In this issue :

t-.1 ~ ~ • 1 Winnipeg . 3 ~ . 0 • •ene Hewitt INDIAN '\;} \sl ~ ~ a ~ tru g gle ...... 6 ~ ~ • r Calamai t;_ (!. C' c C'l o ·~ s.cr ...... 7 ~ ,..... ;-., O iller, OMI R ECORD Fret o;- ~ ~ ~ ice ...... 1 1 ~ ':? cr ~. -y John Published by the OBLATE FATHERS (OMIJ , tllo ....o 13 0 1 W e: l:ngton Crescent, Winnipeg 9, Man. lndia1 ~ ~• ~cr ((...... 13 Vol. 33, No. 5-6 35c May-J une 1970 ..., til __uu , OMI

Study focussed o ~ n u ~rgent ne ~ eds of nativ·e peop·le REGINA- The Regina Arch­ Indian people before policies diocesan Institute on Poverty outlined in the department of and Christian involvement com­ Indian affairs white paper are pleted two days of discussions, implemented. February 4, by passing 16 reso­ The resolution said Indian peo­ lutions, most of which focussed ple were not consulted on the on the needs of Indian and Metis substance of the white paper communities. before it was drafted and are not The institute called on the aware of its full implications. Roman Catholic archdiocese to The institute also proposed ask the federal government to that the archdiocese establish a hold full consultation with the line of communication with the Saskatchewan Metis Society. The institute, held in St. An­ $30,000 grant thony's Parish Hall on Winnipeg St., offered two days of dis­ Bishop-elect 0 . Robi doux cussion of questions relating to to Alta. Indians world and local poverty, the OTTAWA-Honorable Robert current farm crisis, and the needs Andras, Minister Responsible for of Indian and Metis peoples. Heads H. B. See Housing, recently announced the Moderator was Edward Pinay, ROME - The world's most approval of a $30,000 federal social case worker at File Hills northerly diocese - Churchill­ grant to the Indian Association Indian Reserv.e, and panelists Hudson Bay, in Canada's Eastern of Alberta. were Father Guy Lavallee, OMI, Arctic - has a new bishop. He is Provided under the National of Winnipeg; Paul Bruyere of Fr. Orner ROBIDOUX, a 56-year­ Housing Act, the grant will be Kenora, full time lay missionary old Oblate of Mary Immaculate used for the purpose of under­ among Indians and Metis; Mrs. who has spent his 30 years of taking the first two phases of a Eugene Lavallee, Indian health priesthood working with the study of the problems faced by worker in Piapot Indian Reserve; Indians of the Canadian West. Indians migrating from the and Rene Poitras of Regina, reserves to urban centres in placement officer with the In­ Bishop-elect Robidoux's epis­ Alberta. dian-Metis department. copal appointment will take him Objectives of the study will be A historical review of the es­ into a land that, although greatly to assemble basic data about tablishment and development of modified by modern technology, native people who migrate to the the reserve-system was given by nevertheless remains the "Great cities; relate data to other stu­ Father Lavallee. Lone Land" of unbelievable dis­ dies of similar nature being car­ "Indians are entitled to more tances and r igors. It is the land ried out in Canada or United legal, spiritual, intellectual and of Eskimos, the hardy ingenuous States; delineate areas of possi­ economical freedom than they p e o p 1 e who call themselves ble re-alignment of programs, have at the present time," he INUK, the men. services or institutions including said. He also spoke on problems new approaches which could be of Indians in urban centres and The diocese of Churchill­ furthered, explored or imple­ on their chance in city life. Hudson Bay begins with the ter­ mented and to identify possible ritory around Hudson Bay and action for the future. City life difficult extends through Canada's arctic The federal grant is made He said Indians on the reserve regions right to the North Pole. under a section of the National are not prepared for a life in It covers over 900,000 square Housing Act which provides cities. There are no vocational miles, or roughly, the combined funds for studies to improve schools in the reserves and peo­ areas of Texas and Alaska, with housing and living conditions in ple in the reserves live a poor about half of California thrown Canada. (Concluded on Page 1 6 ) in. (Concluded on Poge 16 ) Page 2 INDIAN RECORD May-June, 1970

EDITORIAL White man's ways Loss of self -esteem not always good The worst problem of the poor is surely the gradual loss of self­ by CYNTHIA WINE esteem. This is demonstrated most clearly in the case of the Canadian (in the Winnipeg Free Press) Indian. "Poverty exists when one is not recognized as a human If the white man understood person," said the Rev. Guy Lavallee, director of Don Bosco Indian­ his own environment and some Metis centre in Winnipeg. of its serious problems he Supported by specific data from other members of the all-Indian wouldn't always try to impose and Metis panel as well as Indian participants at the Institute, his standards on the Indian, ad­ Father Lavallee said, "The reserve has effectively eradicated self­ vises a North American Indian confidence." who is a training and employ­ For many years the Indian has had to deal with two paternalistic ment aide with the provincial forces which have combined to destroy his self-image: the govern­ health and social services depart­ ment and the Church. Paternalism must give way to partnership. ment. In an interview at the Indian Government must finally cease dictating to the Indian even if and Metis Friendship Centre, the "solutions" sent down from white Olympus are reasonable. Princess Street, Mary Louise The whites have no business talking about an "Indian problem". Defender said well-intentioned Is not the white man the problem? white people look at the Indian A hopeful sign, however, is to be found in such movements as and define what they consider "Red Power", for the Indian is beginning to organize. He is finding the "problem" to be and try to himself once again proud to be an Indian and determined to be impose their standards on the master of his destiny. He is not at all ready to be assimilated or even Indian. to adopt the white man's system of values. But, "many of these institu­ Let us not be so naive, warned Father Lavallee, as to preclude tions are set up to protect their all possibility of violence. If the Indian's demands continue to be material wealth and have no­ ignored, he, too, like the peasant in South America, will resort to thing to do with human values," violence as the last hope in a situation of ·despair. she continued. The white man has a narrow (Prairie Messenger) view of his own environment with regard to practically every­ thing, she said. For example, "so many of the Movies shown on school bus drugs and chemicals the white TORONTO - When the new Because of the natural and man has developed he now sees County and District School innate exuberance of the chil­ as harmful. But even so, there's Boards came in to being, the dren, ranging in age from 5 to been a tendency on the part of Sault Ste. Marie District R.C. 16 years, the driver of the school the white man to feel that a Separate School Board became bus had his work cut out for society that didn't develop a responsible for the education of him. need for such things is un­ fifty- five Indian students of Not only did he have to drive civilized," she said. Batchawana Village, a small safely over a hilly and twisting The Indian is beginning to settlement on the shores of Lake highway, but keep an eye on think about himself and realize Superior, 45 miles north of Sault 55 bored and restless children. all the things the white man Ste. Marie. Then R. Soltis, administrator says are wrong with him aren't Previously the Fisher R.C. of the school district, installed a so- that the Indian culture has Separate School Board had been movie projector and a $1 ,480 very positive qualities, Miss De­ purchasing education from the tape recorder on the bus. fender said. Sault Board and transporting the Sister Mary Bryan, principal There's an assumption among students into the city, a journey of Christ the King School and white people that if the Indian of at least one hour's duration. the Board's film Co-ordinator, will only conform to the white has gladly assumed the res­ man's institutions that the In­ ponsibility of keeping the bus dian's life will improve. supplied with new films and "But let's face it. They (In­ INDIAN RECORD tapes every day. dians) won't and there's a great Editor and Manager The project was an immediate many white people that won't REV. G. LAVI OLETTE, OMI success. The atmosphere on the either," she said. 130 I Well ington Crescent bus has completely changed. The The white man can help the Winnipeg 9 , Man. films range from educational and Indian by listening to him and Ph. (2 04 ) 4 89-9593 documentary to Disney come­ realizing that Indian programs dies. The tapes for the Cassette for self-betterment don't have to Subscription rate: are mainly folk western. fit (the white man's) institutions, $2.00 a year ( 6 issues ) It is believed that a significant Miss Defender said. Printed by gain in the students' academic Miss Defender, 39, was raised Canadian Publ ishers ( 1970) Ltd. Winnipeg, Mon., Canada progress will result from this on the Standing Rock Indian venture. This will far outweigh Reservation in North and South Second Class Mail Registration Number 0062 the m odest expenditure incur­ Dakota. She has been living in red. Winnipeg for four years. Moy-J une, 1970 INDIAN RECORD Page 3

Northern children visit Winnipeg

by IRENE HEWITT

First, let's picture Cross Lake, "The children have already Salt plant and a car ride fol­ an isolated northern community raised a portion of the required lowed up with a weiner roast. of some twelve hundred inhabi­ amount and will continue to do (Comments from their diaries: tants. Located north of the north­ so until the time of the trip. Due "Neepawa - it's a nice place to ern tip of Lake Winnipeg, it is to the fact that reservation life dwell." "I enjoyed seeing girls accessible only by air - flights provides very little income, I am and I saw some that were beau­ to and from Wabowden, a small asking you fellow Manitobans tiful and I was whistling at point just off the Thompson and Canadians to help these them.") highway. Most of the people children to improve their educa­ have little education, some are tion. And at the Indian Residence in Portage la Prairie a reunion even illiterate; many have never "Because they are raising part, left Cross Lake. Generally the with four Cross Lake students and because you have helped taking grade ten. The four outside world has little impact them, they will feel much on the community. students planning to attend next prouder to say, 'Canadians can year were delighted with the set­ And then the dream - "Let's help each other to progress to up and looked forward to attend­ take the twenty-nine students in be much better Canadians'." ing. ("The teacher gave us a grades 6, 7 and 8 into Winnipeg speech telling us that the school and let them see what life in a In a letter to the editor in the 'Tribune', the class president is for Indian students to learn big city is really like." and dress in the proper way.") W h a t difficulties and ob­ later reported: "We are very stacles! The children and their thankful for the money you have And then WINNIPEG and teacher would have to travel by sent us. It was generous of you their home in the City, the lower plane, bus and train; to make the to send it. The money has helped hall of St. James United Church, trip worthwhile they would to support our planned educa­ and the wonderful church wo­ want to spend several days in tional trip to Winnipeg. Most men who looked after them. the city. Living in a remote com­ likely we will have enough "The Ladies were so good to us! " munity like Cross Lake, how friends to make our journey." How the children enjoyed city food! Bananas were their favor­ could a teacher and class finance And e v i d e n t l y they had such a tour, how could they plan ite, then store bread and whole enough friends, for on June 16th milk. one, how could they arrange for the Norseman loaded up three accommodation for so many in times taking the children and The following quotes (taken the city? Mr. Gilfillan to Wabowden. from their diaries or Mr. Gil­ Just how they managed all fillan's notes) record some of this, I'm not entirely sure, but What a thrill the trip was! the high-lights of the city stay. the planning started in February For most, the excitement of a first plane flight - gasps as the "We met lots of kids at Silver (1968) . On the sixteenth of June Heights United Church where they left for Winnipeg. plane hit an air pocket; the joy of having one of their number, we ate lunch. They are very Mr. David Gilfillan, the grades Philip, take the controls for a friendly. I made lots of friends." 6, 7 and 8 teacher, kindly short time! The Legislative Buildings - furnished me with his notes, the And then that first ride on a "We saw a hold with an eight­ diaries of a number of the sided star where the ancient students, pictures and newspaper bus. Hands outside the window, "Just feel the fast air!" Excited people used to sacrifice to their clippings relating to the trip. gods." "There was a seat for the In "How Our Trip Was Plan­ "Ooo's!" when the first car passed the bus. Car ahead- "Go, Prince of Wales." "We saw the ned" John North, a student, House of Commons and the fos­ makes it sound so easy. driver, go! Come on bus; we can beat them." Such cheering - a sils on the walls." "The first thing we did was to race won! Planetarium - "I learned a set in the plan. We elected the The camp-out at Wasagaming lot about the stars and the shapes executives. We planned where they make in the sky." "We saw to go and how to make money. (Clear Lake) - climbing the observation tower and seeing models of satellites and rockets We made money by selling that man uses in space." "We chocolate bars. We also held the valley spread below; catch­ ing a fish by hand only to have saw many figures in the sky - bingos and dances." ($560 was a lion, the big dipper, little dip­ raised.) it slip away; the fun of camping (boys in tents and the girls in per and all the other things. I Clippings from the Winnipeg fell asleep in the planetarium." Tribune relate: "A teacher at the the bus). isolated northern community of And a surprise at Neepawa "We went to the University of Cross Lake, Mr. Gilfillan has ap­ where a stop-over at the Col­ Manitoba where I saw lots of pealed to Manitobans for help legiate was planned to thank the things as: the cows, pigs, sheeps in sending his young students students for financial aid - a that smelled." on an educational trip to Winni­ tour through the school ("Oh, "At 6:30 we watched ourselves peg." the Science Lab!") , through the on CBC TV news!" This within Page 4 IN DIA N RECORD May-June, 1970 ------

Visit to W innipeg (Concluded f rom Pa ge 3 ) Grants for Co-ops TORONTO- Grants totalling hours of seeing their first tele­ ing door; and many more things. $177,980 to aid seven projects vision set. Following a tour of The city was very kind to us." involving Indians have been an­ the CBC - "Now I know how nounced by John Yaremko, On­ T.V. and radio works." Individual 'thank-you' letters tario minister of social services. were sent to all the 'friends' who Lower Fort Garry - During had helped make the tour possi­ Awarded through the depart­ the tour they visualized Indian ble, along with a copy of a poem ment's community development attacks, rowing the heavy York composed by Jackson Osborne, branch, the funds went to pro­ boat down the Red River, firing then in grade eight. jects such as lumbering, tourist the cannons. "We saw holes on promotion and public relations. the fort that were used for firing Indians." They included $47,640 - the CANADIANS HELPING CANADIANS largest grant- to the Amik As­ The Red River Exhibition - sociation in Keewatin to improve "I saw things which I didn't see Oh! Canadian people help each other. Indians' managerial and finan­ in my life before." The excite­ Help the ones that dis like you . cial skills and provide technical ment of the games, the rides, the Shore your love with other notions. and financial assistance to the midway! On their return to Be strong, Canadians, be brave. Indian corporation. Cross Lake the most-discussed Let the country be free and strong. experience was the Exhibition. The Widjiitiwin Corp. of Mc­ Let your flog be high and great. Intosh, near Dryden in north­ What planning and organiz­ Oh! Canadians lift up your voices. western Ontario, was granted ing! The children also visited Let there be joy and freedom. $47,000 to buy heavy equipment Lockport, Winnipeg's Interna­ Oh! Canadians help your country for pulp cutting, main economic tional Airport and the zoo at to be great. activity in the community. Assiniboine Park; they took in the show "Yours, Mine, and Ours" in a luxurious theatre, toured the Tribune Building and Symington Rail Yards, went Trapper named magistrate s w i m min g at the Y.M.C.A., NORWAY HOUSE, Man. - Magistrate Paupanekis was learned to ride bikes in city Max Paupanekis, a 56-year-old sought for the job largely be­ traffic, and played a game of Indian trapper, already is well cause of his command of the baseball with a St. James class. English language as well as his versed in woodsman's lore. native Cree, which is spoken by The 'Prairie Reporter' summed Now he's acquainting himself most of the 2,000 Indians in his it up. "Life for these students 25 ,000 square miles of territory. will never be the same. Imagine with the Criminal Code, since the impact of seeing for the first his appointment as magistrate in Another reason was the new time, things like trains, auto­ this area 300 miles north of magistrate's good reputation in mobiles, elevators, escalators and Winnipeg. the area. shopping centers." The son of a school teacher Travelling the 800-mile court And even on the trip home, and grandson of the first Indian circuit doesn't bother the first­ missionary in the territory in something new again - their ever treaty Indian magistrate in first train ride. 1840, he admits to knowing little Manitoba, but he was a little about the mechanics of his new The children's 'thank - you' hesitant in giving up what he job. But on-the-job training with letter appeared in a number of calls "the great life" of fishing other experienced jurists will Winnipeg papers. and trapping. change that. For serious criminal "I guess I'll have to lose it," cases, higher-court judges are "Dear Friends: said the new magistrate, who flown in. We would like to thank you replaces 73-year-old D. A. Mc­ Magistrate Paupanekis is wist­ for all your help to make our Ivor, a Metis who has retired. ful about the lost Indian history project successful. We enjoyed "The boys say they'll miss me that has never been recorded for visiting the city of Winnipeg. this year on the lake." posterity, and the waning use of While in the city we learned He turn e d down the job the Cree language bothers him. just some of these things: cross­ "three or four times" before ing the street; riding in an Even in his own family of Chief Magistrate Harold Gyles eight children he notices the elevator; stepping onto an es­ finally persuaded him to change calator; riding in a car, opening language being used less and his mind, and the decision was less. and closing a car door; using a welcomed by RCMP in the area. television; opening an automatic "Another 50 years and we door; passing through a revolv- "Max is definitely a people's won't hear any more Cree magistrate," said one RCMP around here," he said. • Louis Vincent Sabatannen, a spokesman. "He won't merely Huron Indian, was the first Cana· rubber-stamp the evidence of However, he is aware of dian born person to be granted a police, nor will he defiantly ac­ changing times and for esees Bachelor of Ar ts degree. The degree was confer red at Dartmouth College quit the guilty. I think he'll be a there will be "lots more Indian in 1781. damned good magistrate." magistrates." May-June, 1970 INDIAN RECORD Page 5

Is poverty a state of n~ind!

Marion Meadmore was em­ by JUDI GUNTER don't know who they are or what phatic about publicity. She (Winnipeg Tribune) they are," said Mrs. Meadmore. doesn't like it. She has been involved in such Following her appointment in organizational work as the first January by federal Health the reserve as one of "poverty," meetings in 1968 of the National Minister John Munro to the but pointed out that "there was Indian Brotherhood, the Mani­ National Council of Welfare, no stigma attached to poverty toba Indian Brotherhood, and Mrs. Meadmore was interviewed then like there is now. It was the Manitoba Metis Federation briefly at the Indian and Metis part of the way we lived, and it and the 1969 national native Friendship Centre of Winnipeg, never really bothered us because communication society study Princess Street. we never believed in the mate­ project. "Publicity is very damaging rialistic society. Everything now is based on a TV standard - "In my work I concentrate on in my job," she said. helping people to organize them­ Employed as a liaison worker you have to have this or that, and if you don't you're poor." selves to talk to governments at the centre, she works "with and to pursue their own interests anybody who needs help, or Her memories of the reserve rather than to give (my) advice. with groups organizing them­ are happy ones. "We didn't have I don't have any ideas on what's selves to do anything, such as welfare - handouts, I mean - good for people and then try to sports events or social functions," in those days. My father was impose my ideas on them. That's she explained. She said her job, given a certain amount of rations a waste of time. which she started in November and staples which he supple­ 1969, is "full time work" and that mented by going out into the "After all, who can better her salary is paid by different bush and shooting a rabbit or solve their problems than them­ business groups throughout the picking berries. We had some of selves? A lot of times, govern­ city. the best rabbit stew you ever ments and service groups don't tasted! The conditions we lived realize that Indians have their "My job is to put other people own ideas." and groups in the spotlight, and in were rugged, but it never I can't work effectively with too bothered us. And people really Mrs. Meadmore is the mother much publicity on myself," she cared about you, knew all about of. three boys, Glen, 12, Neil, 10, said. you, and you in turn cared about and Jim, 6. Her husband Ron, a them." former football player, farms 40 Saskatchewan-born Mrs. Meadmore sees poverty miles south-west of Winnipeg. as a state of mind. "A lot of In­ She expects her appointment Mrs. Meadmore was born and dian people have come to the to the advisory welfare council raised on the Peepeekesis Indian city to much better conditions will involve several meetings in Reserve in Saskatchewan, where than the ones they left. But Ottawa, the first of which took she lived with her parents, a they've lost out in the spiritual place Feb. 5. sister and brother right up until aspect when they come to the "I don't think it's necessary at the time she entered a pre­ 'impersonal city'," she said. this time to express my views medicine course at the Univer­ Poverty "depends on who's publicly or to state these views sity of Manitoba. looking at it. To me, the real before I meet with the other She recalled her early life on poverty is spiritual, when people people on the council," she said.

Reports housing progress

SASKATOON, Sask. - The units for rental to residents of federal government and the gov­ Indian and Metis ancestry are Bleak and stormy is the night, ernment of Saskatchewan will located on scattered sites in the Black the sky and hard the fight. acquire 34 houses in Saskat­ city and will be rented to fami­ Such is Life, or so they say, chewan and rent them to resi­ lies of low-income at rents re­ There is no light . .. gone is the day. dents of Indian and Metis ances­ lated to income. The acquired They say that sin is part of Life, try. This brings to 1,501 the units will be administered by the That vice end shame go with the strife That life is full of hurt and sorrow, number of low-rental housing Prince Albert Housing Author­ I don't know - Is there tomorrow? units in the province. ity. I've heard all ·this and I'd like to sa y Five housing units in North The f e de r a l contributions Even so - I'd like to stay - Ba ttleford for rental to residents cover 75 per cent of costs. The Stay right here a little while, of Indian and Metis ancestry Province of Saskatchewan pro­ To see how good; to see how vile. will be administered by the vides the remaining 25 per cent. So far I've found some joy and gladness North Battleford Housing Au­ Operating deficits will be shared Even lave in all this madness, thority. Rents for the units will by the federal and provincial If there is more to see, be related to family income. governments in the same ratio Enj oy I wHI . .. If I' m free. In Prince Albert, 29 housing as the capital costs. Carolyn Snozel Page 6 INDIAN RECORD May-June, 1970 ------~------Victims of power struggle? V ALLEYVIEW, Alta. -- Dan by PETER CALAMAI serve. Alberta General Tele­ McLean probably has never Winnipeg Tribune Correspondent phone, which has managed to heard the term "A pawn in a extend telephone service to most political chess game." of the surrounding white com­ munities, says maybe next year But McLean, band councillor The officials of the federal the reserve will get more service. on the Sturgeon Lake reserve Indian health branch want the near here, is caught like the rest Indians to sign the forms be­ And so, many of the Indians of Alberta's 25,000 Indians in a cause, otherwise, they pay for cannot easily telephone for me­ p o w e r struggle between the the Indians twice -- by paying dical help. And they cannot be province and the federal govern­ the provincial medical premiums telephoned if a child is ready to ment. in full for Indians and through come home from the hospital. Federal Health Minister John the federal financing of half the The hospital, desperate to get Munro heard again and again cost of the provincial medicare some of its 35 beds clear for more when he visited the 600-Indian scheme. urgent cases, tried sending the reserve here of the confusion and The Alberta government re­ children out to the reserve in an frustration that power plays are fuses to change its regulations -­ ambulance with the driver causing the people caught in the Ontario allows the Indian health searching until he found the middle. officials to submit a list of names parents, said Dr. J ean Lapointe, one of three doctors serving Some of the complaints-- like without signatures -- because they can save hundreds of thou­ about 10,000 people within a 30- those from Harold Cardinal, mile radius of the town. head of the Alberta Indian As­ sands of dollars annually by not sociation -- were political in paying the half share of the "But that was frowned upon," bent, designed to embarrass the Indian premiums. he said. federal minister and force him Maybe Dan McLean and the The Indian health officials will to pledge continued free medical other Cree Indians on the 50 pay for a taxi to take the well services for all Indians. square mile reserve, eight miles children back to the reserve, but out of this oil-boom town, under­ not for an ambulance. Welfare, main issue stand that financial manoeuver­ ing. More likely they don't. Transportation But others, like those from · sturdy Dan McLean, were cries Medical ser vices But, when Mr. Munro's party from the heart. arrived in town, one cab com­ pany had gone out of business There was the Alberta govern­ They know that five Indian children here suffocated Jan. 30 and the other wasn't answering ment's insistence that reserve its telephone. Indians with less than $500 when a mattress caught fire in taxable income must sign an the squalid shack where they Mr. Munro told the Indians application to have the province had been left unattended. Two the transportation p r o b 1 e m pay half of their medicare pre­ other Indian youngsters had would be solved by the nego­ mium. If the Indian is on wel­ starved and frozen to death the tiating of a special grant under fare there is no paper to sign. month earlier on the reserve which his department provides when left in a cabin without funds for the band to use for "I don't want to go on wel­ food or wood under the super­ transportation of medical cases. fare," Dan McLean was telling vision of a five-year-old. Dr. James Wiebe, director - gen­ It turned out, however, that a eral of medical services for the They know their major social contract had been signed with department of national health problem is drinking and that the the band in October and they and welfare. townspeople -- including three still hadn't received any money. doctors who run a clinic which "If I can't get a job then I treats the Indians -- privately Somewhere in Edmonton, 200 chase after moose. There are 13 say that many Indians ruin new miles to the south-east, a federal at my table when they sit down homes by cutting holes in the government worker had m ade and m y monthly food bills come floor for toilets and breaking what Indian health officials here to $380." windows in drunken sprees. dismissed as "an administrative error." Dan McLean doesn't have $500 "It's like hitting your head left after the standard incom e against a brick wall," says one To the Cree Indians, it was tax calculations, but the Alberta of the doctors. another broken promise. Indian Association has been tell­ ing him not to sign the assistance "We get a kid into the hospital And to Mr. Munro it was an­ application. for a few days and send him other example of h ow a small home. In four days he's back, slip can widen the gap between The Indians refuse to recog­ worse than he was before be­ health services and the Indians. nize the government form be­ cause of the poor conditions in A gap w hich the federal minis­ cause they interpret the "medi­ the home." ter has helped close by his five­ cine chest" clauses in their day tour through northern B.C. treaties as guaranteeing them There are only a few tele­ and Alberta which wound up at free medical service. phones on this wide-spread re- Saddle Lake, east of Edmonton. May-June, 1970 INDIAN RECORD Page 7

Chief Dan George - the actor and the man

by FRED MILLER, OMI ( In Oblate Missions)

11 As an actor his style demands a new theatre literature in this country . .. a theatre literature peopled by the real personalities who built this country .. . " George Ryga •

Night after night the audience which Rita Joe finds herself f u 11 1 eng t h movie entitled, rose to its feet and wildly ap­ trapped. simply, Smith. Released this plauded The Ecstasy of Rita J oe. year, it co-stars Glenn Ford and It was already high recognition "But", wrote Robert Dorrell in Chief Dan George. Those who for its author George Ryga that the Ottawa J ournal, "it is the want really good entertainment it was chosen as the first English face, the nobility and the mag­ should watch for it, even ask for language play to be staged in the netic presence of Chief Dan it in local theatres. The court­ theatre of the multi-million dol­ George playing Rita's father room scene is one of the most lar National Arts Centre in which gives this production its moving and eloquent pieces of Ottawa during the opening fes­ validity and power. In his tired acting we have seen in a long tival last June. face is the sorry history of the time - and it belongs to Dan Indian nations. His shuffling George. One who thoughtfully savour­ walk betrays a future without ed the applause that swept down hope. Only his broad shoulders Fan mail from a little town in on him from the tiers of richly hint at the strength which may Texas tells of local Indians and upholstered seats and the ele­ one day retrieve the lost dignity whites who had never mixed, gantly dressed patrons, was an of those nations." beginning to talk to each other aging Indian chief of a small after seeing Smith. Cariboo launched career west coast reserve. For Chief The Chief found Ford a like­ Dan George and for his people At 69, Chief Dan George has able co-star. "He's kind and he's this was a moment of triumph reached an enviable pinnacle of good", he said. "He took a dollar in a lifetime of humiliation. success in a career which really a year job to visit the Indian began for him only in the 60s. schools from East to West of the Frances Hyland as Rita J oe His first important role as an United States. At his own ex­ was s u p e r b . Every gesture, actor came in the Cariboo ser ies pense he travels and pays them stance and inflection of this im­ of one hour television plays writ­ a visit and if they have any mensely talented actress was ten by Paul St. Pierre and pro­ problems he helps." Indian. She delivered, as well, duced by the Vancouver office the feeling and sensitivity of an of the CBC. In them he im­ This summer the Chief started Indian girl alone in the big city. mortalized the character of Old work in a new movie, Little Big August Schellenberg as Jamie Antoine, the Indian sage w hose Man, directed by Mike Nichols P aul played convincingly the enigmatic ways defy the white and starring Dustin Hoffman. part of Rita's friend, an angry man's comprehension but whose He was already studying the young Indian out to defy a world wisdom is always justified in the script when I interviewed him which had no understanding and end. They are plays full of hu­ in his hotel room in Ottawa no place for him. Alan Scarfe m our and humanity. during the presentation of The was impressive in the role of the Ecstasy of Rita J oe. He had just j u d g e , representing all the The most delightful of these, returned from a session with weigh t of authority in the insti­ The Breaking of Smith's Quarter Harold Pfeiffer, the Canadian tutions of white society against Horse, was purchased by Walt artist, who was sculpting a head which J amie rebels and by Disney Studios and made into a of the Chief. Page 8 INDIAN RECORD May-June, 1970 ------Who was this man before me? Applying this to his own life family (Leonard is unmarried) , this man who, long past retiring as an actor he said, "That's the I will hand it on to my children." age was just hitting full stride reason why, it's not the fame or in an acting career? who was the glory, or the money. The Leonard was his father all over sought after by movie directors money is good. I can use it. But again. and sculptors? What was he if I can get the Indian people to really like? What were his say, 'That man is doing good for The play thoughts, his philosophy of life? himself, I'll try and do the same. I'm a good carpenter; I'll try and I was interested to know what do my work well. I'm an elec- the Chief thought of the play The father . trician and I'll do my job itself. It was, after all, written well . .. '" by a white man about the plight To begin with, he insisted that of an Indian girl who comes to I should take the only chair Just at this point a key was the city, has trouble keeping a while he sat on the edge of the inserted in the hotel room door job, gravitates toward skid row, bed. He pre sen ted an interesting and, as the lock snapped loudly, prostitution and finally death study as he relaxed, letting his an Indian youth stepped into the through the brutality of white shoulders sag as if under the room. degenerates. weight of his years. The mar­ velous old face, timeworn and The Chief introduced me to his "It does happen, you know," tranquil, was framed by his pure son Leonard, also a member of he said, "The girls that come white hair, grown to his shoul­ the cast of Ecstasy, who shared from the reserves to the city . .. ders for his part in Ecstasy, the this hotel room with his father. sometimes go broke, they get dis­ kindly eyes at once revealing .• couraged and l a n d on skid and concealing the man behind "Maybe Leonard has some­ row ..." thing he'd like to say", said the them. Chief, and turning to his son he We went on to talk aho.ut some I asked him how he liked explained: "We're just up to the of these cases. There have been acting and he laughed self­ way our people used to instruct a number over the years. The their children", he said, as if Rita Joe of the play is an imagin­ consciously, "To me", he said, ary character, but representative "it's a job. It's a livelihood." But what he was saying were a fa­ miliar tale to the son. of them all. In fact George Ryga, he immediately added, "I get interviewed at the National Arts paid for what I do, so naturally, Then turning back to me he Centre by the CBC, indicated if somebody is paying you mo­ continued, "It was by their that Rita Joe is symbolic of the ney, it's the word of God that example - and I've experienced whole Indian people, exploited you should give something in that myself because ... I don't and humiliated by the white return." sit down and tell my boy, 'You man. Did he feel that as an actor he should do this, you should do that'." Strangely enough there was a was being a leader of his people? girl by the name of Rita Joe In a voice that was far away and And then, without embarrass­ murdered at Chase Indian Re­ barely audible he made his reply ment he continued: "He told me serve under conditions similar using a narrative style so typical one day, 'I'd like to be like you, to those described in the play, of the old Indian story tellers: dad. I want to be a good man. I but that was in 1968, two years want to be loved by everybody. after the play was written. A "I'm a father and my wife is letter, brought to the attention a mother", he began, and then, Whatever you are doing you are sincere and you do it well'." of this writer, was written by a drawing on his long memory, person who claimed to know "Long ago our parents, they Taking my cue from the Chief Rita Joe's family in Powell never spoke to you and tell you, I asked Leonard about acting. River, B.C. 'You should do this, you should do that.' They never instructed "I wouldn't do anything else", "I can't understand it", he us by using their voice. They he said, and you could tell he said, pursuing the subject of done it by example. idolized his father. Indian girls in the city, "How is it possible for them to do that? And what did Leonard intend Sometimes three or four boys An Indian value to do for his people? will get their fun out of a girl "If a father wants his child to and then end up by kicking her "I'm gonna do what I can do and beating her up. I think this be a good boy, to do this and to best, and that's acting." do that - have charity", and way, Father: are we lQwer than here he paused and made an What did he feel about Indian the animals?" • abrupt switch to the first person culture which is so important to Were there elements of the singular: "I do it! his father? Is it something of the play with which he would disa­ past for him? gree? "And then, as he grows up, he watches: 'My dad does this and "I live on my culture", he said "Well, yes", he said, "especially I'm gonna do the same.' Same in the same self-assured way. the swearing part. I don't agree with the mother. When she "That's my whole teaching and with that .. . there's n o necessity works around the house . .. the the way I get along in life; it's for that cursing. I think that little girl will watch. When she all from the Indian psychology should be left out. And talking grows up, by example she will be and the culture I grew up with. about the Department of Indian doing the same. That's our cul­ I was just raised up in it. It Affairs - I don't think that's ture: by example." won 't die in me. If I have a right. The Department of Indian May-June, 1970 INDIAN RECORD Page 9 Chief George Affairs are what they are and In spite of the extra work his 29th when he and his wife cele­ maybe the Indian expects too new career involves, Chief Dan brated fifty years of married much from them; welfare and is very devoted to his people, life together. The occasion was so on. We should try to get some very willing to work for Church recognized by the Bishop who kind of work and look after our enterprises, and, of course, he came to offer the anniversary own selves without getting help. still loves to get the family Mass and to present him with a troupe together to entertain. medal from the Pope in recogni­ "And there's another thing tion of his years of service to the that's very wrong", he added. Indian people have a lot of the Church. It was a moment to be "He blamed the priests for in­ actor in them; the old men, thankful and to rejoice among fluencing the Indian people in especially, have a lot of the his own. some wrong way. That's some­ orator as a sort of tribal cultural thing that should never have heritage. Time and again I have His sons and daughters have been mentioned, I don't think, admired the old Indian men who presented him with more than in the script. I think the priests invariably get up to speak at twenty grandchildren. and missionaries are the only Indian gatherings. What a mar­ ones that loved the Indians. They velous sense of presence, of These little ones sat around did everything for the Indians; dignity, of almost regal bearing him in his modest home on Bur­ they taught them religion and they have. And when they speak rard Reserve in 1962 for the first they were instrumental in mak­ it is as men who are accustomed televising of the highly acclaim­ ing the schools and churches all to their authority and power. ed The Education of Philistine, over B.C." This comes from the traditional one of the Cariboo series of CBC position of the elder in the tribe. dramas, starring a little girl by the name of Nancy Sandy and Man for others It is part of their culture. Chief Dan belongs to this tradition. the Chief as Old Antoine. He sat Dan George is, indeed, a deep­ relaxed in his easy <;hair, a baby ly committed Christian who has George Ryga said of him, on his lap, the light from the devoted himself to the work of "Chief Dan George is, in my screen drawing them all into its the Church over a long period of opinion, the greatest actor to rise electronic spell as the story un­ time. He was, with his wife, one out of the common people and folded. The little ones clapped of the most energetic organizers their experiences in Canada to when Grandpa first came on the of the Legion of Mary, forming date. Knowledgeable in the lore screen; kept silence when he groups throughout B.C. He was and history shaping the destiny spoke; fidgeted when he was off willing to go anywhere at any of his race, he has also examined camera for any length of time. time to promote this apostolic with fine artistry, the dreams And when it was all over and grouping of people. Every week, and demons of the white Cana­ done and the spell was broken for years, he visited Okalla jail dians who have blocked the tra­ the little ones looked up from as a Legionary. Once his whole ditional cultural growth of his their squatting on the floor and family troupe of entertainers own people." saw Grandpa was still there with them and smiling at them, not travelled ninety miles, some of "He is deeply committed man", them over the worst kind of B.C. just in the magic box, and they says George Ryga. It shows. were reassured. He had just told bush roads, to visit and entertain But the great significance of the prisoners at Clearwater them another one of his mar­ Dan George's advent to Canadian velous stories; only he had used Prison Camp. They put every­ theatre is expressed by Ryga in thing they had into that free the magic box to do it. And now these words: "As an actor his it was time for them to kiss performance, the Chief himself style demands a new theatre adding his own dance, something Grandpa goodnight and run literature in this country, free home, next door, to bed. he rarely did. As the evening of historical platitudes, tired came to an end Mrs. George schoolteacher studies of decay, They are his most beloved spoke to the men about them­ retired officers and pensioned audience. selves and religion. The men sat pack-rats - a theatre literature listening eagerly. The Chief re­ peopled by the real personalities inforced her words, encouraging who built this country - the them to turn their backs on work-or-starve people who are Native medicine whatever it was that brought the genuine source of our be­ No, Indian medicine was not restricted them to prison. Then, after mid­ ginnings be we red, yellow, to practises grounded in supe rstition. night, the troupe travelled right black or white." Seve ral we l'l- known vegetable remedies, back out of that bush country, such a s sarsaparilla, jalap, cinchona and getting back after three a.m. - gua.iacum, were native to North Ame rica and never once did any of them Success sits lightly and were used by the a borigi nes. complain of the ordeal or the loss Tribes realized the value of a brew of sleep. But whatever fame or high of spruce of heml ock tips which we now sounding phrases have come his know contain the essenti al vi tamin C, 1n Dan George and his wife also way, Chief Dan George remains the treatment of scurvy. devoted themselves to the pro­ a man of his people, a Christian Jacques Cartier learned this from the motion of Indian language and gentleman of high integrity, a lndia·ns to good effect in the wi nter ot culture among the y oung people family man, a very simple hu­ 1535- 36, when his men we re decimated at their home reserve of Burrard. man being. by scurvy. Together they held classes in It was these aspects of his life The Indians also made good use or their native language. that were emphasized last June sweat bat hs and massa ge. Page 10 INDIAN RECORD May-June, 1970 Chief Albert Douglas

by EVELYN PAUL (THE INDIAN VOICE )

Many golden words were spoken of the late Chief Albert T. Douglas by our Indian leaders at his funeral. Many more words will be said and written as history records the deeds and actions of one of our great chiefs.

His death came as a complete drums harder and louder. I know The overflow of people who surprise and shock to us all. Not in his family, we will find his 17 came to pay their last respects realizing how much work Chief children very responsible and to the beloved champion of the Albert Douglas had been doing reliable. cause of the Indian people re­ over the years, he left many of mained outside in silent sad us holding the bag with his tasks I am sure among his children tribute. not quite finished and the jobs we will find many wise ones and he did get done were sure to be although they may not be called "If his life had influence, so noted. The two churches he "chief", history nevertheless has does his death," said one of the worked on at Rosedale Cheam been made. six priests who presided at the Reserve and at Seabord Island Mass, in tribute to Albert. To and the halls he built plus many When it came time to laugh, those of us who came under the more. the music was there; when it influence of Albert's charm, came time to eat, the barbecued know as the poet Tennyson ex­ His death came one week after fish was plentiful; when it came pressed, "His echoes will roll a train struck his car at a rail­ time to w o r k , Chief Albert from soul to soul and grow for way crossing a few yards from Douglas was there; when it came ever and forever". his home on the Cheam reserve. time for a meeting, this brave man was there with wise words. Chief Douglas has been for many years a prominent spokes­ Chief Albert Douglas seemed We laid him to rest with man for Indian affairs in the to always be the one to depend flowers and pride and pomp and Chilliwack area. He was active on. With a twinkle in his eye dignity of a great hero. in the New Democratic P arty, and devilish smile, one always and was a contender for his knew nothing went unnoticed by Over a thousand people silent­ party's nomination for the Chil­ the brave, courageous, ambitious ly wept as this great warrior was liwack riding in the provincial man. He seemed to get every­ borne to his final resting place, election August 27th. thing out of life. As a Chief, he in the ancient burial grounds of worked for his people; when the his forebearers. He is survived by his wife big meeting on the lands ques­ Edna, 17 children and 12 grand­ tion and aboriginal rights was It was difficult for those who children. held you could be sure Chief had known him in life to accept Albert Douglas would be there. his sudden death, his unconquer­ When he represented his people, able spirit was never daunted he did so with pride and dignity, when he faced overwhelming Potlatch honesty and sincerity. opposition in his struggle for The In dians of the West Coa st. Pot­ justice for his people. latch was a word applied to a variety of In dian Fea sts and ce remoni es at which Yet he bore no ill-will for his Great Leader the g iving away of goods was the main adversaries; even though they feature. made his harsh life more diffi­ An ambitious man would sa ve, borrow The thing I cherish about cult in his struggle to reap a and receive he lp from his re latives or Chief Douglas was his complete meagre existance for his family clan membe rs in ord er to give a s large a respect for his fellowman. If he and those people in his charge. number of " presents" a s possibl e to a ll felt that things were not right at the Potlatch. He mi ght reduce himse lf for his people, he said so. The to destitution in this way, but the fame fact that he was an honest man Requiem in church he built so a chieved wo uld remain a source of won him many friends among pride and g lory . our Indian and non-Indian peo­ A Requiem Mass was cele­ The public bestowal of g ifts wa s neces­ ple. He will go down in history brated in the church the Chief sary to validate every type of a cti vity - as one of our greatest Indian had built. The beautiful chapel mariage or the building of a house, for chiefs of the 20th century. is a manifestation of his creative exa mpl e. The principa l wa s sim pl e : the g reate r the value of good the greate r ability and his love of God. The the " strength" of whatever wa s be in g His work and ideas will carr y interior of the church designed valida ted. on. We will all do our best to with a semi gothic window, J eo lousie s a s to re lative status we re try to carry a little of the tre­ framing the distant m ountain often settled by competit ions in giving, mendous load C h i e f Albert Cheam, which stands like an or somet imes by competitions to see who Douglas h ad. With the help of ageless m onument to the indes­ could destroy the most property, in­ his loving family we can do the cr ibable beauty of this ancien t clud ing the bu rning of canoes or the job. I know his son will play the hom eland of the Indian people. killi ng of slaves. May-June, 1 970 INDIAN RECORD Page 11

Mrs. Mary John's address to the Parliamentary Committee Freedom of choice denied 1n educational policy

Mrs. Mary John is from Stoney Creek, B.C .

Before I came here we had rush into this step. At the time because no one checked or seem­ many meetings and discussions we had a good school on the ed to care whether they were regarding some of the things I r eserve with two good teachers, there or not. And this is not only am delegated to speak on today. so we had to be very careful that true of Indian children bu t also Since the "New P olicy on In­ we were doing the right thing, White children. dians" was introduced last Sum­ and that our children would not mer we have read many things be hurt by it. When the Principal and Coun­ about it - and listened to TV sellors called a meeting with the and Radio. Some of what we Bishop O'Grady, at that tim e, Indian parents to try to solve the heard we liked, and some we tried to show us that this was problem of the children's poor didn't like. an experiment - but one for attendance, we told them: "Why which we had great hopes - don't you get the White kids to I'm sure you heard over and that the children, educated with attend classes better and then over many of the things being Christian ideals side by side maybe the Indian kids would said by the Indian people about would grow up learning to have improve". But when all was over the "New Policy". We too have respect for each other as indivi­ it was plain to us that they heard many remarks from White duals, the White children res­ couldn't even begin to under­ people. Some have said: "Well, pecting the Indian children, not stand our problems. they always wanted to run their only as individuals, but as people The Sisters, who taught us for own affairs, always they are from a different culture - dif­ so many years and who know us griping about the Government, ferent, but not inferior. for so long have far more real - now the Government says interest in our children than the they can, and they'r e all mad Well, we were bothered about clothes, about lunches, about all Provincial Schools will ever about it. They don't know what have. they want". Well, that's not true these little things that could lead -we do know w hat we want. to more discrimination. But, we got lots of help to get over these Choice of schools difficulties. We finally decided to Honesty, first of all try integration, and so our chil­ Just before I left home, the dren left the reserve for a ten­ Chief's wife said to me: "Tell First of all, the most important mile trip each day, to Vander­ them in Ottawa that if they take thing: we want HONESTY in all hoof. We have NEVER r egretted away our FREE CHOICE of edu­ dealings with us. If you SAY our decision. cation, and compel us to send our something that you'r e going to kids to Public School, then I'll do, then you should really MEAN Now , in the first few years keep mine at home altogether, IT. Such is NOT the case. We are they had up to Grade 10 in St. even if they put me in jail for it". trying to be very fair about this J oseph's School, but then they w hole business. But it seems to couldn't afford to keep up these You might be saying to your­ us that you are SAYING one Grades. We were ver y sorry selves: "No one is going to force thing but DOING an other. about that. But then Bishop the Indian people to send their O'Grady opened a Central High children to the P r o v i n c i a l Mr. Chretien says, for example, School in P rince George, w ith Schools, the Minister has prom­ that our free choice in education hostels right on the grounds for ised th at they w ill h ave a FREE will n ot be interfer ed with. We the Indian and non-Indian chil­ CHOICE". Let m e tell that the wrote m any letters abou t this dren - children fr om our Stoney Counsellor in P rince George, a and we got m any answers w hich Creek village, For t St. J ames, Feder al employee, told us a we h ave kept. Now I w ill show Burns Lake and other places. m onth ago that our children will you he didn't really m ean w hat Most of our children attended n ot be allowed to attend Prince he said. For the past 12 years the P rince George Catholic High George College next September; children of our village have been School. their fees will n ot be paid. integrated in the Vanderhoof He got a notice from the Van­ Parochial School, which goes as couver Education Office telling far as Grade 7. We were asked to Skip classes him that these children are to make a decision about integra­ attend High School in their own tion in 1958. We had many A few decided to try Vander­ home towns. stormy meetings on the matter. hoof Public School. They bitterly We have many good people in regret their choice. Why? Most You know what that means! our village who did not want to of the students skipped classes There goes our FREE CHOICE. Page 12 INDIAN RECORD May-June, 1970 Choice of school ... The only High School we have guage in Lejac School; Fr. G. education which DIRECTLY is the Public one and we have Morice, OMI, got our language teaches them how to behave. We not done well there; whereas our into print many years ago, so will not settle for less. children in Prince George Cath­ now most of my people can read olic High are happy, well looked­ their language quite well. So please, listen to what we after and attending their classes OURSELVES say - not to ex­ every day. We have no worry At present the children are perts from Universities - I about them. We know that the encouraged to 1 e a r n t h e i r forget the name of the one we legends, language, dances and best is being done fo ~ them; talked about. We know what we special attention is being paid to art. I came out of school proud want, so please try to help us. our Indian culture, so we are to be an Indian - we've talked happy about that too. a lot about this - most of the If you are honest in this mat­ others felt the same way, and it ter, we feel that our hunting and Where did the Vancouver Of­ wasn't until we tried the hotels fishing will be protected also. fice get the idea of changing the and cafes in the town that we It's the only little bit we have Indian kids from the Prince found discrimination, and were left. Our village hasn't got very George Catholic High School, if made to feel small. much land, but we're not looking not from Ottawa? And yet, Otta­ forward to paying the Hon. Mr. wa has paid the education fees Things are better now for our Bennett taxes on it. However, as for our children for so many children, but it's hard for the I left Prince George, a meeting years in Prince George - why older people to forget lots of of all the BC Indian Chiefs was change now? what went on before. taking place in the city, with our Chief and Counsellors present. You should look into the mat­ May hurt children So, they will discuss the land ter, and see how it shapes up rna tter again. with our FREE CHOICE. NO But, as for putting the children ONE has asked US if that's what together in the same room in the My principal task here today WE want. They're just giving Public Schoo 1 and thinking: is to ask you, Honorable Mem­ orders on paper for us to obey. "That's all we need to do, they'll bers, to p r o t e c t our FREE This is why we say, "Be honest, make out OK together", we be­ CHOICE in education. We have be honorable". lieve that our children will be it now and we don't want to hurt. There MUST be Christian lose it. If you mean we have to do what you say as in the past, then stop talking about "CONSULT­ ING" the Indian people. Just tell us: "We're tired packing you LI'L SISTERS Bv Bill O'Malley around, the Provinces can have you now, and that'll be the end of discrimination". Well, we don't believe that for one minute, not even if Mr. Chretien says so, or a professor from Vancouver, or anybody else either. Putting the Indian children and the White children together from Grade 1 up won't solve any problem, UNLESS there's a good Christian education going on as well - which tells the children that all are created EQUAL, not just one day's teaching, but day after day, week after week, to make them respect each other.

Judged inferior There is no room for that .in the Public School, and we be­ lieve that even many of the teachers think of the Indians as inferior to the Whites. So what chance has integration without Christian education? "I was educated in Lejac Resi­ dential School, and I don't agree with lots of what's being said about Residential Schools today. ''I HAb A NICE 5UI/51STER ... Maybe we were lucky, but we BUT I d-UE S.S HE GoT AWAY.'' learned to read our own Jan- May-June, 1970 INDIAN RECORD Page 13 • The Indian In the city

by Jean Trudeau, OM I ( In KERYGMA, Vol. 3, No. 31

The Oblates have a long history of Not only do contacts with Euro­ Even if the resources of Indian ·contact with the Canadian Indians. canadians point out the difficulties reserves are fully utilized, how­ Many, if not most missionaries, have of life on the reserve, they also sti· ever, they cannot all properly sup­ contributed greatly to their socio­ mulate new needs for a higher port their present Indian popula­ economic and spiritual well-being. standard of living, better jobs, more tions, much less the populations of This was made possible because of money and, consequently, I believe, the future. our endeavour to understand and to a greater sense of security. Since adapt ourselves to the culture of the these needs cannot be satisfied on Although the Hawthorn Report Indians and to the situation in which the reserves, many Indians leave and Chretien's statement seem to they lived. their homes and move to the city. take a reasonable and realistic stand on the issue of economic develop­ Because of the many transforma­ Due to these conditions and to the ment of the Indians, one should not tions which are occurring in our so· desire to better their lot, the Indians proceed blindly in this venture, espe­ dety, the Indians are changing, become dissatisfied with reserve life cially since some USA students of either through their own choice or and migrate to the city where oppor­ Indian relocation programmes- and through an imposition from non-In­ tunities seem to be much greater. they have been much more active in dians. One of the important factors this field than Canadians - suggest influencing the whole texture of In­ that the urbanization of Indians may dian life is the migration of Indians Relocation policy not be the answer to limited re· to the city. sources on reserves. Another reason for the migration The Oblates have always been of Indians to the city, and a more The migration of Canadian In­ keen on entering new fields and have important one, I believe, is the Fed· dians to the city, whether it is to be generally been successful in their eral Government's policy towards re­ encouraged or not, is a fact that we work. I believe it is time for us to location of Indians. "As there are urgently have to take into considera­ look at what is happening to the In· thousands of Indians living in areas tion; the problems are acute enough dians, especially their migration pat­ where the economic resources will now, and more Indians will want to terns, and adopt new ways of reach­ not support them, relocation is essen­ take advantage of the Federal Gov­ ing those who choose city-life. tial if self-sufficiency is to be accom­ ernment's policy towards relocation. plished." And in order to ease the The following description of "The economic difficul~es of migrating But what actually happens to the Indian in the City" formed the basis and to accelerate its movement, the Indians who migrate to the city? of a paper given at a meeting of Federal Government will give grants Too many, it seems, fail to make the Canadian psychiatrists. It is given to the Indians who wish to move to necessary adjustment. They either here for what it is worth, hoping it urban areas, provided they already return to the reserve after a few may help us revise some of our ob· are employed in the city of their years or end up on Skid Road. This jectives in our work with the In­ choice. comes out all too clearly in the dians. literature. This policy is given strong support in the Hawthorn Report. Accelerated movement Anxieties of urban life People in semi-isolated bands The migration of Indians to the across the northern wooded belt Melling believes that people return city is not a new phenomenon. But, face special problems of develop­ to the reserve because they cannot while this movement for many years ment that require special types of stand ". . . the anxiety and uneer­ affected a relatively small number programs, and should receive tainty attendant upon urban life." of people, it has recently accelerated, maximum support in moving away There are a number of other factors and will perhaps continue to do so to obtain employment in areas or also, such as cultural differences, even more in the future, as Melling urban centres offering adequate especially in values and attitudes, points out. job opportunities. lack of technical and socio-psychol­ ogical preparation, prejudice on the There seems to be two reasons for part of non-Indians ("they look dif­ this trend. Contact between Indians Economic advancement ferent"); a need for love and affec­ and Eurocanadians - schooling, hos· In the same report, we are told tion which Indians do not find in pitalization, tourists, mass media, that cities; a shift in reference group etc. - have increased considerably. without changing the membership The young men and women who The main a venue for economic group; economic reasons for migra· were educated in cities get bored advancement of most Indians in tion to city are not strong enough to with reservation life and, after a Canada lies in facilitating travel counterbalance the need for social short stay there, return to the "land or migration away from their re­ love and affection. of opportunity" and of new expe­ serves, to take wage or salaried riences. But, more importantly, con­ jobs in non-Indian communities As a result, Indians become dis· tacts with Eurocanadians brought and enterprises beyond reserve satisfied with the city and with non­ the Indians to realize the harsh eco­ boundaries. Exploitation and de· Indians. They originally left the re­ nomic conditions of the reserve. Non­ velopment of resources within or serve for economic (and other) rea­ Indians realize it also when they are close to their reserve communities sons, tried unsuccessfully to adapt told that relief payments increased would or should play a distinctly to the city, and then returned to the 70% in the last six years and account secondary role in any comprehen­ reserve with a feeling of failure for 40% of the total annual income sive economic development pro­ coupled with an even more acute of the Indian. To put it differently, gram on their behalf. sense of dissatisfaction, knowing in 1962, one out of four Reserve In­ More recently, Minister Jean Chre­ now more clearly what the city could dians was on r elief. tien told us that offer. We may add also that a great· Page 14 INDIAN RECORD May-June, 1970

I n t lae city . • • ( From Page 13 ) Appreciation Voiced er feeling of dependence and conflict research programme by a team of Dear Father, which, according to Carstens, is part specialists in the human sciences. of the reserve system, comes over Undoubtedly, the missionaries would " To get pen and p:Jper in my hand them. Those who fail but remain in be a worthwhile asset in a group of takes ages but ri ght now I realize we the city instead of returning to the specialists studying the whole com­ are losers in this case as we are mi ssing reserve feel the pinch of their fail­ plex of Indian urban living. At this lots of good reading usually found in ure in another way. As Chief Cy point, I would like to raise the ques­ INDIAN RECORD . Standing said " ... It is a waste of tion of co-operation of missionaries tax payers' money to place (Indians) with such a team. Are we really con­ "Since we received our la st issue of in jobs in city without proper coun­ vinced of the necessity of such a INDIAN RECORD early in 1968, my selling as they cannot compete and study; are we not oversensitive husband and I really have become mare end up in slums on welfare." It is when non-Oblates become interested than involved in our peoples' lives. It is not surprising that such a situation in Indians and have views different more o ft en disappointing than de­ leads to a personal and social disor­ from our own? lig htful - but life should be such, we ganization. The Hawthorn Report must realize, though - as haw e lse can words it very clearly: While a missionary can play an we appreciate the good times. It is some­ important role in research, he can times difficult to think along these lines Here the main barriers to eco­ play an even more important one in when pressures build up but I have a nomic development (of disorga­ the realm of counselling and guid­ husband who seems to have a much nized bands near expanding urban ance because of his knowledge of the calmer, slower burning paint than I have. centres) are not objective econom­ language, the culture and the condi­ ic factors such as shortages of tions of reservation living. Here "Though I am Micmac, I presume available resources or job oppor­ again, we need to co-operate with th is must be the Iri sh or Scat fl a ring up tunities. Rather, as pointed out be­ existing agencies and be ready to - for the Indian is supposed to be fore, the main factors are socio­ have our ideas tossed around and passive, no? · psychological including social and questioned by others. "Ottawa is a very difficult place to personal disorganization among live in - one can easi ly be foaled into Indians; apathy and lack of moti­ Many missionaries feel a need for change and are already involved in thinking that because this is t he Capital vation; drunkenness; absenteeism working with urban Indians. Will City with our Head of Government here, and carelessness on the job; and the Oblates, as a group, follow suit, there should be no red tape. La and be­ hostility from and discrimination take a good look at the whole situa­ hold, what a surprise to find it a bounds by Whites. It would have to be tion and revise their goals and more here tha n in fara way Reserves!" accompanied by an intensive pro­ methods of approach? gram of training, social condition­ (M.R.) ing and placement similar to that recommended for urban migrants from northern Indian communi­ STRANGE BUT TRUE ties. The reader will undoubtedly think, and rightly so, that what is said here and in much of the literature is too impressionistic and too limited in terms of experience. This is not sur­ prising since very few studies have been made of the subject in Canada and, consequently, too many prob­ lems need to be researched, especial­ ly the sociopsychological implica­ tions of economic adjustments.

Long r ange need In view of the situation in which the Indians find themselves and the Srun( f'1a./ctelvj lack of studies on the subject, there (d-1148) IS hu.riect is a short range need for counselling ,if th.e S'Qme coffin. and guidance for Indians who mi­ C(S hi s friend grate or have migrated to the city Saint & rnA.rct as well as a long range need for a THE YlRGIN OF 11-IE :ANDES' titi C/a.,i-ri4U;PAYAN CATHEDRAL, COLOMBIA, SOLD IN 19~6 , Wilderness Guidebook PAPAL APPROVAL, 10 A U . S SYNDICATE AT AN UNDISCI.OSEO Moses David, an Indian from Smithers, PRICE, IS RATED WORTH British Columbia, has written a hunters' ''SE'VERAL MILLION handbook on " Surviva l in the Wilderness" which is at present being published in 'DOLLA~S :' dJ! ~~ Vancouver. Mitchell Press, through arrangements 7kAPPISTS PERFOR"'' with the Depa•rtment of Indian Affairs, 71-IE CEREMONY OF THE: is in the process of producing the volume. MANDATUM"( THE WASHING It is illlustrated by Indian artist Norman THE 'FEET) USUALLY PRACTI CED LaRue, whose cartoons often appear in ELSEWHERE ONLY ON MAUND)! the British Columbia and Yukon News­ TIWRSOAY, EVERY WEEK. ! letter. May-) une, 1970 INDIAN RECORD Page. 15

Mrs. Soveron follows up th is most Book review: THE UNJUST SOCIETY useful information with suggestions for teaching Engl ish phonology, based on The Tragedy of Canada's Indians, her own experience with Cree-speoking by Haro·ld Cardinal. students. Teache rs who use this book as a M. G. Hurtig Ltd ., Publishers, mosaic then we wont to be colorful red source of information and guidance will Edmonton, 171 p. Paperback, t il es, taking our place where red is both po·rticulo rly appreciate the word - lists needed and appreciated. wh ich exemplify the Engl ish phonemes: 1969. $2.75. good teach ing examples that ore still Mr. Cardinal's most vehement views within the vocabulary range of the ele­ The author of this controversi al book, m:J y a lready be outdated. Rev. Adam mentary school ch ild ore hard to compile now in its second printing, is a twenty­ Cu' h::md, President of the Manitoba on short notice. The Narthian four-year-old Cree leade r, President of Metis Association, feel s that tremendous the Indian Association of Alberto. He progress has been mode, especially si nce has been interv iewed on te levision and 1 967 . He points out that the problems radio during the post few months and fac ing many of Canada's Indian and has fi•lled many speaking engagements, Metis citizens ore those which face all Indian - Eskimo including a ve ry successful one to the Ca nadians who live in poverty and with­ courses at Trent Winnipeg branch of the C a n a d i a n out sufficient opportunity to improve Authors Association. their livi ng and educational standards. Trent Universi ty now offers a three­ Leadership from within the ronks of the year undergraduate course in Indian­ The Jonu ~Jry - Februory , 1970 issue of t he INDIAN RECORD presents some of In dian brotherhood is increa si ngly ef­ Eski mo Studies. Admission is open to oH the conflicting reactions to T HE UNJUST fecti ve and dedicated, a reminder of the quolified students. SOCIETY, ranging from strongly critical bmous men of Indian and mixed blood The program provides on unde r­ views expressed by William Wuttunee, who hod a hand in shaping the destiny graduate course of studies based on former ch ief of the Notional Indian of this country. sound scholarship and contributes to on Council of Canada to a movi ng reminder Archbishop Camara of Brazil, spea king understanding of the genesis and nature from Rev. Raymond Durocher, OM! , that at the recent Pri ests' Conference in of the problems arising from the time of we must all be conce rned with the prob­ Manitoba, pointed out that we cannot contact between European native so­ lems of our fellow man. attempt to judge the post with the cieties. It is from the viewpoint of Christian knowledge of the present. For a beginning It is hoped that the course of studies concern, and with a desire for greater in understanding the problems and the will encourage native students and understanding of the whole " I ndi on hopes of the Indian people of Canada, scholars to study at Trent University and question" that readers should approa ch read T HE UNJUST SOC IETY. make full use of its facilities. Mr. Cardinal's book. ( It must be sa id AUDREY PETERKIN The first year offers a general intro­ that the cover, designed by Roy Pete rson duction to the history and diversi ty of and representing the Indian a s a helpless native peoples and cultures; in the second puppet manipulated by Church and other Fro.m Cree to English year, courses on The lndion Identity ond authorities, detracts from its implied Native Acculturation from Contact Times value a s on unbiased and unemotiona l P·art I: The Sound System to the Present will be offered. documentary.) by Marilylle Soveran Students majoring in Indian-Eski mo Mr. Cardinal is for from unb;osed or Publisher: The Indian and Northern studies must toke a minimum of fifteen unemotional and hi s reasons come Curriculum Resources Centre, College of courses, of which five ore in the program, through clearly. He is at his best when Education, University of Saskatchewan, the remainder being token in other di sci­ presenting facts about the problems Sa skatoon, Canada. $ 2 .50. plines. In structi on will be conducted in facing Canada's I ndion population, for REVIEW by PROF. M. L. MARCKWORTH small groups whe rever possible to permit less effective when he lets off steam in Linguistic and Elementary Education, die Iogue between students and in st ructor. vogue and angry criticism against the Uni ve rsity of Alberto Special attention is being given to gove rnment, organized religion, and con­ Here is a book that should be on the increasing the Uni ve rsity library holdings cerned do-gooders. Father Durocher sa ys : desk of every teacher who has students in the areas covered by the prog ram, and " The book is full of excessive lan­ whose fi rst language is Cree. other aids to learning such a s microfi lms, guage and pe rhaps even much injustice Not only should it be on those desks, films, and records ore being added. toward many who hove labored with and but it should be in frequent and intensive Frequent meetings with peopl e directly for Indians .. . It is not a deliberately u>e, for it presents both a theoretical involved in various a spects of native life chosen style by on expert wordcrofter. framework - why the phonology of and activities wi ll be he ld to give students It is not mere ly on angry outburst. It is English will be difficult for the child the opportunity of di scussing contempo­ just strong rea cti on breaking through whose first language is one of the di alects rary issues and problems of the native and finding words unequal to the task ... of Cree - and a number of practical population. Occosiono·l field trips will be Even those who disagree with h is reme­ remedies for these difficulties in the on integral port of some courses. dies will! be moved by h is symptoms." form of exercises and suggesti ons for presentation of problem material. In addition to the full-time courses Most of us hove ve ry little insight described a bove, Trent University wi II into the aspirations of Canada's native Mrs. Soveron includes in her book two offer in the summer of 1970 the intro­ people. Harold Cardinal says, "We like kinds of information. After a short intro­ ductory course in the program for credit. the ideo of a Canada where all cultures duction in which she discusses the reasons For further information, write: ore encoura ged to develop in harmony for training (to obviate problems of ora l communicoot ion, learning to read, and Department of In formation, wi th one another, to become port of the Trent Un iversity, great mosaic. We ore impatient for the social discrimination) she gives short articulatory descriptions of the Troger­ Peterborough, Ontario, da y when other Canadians will accord Canada. the Indian recognition implied in this Smith phonemic inventory of English. vision of Canada." Developing this theme She contrasts t hese data with the phonemes of Cree, and indicates what a little later in the some chapter, he • The City of Los Angeles, California, says, " We wont better education, a ports of the En g lish sound system will be is reported to have t he largest concen­ better chance for our children and the difficult for the Cree-speoking chi'ld on tration of Indians north of Mexico. The option to choose our own pathway in the basis of the sounds he con distinguish population is estimated to be around life. If we ore to be port of the Canadian and produce in his native language. 45,0 0 0 and still growing. Page 16 INDIAN RECORD May-June, 197 0 Bisho-p Robidoux Halt sought on money transfer (Concluded from Page 1 ) REG INA - The Federation of thought we knew about it," he One Oblate, referring to the Saskatchewan Indians has asked, said. bay whence the diocese takes in February, Premier Thatcher The FSI will draw up guide­ its name, said recently, "Hudson to block a federal transfer of lines for the provincial govern­ Bay itself is so big that you could funds for the education of In­ ment listing their educational float Italy in it and still take a dians to provincial jurisdiction. needs. The organization will also boat excursion right around". The proposed r e v i s i o n of appoint a task force to find out The area covered by the dio­ the Indian Act would give pro­ what its needs are. cese has a population of just over vincial governments responsibi­ "We'll be constructive. We ten thousand people; of these, lities formerly held by the fed­ don't want the public to take some 3,200 are Catholic. The eral government. a negative attitude," he said. diocese was left vacant with The funds, about $477 for each At the next meeting, hunting the resignation in 1968 of Bishop of 20,000 Saskatchewan Indian and fishing rights will be dis­ Marc Lacroix, OMI. students attending reserve .cussed. Mr. Ahenakew said the The Bishop-elect of Churchill­ schools, high schools, colleges briefs would be submitted show­ Hudson Bay is a native of St­ and universities, were to be ing the Indians are trying to Pierre-Jolys, a French-Canadian transferred April 1 to the pro­ abide by the laws even though town on the Red River south of vincial government from the their treaties may give other Winnipeg, Manitoba. He joined federal department of Indian privileges. (Regina Leader-Post) the Oblates in 1933 and was Affairs. ordained a priest in 1939. David Ahenakew of Prince Needs studied Directly after graduating from Albert, FSI chief, said in Regina (Concluded from Page I) the seminary, he went into pas­ Friday he advised the provincial social life. He pointed out the toral and educational work government the federal govern­ among the Indians of the Cana­ insufficient economic opportuni­ ment would not be transferring ties for Indians leaving the re­ dian Prairies. In addition to enough money. speaking English and French h e serves for cities and said for is fluent in Saulteaux and has a "I told the premier we'll never Indians the fight against poverty working knowledge of Cree make ends meet with that kind is a fight for more freedom. (both of the latter are Indian of money. Maybe they'd be all Paul Bruyere, who started to languages). right the first year but they'll work as a lay missionary among Bishop-elect Robidoux became have trouble after that," Mr. Indians and Metis in 1952, spoke founding principal of the Winni­ Ahenakew said. He was in on the situation in a number of peg Indian High School in 1958. Regina for the second of a plan­ Ontario reserves. In 1968 he was named Vicar­ ned series-of monthly meetings "Working as missionary in the Provincial for the Oblates' Mani­ with the premier and cabinet reserves, I had seen lots of toba Province. He is also chair­ ministers. misery, undernourished children, man of the executive of · the At no time was the FSI con­ homes without any furniture, a Canadian Regional Oblate Com­ sulted about the proposed ex­ great number of people rejected mission for Missions. change, Mr. Ahenakew said. by the society," he said. Bishop-elect Robidoux's epis­ Education Minister Mcisaac He also mentioned some ex­ copal ordination is scheduled to later said Mr. Ahenakew was amples of Indians who succeeded take place in Winnipeg, Mani­ assured "nothing was final in in modern economic life. toba, at St. Mary's Cathedral, this regard. We told him we Rene Poitras spoke on some Thursday, May 21. Ordaining won't do anything without full problems of Metis in the present bishops will be Cardinal George consultation with his organiza­ social and economic life. FLAHIFF of Winnipeg, Arch­ tion." A number of resolutions sug­ bishop Paul DUMOUCHEL, Mr. Ahenakew said the pro­ gesting means of combatting the OMI, of Keewatin-the Pas, and vincial government had not con­ current farm crisis and fighting Archbishop Maurice BAUDOUX tacted the FSI about the trans­ poverty were passed. of St. Boniface. fer in the past. "I suppose they One resolution called for the establishment of a farm organ­ ································································· ·················· ization that could bargain ef­ fectively for farmers and another Use this coupon for new or renewed subs: called for greater personal com­ mitment in helping the poor. INDIA N RECORD The 200 delegates, clergy, lay­ 1301 Well ington Cres., WINNIPEG 9, Ma n. men, and a small number of students, came from all over the ·----- _____ ------~~: 9_~ - ~~-r__ ~ !:'-~ - r~-'!~ __(_ ~ - !~~~-~~~ - ______. __ province. During the conference Enclosed $2.00 for one year's subscription to the INDIAN RECORD. they were served poverty meals - rice and coffee for lunch - on Name a number of occasions. Resolutions passed by the Street Zone institute are to be submitted to the senate of priests of the arch­ City (or Post Office) (Box No...... ) diocese of Regina which will re­ port on action taken in response Province to them. (Regina Leader-Post)