Windspeaker November 27, 1987
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4667)lfQ t<a V.3 Y-± r `l` C) Indian Lubicons Business rock star get brisk at says no support national to drugs from bands craft sale See Page 2 See Page 2 See Page 6 &7 Rally at gou't building Meech Lake accord A protested by leaders By Lesley Crossingham ranging powers to all the provinces including allowing The Meech Lake accord them to select Supreme betrays Aboriginal people Court judges and opt out of and jeopardizes treaty federal spending programs. rights say Indian Association And, in order to amend of Alberta leaders the constitution all provinces About 100 demonstrators must agree. Currently, a demonstrated against the constitutional amendment accord at the Alberta only requires the majority legislature Monday Nov. 23 of provinces calculated on and called upon the govern- population. ment to change it to allow Smith and other members for treaty protection. of the association feel that Protestors also called upon once the accord is ratified the government to settle Aboriginal self -government the Lubicon Lake band's will be almost impossible to land claim. achieve. "Mulroney calls Meech Treaty 8 vice- president Lake an historic agreement Lawrence Courtoreille that brings Quebec into the called upon the government constitution, but he to reopen negotiations on conveniently forgets about the accord to allow for treaty and Aboriginal Aboriginal input. rights," said president Courtoreille submitted a CARVER TAKES WING Gregg Smith to the three -part demand to the assembled crowd on the legislature which calls for a Metis carver Marvin Bourge, 32, did brisk business more. The Fort Simpson (N.W.T.) artist, born in Fort steps of the legislature. "fair settlement for the at the 1987 National Native Arts and Crafts show at Chipewyan, began carving wood with a pocketknife "Until our rights are Lubicon claim, that the Edmonton's Convention Centre Nov. 20 - 22, selling as a young boy. properly recognized and Meech Lake accord include his antler and horn carvings and taking orders for - Photo by Terry Lusty entrenched, Canada will be treaty and Aboriginal incomplete," he added. rights, or totally scrap the The Meech Lake accord accord." Dec. 11 special issue is an agreement between Association official Peter the provinces and the Many Wounds Jr. then Ancient legends at Xmas - our gift to you federal government that called upon the government will allow Quebec to enter to speak but when no Windspeaker has ways and information inases month (Cree for This Christmas season into Confederation. Quebec official came forward, led special gift for you, our about powerful animals like "Little Drifting month "). It we hope you, too, will refused to sign the constitu- the crowd in a chant of reader, this Christmas. the bear, wolf and buffalo. truly is the time of year gather your family around tion when it was rapatriated "wimps." And, to all of you who when the cold winds blow you and read to them some in 1982 because former Courtoreille added that It's a special Dec. 11 have sent us your poetry to the snow into little piles. It's of the stories we've pub- Premier Rene Levesque when Premier Getty gets issue filled to the brim with publish, if you haven't seen also the time when, in days lished at this special time of said Quebec is a unique any opposition "he calls ancient legends from many it in former issues of long past, our people year. and distinct society. Albertans wimps. We're tribes (Micmac, Haida, Windspeaker, the Dec. 11 stayed inside to tell The new accord recog- not going to take that. We Blackfoot, Cree, Inuit, issue is where you'll likely wonderful stories and Remember, the Christ- nizes Quebec as a distinct won't be called wimps," he etc.), modern stories, wild find it. legends by the light of the mas special will be published society and has given far said. meat recipes, herb lore, old December is Pawastak- fire. Dec. 11. Watch for it! Federation prez says `lack of funding' is real problem Hardy calls `watchdog' group `healthy,' says complaints are growing pains By Lesley Crossingham programs and services the result of poor legislation. all left up to the council and cannot function properly "Everyone (settlements) of course people are Complaints and disagree- because of lack of funding. runs on a traditional base unhappy. This law (the ments on the eight Metis "There is always a for elections and each Metis Betterment Act) is settlements are the natural problem with housing, and settlement varies. There paternalistic and gives the growing pains of democracy because almost all of us are are no hard and fast rules councils no power." says the president of the related in some way or but with the new Metis The current legislation, Federation of Metis another, people say it is Settlement Act, we hope to which was formed in 1938, Settlements in reaction to nepotism. But perhaps put all that aside," he said. leaves the power of decision the announcement of a people should look at the The new act, which is to the Alberta government. "watchdog" organization real problem - lack of scheduled to be introduced When council's make a formed on the Buffalo Lake funding." into the Alberta legislature bylaw it must be approved 11 settlement recently. Hardy points to the fact in the spring will include set by the minister who can "I have no problem with that housing budgets for rules regulations and that turn down any council ò our members organizing the eight settlements have all settlements must follow. decision without giving a E. new groups, in fact I think been "cut by 40 per cent" "There will also be an reason. z it's healthy," said Hardy, and are left to local arbitration board made up Recently, a meeting was á who points out that because discretion. He also points of members and Elders held in the Buffalo Lake r of limited resources settle- out that the recent problems who would rule on disputes (Caslan) settlement and a 2 ment councils often have to at the Peavine (Big Prairie such as elections, member- new oranization, Metis bear the brunt of criticism settlement) over alleged ships and land ownership," RANDY HARDY from their members when election discrepancies were he said. "Right now this is Continued Page 11 ...forming new Metis Act PAGE 2, November 27, 1987, WINDSPEAE:ER Provincial Lubicons get support Bands call for settlement ByLesleyCrossingham Alberta Indian bands poi joined together in a mass demonstration of support for the Lubicon Lake Indian band's 47- year -old land claim. About 100 demonstrators e marched from Edmonton's NIK ALEXANDER Churchill Square to the l ...rock star doesn't do drugs steps of the Legislative Building on the first day of the fall session, Nov. 23, to NARCISSE BLOOD Youngsters say demand the government ...supports boycott settle with the small Cree band. They are all waiting to see no to drugs A large placard saying what the Games had to "up with Lubicon Lake" offer first," he said, adding By Dianne Meili such positive work occurring was carried by three men that he personally supported on his former reserve. as the procession wound its the boycott and would be The young people who After a give -away and way through Edmonton's participating in protests in attended the Yellowhead round dance, in which the icy streets. The procession e Calgary. Tribal Council's youth young people hugged each was led by three drummers Taking part in the march conference, Nov. 20 and 21 other and held hands, who chanted traditional and the demonstration was at Enoch, went away feeling Burnstick told Windspeaker Indian songs. Lubicon Chief Bernard proud of their culture and a it's these kinds of activities In a speech to the crowd x Ominayak who said he was little more prepared to say that make kids feel good. gathered on the frosty pleased with the large "no" to drugs and alcohol. "It increases their self - steps of the legislature y turnout. However, he did esteem...they learn it's to Indian Association Treaty 7 4 not participate in the And that, according okay to show affection. co- vice -president Narcisse speech making, explaining Robert Cardinal, Indian men especially have CHIEF BERNARD OMINAYAK with JOE ordinator of the Eagle Flight Blood called the Alberta "it's just not my style." a hard time with this BLYAN - gathered support for land claim. '87 - Soaring to New government's treatment of Ominayak says his band sometimes." Burnstick Indian people "racist," In an interview after the the 1988 Calgary Winter plans to protest the land Heights conference, is what adds that "self -image all about. adding that Lac La Biche rally Blood said the five Olympic Games. claim at the Calgary the event was building" exercises better Held during the national MLA Leo Piquette's "being tribes of Treaty 7 do "As you know the Peigan's Olympics, scheduled to prepare our youth to be forced to apologize for support the Lubicon's land have now supported the begin Feb. 13, but added alcohol and drug abuse strong against drugs and week, the speaking in French is claim but had not officially boycott and I expect the details have yet to be awareness alcohol, even when all their with Elders, hypocrisy." joined the band's boycott of other bands will follow. finalized. workshops friends are indulging. rock and visitors from stars Nik Alexander, of the other provinces were American rock group young designed to make Winterhawk, spoke straight Little Red River band members complain people feel good about their about drugs and alcohol to heritage themselves.