Cree Family Works Trapline

J/ ry, of rloo, -15 of Indian Affairs and Northern Development des AfJaires indiennes el du Nord Canadien Vol. Eleven, No. One Ottawa, Ontario April, 1968

CREE FAMILY J WORKS TRAPLINE

A chance trip into a snow The Diamond's trapline covers a canvas covered wigwam out of "Only a fool would work in the covered lake some 11 0 miles north- about 150 square miles of wilder- the top of which a small trail of summer if he didn't have to," said west of Gogama in Northern ness and nets them between $5,000 smoke curled hospitably. Mrs. Diamond. "Summer is for Ontario last winter brought me and $6,000 per year. fun." into a world few people are privi- We all moved into the wigwam I looked around the- campsite. (Continued on page 4) leged to see, and showed me a way and sat down on the spruce bough of life in which contentment is the There was nearby, a pot bubbling merrily -a tin stove with a floor to talk. Grandma Josephine, theme. - on h . moosehead in it for the noon meal. with the rest of the family listen- I had joined a friend in the Ontario Department of Lands and Forests on a routine trip to visit a family of Cree Indians from Rupert Sanitation House who came every winter into the Gogama district to trap beaver. Committee Everything glistened like bril- liants in the morning sun as our Formed plane touched down and taxied to the campsite. About 50 feet above the lake edge, waiting for us, were A Health Committee was formed the whole family. There was recently on the Micmac Reserve Grandpa Bertie Diamond, his wife near Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia, Josephine and their two younger and it -indicates a growing aware- sons, Richard and Sinclair; their ness to the problems of health on older married son Luke and his reserves today. wife Gertie and their two younger Mrs. Marion Levi, an active daughters, Linda and Marce1la; health worker on the Big Cove cousin Jimmy Waskeyjan, his wife Reserve, was invited to meet and Annie and their children, Shirley, discuss the merits of a Health Com- Bentley, Greta and Wilfred. mittee, with residents of the re- With inherent Indian shyness serve. and courtesy, they waited for us, Following the discussions, im- the visitors, to speak first, and then mediate action was taken and left grandma Josephine, with her officers of the newly formed Health grade 8 convent education to be Committee were elected. Mrs. the spokesman. Yvonne Peter-Paul was elected "In the late fall", she said, "we President while Mrs. Annie Mae come into the Gogama district to Knockwood and Mrs. Raymond trap because the beaver is more Brooks were elected to the posi- plentiful here than at home, near PRODUCTS OF NATURE- L-R: Mr. Birdie Diamond, Mr. Jimmy tions of Vice-President and Secre- Rupert House. Whiskeyjan, and Mr. Luke Diamond display their snowshoes and sleigh, tary-Treasurer respectively. proof of their handicraft and bush skill. "We usually charter an airplane (Photo - The Outdoorsman, Toronto) At their first official meeting, to fly us and our supplies into plans were formulated to initiate whatever spot we decide to use as A little farther on lay three re- ing intently a n d occasionally a weekly garbage collection. This our starting point. ·Then we work cently trapped beavers on the snow. prompting in Cree, talked of their is a major step in improving the our -way around the traplines, To one side, there was a huge life as trappers in the Canadian health standards of the reserve finishing at the beginning of May ... metal washtub in which was soak- northern winter. This, s_he said, settlement and it is hoped it will and then we go back home to ing a moose hide, and in the mid- was the season of the year that they create initiative to carry out other Rupert House." dle of a small clearing there was worked and made their livi g worthy o jects along this nature. Page Two THE INDIAN NEWS April, 1968

Subventions aux programmes Un groupe d'lndiens des collectivites ravive ses danses

La Direction generate des affaires Le programme a pour objectif Plusieurs tribus du Canada ont assemblee, les membres de la indiennes execute depuis pres de secondaire de laisser a !'initiative conserve integralement les danses troupe ont decide de limiter leurs quatre ans un programme de ser des bandes Ia mise en reuvre de et ceremonies traditionnelles que tournees, pendant l'hiver, auX. ecoles vices communautaires destine a fa divers programmes, comme les ser leur ont leguees leurs ancetres. secondaires de la region avoisinante. voriser le developpement social des vices de bien-etre et !'administra Comme ces valeurs font partie de Ainsi, esperent-ils mieux interpreter collectivites indiennes a travers le tion des fonds dont s'occupent leur culture et de leur mode de vie, leur culture au sein des groupes actuellement les surintendants des elles ont contribue a entretenir chez non indiens. ~ anada. J affaires indiennes. Les fonds peu eux un sentiment de fierte et de \ En vertu de ce J rogramme, elle vent etre deposes directement au dignite a titre d'Indiens. Ils sont tres occupes a confec ~ccorde notammen:' une aide finan compte des bandes qui sont dispo tionner des costumes, car plus d'un ciere aux bandes indiennes qui de- sees a assumer cette responsabilite Ces dernieres annees, d'autres jeune participant,. dont les vete sirent diriger leurs propres affaires. et sont en mesure de le faire. tribus ont manifeste un regain d'in ments sont devenus trop petits, a On aura une idee de Ia popularite teret a cet egard, en ravivant diver besoin d'etre habille a neuf. Les bandes qui adminis~rent ces de ce programme si l'on note que ses formes d'activite culturelle, fonds prennent les decisions qui, telles que les danses et les cere Leur calendrier comporte notam les fonds de $66,892 accordes en autrement, seraient prises par Ia ment une representation organisee 1965-1966 feront probablement monies tribales. Deja, elles sont en Direction. S'il le desire, le Conseil train de montrer a Ia societe non a !'occasion du souper que donne place, en 1967-1968, a un budget peut demander une aide d'orienta indienne que les danses indiennes le Conseil de bande pour marquer de $549,000. tion, en vue de prendre des deci constituent autre chose qu'un ele l'investiture d'un nouveau chef. Le programme a pour but de sions et de Jes mettre .en reuvre, ment pittoresque de production favoriser l'autonomie des bandes mais c'est lui, et non la Direction, cinematographique ou d'emission indiennes. 11 est a esperer que ces qui veille a !'affectation des fonds. televisee. subventions permettront aux bandes Pour de plus amples renseigne Les interpretes de danses rituelles de recruter et de former des em ments sur les demandes d'aide, des Indiens Maliseet habitant la ployes competents qui administre veuillez communiquer ·avec Ie bu reserve de Tobique (N.-B.) ne font ront les affaires de Ia bande, sous reau de votre Agence ou avec le pas exception. Au cours des der la direction du Conseil de bande. bureau regional de votre province. nieres annees, ils ont forme, avec l'aide et les conseils de Mme Marjorie Perley, une troupe de danseurs qui comprend a la fois des adultes et des enfants. Au cours de l'ete, ils ont donne de nombreuses representations en Des Hurons de passage divers endroits. A leur derniere a Ottawa La Direction verse annuellement CA1 . IA 59 .. !54 . une somrne calculee selon un taux convenu par acre, selon le nombre total d'acres de ]a region protegee. En 1967, le montant affecte a la I II I I~ ~ I~I I III\ \~\ ~IIII I~ II !lilllll\1\lll~ 1111111 Une assurance protection des forets s'est eleve a a3 11 87 0 11 75 3272 b $100,000, ce qui represente un taux d'assurance relativement bas peu couteuse: Ia en comparaison des services rendus. Pour sa part, la province assure prevention des des services de detection et de suppression a l'egard des incendies qui se produisent au sein ou a feux de foret! proximite des reserves. Dans bien des cas, elle engage des Indiens, qui excellent a la repression des Ces dernieres annees, la Direction incendies. generate des affaires indiennes a conclu des accords avec plusieurs La protection des forets repre gouvernements provinciaux en vue sente une aide financiere directe de proteger plus de 3 millions aux bandes indiennes, tout en ai d'acres de forets situees dans les dant l'economie du pays. Elle per reserves indiennes. met une production soutenue de bois de pate, de poteaux, de bois de Ce genre d'accord a ete conclu charpente et d'autres produits grace pour la premiere fois en 1962 avec auxquels le Canada peut garder sa l'Ontario, puis avec la Colombie place sur Ie marche mondial. Les L'UNIQUE CHEF HURON DU CANADA et les dirigeants de Ia reserve Britannique, I' Alberta, la Saskatche accords avec les gouvemements pro ont visite ·Onawa recemment et ont discute de la question de terrain qui wan, le Manitoba et le Nouveau vinciaux offrent un moyen pratique ajjectc leur reserve, avec le ministre des Affaires indiennes, M. Arthur Brunswick. et peu couteux d'assurer ]a pro · Laing. Premiere rangee, de gauche ·a droite: M. Bruno Gros-Louis, tection des forets contre le feu. president du dhL.eloppement communautaire; le grand chef Max Gros- Les resultats ont ete excellents Louis,·- le chef adjoint, Marcel Sioux. Rangee arriere, meme ordre: et il est a esperer que le Quebec et De tels accords contribuent aussi M. Jules D'Astous, directeur de. /'Administration a Ottawa; le conseiller la Nouvelle-Ecosse suivront, en au resserrement des relations de Jean-Claude Paul; le secrhaire Rock Sioui; le conseiller Gerard Picard; 1968, l'exemple des autres provin travail entre les bandes indiennes M. Jacques Beaudoin, aviseur legal, et le conseil/er Alex Duchesneau. ces. et les autorites provinciales. April, 1968 THE INDIAN NEWS Page Three

lndian news Assigned To New Post A monthly newspaper published by the Indian Affairs Branch for free distribution to Canadian Indians.

HON. ARTHUR LAING Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development

JOHN A. MACDONALD R. F. BATTLE Deputy Minister of Indian Affairs Assistant Deputy Minister and Northern Development (Indian Affairs) Roving Editor - KEITH R. MILLER Art Work by Dockstader

AU REVOIR Ce n'est pas sans regret que je 11 va sans dire que je sais que les cesse de travailler a la cause in- Indiens sauront correspondre afin dienne. A la demande du Premier de hater le jour ou les Indiens a Ministre, je dois dorenavant con- travers le Canada seront en mesure sacrer mes energies dans un autre de jouer leur role a part entiere. domaine de la fonction publique. Aux Indiens - eta tous ceux qui J e suis persuade que mon succes- reuvrent avec eux - je souhaite seur apportera a son travail aupres bonheur et succes ! de vous toute son energie, son intel- ligence et son creur. E. A. Cote.

MR. ERNEST A. COTE, who for the past two years has served as Ladies Group Assist Deputy-Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, has been appointed to the position of Deputy-Minister of Veterans Affairs. -Friendship - Centre (Photo - Joke Ootes, Ottowa) To the Indian people, I say that people who live in reserve, ameni- The Indian Ladies Aid group of ber of Indian people go for medical am sorry to be leaving their ties of modern life have been ex- Winnipeg, one of the many pro- attention. service after two years. tended to reserve communities at an unprecedented rate. grams geared to meet the needs of On the brighter side of their There have been great changes Indian people moving into the city, . activities, they often cater to wed- in the Indian Affairs administration The Indian people have done started as a small group at the time and I am happy to have taken part themselves. when the Indian and Metis Friend- dings and hold showers for many of much for The Depart- the members who use the Centre. in the years of change. Based on ment will continue to assist them to ship Centre was being established _ the groundwork laid by previous do more for themselves. The Indian in 1959. Mrs. Amy Clemons who has been Deputy Ministers, particularly Dr. people are rightly proud of their Today it has a membership of 25, president of the group since 1962 Davidson and Mr. Isbister, the De- achievements. I share in their and this varies from time to time. said, "these group meetings give the partment has moved rapidly to a pride. I wish them well as they New members are usually recruited Indian ladies an opportunity to get new attitude; one which meets the continue their progress in the years by a. personal invitation and by together and to get to know one challenge of new attitudes of the ahead. I have always been partic- another. It also gives them some- sending circulars to homesof new- Indian people. ularly and deeply interested in the comers to the city. A number of thing to do and something to look cultural identity of the Indian peo- forward to." The educational program has these ladies, Mrs. Vera Richards, made great strides. I am especially ple. In this area, one in which the Miss Jessie Hunt, Mrs. Cochrane, In 1965, they became affiliated proud that it was in my short term individual has a most important Mrs. Dorothy Thomas, and Mrs. with the Winnipeg Council of as Deputy Minister that a milestone role to play, I extend to all the Helen Beauchamp, to name a few, Women. At these meetings with the in this important path was passed. Indian people my special wishes have been .working with Mrs. Amy Council they present their views More than half of the Indian chil- for success. If you guard your he- Clemons, the President for the past and seek solutions on difficulties dren enrolled in schools are now ritage well, your children and your five years. encountered by Indian and Metis a t t e n d i n g provincially-operated children's children will bless your people in urban adjustment. A schools. This augurs well for the memory. Generally, meetings are held at brief has been presented to the future of the Indian people. the Friendship Centre although Council for the Royal Commission To all who are working with and some areheld in private homes. on the Status of Women currently Closely allied to the educational for the Indian people, to all the They keep themselves busy by being studied. Some of their re- program is the physical improve- Indian people who are working for making quilts and other fine crafts quests for Indian and Metis people ment of the Indian communities, their fellow Indians, my warmest and discuss plans for fund raising in the city are : equal opportunity where housing has been improved wishes for a better and happier life. projects to assist in the operation with other Canadians; full educa- in the space of three short years of the Centre. tional opportunities for all their from 1965, for half the Indian E. A. Cote. children; job opportunities w i t h Like all groups of ladies, they training; nursery schools; day nur- raise funds at Spring and Fall teas, series for children of w or k i n g bazaars, r-affles, and dances . for the mothers; homemaker consultants; older groups who come to the decent homes in order to get away Did You Know ... Centre. This past year they donated from "social disorganization" of The town of Punnichy, Saskatchewan, is named for Mr. William $200.00 to the Friendship Centre the slum. In this way they are fund. In addition to this they gave doing their part in creating a broad- Heuback who came to operate a store during the opening of the country. a small donation to the Mount er awareness of the Indian situation. Because he was so young the Indians of the area gave him the name of Carmel Clinic, where quite a num- as it is today in urban communities. "Punnichy", meaning featherless-bird. Page Four THE INDIAN NEWS April, 1968

Next chore is cutting the wood Cree Family ... for fuel, for either the stove or the (Continued from page 1) camp fire is always kept alight. The men have to go out and hunt the Tireless Worker does The plane that brings the Dia- moose to provide meat and the hides mond family in at the fall also brings all the shop-bought stores for the women to make moccasins, to last the group six months - gauntlets and the thongs which the Excellent Job flour, tea, sugar, canvas for the men use when making snowshoes. wigwam and beads for the mocca- Fish have to be caught- and sleds sins. For the rest these Crees live and shovels and snowshoes have An atmosphere of friendship at on weekends. Besides her counsel- to be fashioned out of wood cut the Winnipeg Indian and Metis off the land. Indeed, apart from ling services, she finds time to visit the pots and pans, axes, and to size. Strange as it may seem, Centre is radiated by the cheery patients in the various hospitals, the shovels are a most important smile and greeting from Amy knives, the hunting rifles - and especially those who do not speak the tin stove - I saw nothing in item for, when a wigwam is erected Clemons to a11 who visit the or understand English. Amy inter- Centre. prets in Cree or Saulteaux. In A counsellor to many, for those addition to this she has maintained who seek accommodation for the her position as President of the night, for a week, or a house for Ladies Aid for the past 5 years. a family, Amy will do her best to help. She often finds it necessary Mrs. Clemons finds that discrim- to direct or accompany newcomers ination still exists although it is to other agencies for further assist- being denied. "Indian people are ance. For transients, she accom- turned away when it comes to look- panies those who need assistance ing for a room or a job in the city", to and from buses or trains. In the she said. Centre many of these people find comfort over a hot cup of coffee Anyone who has visited an or sometimes a hearty meal. Indian Centre anywhere in Canada She travels 25 miles from Selkirk will agree that people like Amy to Winnipeg every morning except are indispensable.

MRS. JOSEPHINE DIAMOND proudly displays her handiwork of beaded gauntlets made out of moose hide. (Photo - The Outdoorsman, Toronto)

the camp that had not been pro- on snow, the first thing is to shovel vided by nature and turned into down to bare earth. It is also used something useful by the native to keep the fish holes in the ice skill of these people. open and to stir the moose hide in The party hits camp ahead of the first process of tanning. the snow and, with everybody pitching in, they have the poles "Why don't you bring in metal cut, the tent rigged, and supplies shovels for this work ?" I asked. sorted in about three hours. "Metal shovels cost money and Building the wigwam is an art are too heavy to pack when we in itself - an example of skill and move camp", said Mrs. Diamond. efficiency. First the ground is "All the implements we use cost us levelled and the area to be covered nothing but our time. If, next year, MRS. AMY CLEMONS - President of the Indian Ladies Aid and coun- by the wigwam is overlaid with young spruce boughs to a depth of we decide to operate a trap1ine in sellor at the Indian and Metis Friendship Centre, Winnipeg, displays a another area, sleds, snowshoes, quilt made by the Ladies' group. about two inches. Everyone, in- (Photo - Robinson Photography, Winnipeg) cluding the youngest toddler, ac- shovels and the like can be left cording to grandma Josephine, behind - and we will have lost joins in the branch cutting. only our time. We can make these things again next winter." The wigwam poles are now Did You Know ... placed in position and lashed to- The Diamonds stay in an area In 1884 when the British Major General, "Chinese" Charles Gordon, gether where they cross at the top, close to the camp until they decide was besieged' at Khartoum, Egypt, by the Mahdi and his Rebels, a relief and covered with the canvas. In it has been worked out. This is column under Sir Garnet Wolseley was sent to break the siege. very short order a home has been usually around about a month. The Making very little headway up the Nile River, Sir Wolseley, who built in which, no matter what the men do the aGtual trapping, with the put down the Ri:el Rebellion in Canada, remembered the expert Mohawk weather, the whole party can find women scraping, drying and stretch- canoemen of Caughnawaga. An urgent message was sent to Canada and shelter. At night, the boughs form ing on home-made frames the 50 Mohawks left immediately for Egypt. They conquered the cascadmg a base as soft as any air mattress pelts, mostly beaver. cataracts of the Nile but too muchtime had been lost and Khartoum had on which to roll out the sleeping fallen before the column arrived. bags. (Continued on page 6)

- April, 1968 THE INDIAN NEWS Page Five

Scholarships Indian Princess Pageant Available to Talented Indians Committee Achieves Objectives

The Indian Princess Canada ambassador for the Indian people Many Indians waste their talents Pageant Committee met recently in throughout Can ad a, the U.S., because no one is aware of their Winnipeg to discuss present and Europe and Australia. artistic potential and in some cases, future plans for the National those who possess them are too The Centennial Princess, holder Pageant. These committee mem- shy to divulge the fact. of this title until the 1968 Pageant, bers representing each Province is Miss Joan Palmantier of · Wil- In 19 59 the Education Division including the Territories were: Mrs. of Indian Affairs Branch m a d e liams Lake, B.C. Following the Eileen Boyd, Yellowknife, N.W.T.; pageant held during the Pan-Am Cultural Scholarship Awards avail- Mr. Gordon Tootoosis, Whitehorse, able to Indian students in all fields Games in Winnipeg, she travelled of the Arts. Yukon; Mrs. Hattie Fergusson, with all provincial candidates to Vancouver; Mrs. Marie Gladue, various points in Canada including The only way to discover the Edmonton; Mr. Cy Standing, Prince Ottawa, Expo '67 in Montreal, and talents of the young, as well as the Albert, Saskatchewan; Mrs. Marion the annual Wikwemikong Pow-Wow older people, is to scout for them. Meadmore, Winnipeg; Miss Carol on Manitoulin Island in Ontario. Wabegijig, Toronto; Mrs. Yvonne All of these young ladies were Since 1959, 43 Cultural Scholar- selected McRae, Fort William; Mrs. Jean on the basis of their ships have been awarded to 32 character;· appearance, personality, different persons in art, music and Goodwill, Ottawa; Mrs. Marjorie standard of education, knowledge drama. Perley, Tobique, New Brunswick; of Indian culture and the ability to and Mr. Don Marshall, Sydney, We have reason to believe there make an interesting presentation to are a number of talented young Nova Scotia. Mrs. Margaret Deer, the public. people in Canada who would do Caughnawaga, P.Q. and a member we 11 if awarded a scholarship. from P .E.I. were unable to attend At the meeting is was agreed These statistics are not in propor- for personal reasons. by all committee members that the tion to the number of talented main purpose of holding t h e s e Canadian I n dj a n s we think we Most of these delegates. have, in pageants was to provide another possess. the past,been either chairman Or means of creating a befter image committee members for their area. of I n d i a n people and thereby When talented people are found At local and provincial pageants fostering a greater understanding kindly inform the Education Divi- all the planning, organizing, and among other Canadians. Judging sion of Indian Affairs Branch, so fund raising is done by the Indians by the response received in the they can encourage the develop- past by the Indian people, the themselves. This is an example of ment of these special abilities. general public, the press and TV what Indian people can do quite coverage across Canada, the com- Word of talented people is im- capably when they set their goals mittee felt their objective had been portant, even if you only know the on a particular project. The com- realized. name of the person and their par- mittee members were therefore ticular talents, the Education Divi- justly proud to present their varied It is the hope of this National sion would be happy to get this and interesting reports. mformatwn. Committee that through various fund raising projects the pageant The success of this survey de- The pageant has come a long will be carried on in years to come. pends on your co-operation. way since 1964 and has sparked a great deal of interest and pride in The newly elected officers were : All information should be for- the Canadian Indian. Chairman, Mrs. Marie Gladue, warded to: MISS JOAN PALMANTIER, a Edmonton; Co-Chairman, Mrs. Cultural Consultant, Mrs. Gordon Tootoosis (Irene Chilcotin of Williams Lake, B.C., Marion Meadmore, Winnipeg; Se- Education Division, Seeseequasis) a Cree of Saskatche- was chosen "Indian Princess Can- cretary, Miss Carol Wabegijig, Indian Affairs Branch, wan and "Princess Canada" of ada" for 1967. Toronto; Treasurer, Mrs. Jean Room 656, 1964, ably represented her people. (Photo The Vancouver Sun) Goodwill, Ottawa. Centennial Tower, She and her husband and daughter 400-Laurier Avenue West, Ottawa 4, Ontario. reside in Regina, Saskatchewan. It is hoped that this "scouting The 1965 Princess was Miss survey" will become a permanent Jeanette Corbiere of Ontario. While source of information on talented an employee of the Toronto Indian Maliseet Ladies Form Club Indians. Centre and later the Company of Young Canadians, she was involved in urban projects for the Indian An Indian Women's Club was mas party and plans are now und~r- recently formed on the Tobique youth, she performed well at all her way to hold a supper for the newly Reserve in New Brunswick. These elected Band Council. speaking engagements. She is now women of the Maliseet Tribe will back with the Toronto Indian be responsible for all social and The elected officers of the club Centre. church functions in the com- are : President, Gail Nicholas; 1st munity. Vice-President, Marjorie Perley; The 1966 winner, Miss Marlene Their first project was taking Secretary, Dora Francis; and Jackson of Manitoba, was a true charge of the community's Christ- Treasurer, Christine Sanlis. Page Six THE INDIAN NEWS April, 1968

Mr. and Mrs. Diamond have two Cree Family ... daughters still going to high school. I asked if the family hoped these (Continued from page 4) young girls would join the rest of the family in their way of life, or When the time comes to move did the parents. hope they would Indian Artists Series 2 to the site, everything is packed on leave the outdoors for perhaps a the sleds and on the backs of the more urban way of life. men, women and children old enough to walk. On go the snow- "I want my children to have an shoes and, towing their wilderness education", said Mrs. Josephine home and furnishings behind them, Diamond. "What they do after they are off, travelling about five that is their own affair. We have a miles a day until they reach their good life. ·we have money in the next permanent site. A make-shift bank. We have a home at Rupert camp is put up each day en route. House. We earn a living and do not have to fight anyone, or be dis- Moose hide plays a great part honest to anyone to get our living." in the lives of these people and, with the exception of about two The Diamond family make only store-bought ingredients, their me- one concession to modern civiliza- thods of tanning today is similar tion as we know it - they bring a to that followed by their ancestors good transistorized radio with them through the centuries. into the wilderness. The inside of the hide is scraped, For them it is more than just a and then it is soaked in water for provider of entertainment and news. a couple of days. The hair is then It is a channel of communication scraped off the hide, and the skin between the Diamond family out is scraped to the required thick- on the trapline and their friends ness. Moose brain, lard and soap elsewhere. When the Lands and are mixed with water and boiled, Forest staff make their periodic and into this concoction is placed friendly visit to the Diamonds to the moose hide and allowed to see that everything is still right, they simmer for a couple of hours. The usually fly out with a bundle of hide is now hung up between a MR. JACKSON BEARDY, a Cree artist with part of his collection of couple of trees and the liquid letters to post, most of them re- colourful paintings depicting stories and legends of his people, to be quests from the Diamond family published soon in book form. wrung out. As it dries, .the women (Photo - Robinson Photography, Winnipeg l work the skin with their hands to the nearby radio station to play stretching. certain records for specified friends. If, after this, the skin is still not And when these friends hear the A Cree Indian artist Jackson commercial artist. However, his sufficiently pliable, it is washed record played over the air for them Beardy has just recently completed nomadic nature and the desire to again, but this time only in soapy they know the Diamond family is his collection of paintings depicting be independent made him return water and then hung up and worked safe and well. In the same way stories and legends of the Cree and to his own style of traditional paint- again. The process is repeated as when the Diamond family, shelter- Saulteaux of north-western Mani- ing. Most of his paintings portray many times as necessary until the ing from a winterstorm in the wig- toba. Indian life, their legends, history, laws of nature, and religious be- women have a pale soft piece of wam, hear a record request played skin. The deep rich colour of the On a cultural contract from liefs. gauntlets and moccasins one buys for them, they know the particular Indian Affairs and Northern De- is obtained by smoking the skin. friend or relatiye is safe and sound. velopment he traveJled for a year This collection of stories and in the remote and isolated reserves paintings will go into a book. Be- I asked Mrs. Diamond if she felt co11ecting his stories on tape. Visit- fore it does, Mr. Beardy hopes that the white man was treating the ing mostly old people, some over it will be edited as little as possible Indians unfairly. She rep1ied "he 100 years old, he had no difficulty as some of these stories have al- often treats his brother white man in understanding the three dialects ready lost some of their meaning the same way if he gets a chance. of these people. in the translation to English. He believes that the only people who Ojibway Indian Why should he make an exception Mr. Beardy, now in his mid- with us ? ... It is a long time since can properly translate folklore are twenties, was born on the Island the Indians themselves, others do we Indians have made war against Lake Reserve in north-western not ·really understand nor do they Wins Holiday anyone." Manitoba. He received his early get the true meaning. education in a residential school at And then, as we made our way Portage la Prairie before moving to His works have been shown by A hunting trip last fall under- back to the plane, Mrs. Diamond Winnipeg. Most of his family still various groups in Winnipeg such taken by a Chippewa Indian ended added, "I think the white man who live at Island Lake where his father as the Chamber of Commerce, the recently with an all expense paid lives in the outdoors is kinder and is a fisherman and a trapper. Fleet Gallery and the United Col- lege. As a .result his paintings are trip to St. Paul, Minnesota. Mr. closer to God than the one who His painting career started when Robert Atatise, of the Lac La lives in the city." now in demand by many organiza- he was quite young and he always tions. Croix Band in Northern Ontario, had a keen interest in preserving took his· son Robert Junior out by Neville Barnett the culture of his people. A one- This colorful and picturesque hunting partridge. - The Canadian Outdoorsman. year course in Industrial Art at the coJlection is presently on display in Robert Junior found a balloon, Technical Vocational School in the Indian Affairs Regional office, one of several hundred released Winnipeg led him to a job as a Winnipeg. from St. Paul; inside was a prize. The prize was an all expense paid While in St. Paul, they were trip to St. Paul for the person given a grand tour of the city, met A note from the Georgian Bay Education Office, situated in the finding the most distant balloon. the Mayor, visited the governor's town of Orillia, Ontario, informs me of the recent promotion to Office office and toured the zoo. Manager of Roger Jackson of the Christian Island Band. Mr. Atatise wrote to the hotel who sponsored the prize and in-. The three-day vacation provoked Mr. Jackson's achievement came about after spending some time formed them of his . discovery. a comment from Mr. Atatise who in the Bruce Agency office as a stenographer and later transferred to the education office at Orillia. Hewas invited, along with his said he thought it was a good idea wife and five of his eight children, "to get out of the woods for a Mr. Jackson's accomplishment points out the growing opportunities to spend a weekend as guests of while". He also added, "I'm glad for young people today if they study and stay in school. the hotel. some of the kids stayed home." April, 1968 THE INDIAN NEWS Page Seven

SASKATCHEWAN INDIAN WOMEN SPEAK OUT

The Indian women of Saskatche- wan came to grips with reserve conditions during a province wide conference held recently at Fort Qu' Appelle, Saskatchewan. Sixty delegates from 34 Saskatchewan reserves were outspoken on their discussions concerning their role as wives and mothers as well as work- ers in community projects. This five-day conference, sponsored by the Indian Affairs Branch and co-ordinated by Mrs. Gladys Johnson, a Community Develop- ment Worker in Regina, was pre- ceded by a planning conference held earlier in the fa11 with a committee of eight. Committee members were: Mrs. Lucy Pavel, Poundmaker reserve; Mrs. Gladys Quewezance, Keeseekoose; Mrs. Edith Thomp- son, Carry the Kettle; Mrs. Flo- PLANNING COMMITTEE - for the Saskatchewan the Kettle Reserve; Mrs. Lucy Favel, Poundmaker rence Delorme, Cowesses; Mrs. lndian Women's Conference held at Fort Qu'Appelle, Reserve;· Mrs. Gladys Johnson, community develop- Jean Bird, LaRonge; Mrs. Eugenie Saskatchewan. Left to right: Mrs. Madeline White- ment worker, Indian Affairs, Regina; Mrs. Gladys Lavallee, Piapot; Mrs. Ivan Ahen- hawk, Pelly; Prof. Margaret Patillo of the Extension Quewezance, Keeseekoose Reserve; Mrs. Ivan Ahena- akew, Duck Lake; and Mrs. Made- Division, University of Saskatchewan; Mrs. Eugenie kew, Duck Lake; Mrs. Florence Delorme, Cowesses line Whitehawk of Pelly. Assistance Lavallee, Piapot Reserve; Mrs. Edith Thomson, Carry Reserve; and Mrs. Jean Bird, La Range. was also_._given_ by the University__ (Pboto Regina Leader Post) Extension Services, Saskatoon. o th ers, th e propert y o f o th ers, and Mr. Ahab Spence, Liaison Com- way of life and learn toaccept a The keynote address was deli- the dignity of the human being". munity Development Worker of new role. "Not because we are vered by the noted speaker, Mrs. Regina told the delegates that the ashamed of being Indian nor do Mrs. Lavallee stressed the im- challenges to todays Indian women we need to give up our language", Mary Ann Lavallee of Broadview. portance of education as a must She expressed the thoughts of many are to Indian women that live on Mr. Spence stated. for their children in order to com- reserves and those who reside in of the women. "Our culture up to Mrs. Rose Ewack and Mrs. Mary pete in this society. cities and towns. He stressed the now" she said "has decreed that Ann Lavallee were delegated to Dudng the week, panel and fact that migration of Indian people attend the annual meeting of the Indian women remain quietly in the to the cities is on the increase and group discussions were held on Federation of Saskatchewan Indians background unseen and unheard ... this magnifies the problems of edu- health, education, social welfare, on behalf of Saskatchewan Indian it istime Indian women face up to cational and social adjustment in physical development for reserves, Women and to present a brief to the truth, loosen their tongues and band councils, homemakers courses running a home. He further em- the Saskatchewan Minister of Wel- speak out . . . we must learn to re- and clubs, and other community phasized that the Tndian women fare and the Department of Indian cognize and respect the rights of responsibilities. must change and adjust to a new Affairs requesting that Child Wel- fare Services be extended .to Indian reserves. The banquet speaker, Rev. Fr. Andre Renaud, Associate Profes- sor of Education at the University of Saskatchewan, told the delegates THE INDIAN NEWS that it is up to them to see that their children get as much education as possible in order to become leaders Sponsors Poster Contest of their people. The delegates voted against the formation of a provincial organiza- Do you know one thing that which is now part of the new build- continent and was of massive sand- tion at this meeting in order to give made Members of Parliament move ings. The original building was stone construction, the interior them an opportunity to discuss in a hurry? Fire ! built in 1859-60 and cost over was built of dry, seasoned wood. their particular concerns with their It did just that on the night of $6,000,000. The damage was There was no fireproof partitions own people on the reserves. February 3, 1916. The fire was estimated at $3,000,000. to prevent the flames from racing The significant aspect of the con- discovered in the reading room of How did it happen? No one along the many intersecting cor- ference was the way in which the the Houses of Parliament, but could say definitely. There was no ridors. Indian ladies were not hesitant in spread very quickly through the open fire in the reading room. voicing their opinions, even though whole building; so quickly, in fact, The new buildings have parti- many of them had never attended Could it have been the carelessness that the M.P.'s barely had time to tions and are built of material to a conference before. It is quite get out. Two women, guests of the of a smoker - cigarette or pipe make them as fireproof as possible. apparent that these women will ash in stuffed chair ? M a n y Speaker2 were found unconscious B u t what about the careless have a much greater influence by firemen and died later. The thought it was. Why did it spread smoker? among their own people in promot- whole of the interior was gutted, so quickly ? Although this was ing better living conditions and a with the exception of the library one of the finest buildings on the (Continued on page 8) brighter future for their children. Page Eight THE INDIAN NEWS April, 1968

Poster Contest ... The Pied Piper of Golden Lake (Continued from page 7)

By S. J. Bailey. On his arrival at Golden Lake, Mr. Laing, the Minister of In- Mr. Aller didn't want to organize dian Affairs, is constantly urging About a year ago, the council art classes so he began to attract his staff to do all that can be done members of the Golden Lake .Re- the children's attention by making to prevent fires and fire tragedies. serve . near Peterborough, Ontario sand sculptures in front of the lo- But we, the Indian people, must employed Mr. Tom Bernard as do something about it. It cal school. Soon several young- Band Administrator. is a reflec- sters gathered round and asked if tion of the progressive attitude of "Fire Prevention is he would teach them how to do the Everybody's Business" the reserve people in the running same. Before lunch they had mas- of their own affairs. Taking on tered the art of sand sculpturing The homes and lives that are responsibilities like t h e s e is no and they took home the results of being lost are our homes and our easy task but if the results are good their efforts to show their parents. families. But how can we persuade then it shows an added confidence everybody to get into the fight ? and pride of the people. After lunch, a dozen children re- Have you any ideas? What about turned to the schoolhouse and a poster or slogan ? Here at the It was in this atmosphere that found Mr. Aller painting. On in- Mr. Bob Aller arrived last August. INDIAN NEWS we have decided quiry, they found him quite recep- to run a competition for the school- For the past nine years Mr. Aller tive to letting them try their hand has been researching, painting, and children (but we won't mind if the at painting. Within three days, for- adults help) and to give prizes for teaching art to Indian children in ty children between the ages of four Manitoba and B.C. His teaching the best posters and slogans. We and sixteen were busy painting and want you to send in your entries method is simple. As the Vancou- sculpturing to their hearts content. ver Sun said, "Bob A 11 e r is a to: During the three-week period teacher who doesn't believe in The Editor, teaching." Bob was on the reserve, the children created over 1 , 100 paintings The Indian News, "All I do is create an atmosphere, and 200 pieces of sculpture. On Indian Affairs Branch, then go sit in a corner. I throw out the final day, 200 selected pieces of Department of Indian Affairs rulers and erasers" adding, "that all work covered the community hall and Northern Development, children are creative before they are - a tremendous blanket of colour, 400 Laurier Avenue West, Ottawa 4, Ontario. taught." alive and vibrating. ACTIVE AND ENTHUSIASTIC - These children learn the art of before 6th J one, 1968 sand sculpturing while to the rear can be seen several masks, created The contest is open to all school- by the youngsters. children (put your Name, Number, (Photo - Marlis Kruetzfeldt, Toronto) Address and Grade on each entry). The Prizes : 1st - $25 2nd - $15 painting on Saturday afternoon and 3rd - $10 Sundays. I gave complete freedom to come and go as they pleased. If The entries will be judged by a they felt like breaking off and go- Committee, whose chairman will be Mr. L. S. March and, the ing for a swim, they did so." Minister's Special Assistant. What The paintings and the project they will look for in each entry itself, have come to the attention will be: of many groups. Exhibitions have (a) What does it all tell about been planned by the Montreal Fire Prevention ? Museum of Fine Arts and the Na- (b) How well does it tell it? tional Museum of Canada. The (c) Is it we11 done? CBC has also displayed an interest A poster is not to be larger than in televising the project. Of greater 24" x 36" and not smaller than importance is the fact that other 8" x 12". :You can use any mate- reserves have requested Mr. Aller's rial for ·it. If you don't have any- assistance in similar projects on thing suitable at home, perhaps their reserves. your band manager, school-teacher, or Agency Superintendent could The parents of Golden Lake help you. Anyway, you get it and were amazed that their children send in your entry - it may be a could produce such fine work. winner! Their pride and determination is ... Winners will be announced in such that it is a foregone conclu- the Indian News. THE EXPRESSION OF ART KNOWS NO AGE LIMIT - This sion that this project will be repeat- youngster was one of forty who participated in a creative session at ed next summer. Don't forget to put your Name, Golden Take last summer. Number and Address on each (Photo - Marlis Kruetzfeldt, Toronto) This, then, is the story of the Pied entry, and your Grade. Piper of Golden Lake who captured Mr: Aller was in Toronto last As he wrote in his report, "the the interest of the reserve young- All entries will become the spring researching old Indian masks chjldren's enthusiastic participation sters and led them into a new world property of the Indian News and and putting them down on canvas in their work, and the excellent may be used as posters to remind of art that neither they, nor their everyone to - when a branch employee happened quality and imagination of their parents dreamed, was possible. to view his collection of work. They paintings, compare second to none PREVENT FIRES began chatting about Mr. Aller's across the country. However, these previous _ experience with Indian art classes were not a project de- children. It became apparent as the signed to turn out artists - but Is the electrical wiring in your conversation grew, that Mr. Aller an opportunity for the child to ex- home capable of safely taking the would like to work with Indian perience creative participation as load of appliances ? children again if the occasion arose. an individual. It was also my first He was soon hired by the Ontario experience of having to lock the Look at it from the appliances Regional Office and he was off to doors to the school to keep the available then and now. 1917-5; the Golden Lake Reserve. children from continuing their 1937-25; 1968-100.