Court Battle

y-p Court battle splits Metis leaders By Lesley Crossingham The claim adds that both Courtrille and LaRocque A bitter feud which have "suffered damages as surfaced during a Zone 4 a result of expending time Regional meeting in April, and money to undo the and which has been angrily malicious actions and the waged between various harm caused by the factions during the past two defendants" but adds that months, has culminated in any damage claim awarded a lawsuit filed by the on their behalf be handed to Regional Council against the Zone 4 Regional Council. other members of the The lawsuit also includes council and Zone 2 vice a list of expenditures president, August Collins. claimed to have incurred by A statement of claim filed the defendents and paid for in Edmonton July 17 by Zone 4. These include against eleven defendents lawyers fees to Parlee claims almost $60,000 in a Mc Laws, the lawyers for series of general, special, the defendents amounting punitive and exemplorary to more than $3,000 and damages. The defendants lawyers fees to Gledhill cited in the suit are: August Reid, lawyers for the, Collins, Frank Spence, Dan Regional Council for more Martel, Donald Sinclair, than $5,000 as well as Ralph Blyan, Mike Wood- expenditures for a recent ward, Stan Plante, Russel meeting held in Spruce Plante, Elaine Morin, Bruce Grove and alleged "un- Alan Gladue and Gordon authorized disbursements" Poitras. of $750 to Mike Woodward In a 23- clause statement including dry cleaning. the Regional Council claims In an interview July 20, the defendants "conspired Zone 4 director LaRocque . to harm the plaintiff pointed out that these (Zone 4 Regional Council) expenditures totalled more and to remove from office than $12,000. two of the Plaintiff's "Make no mistake, this is officers, namely Ben funding," he said. "This is Courtrille and Ronald money that has been LaRocque and to replace allocated to the people of PRAYERS AT PILGRIMAGE them with the defendant, Zone 4." St. Anne watches over Daisy Ann Hope, 7, shortly before she receives her first communion at the Lac Ste. Mike Woodward and the However, it now appears Anne pilgrimage last week. Daisy Anne travelled 175 miles with her parents from Turtleford, Saskatchewan to defendant, Russel Plante by attend the holy event. Photo by DianneMea whatever means expedient." Continued Page 3 Lac Ste. Anne Pilgrimage Elder recalls miracles By Dianne Meili cars. Horses were tied up are so many. When I come He implies that such everywhere and the dogs here these days I just stay miracles don't happen Frank Ward seldom lets were running all over the right here by my fire and today because "everything a year slip by without place ... you could hear listen to the fathers talk is upside down. People are making the trip to Lac Ste. them barking all night." over the loudspeaker ..." changed ... there's alcohol- Anne even though it used Ward maintains the The faith in the healing ism now and everything. to take him three days to seasons and weather have powers of Lac Ste. Anne This (pilgrimage) is some- travel to the pilgrimage. even changed since the have diminished over the thing now to make money "I used to come by early days. years, as well, says Ward. from ..." we of wagon and a team of two "It was warmer back "When came around Ward points out one the bend at Alberta Beach, horses," recalled the 72- then. You just took two the changes he's most the is year -old Cree elder, origin- blankets and went to sleep as soon as we saw lake sorry to see the difference in everyone would stop and in lake itself. "The water ally born in St. Paul. "I had the grass under the stars. the go into the We used to be clean when I first all kinds of jobs all over the And everyone was together water. outside, cooking bannock would pray first thing and started coming here. We place, but I always tried to then would get just it right from make it to Pilgrimage from over the fire. everyone drank the "We were very poor back into the wagons and lake. There were no boats wherever I was ... Saddle Lake, Lac La Biche or up back then. We had some we'd sing and pray all the then ... no gas in the water." north." kind of tent to stay in, but way to the campsite." Though the good old that was about all. But then, Ward fully believes in the days will never return, Sitting outside his small the people were different powers of the water and the Ward thinks the pilgrimage tent in front of a flickering back then, too. They'd good things that happen to is still worthwhile and does fire, Ward was eager to always help you out. They people who pray at Lac Ste. have a positive effect on reminisce about the first were friendlier." Anne. But he says his faith those who attend. pilgrimages he attended. Ward adds that it seemed is nothing compared to the "If you believe in God, "I was 10 years old when I he knew everyone back faith the "oldtimers had then it's all you need. It's in first came to Lac Ste. Anne. then and that the world was about this place when I was here," he explains, pointing Oh, everything's changed much smaller. "I always a kid. The belief was so to his heart. "If you just ti so much since then. For knew the priests who led strong back then that follow everyone else, you'll one thing, there were no the Mass, but now there miracles really did happen." be in trouble." PAdg 2. 981NDSPEAKER. JULY 24. 1987 Provincial Funding slashes Jobs lost at IAA `Urban Indian' will be laid not reflect on work waits that will position By Mark McCallum appeal the IAA decision to employees let her go because the feels off are Ivi Auigbelle, Corina being done on treaty Heavy funding slashes the organization had no Kinequon, and Beatrice issues," says Smith. By Mark McCallum cultimating in a huge deficit choice. She will return to Morin. Department officials The organization will have forced the Indian school at the Concordia have consistently stated The Indian Association financial resources Association to lay off College. seek that cutbacks are imposed of Alberta is still seeking an the provincial govern - employees. The deficit is a con- from right across the board and "urban Indian" represen- become cutbacks ment,approachedsparingly When the lay-offs tinuation of are not due to federal deficit tative, who will address the the last in recent years by the IAA. effective July 31, IAA imposed on IAA spending. concerns of Treaty Indians employee Helen Gladue's year when nearly $150,000 Smith explains provincial not living on reserves. position will be terminated. was cut from its annual funding is already utilized In an interview published IAA President Gregg Contacted at the IAA operating budget. At the for a "Child Welfare in July 17 Windspeaker, Smith says the organization Enoch office, Gladue said, beginning of this fiscal year Project." Executive Secretariat and its newly elected board "I have no bad feelings. My in March, the budget was However, he quickly Director of Indian Affairs members have not had have job in the financial depart- reduced from $950,750 to pointed out the IAA "will Ken Medd said "We enough time to select the compete with bands, to more legitimate needs for ment enabled me to see $750,000. not representative after a two - what was happening. I IAA President Gregg acquire the kind of dollars money than to provide day monthly board meeting money solely the IAA. knew the IAA has been Smith says the terminated they're looking at from to in July. looking at a deficit for the positions are in the financial funding agencies. Nobody will get the same The appointee will past two years." and secretarial support "The funds we are level of funding as last observe IAA activities Gladue does not plan to areas. The three other seeking from the province year." which include urban issues as a non -voting board member. The decision to Benefit for Lubicon land claim include a "urban Indian" GREGG SMITH representative was made in ...decision pending claim dispute with the Rosemary Brown who ByL.esleyCrossingham a resolution on the last day The Lubicon that neither she government. confesses of the IAA annual assembly. problems the IAA must has has A protest concert called Lake Indian Band nor her organization The director of the New address. the for a boycott of the organized a concert of the "Last Stand of called ever Status Indian Confederation In an interview from his Museum's Native this magnitude. Lubicon Lake Indian Band" Glenbow of Alberta, Russell White, Edmonton office, Smith was in Edmonton featuring well -known Native artifact exhibition the Brown who attended the assembly said "The resolution is Buffy to organize a activist and singer "Spirit Sings" and the Tuesday in Eden Valley in June straight forward ... it's a -Games in featuring Cree Saint Marie will take place Calgary Olympic poster claims there is an urgent testing ground." fall. of its outstanding written by Dr. in Calgary this support syllabics need for off -reserve housing After a one year trial claim. Anderson. The poster The concert is being land Anne and programs for "urban basis, the board will decide Committee "We are organizing the be available in late organized by the will Indians ".

Load more