Bundle Funders No -hit controls ignore tourney Wînd- gets rough destiny artists See Page 4 See Page 18 See Page 20 February 24,1 989 Indian and Metis News...Every Week Volume 6 No. 51 Beaver questions pulp mill Jeff Morrow do to the timber and water Windspeaker Staff Writer resources we have." FOA member Janice Pit- ATHABASCA, Ma. man she's more optimistic about her groups efforts Native bands and north- after her meeting with ern Alberta communities are Beaver. combining forces to negoti- "We wanted to get the ate with the Athabasca pulp feeling of how everyone felt mill developers. about the mill. It was a gath- But there's one issue that ering to share ideas. ..We won't be bargained with, should all work together says Bigstone Chief Charles because there's a concern for Beaver. "Our environment the environment and for won't be compromised." jobs." After meeting with the Beaver says they dis- Friends of Athabasca (FOA) cussed the economic impact Feb. 17, Beaver says he on the region but told the for Round Dance senses an urgent need Huge turnout FOA Native,bands won't tol- between area residents and A drum group, made up of drummers from all over dance on Feb. 18. At midnight, dancers feasted on erate the destruction of the band members to question Alberta, played to an enthusiastic crowd of about stew and bannock. See Page 17 for more. natural surrounding no mat- the impact a pulp mill will 1,280 at the Poundmaker Lodge Sweetheart Round - Photo by Elaine O'Farrell ter what the cost. "We dis- have on their homeland. cussed what the compromis- Though some issues may es are going to be if eco- vary, Beaver says there is a nomic development is need- mutual responsibility shown ed.. Nell, we're not willing for the environment. to compromise our position "We're all talking about Reporter 'heckles' critics on the environment." what the environmental Beaver says he is willing provincial government's improper for a newspaper to Griffin says Native bands impact the pulp mills will Jeff Morrow to wait until the economic it has for the area. publicly condemn its inten- in the area are the most dis- have on the surrounding Windspeaker Staff Writer intentions and employment issues can The FOA is not entirely tions. interested in the positive communities. We're not talk- be dealt with by Alberta- ATHABASCA, Alta. opposed to the development The Athabasca Advocate economic features a mill ing about a particular group Pacific Forestry Ltd. and of a pulp mill, it just wants is handling the pulp -mill can offer. of people -- farmers or presented to him. But there Not only does the some answers. She says the development issue appropri- He says during meetings Treaty Indians. It's the whole are Native issues that take Friends of Athabasca (FOA) mill was already announced ately, according to its editor he's been to, concerning the aspect of what it's going to precedenL have to fight the provincial before the community was Frank Ponto. pulp mill development, "Our land claims have govemment for recognition, approached and residents "We look at both sides of Natives have not been will- not been resolved, yet the it has to battle the local aren't properly being repre- a story. They (FOA) have a ing to voice their objections. land is being given to the press as well, says FOA sented in the government - job to do. We have a job to He doesn't understand why pulp mill developers by the member Gwen Uhlick. sponsored Environment do.. Nike asked a question. they're being "reserved" in Alberta government... During a public meeting Impact Assessment (EIA). He may have raised his their opinions if the issue is There's also the protection of in Calling Lake Feb. 14, res- Since FOA made its voice a bit. But he only so important. the treaties." Hunting, trap- idents gathered to voice goals public, it has fallen asked a question." Bigstone Cree Band ping and fishing rights may their anger about the pro- under severe scrutiny by Griffin says if his ques- Chief Charles Beaver says be in jeopardy, he says. posed kraft mill develop- Griffin and the Advocate, tion was offensive to FOA it the pulp mill development Beaver says once the ment in their area. Uhlick Uhlick says. was meant to be. involves many issues, all of land is allocated to industry says a lone critic chastised Louis Schmittroth, FOA "I asked why these peo- which are important to his there won't be much left for them for their concerns. She president, says his 100 - ple preach doom and gloom. people. He says the bands are z iiJ Native people still depen- says the remarks were par- member group was hoping There's got to be some posi- dant on it for survival. ticularly disturbing because to gain support from north- tive aspects to the pulp mill. setting back and evaluating "What's going to happen 20 they came from weekly ern Alberta communities in ..I also asked how many the process and will make years down the road if this newspaper reporter Mike protesting similar develop- people (in FOA) have been their concerns known. happens." Griffin. ments. unemployed in the last two 'There's going to be a lot He says if the govern- She says the meeting dis- "We don't think the way or three years ?" of feedback from bands and ment is going to set down ruption was one in a line of the EIA is being conducted Griffin, who has been a other Native organizations.. environment policies they attacks he has committed gives community groups, reporter at the Advocate for . there's got to be a lot of should include Native con- while reporting FOA con- including Natives, enough one year, says he's prone to compromise from both cerns. cerns for the Athabasca say. ..we want to improve question the judgments of sides." He says they want to Beaver says he and his Advocate. "He heckled us the quality of life for all FOA because "they're trying see what will finally be band members will be and criticized us for criticiz- people while at the same to scare people off this darn offered in both the econom- attending public meetings to ing the mill... how can you time improving the quality thing." He says they're fail- ic and environmental bene- be held by Alberta- Pacific's trust his reporting." of the environment." ing to recognize the job cre- fits. "But we're not willing communications officers Uhlick says the FOA was He says there are people ation potential an area pulp to compromise the environ- when they are announced. formed to question the who oppose FOA, but it's mill could have. ment." -41 Page 2, WINDSPEAKER, February 24, 1989 CLOSE TO HOME INSIDE L.iE A Speoai e w..nespeak" THIS WEEK Karakonti LESSER SLAVE dies at 68 LAKE By Everett Lambert "I always found him to Nehiyaw News Service be a down -to -earth type, PROFILE honest and always tried to LAC ST. ANNE, Alta. do things to help others," says Sinclair. Special Sectiäi A longtime leader and Services were held in See Pages 9- 16ü_'. highly respected member of Lac St. Anne Feb. 16 at the Alberta's Metis community local church. Karakonti was has passed away at 'the age born in this tiny community of 68. which hosts a holy pilgrim- Calahoo resident Ed age every year. He was a Karakonti passed away Feb. spiritual man and often trav- 11 at the SL Albert hospital elled to the holy event of natural causes. which is considered one of Sam Sinclair, former the largest such gatherings leader of the Metis Associa- of Native peoples in North tion of Alberta, has known America. Karakonti for more than 20 His death is attributed to years and worked with him kidney problems and on the board of directors of Karakonti had suffered from Well -known elder dies: Pallbearers at the funeral the Metis association. a stroke months before his Karakonti was a member death. Volunteers of the Metis Association of He leaves behind his noo, and Betty from Lil- Loyer of Wabamun, and Metis assemblies. make fest Alberta's Elders Senate wife Veronica, four sons and looet, B.C. Lizzie Courtereille of He was proud of his a success. when he passed away. three daughters, Randy and He also leaves behind Edmonton. Metis heritage, had a love served as square See Page 8 Sinclair says he Sidney of Calahoo, Ben three grandchildren Bonnie, The well -known for oldtime Metis fieldworker for the associa- Paquette of Avola, B.C., Joe Damon and Jayson as well Karakonti was known for dancing and often helped to tion in the Grande Cache Letendre and sister Carol of as brother Albert Bour- speaking his mind and was organize talent shows for and Edson regions. Edmonton, Kathy of Cala- guignon and sisters Flossie a regular sight at Alberta's the Calahoo Metis. Pulp mill developers overlook average Native, says Cardinal WIN °SPEAKER PHOTO FILE Maori Jeff Morrow visit Windspeaker Staff Writer they were filled. nity feedback regarding Goodfish Cardinal charges Ghost -' development. keeper made hiring deci- Lac La Biche Metis asso- See Page 19 LAC LA BICHE, Alta. sions over the phone to ciation administrator Gor- Alberta- Pacific Forestry Native band organizations don Collins says friendship Ltd. has hired 14 communi- and Metis groups. He says had nothing to do with his NEXT ty liaison officers to report the people were chosen 'selection of Ernest Thom as concerns regarding the pulp because of who they know communication officer.