Hobbema Bands Sue Canadian Government
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INSIDE THIS WEEK MAA holds Treaty 8 South Klein their 58th holds Africa's responds annual wildlife Babb to Lubicon assembly workshop at Peguis boycott See Pages 12 -15 See Pages 4 & 5 See Page 2 See Page 3 1870 Land Order `still binding' Hobbema bands sue Canadian government By Rocky Woodward from Great Britain. That's why it happened this According to Burger, the The following resolution week." case will probably take at Hobbema's four Indian was passed by the Cana- Chief Potts, when asked least "five years to run its bands are suing the dian parliament on May 28, if the claim involves land in course." government of Canada for 1869, "that upon the trans- and around Edmonton, "That's just how our sys- a declaration that commit- ference of the territories in would not elaborate, instead, tem works, but if the courts ments made by the govern- question to the Canadian said that government has decide in our favour, then ment of Canada in the Government it will be the never allowed them "our many Indian tribes will be "Rupert's Land and duty of the government to own self- determination." able to turn to the federal Northwestern Territory make adequate provision "Who really owned the government and negotiate Order" of 1870, are still for the protection of the land first? Yet we were shot for land," Burger stated, binding today. Indian tribes whose inter- in the back and put onto adding that they will proba- The four Bands filed a ests and well -being are little reserves as you call bly proceed to trial in 1988 statement of claim in the involved in the transfer." them. We have six homes or 1989. Federal Court, Trial Div- On June 23, 1870, the on one quarter of prime Burger says that the $1.4 ision in Edmonton, March Rupert's Land Order was farm land and yet land million land claim between 18. approved by Queen Victo- claims have been stalled for the Manitoba Metis and the At a press conference in ria, admitting Rupert's years," Potts answered. federal government and the Edmonton, chiefs from Land of Canada as of July CHIEF MELVIN POTTS "We are not asking for four Bands lawsuit is dis- three of the bands and 15, 1870, be subject to ...questions land ownership the moon but what is right- tinctly different. Theresa Bull, representing these terms and conditions. fully ours," he added. "The Metis are relying on the Louis Bull Band stated The four Bands of Hob- the status of a constitu- because of the First Minis- Potts says that they have the Manitoba Act, which they would like to see the bema will argue that the tional obligation. ters' Conference, which will lost so much land in the Canada made to the Metis. federal government "live up duty of the government of The four Bands will deal with self- government past that they are at the The four Bands are relying to the 117 -year -old Rupert's Canada under the 1870 argue that this constitu- and land rights for- Native point of "where else to turn on the Rupert's Order - Land Order." order goes to two points. tional obligation applies to people, Burger replied that to, except the courts." He the promise to Indian peo- Speaking on behalf of the The rights of the Indian all the Indian bands or since he has returned to law added that land they are ple. The Manitoba Act and four bands of Hobbema, tribes as self -governing pol- tribes of Rupert's land. All practice after a short leave, talking about depends on the Rupert's Land Order Chief Melvin Potts of the itical entities (their "inter- will be entitled, if the four that a series of meetings each individual Band. are both distinct." Montana Nation said ests) and the providing of Bands are successful, to began over a year ago. Berger commented that The four Bands of Hob - "together the Montana, the means for self- sufficiency claim the benefit. "Indeed we completed the case is an important bema have a population of Samson, Ermineskin and (their "well- being "). Asked if the four Bands our preparations just last one and that the courts will approximately 7,000 people Louis Bull Nations will "First of all, it is impor- were filing the suit now week after a year of work. decide if it is soundly based. on and off the reserve. argue that since the 1870 tant to re- establish this as order, the federal govern- part of the Canadian Con- ment has not made ade- stitution - the promises quate provision in two spe- made when Rupert's Land cific ways - that it has not was acquired by Canada protected the rights of from Great Britain - the Indian tribes as self - promise to respect the determining political enti- interests of tribes of the ties and that it has not pro- prairies and protect their vided to them the means rights to self- sufficiency," for self- sufficiency." commented Burger. The action, filed in court If the four Bands are suc- by Vancouver lawyer cessful, it would mean Thomas Berger, is based other Indian tribes of on the Rupert's Land Rupert's land could benefit, Order. The order was especially if they win their drafted when Rupert's land argument that the federal was acquired by Canada government has failed to live up to the requirements of international law, specifi- cally the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights 1966, which was ratified by Canada in 1976. The object of the suit, which will be left for the courts to decide, will be to have the courts declare that arising out of the transfer of Rupert's Land to Canada in 1870, the Government of Canada has a constitutional obliga- tion "to make adequate provision for the protection METIS SELF- DEFENSE of the Indian tribes whose interests and well -being are involved in the transfer." Edson's Nadine Belcourt had a good grip on her opponent during the Northern Alberta Judo Championships If the suit is successful, it held at the Canadian Forces Base in Edmonton, March 14. Belcourt placed first in her weight class. She trains would elevate the long for- with the Yellowhead Judo Society in Edson. - Photo by Bert Crowfoot gotten undertaking by the Government of Canada to PAGE 2, March 20, 1987, WINDSPEAKEtt National South African ambassador visits reserve By Catherine Compton In Babb's opening state- ment he said, the issues MILLION PEGUIS RESERVE - raised here today are glo- CHIEF STEVENSON REQUESTS $99 South African Ambassador bal. "A global worldwide to Canada Glenn Babb problem of underdevelop- Ambassador in response to The Chiefs said they condemned the envoy's a long time ago, regardles received a formal request ment next to development." Prime Minister Brian Mul- sympathized with Chief visit. At the end of the visit of this visit here today." for foreign aid to the tune of In the afternoon, a cara- roney's criticism of South Stevenson on the Indian Stevenson said, "I have $99 million from Chief van of reporters followed Africa's racial policies dur- issues at hand but strongly successfully accomplished Stevenson predicts, "If Louis Stevenson during Babb's tour of the reserve, ing a recent visit to South opposed to having Babb, my objective of drawing the upcoming First Minis- Babb's (March 10, 1987) which included the inspec- Africa. Immediately after whom they regard as a national, if not international ters' Conference is another controversial visit to the tion of two sub -standard Babb confirmed his invita- racist, visit Peguis in order attention, to the plight of failure, Canada is going to Peguis Indian Reserve in homes of band residents tion to inspect living condi- to highlight racist issues. A Canada's Native people by see more of this kind of Manitoba, last week. who evidently merely tions on the reserve located source who wishes to having Babb visit my exercise from other Stevenson revealed that existed day to day under about 160 kilometres from remain anonymous said, reserve. I know my deci- reserves. The FMC seems he wanted his appeal for deplorable living conditions. Winnipeg, Chief Stevenson "The Jewish community sion was not popular, but at to be what Indian leaders foreign aid to Pretoria S.A. Stevenson commented, came under fire by African would not invite a represen- least it lit a fire under the are depending on and I on the record to embarass "These conditions of hav- National Congress officials tative of Hitler's govern - provincial and federal don't have much confi- Canada's federal govern- ing no running water or and local anti- apartheid ment to their community." governments and the pub- dence that anything is going ment for its treatment of it's electricity and the poor representatives who The Manitoba Coalition lic at large in coming to to result from that forum." own Aboriginal people. heating of tumbling down opposed the visit. Steven- of Organizations Against terms to do something The aid would be used to structures in this day and son then said he would Apartheid staged a demon - about the Indian issues." Following the Ambassa- rectify his reserve's chronic age are not only visible on withdraw the invitation only stration outside Federal dor's visit to the Peguis flooding problems, build a the Peguis Reserve, but are if Mulroney would come in Health & Welfare Minister, "Now Manitoba's cabinet Reserve, Babb held an nursing station and new prevalent across Canada, Babb's place, but the Prime Jake Epp's office the day of Minister Elijah Harper, who extensive radio interview school and initiate eco- one of the richest countries Minister refused.