Windspeaker July 10, 1987
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
PS8 1 DSP Rcivd 1 Ri4u J3t. 24 1987 Alcohol treatment program championed by chief By Mark McCallum band members to follow. Thus, a band resolution The O'Chiese reserve was passed one year ago, (69 km northwest of Rocky stating the chief and council Mountain House) opened a must be alcohol and drug mobile treatment program, free at least six months designed to help alcohol after they start serving their and drug abusers overcome term. their addictions, on July 8. Led by the chief and The treatment will be council, band members conducted in a camp began going to the - setting on the reserve Pound maker Lodge for abuse where 30 band members counselling. Executive have agreed a to be part of director of the the program. For the first Nechi organization in St. Albert, week of the month -long BIRD'S Maggie Hodgson explains EYE VIEW OF POUNDMAKER POWWOW program, the band members that mobile after -care will be asked to stay in the support services were also Rain and high winds did not keep away the attracts Native people and dancers from across camp, returning home in offered to the band members huge crowd of about 15,000 people who North America. the evenings after the first when they returned to the attended the 14th Annual Poundmaker /Nechi Poundmaker's Lodge provides treatment week is up. to reserve. In addition, Nechi Powwow, as this people When asked why the picture depicts. suffering from alcohol and drug abuse, donated training band began the mobile 30 days to Feasts for Elders, games for children and while Nechi trains people as alcohol and drug band members, to act as treatment program, Chief traditional dance competitions added to the counsellors. abuse counsellors for Theresa Strawberry replied, other excitement of the three day event held July 3 -5. For full coverage and more photos of the members. But, it became "The number of deaths Since its beginning 14 -years ago, the pow - event, see pages 20 and 21. too difficult and time occurring (on the reserve) wow has become very consuming to well -known and always --Photo by Terry Lusty that were alcohol related bring band members from the reserve was really scary." to Poundmaker. So, the Chief Strawberry says alcoholism decision was made to start was killing any the mobile initiative the community treatment program. INSIDE THIS WEEK had to accomplish objec- tives. Hodgson says the band Inspired by the Alkali members who will assist in Lake decision to move in the program will need a Goodfish Preview the Kids! Check Bad Eagle tells the direction of an alcohol tremendous amount of Treaty days exhibit that's of his days and drug free reserve last strength. Because of the out our winter, Chief Strawberry small size of the 180- are captured part of Native colouring spent as a knew it was possible to beat member community, they in pictures art symposium contest streetwalking the source of the reserve's will likely have to deal with See Pages 14 See Page 22 See Page 27 angel problem -- alcoholism. close relatives who will be & 15 However, first the chief and going through withdrawal See Page 10 council had to set an and may be difficult to example for the rest of the handle. Lightning kindles return to spirituality at Morley By Dianne Meili paddock were killed during continent and from other souls ceremonies will be an electrical storm. lands like New Zealand and held and healers will work A lightning flash that "1 think it's time to start the Phillipines. Ceremonial in a separate area. killed three buffalo on the up again," Snow says, and spiritual leaders come "Spirituality was the Morley reserve west of adding that it's been three to teach and speak from all heart of Indian society Calgary is responsible for years since the last over...Micmacs, Seminoles before the advent of the reinstatement of the conference was held. "And from Florida." Europeans. It's part of our ecumenical conference, a besides, we've had a lot of On July 27 a sacred fire vice -- the fact that we've spiritual gathering hosted requests for it. will be lit to burn throughout gotten so far away from it," by the Good Stoney Band, The four day event is the conference. Each day a Snow states. He sees the July 27 to 30. designed to heighten different tribal representa- ecumenical conference as "We see it as a sign from cultural, spiritual and self tive will perform a pipe and once again kindling the the Creator that the awareness in the traditional, sweetgrass ceremony at flame of spirituality in the conference is needed time -honoured way. sunrise. On the grounds, hearts of Aboriginal people. again," explained Good Guests are invited to an arbour will be assembled "It is a seed of strength for Stoney Chief John Snow. camp at the Stoney Indian under which spiritual talks He explained that in past Park (teepee set up day is will take place. A special The chief offers an open years, when the annual July 26) and are responsible teepee will be provided for invitation to anyone gathering was held, a for their own food. Snow group assemblies, as well. interested in attending the buffalo was always killed for says he has no idea of the Special meetings will be conference at Stoney a celebratory feast. Last number of participants to conducted by Elders regard- Indian Park, located summer, at the time when expect at the conference, ing culture, language, approximately one hour's the conference was usually but "in other years they've history and prophecy. drive west of Calgary on held, three buffalo in a come from all over the Sweatlodges and departed Highway 1A. PAGE 2, July 10, 1987, WINDSPEAKER e National West coast radio moves toward self-sufficiency By Rocky Woodward Operating out of a in northern B.C. The production centre in interest from Indian Bands As a Native communica- Terrace, Native Broadcast- in the area is slowly turning tions outlet, the Northern ing pre -tapes radio shows around for the better," says i - Broadcasting Society in that carry Native issues Jones. Terrace, British Columbia, both locally and across In order to develop these has an objective to one day northern B.C. community radio outlets, reach self- sufficiency. Northern "We don't have live Broadcasting At present, their efforts applied for a grant from for reaching this goal broadcast facilities yet, so what CEIC (Canada Manpower pre we do is pre -tape our consist of -taped radio Native content radio Job Training Program) to programs and research into train Native individuals in all programs at the centre and the establishment of aspects of radio production. send them to CBC, who community radio stations After receiving the grant airs them for us. We also across northern B.C. a 32 -week training program have air time with CJXW a Native Broadcasting was local radio station in set up and according to officially opened its door in the Terrace where we air Jones, program is very the spring of 1985. The necessary and working Native issues Monday to society receives core well. Friday," says the general funding from the Secretary manager of Northern "What we would like to of State (federal govern- see is Native people from ROCKY JACKSON & ART NAPOLEON Broadcasting, Ray Jones. ...offer music for Northern Broadcasting ment). the various reserves trained Much of their radio in radio. There are many programming is based on a different bands here and we news magazine format. A want people from each staff of about 12 people reserve and comunity to be develop radio programs trained so that they can go from local, national and back to their communities Indignant northern international news regarding and report the news in their Native issues. own Native language. We hope a person OTTAWA Ontario bands hand "With the local station, applying for training can speak his REPORT our format is a little or her back money to different. Although we language so they can eventually go back to their have a format that is based By Owenadeka community Bill McKnight on current Native issues, and run the radio we also intersperse it with (programming)." music recorded by Native The training program Iis not every day that Indian people hand money 100 other bands in roughly the same situation. It would has just completed its musicians," Jones corn - back to the Government. But that's what six chiefs cost $700 million to provide housing, roads, water and second year mented. and from 16 from Northern Ontario did recently. They electricity for the 100 bands, the Government says. (By students enrolled 15 collected the treaty money their people received this comparison, it would cost the same amount for just one Prior to the establishment completed the course and year and returned it to Indian Affairs Minister Bill of the ten nuclear submarines the Government wants of Northern Broadcasting, graduated. "It's working McKnight. They gave the money back because they to build.) news on Native issues had very well," Jones said. say the Government has broken their treaties. It wasn't The people in those 100 "new" bands have some always been heard from a So far, Native Broadcast- a lot of money -- only $5,000 or so - but it's just about the pretty good reasons for wanting their own band or a non -Native point of view on ing received a tremendous only money they get. new community. Some bands are bitterly divided to the various radio stations response from the Native point of violence and want to separate because they are The six bands are from Treaty 9 and Treaty 5 of the across B.C.