal-
mon. The judge stayed the case
for ‘‘abuse of proceedings.” Wes-
ley appeared in court ten times.
Eight of those times he had to
travel 65 miles to get there.

- Robert Campbell. One charge
was dismissed because there was
no evidence that he was involved.
Robert was with Lloyd Turn
er. The evidence showed Lloyd
was engaged in negotiation to sell
10 fish for $30,00 to an under-
cover fisheries officer. Lloyd
handed over the fish and the
fisheries officer paid, and asked
Robert Campbell to haul the
fish to his car at the top of the
canyon. Robert carried the fish
and was charged.

- Lloyd Turner. The decision is
due September 15 in Burnaby.

- Edward Morris was also charged
on two counts of selling salmon
illegally. One charge was dis-
missed because Morris couldn’t
be identified and the other was
a stay of proceedings because a
fisheries officier didn’t show up
to testify.

The True Protectors

of the Fish

Between July 4th and 18th, I trav-
elled to the Stuart Trembleur

sat} Band, Soda Creek, Alkali, Toosey,

the illegal salmon. There was a
stay of proceedings because fish-
eries officers couldnt identify
him.

-- Roy Morris was charged on two
counts and both were dismissed
because fisheries officers could-
n’t identify him.

-- Louis Madam was charged with
fishing during closure. There was
a stay of proceedings because
the witnesses didn’t show.

- Abel Nikal was charged with
the illegal sale of salmon. Again
there was a stay of proceedings
because there was a mistake in
information.

-- Gordon Travers was charged with
the illegal sale of salmon. There
was a stay of proceedings be-
cause of “abuse of criminal
process”, resulting from the mis-
handling of the case by Judge
Cook.

This was a major victory for the
Gitskan-Carrier Tribal Council and
the elders who supported them.
Neil Sterret knows the importance
of getting the fishing issue resolved
and says, “Federal Fisheries were
trying to resolve a political issue
through the court system, and it
must be resolved politically. Now
the real work will have to begin
between Federal Fisheries and the
Gitskan-Carrier Tribal Council in an
effort to resolve these issues politi-
cally.”

Sugar Cane, and the Lillooet Bands.
The purpose of my trip was basical-
ly to find out what the situation
was in ‘fishing, and also to inform
people about what is happening

in fishing in other areas and what |

the central office of the UBCIC is
doing. Again, the trip was quite an
experience. In Tache, I was fortu-
nate in having the opportunity of
witnessing, first hand, the sup-
port behind the Band’s decision
to reject the new “Indian Food
Licence”, regardless of the pressure
from Federal Fisheries. It certain-
ly gives one strength and more
determination in reaching our peo-
ple’s objective of Indian Control
of Indian Fishing.

In the other Bands, I talked to peo-
ple who expressed concern about
the sneaky methods that the Fed-

| eral Fisheries officers use to impose

the new forms of licence, without
acknowledging the Chief and Coun-
cil or the, UBCIC.

It was very disturbing to learn that
fisheries officers go door to door,
without first consulting the Chief
and Council, while on the other
hand they tell the UBCIC that
their objective is to turn over the
responsibility of fishing licencing to
the Band Councils.

People also expressed concern that,
year by year, the Federal Fisheries
is taking away our food through
increasing restrictions and regula-
tions in our food fishing.

Alkali Reserve

by Lillian Basil

People felt strongly that no matter
what, the fish that we survive on
should be well protected, because
fish is vitally important to our peo-
ple, spiritually and economically,
and equally important to nature.

In Lillooet, it becomes very clear
that the Federal Fisheries is not at
all living up to the priorities they
are responsible for. The Indian
Food ‘Fishing is put at the bottom
of their priorities, and they contra-
dict conservation by allowing over-
fishing by the commercial and
sports fishermen. They are making
Indian people pay the price of their
mistakes, through limitations,
closure, intimidation and other op-
pressive methods. They will not
take into account the real truth,
that they are incapable of protect-
ing the fishery resource. Who owns
the big boats? Who are members
of the Rod and Gun Clubs? Who
runs the pulp mills? The sawmills?
Who is responsible for poor logging
practices?

All in the name of conservation,
they pin their mistakes on our peo-
ple, who depend on the fish and
respect the life that the fish depend
on for their survival.

The Lillooet people certainly were
not party to war with fishing of-
ficers. They were victims. They pay
the price for pollution and over-
exploitation of the fishing resource
by other user groups.

Congratulations must be made to
all our true protectors of fish.
There are many of you.

UBCIC 19

HE IS AN INDIAN

May as well reveal his shadow, As a boy near the sea,

Which is hidden yet may glow, About to be taken away free,

Especially when one smiles, At no cost, but there was a lifeguard,

As it makes his mind travel miles, Who took him ashore, into her frontyard,
Into the distance of fantasy, Sandy it was, it was home,

For he sees life not so easy. The beginning of his earthly roam.

‘al
-

"MT olay. 7Ar’
r ’ 7

How youthful his laughter was,

For in life he had a cause,

Throughout years by and by,

His home would not die,

The survival ordeal made him proud,

Yet outside his people’s voice wasn’t loud.

: In school he scribbled and wrote,
- Learned to control temptation with devote,
*,.. To his people and land,
To live happy and not demand,
For world freedom his people once had-
mee" He saw his people sad.

Into the whiteman wa
In living hope he earneé
les

He learned to: be. mean,:so. meai® "9a... Sa
Sometimes he forgot he-was indian; ares’ ca
.. It hurt when‘he realized the. cate, ame ee
Was he losing in the hell he had-to face? - deadpan Mare ae
In the world so artificial? _ oe > = ee

What of the reserves ever so un natural? a
this’story never ends ~ iv meets i irene
challenge does he: de few Penc: <a iti ioe A

Cetin, Om cegten

al ‘ bia es eee ee

UBCIC 20

HAT CREEK IS STILL A THREAT

To B.C. Hydro, Hat Creek, is
just one of many projects they
want developed. They really have
no feeling for the valley. To them
Hat Creek is just a valley but to its
surrounding residents it represents
home. A place where our ancestors
lived unmolested and a place where
our generation wants to live with
the same peace they enjoyed. Is it
to much to ask to be left along to
enjoy life as we want to? Too often
the whitemen has take our resourc-
es and destroyed them. How long
will it take for the whiteman to
realize they cannot go destroying
valuable resources and expect to re-
main here? With all their sophistica-
ted knowledge they still cannot see.
It tages an Indian to remind them
they are headed in the wrong direc-
tions.

B.C. Hydro is conducting its own
study to try and determine this.

We don’t want to rely solely on
Hydro’s findings to various Indian
bands nearby grouped together to
do our own study, and as a result
the Hat Creek Coal Committee
was formed. B.C. Hydro estimates
that their study should be complete
by the end of this year. Our study
will take a bit longer, due to fund-
ing problems with D.LA. It is
hoped that once both studies are
completed, an information’ ex-
change will take place.

With its. financial resources,
Hydro has been able to purchase
a few of the biggest ranches around.
This is most likely a tactic by
Hydro to eliminate as-much of the
opposition as possible. By paying
off as many other groups as pos-
sible Hydro probably feels that the
Indian population will be easier
to deal with. It is no secret that

‘a he :

the Hat Creek site —

this project will require vast quanti-
ties of land, land that once was
used for agricultural purposes, and
land that will likely be lost forever.
Despite what Hydro says about re-
clamation practices, they cannot re-
turn the soil to the productive
levels that they once had. We know
that Hydro is famous for destroying
not repairing.

Should this project get the go
ahead, who do you think would
benefit the most? The merchants in
the surrounding towns would bene-
fit economically, due to the
increase in business and people liv-
ing in large cities will benefit be-
cause this is where the electricity is
really aimed for. The U.S.A. also
stands to benefit because of the
cheap source of power. Try to
picture the benefits that the Indian
communities would realize.

UBCIC 21

Since most of the electricity
would go for the larger centres,
why not make these people pay for
the service? Burn the coal in Van-
couver, if they need the power then
let them pay the price. Make this a
project for Robert Bonner, burn it
on his front lawn. Why should we
run the risk of ruining this valley to
benefit someone else?

A “test” coal pit: which B.C, Hydro
filled with water and then with fish

Hat Creek Committee,
UBCIC staff, at the slag heap

This is an introduction to Hat
Creek and to some of the questions
that should be answered.. In later
issues of the U.B.C.1.C. Newsletter
comments on the progress of the
Committee will be forth coming.

Randy Porter
Chief of Bonaparte Band

UBCIC 22

The new Forest Act was passed by
the Legislature on June 15. This
Act has now become law and it
will govern the use of the forest
resources of B.C for many years to
come.

The UBCIC Forestry Committee
opposed this legislation because it
does not provide specific opportun-
ities for economic development
by bands in this sector of the econ-
omy. The Committee met with the
Social Credit caucus and opposition
MLA’s to discuss our concerns.
Although we were not successful
in changing the Government’s app-
roach, the Committee did make
our Legislative representatives more
aware of the problems and needs
of our bands.

The new regulations of the Act will
be released shortly. These regula-
tions define how the Forest Service
will carry out its responsibilities on

| a day-to-day basis. The Forestry

Committee will meet soon to re-
view these regulations. We will ad-
vise the bands on the implications
they have for future Indian in-
volvement in the industry.

It became clear to the Union from
the work of the Committee over
the last 5 months that information
on Indian involvement in this in-
dustry was very incomplete. AlI-
though we know forestry is an im-
portant economic activity of many
bands, we do not have accurate

information to support this ob-

servation. Therefore Gordon An-
toine, Chief of the Coldwater Band,
has accepted a short-term contract
with the Union to prepare a report
on this topic. The report will pro-
vide

1) An overview of the timber in-
ventory on BC. _ reserves
2) An analysis of the number of
Indian people both on and off
reserve working in the industry.
3) Summary of the timber re-
quirements which bands have
identified as necessary to their
long-term objectives.

4) A review of grazing agree-
ments currently in _ force.
5) A review of individual and
band-owned logging and saw-
milling business in operation.

This information could become the
basis for a sectoral program for
forestry. It will provide the justifi-
cation for much greater support
for work and development in this
field.

Gordon will be contacting bands
within the next few weeks. We
would appreciate receiving ideas
and information from as many
bands as possible in order to make
this study effective and repres-
entative.

YOU DONT NEED BIG WORDS

Dear Mom and Dad,

We just finished a history-making, Writer’s
Workshop. Remember how I used to rant and
rave in High School about the stuff that was
being written about Indians? Remember how I
used to pound the table and say: We have to do
it ourselves? My dream is coming true. I’ve al-
ways wanted to get together with other Indians
‘who like to write. Not journalism necessarily
_ but real writing from the heart and soul. Indian
writing for Indians.

July 17 & 18 in the Board Room of the
Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs, IT
HAPPENED.

Maria Campbell who wrote Halfbreed, Little
Badger and the First Spirit and other books,
came to lead the Workshop. Maria is one of the
first Indian writers to be published by the non-
Indian press. She has broken a lot of trail for the
rest of us young writers to follow. I met her be-
fore the Workshop. I’d never met her before and
I didn’t know quite what to expect. You know,
she doesn’t act famous. She doesn’t put on airs
but she’s confident, and strong.

“What’s your goal for the Workshop?”
she asked after we’d chatted a bit.

“I want to de-mystify writing. I want it to
be accessible to Indian people who want to
write. I want us all to share a common dream,”
I said, “Indians writing for Indians.”

“And we can develop our own style of
writing,” I said, trying not to pound the table.

“Wow, I want that, too,” she said.

We started the Workshop. Maria talked and
talked and talked. She told us jokes and made us
laugh: She described some of her experiences
and made us cry inside. She humbled us without
breaking our spirit. But the most important
thing she did was make us see our responsibility
to the people when we write.

Most of us believed writing is magic. She
freed us of that. We thought that we needed to
know the proper sentence structure, punctua-
tion and the “right” words.

One middle aged man was afraid he didn’t
have the big words to write. Maria said:

“Who cares about big words. Our people
don’t. That’s who we’re writing for. If they
don’t understand our writing then we shouldn’t
fool ourselves that we’re Indian writers.”

I had a big lump in my throat as I looked
around the Board Room table at the shining
eyes of 20 Indian writers. Maria was speaking to
each one of us, validating our ambition and our
reasons to write.

We went around the table and each of us

talked about the kind of writing that we did,
how long we’d been writing and some of the
problems we had. A lot of us were afraid to
show other people our writing because it was so
personal. Maria talked to us about being confi-
dent and responsible. She said the best writing
comes from the gut, and can’t help but reveal
something of the writer. “Gut” writing is the
most powerful and has the most feeling. As
writers we have a responsibility to share our
work. Maybe another Indian will read your writ-
ing and think ‘I feel that way too. I’m not alone
this person thinks the same thing I do.’
It’s sort of scary when you think of it.
Your loving daughter,
Beth

PS I'll tell you about Upchuck Reserve in my
next letter.

VIDEO WORKSHOP:

There are still about four places available in the

are Monday 21st to Wednesday 23rd. If you are
interested please let us know: Communications

UBCIC, Video Workshop, 440 West Hastings
St., Vancouver, B.C.

Video Workshop that we are holding at the
Capilano College studios in August. The dates

UBCIC 23

STUART-TREMBLEUR BAND
NEGOTIATES SELFE-REGULATION

STUART TREMBLEUR BAND
AND FISHERIES NEGOTIATE
LICENCES }#SELF-REGULATION

The Fisheries Department put up
the regulation for the new licences
last September, but did not tell
Bands about it until last month,
‘days before the fishing season open-
ed. There was no consultation at
any time with Band Councils,
Indian Food Fishing Committees or
the UBCIC On June 12th, 1978,
the Stuart Trembleur Band report-
ed on the new licence requirements
to other Indian Bands.

LICENCE MAKES A WELFARE
PRIVILEGE OF OUR FISHING
RIGHTS

On June 22nd, the Chiefs Council
of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs
unanimously rejected the new “In-
dian Food Licence” and resolved to
resume our traditional Aboriginal
Responsibility for the protection of
our fish. UBCIC President, George
Manuel, wrote to the Minister of
Fisheries, Romeo Le Blanc, explain-
ing the Chiefs’ resolutions.

“The new licencing procedure
suggests a new and unacceptable
concept of Indian food fishing
as a restricted privilege rather
than as a fundamental right.

B.C. Indians cannot accept the
new licencing regulations which
sharply curtail our Indian fishing
rights without any effective,
prior consultation with the peo-
ple directly concerned. We can-
not find any constructive reasons
for the unilateral (one-sided)
changes in regulations and forms
which demand a new range of
information.”

UBCIC 24

It took two weeks to get a reply.
This was received from Wally John
son, Director General of Fisheries,
Pacific Region.

“Let me assure you”’, he wrote
to George Manuel on July 12,
1978, “that the change in
nomenclature (name) from In-
dian food permit to Indian food
licence is a technical change
only. There is no implication
and no intent to modify or
change current practice govern-
ing regulation of Indian food
fishing. The licence is not ‘new”
and does not suggest a new con-
cept of Indian food fishing”

{

i -

=
fi

Chief John Alexis

At first glance, the Indian Food
Licence doesn’t seem very different
from the old ‘Indian Permit”.
The permit was already a restric-
tion of our fishing rights. The
Licence, however, seems to take
another long step away from the
view of fishing as an unquestionable
Indian Right. The new Section 29
makes it very clear that Fisheries
look at our food fishing as a privi-
lege, granted us by the Department.
They do not see it as a right that
comes from centuries of managing
the fisheries, a right that has never
been surrendered.

The Union of B.C Indian Chiefs
has tried to keep to a reasonable
approach, keeping the communica-
tion channels with the Fisheries
open, in an attempt to avoid the
violent confrontations that threaten
our people every summer. The
Director of Fisheries makes no such
effort.

‘I wish to advise you that if an
Indian person fishes for food
purposes without a food licence,
that person is liable to prosecu-
tion and, if convicted, to such
penalties as may be prescribed

by the Parliament of Canada....
Let me assure you that the regu-
lations governing Indian food
fishing will be enforced”’.

A copy of this letter to George
Manuel was sent to the Stuart
Trembleur Band. The Band, how-
ever, remained strong in their in-
tention not to accept these licences.

“NEW FISHING REGULATIONS
MUST BE NEGOTIATED”
INSISTS BAND COUNCIL

At a meeting on July 18th, 1978,
with Fisheries personnel, the Stuart
Trembleur Band offered to handle
their own fishing regulations. This
is in line with Fisheries public
statements that it is Fisheries policy
to promote fish self-regulation by
Band Councils.

A strong and united Band argued
that the only fishing agreement
ever made with the Canadian Gov-
ernment was the Barricade Agree-
ment of 1911. This agreement
limits fishing to five days per week,
and it limits fishing methods. In
no way were aboriginal fishing
rights surrendered. “Therefore, says
Stuart. Trembleur Band, any other
conditions have to be negotiated”’.

They opened negotiations by offer-
ing to set up a Committee:

LICENCES NOT NECESSARY
FOR GOOD MANAGEMENT OF
FISH RESOURCE.

The Stuart Trembleur Band has
found a_ constructive way to
demonstrate that fishing can be
well managed in Indian area with-
out the need for licences. Their
answer to the Licence Conflict
should lead to benefits for all our
people, and to better conservation
methods and management of our
resources.

l. to enforce the 5 day fishing

week and fishing methods of
the Barricade Agreement;

2. to number nets, count and re-
port catch; and

3. to make sure no salmon is sold;

4, if the Fisheries Officer wishes
to hand all licences to the Chief
the Chief is willing to hold
them.

In return for handling their own
fishing regulations, the Band want-
ed the Fisheries to agree:

l. not to take nets from Band
members fishing;
2. not to confiscate fish; and

3. not to prosecute for fishing
without a licence.

After long deliberation, Fishing Of-
ficer John Tuyttens agreed. It is
hoped that such an agreement may
help improve communications be-
tween our fishing people and the
Fisheries.

UBCIC 25

POLLUTION AT NOOTKA

Today the Nootka Band faces an-
other problem. When they moved
near the Mill to get jobs, they were
not aware of how polluted the air
around a pulp mill can get.

The mill spits out hugs amounts
of poisonous chemicals into the air.
The Band community is only about
200 yards from the Mill. When
the wind blows the wrong way,
the chemicals from the mill blow
through the community.

Mary Johnson, Chief of the Nootka
Band, and I were sitting in her
home drinking coffee the first day I
visited there. The wind changed
direction and the whole ‘house be-
gan to stink from the fumes. I
couldn’t believe it. Mary says it
happens every day

get rashes on their arms that turn
into open sores, and they get sore.
eyes. Everyone believes these prob-
lems are caused by the pollution
from the Mill. The company be-
lieves there 1s no problem and re-
fuses to discuss health with the In-
dians.

Until 1968, fishing was good in
Friendly Cove, and now it is not.
According to the Nootka Band,
this is due to the sewage from the
Tahsis Pulp Mill. The children can
no longer use the beaches. They are
too dirty. The water has been test-
ed by the Government Pollution
Control Board, and they say the
water Is clean.

In 1965, the Nootka Band “‘sur-
rendered” 33 acres of reserve land
to the Federal Government so that

The pulp mill

Near the community are two large
piles “of chips, sawdust and very
fine dust from the Saw Mill. The
wind blows the fine cedar dust
from these piles through the com-
munity as well.

The fumes from the Pulp Mill and
the cedar dust can both cause
health problems. The biggest worry
is how these pollutants affect the
lungs, particularly of the children.

The people I spoke to told me that
the children get lots of colds, even
in the summer, and that the colds
last a long time. The children also

UBCIC 26

it could be leased to the Tahsis
Company to build a pulp mill. In
1968, the pulp mill started opera-
tion. The Mill pumps sewage daily
into the fishing grounds, through an
underwater pipe.

The lease that the Federal Govern-
ment signed with the Tahsis Com-
pany says the people of the Nootka
Band should have priority for jobs
in the Pulp Mill. By 1971 everyone
had moved from Friendly Cove,
where the fishing used to be, to the
Pulp Mill, where they could get
jobs. The promise of jobs was ex-
aggerated.

oj0yd aouraoid

Chief Mary Johnson
The Provincial Government, re-
sponsible for regulating pollution,
ordered the company to clean up
the pollution by 1978. The Com-
pany claimed they couldn’t afford
to do this. The Government be-
lieved them and gave them until
1980 to clean up the mill.

No-one believes the company is
poor. The Tahsis Company is own-
ed by International Paper in New
York and by the East Asiatic Com-
pany. The International paper com-
pany is one of the biggest in the
world. The East Asiatic Company
earned 45.8 million dollars in 1976,
and is owned by the Danish Royal
Family. Nobody seems to care a-
bout the health of the Nootka
people. The company says there is
no health problem because the
nearest community, “except for the
Indians”, is 8 miles away.

The Nootka Band can pass a by-
law protecting the health of its
members from pollution. The Pulp
Mill is on Indian land and is subject
to any by-law the Band Council
may pass. If the company doesn’t
obey the law they can be fined or
get jail sentences.

The by-law is one way for the
Nootka band to take action. It
tells the B.C. Government and the
Tahsis Company that they, the peo-
ple of the Nootka Band, will not
stand for continued pollution.

JIM BRISEBOIS

an environmental researcher.

o1oyd 2ou1A01d

‘THE SQUAMISH BAND BY-LAW

In November of 1977, the
Squamish Band was successful in
regaining control over their fisher-
ies. The 1,200 member Band adopt-
ed their own fishing by-law for the
preservation, protection, and man-
agement of fish. The fishing by-law
contains 21 points and takes over
complete control of the fisheries on
the Capilano, Squamish, and Sey-
mour Rivers that run through re-
serve land. Responsibility for carry-
ing out the provisions of the fish-
ing by-law is given to the Band
Manager, who may also make regu-
lations for the proper management
and control of the fisheries.

Dave Jacobs, Squamish Band
fishing co-ordinator said that under
Sect. 81 (0) of the Indian Act,
Bands have the right to pass by-laws
exercising authority for the pro-
tection and management of the
fish. Speaking about the fishing by-
law Dave Jacobs said, “We have the
right to do this. We are concerned
over the salmon and to control this
we've passed by-laws. Our view is to
control it now so in the future our
people will have salmon. ’

3. Band Council may appoint
fishery officers whose acts and dut-
ies are as defined by this by-law and
amendments hereto and whose
titles are as specified in their ap-
pointments.

4. Salmon fry, parr and smolt
shall not at any time be fished for,
caught or killed, and_no salmon or
grilse of less weight than three
pounds shall be caught or killed,
otherwise than by angling with
hook and line.

5. No person other than a
member of the Squamish Indian
Band shall engage in fishing upon
Squamish Indian Band _ waters.

6. Members of the Squamish
Indian Band shall be permitted to
engage in fishing upon Squamish
Indian Band waters at any time and
by any means except by the use of

rockets, explosive materials, projec-
tiles, or shells.

7. <Any fishery officer appoint-
ed hereunder may direct, either in
writing or orally on sight, that nets
or other fishing apparatus be re-
duced in size to occupy less than
one-third (1/3) of the diameter of
any stream or river.

8. Where unused
obstructions,

slides, dams,
or anything detri-

mental to fish exist, and the owner.

or occupier thereof does not after

notice given by the Band Council to

remove the same, or if the owner is
not resident in Canada, or his exact
place or residence is unknown to
the Band Council, the Band Council
may, without being liable to dam-
ages, or in any way to indemnify
the said owner or occupier, cause
such slide, dam, obstruction, or
thing detrimental to fish life to be
removed or destroyed and in cases
where notice has been given to the
Owner or occupier may recover
from the said owner or occupier the
expense of so removing or destroy-
ing the same.

9. Every person using stakes,
posts, buoys or other materials
placed for fishing purposes in any
water shall remove the same within
forty-eight (48) hours after ceasing

_ to use them..

10. One-third (1/3) of the width
of any river or stream, and not less
than two-thirds (2/3’s) of the width
of the main channel at low tide,
in every tidal stream shall be always
left open, and no kind of net or
other fishing apparatus, logs, or any
material of any kind shall be used
or placed therein.

Ll. The eggs or fry of fish on the
spawning grounds, shall not at any
time be destroyed.

12. No person. shall
knowingly permit to pass into, or

put or knowingly permit to be put, .

lime, chemical substances or drugs,

cause or

poisonous matter, dead or decaying
fish, or remnants thereof, mill
rubbish or sawdust or any other
deleterious substance or thing,
whether the same is of a like char-
acter to the substances named in
this section or not, in any water
frequented by fish, or that flows
into such water, nor in ice over
either such waters.

It seems that Bill Otway, presi-
dent of the BC. Wildlife Federa-
tion totally misunderstands the
reasons why the Squamish Band de-
cided to make their own fishing
by-law. His charges that Indian
Bands have no concern over conser-
vation is not based on fact, and he
claims that Indian Band control
over parts of rivers will mean the
end of sports fishing. The Squamish
Band is concerned about the preser-
vation and protection of the fish
and its environment, and this was
clearly their intent when the fishing
by-law was made.

Rosalee Tizya, Union of BC.
Indian Chiefs administrator, wrote
to Bill Otway hoping to clear up
his misunderstanding.

“This is one (Squamish) band s
effort to résume Indian respon-
sibility for the conservation and
reproduction of fish in B.C On
this one top priority we all a-
gree, not only B.C. Wildlife
Federation and Federal Fisher-
ies Department, but also the
Band Councils, and their Union
of B C. Indian Chiefs.

To put food-fishing and sports
fishing in the same category, as
you imply through the press,
shows a lack of understanding
of the real needs we continue to
express to you and distorts the
conditions under
people have continued to struggle
for their food fishing rights and
responsibilities.
On July 28, a meeting will take
place between UBCIC and the B.C.
Wildlife'Federation :
UBCIC 27

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

Recently, while on a field trip to Prince
Rupert, Terrace, and Kitamaat I was very fortu-
nate to participate in the opening ceremonies of
Kitamaat Village’s new Recreation Centre.
This centre is the result of 9 years of hard work,
but appears to be worth all the energy and
frustration that went into it.

The building itself includes a large gymnasium
and several smaller activity rooms. This has been
a major accomplishment as one of the biggest
problems with Youth programs is the lack of
facilities.

In the opening, Chief Councillor Heber Mait-
land delivered a very insightful speech in refer-
ence to the needs of young people. He stated
that we must allow our young people the best
possible opportunities if they are to become
strong and mature leaders.

The people of Kitamaat have gone to great
lengths to ensure that the young people of their
community have such opportunities. Aside from

the Recreation Centre, Kitamaat is very advanc-

ed with their Youth programs.

Kitamaat has always been very organized as
far as sports, and athletics go, but in the last
little while they have expanded their scope.
They now have a youth council and a cultural
training center. The Youth council is a group of
young people who meet regularly to discuss the
problems they may be facing, but perhaps more
important, they meet to plan and implement
various activities such as dances, tours, etc. It
is also interesting to note that these young
people raise all of their own funds for their
activities.

Kitamaat also has a Cultural centre where
the young people can go to learn Dancing,
Weaving, the Haisla language, and Leather work.
The Recreation workers, Gerald Amos and
Arnold Smith are planning to implement a lead-
ership training program and a Village orchestra.

I would like to take this opportunity to con-
gratulate Kitamaat on the opening of their new
Recreation Centre as well as offer my admira-
tion for all the hard work that has gone into or-
ganizing their Youth programs.

UBCIC 28

Children from different tribes sit among each other
and teach each other songs.

On July LOth to 16th, 1978 there was a memori-
al gathering of many Indians from BC., the
Plains and the U.S.A. in rememberance of Doug
Hance who passed away earlier this year. Doug
had helped people in every way he could and did
a great deal for the Williams Lake District. This
gathering took place on Toosey Reserve near
Riske Creek, B.C with camp set up. More than
100 peoplehad tent’s up, young children ran
around the camp playing the games and activi-
ties, waiting for the rodeo for the last two
days’s of the gathering.

w s Sy ey

Some try to find out who George is

i
af fa

George Manuel shares some of his song s

For me, it was a won-

derful feeling in memorance of a great person
I never met before: Doug Hance.

Barney Howard
UBCIC 29

THE WHITE MAN’S INDIAN

by Robert F. Berkhofer, Jr. published by
Alfred A. Knopt Inc., New York, 1978.

The early European scholars (poets, writers,
philosophers) and especially the explorers in-
fluenced the development of the concepts of
the people of the New World (America) and
“how those concepts are true today.” We are
seen in the light of the way things existed before
White contact. The author further states that
this is perhaps due to the fact that there was
very little written about us after the Civil War.

He points out the constant contradictions made
by scholars. For instance, we. were considered
“Wildly savage,” without soul or culture etc.
Then there were the liberal and religious people
who thought otherwise: -- “If Whites regarded

the Indian as a “threat” to life and morals when
UBCIC 30 =-

alive, they regarded him with nostalgia upon his
demise or when that “threat” was safely past.”
It was the anthropologists who introduced the
plural use of culture and pulled the scientific
rug out from under the long-time deficiency
image of the Indian.” One thesis of
this book is that these are not the only alter-
natives: that Indians should have played a role
in American history, and that they still have a
role to play, neither as “museum pieces”’ nor as
individuals lost in the ‘melting pot.” but ‘as
Indians of the Twentieth century. Indian tradi-
tions have neither fossilized nor disappeared;
Indian ways of today are not those of centuries
but they are nonetheless Indian. Indian cultural
traditions have continued to grow and change.

Today there is a strong interest in defining these
new ways. I think I should quote here a bit from
Meriam Report issued in 1928:- “In spite of
the abject poverty, the poor schooling, and the
wretched health of the demoralized Indians,
(sound familiar? It is almost humorous) they
are entitled to unfailing courtesy and considera-
tion from all, government employees. The

surviving Indians, who resisted adoption of
civilization, appeared to accept White vices
instead of virtues and so became those imper-
fect creatures, the degraded or ‘reservation’
Indian which led to the, now, major White im-
age of the Indian as --‘degraded, often drunken’
-- living neither as an assimilated White, nor an
Indian of the classic image; therefore neither
noble nor wildly savage but always scorned.”

All the studies and reports will probably suc-
ceed, where Man has failed, in annihilating (or
assimilating) our culture by studying us to
death. The
author concludes that the Indians have much to
contribute to the dominant civilization and an
effort should be made to secure this contribu-
tion, in part because of the good it will do the
Indians in stimulating a proper race pride and
self respect.

In the beginning I had difficulty just to continue
reading and I’m sure that if it hadn’t been an
assignment it would have taken me much longer
to complete it. I think it should be
made compulsory reading in public schools --
certainly I recommend everyone who can, to

read it.
by Dinah Schoone

LETTERS

NATIVE CHILDREN NEED NATIVE
ADOPTION HOMES

The native Indian people complain that
native children who are placed in non-Indian
homes lose their culture. Yet at any one time
there are never more than three or four native
homes available in which to place these children.
In an attempt to obtain more native adoption
homes a native student has a summer project
to establish contact with native families in the
lower mainland area. You heard about Victor
Jim’s summer job in the last newsletter.

Over the past year I have been working with a
small committee of native social workers to re-
ceive their advice as to how the guidelines to the
study of an adoption home could be adapted to
be more suitable to the native family. This group
consisted at various times of Angie Dennis,
Jeanne Carter, Edith Graydon, Carol Nestman
and Morris Saldon. (I know Morris is not a
native but he was especially requested to attend
by the others because of his extensive work
with the native people.)

The guidelines have been completed and are
available for social workers to use when study-
ing native homes. I am hopeful that as far as
possible we will be able to have native social
workers study any homes that Victor finds.

Another area of concern expressed by native
people is that of the financial detail required on
the Ministry form “Application to Adopt’.
We have had to devise a form that can give us a
general financial picture of all applicants. Many
people do not have a mortgage, others do not
have life insurance, for example. But everyone
has an income regardless of its size, and has
certain expenses to meet out of that income.
We need to know how families manage their
income and whether they have heavy debts or
not. If they owe more money than they can
possibly pay, this causes anxiety and stress
which creates problems between husband and
wife and children in the home suffer the results.

The fact that the section concerning finances
has space for many kinds of assets, does NOT
mean that you have to have all those assets.

Continued

incomes. We are looking for homes where child-
ren will be cared for, loved for themselves and
taken into the home as a full member of the
family.

There must be native families who have room
in their hearts and home for one more! Anyone
interested could obtain further information by
telephoning 668-2390 and asking for Victor Jim
or Hazel Clarke.

Hazel Clarke, Co-ordinator,
Adoption Services Vancouver.

Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs
3rd Floor - West Hastings 440
Vancouver, B.C. V6B 1LL1

After reading and reviewing the material and
resolutions from the UBCIC re: “Indian Food
Licence” the people of the Anderson Lake Band
(Lillooet Tribal District) stand up and reject
the new “Indian Food Licence” which Romeo
LeBlanc and the Federal Government of Canada
is imposing on Indian fishing people.

As you, we also feel put out and concerned that
the Ministry of Fisheries and Federal Govern-
ment of Canada is still to this day treating the
Indian people with disrespect, disregard, and
contempt in that there was no communication,
or consultation, or discussion, or research with
us re: New Licence Regulations and Format.
And until there is our own input toward this
“Licence or Permit” we chose to go and food
fish the way, the time, the place, and as much
as we see fit. As time, common sense and
instinct taught us well.

Now is the time of year for us to go salmon food
fishing, and we will go with the pride and wis-
dom as of Our People before us. Our People
before us were not subjects and on welfare.
The natural resources were always used and not
abused by overfishing and oilspills and water
diversions. We were a part of nature not a part
of this greedy rat race of this so called
democracy. We wish to congratulate and thank
the UBCIC in the quest and effort on Indian
control over Indian lands.

Anderson Lake Indian Band
UBCIC 31

EDUCATION CO-ORDINATOR REQUIRED
by the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs

DUTIES INCLUDE: Co-ordinating Education staff; planning and developing policies relevant to
Indian Education in the Province of B.C.; co-ordinating and facilitating Education Information
'Workshops with Indian people in their communities; Liaising between Indian communities and
Government Departments when necessary; assisting Indian people at the community level with re-
search and professional support when requested; documenting issues and information for Executive

and Board members.
QUALIFICATIONS: Availability to travel is essential; good knowledge of Indian Education de-

velopment in B C.; Ability to work with people at all levels of educational involvement; experience
in working with Indian people in B.C. on educational matters is important as is the ability to

communicate with the people.
SALARY is negotiable. Applications can be sent to the attention of:
Rosalee Tizya, Administrator

UNION OF B.C. INDIAN CHIEFS
440 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, B.C., V6B LLL

This competition closes July 31st, 1978

I'Tl @9A ‘D'd “2Anoour,
“Ig ssunsEY 189.4 OFF

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