Of Native Protest

INSIDE THIS WEEK THE ALKALI LAKE STORY continues to inspire enthusiastic response - most recently at a packed showing at the Nechi -Poundmaker Centre. See Pages 12 and 13. THE HIGH PRAIRIE NATIVE FRIENDSHIP CENTRE is looking at getting into Native crafts in a big way. See Page 16. WE ARE PLEASED to note that reader response continues to grow. See LETTERS on Pages 6 to 9. Neilsen report criticized By Jamie McDonell OTTAWA - The Nielsen Report review on program delivery to Native people has been described by its critics as "dangerous," "offensive" and "completely out of touch with the reality of Native life in this country." To let you decide for yourself here are a few of the suggetions made in the report. On Native Housing: The report suggests that the government develop a new housing program that "ensures that there is no incentive through housing to remain on reserves with no long -run economic potential." THE EXPO SITE The report also suggests ...little evidence of Native people that minimal standards be MATCHED PAIR set for infrastructure (water There was a striking similarity in the costumes of and sewer, power, fire these two dancers at a recent powwow in Regina. prevention, etc.) and that - Photo by Bert Crowfoot Expo may be focus any reserve wanting better services than that be forced to raise money for them. of Native The study group goes so far protest as to admit that "non- Handicapped youngster By Lesley - glitter and glitz, many vis- ion was made," says Pau- economic reserves that could not afford sophis- Crossinghan itors are already asking why line Douglas, co-author of a removed from school there is no pavilion for the new book called "The Expo ticated infrastructure VANCOUVER - Expo original peoples of this land. Story," which she says, will would have to make do hype is growing. Van- Canada's last exposition uncover the true story of with what they could afford, By Donna Rea Murphy mother following allega- couver stores are busily held in Montreal in 1%7 had Expo. The book is due to although below minimum tions of child abuse. cleaning and redecorating, a Native pavilion which was be released shortly before health standards could BONNYVILLE - Quentin The boy was in the news hotels are raising rates and funded by the Department the opening May 2. result," but implies that this Watchmaker, a seven -year- late last year when he was clearing out their regular of Indian Affairs. But it "The pavilion had the would just be too bad. old mentally handicapped removed from a foster residents, and the rattling appears the department backing of Expo officials, On Native Health Kehewin boy afflicted with home after it was disco- The report suggests skytrain is keeping Van - was not prepared to fund a and Vancouver City Hall Care: fetal alcohol syndrome, has vered his sleeping quarters couverites awake at night. pavilion in Vancouver. "that the government been removed from the were in a makeshift pen However, despite the "A plan for a Native pavil- Continued Page 2 consider...reduction of the Dodos School special education class here by his Continued Page 2 Oil drop hits bands By Lesley weeks from a near $30 a Crossingham barrel to around the $12 mark, most bands appear Oil rich bands in Alberta to be adopting a wait and are feeling the pinch of see attitude. lower international oil pri- However, the Stoney ces and may be forced to Indian tribe, west of Cal- renegotiate lower royalty gary, which is in debt to the payments in order to tune of about $4.7 million, remain competitive, says may be hit hardest. an Indian Minerals West The tribe formulated a official. repayment plan which Wally Dombroski, acting would dissolve its debt in director with the Depart- JOE DION about five years. However, ment of Indian Affairs ...report quoted say Stoney sources, this department, says if bands plan was based on oil prices want to stay in production required to consider re- remaining around the $28 a they are going to have to duced royalties," said barrel range. consider some "reduced Dombroski from his Cal- The Stoney's financial rates and sharing with the gary office Monday. difficulties go back to 1978 (oil) companies. Although it is still too when, due to an error by MEET THE CHAMPS One big thrill for the L'il Warriors hockey team was the "The high royalties are early to say how individual Indian Minerals West, oil attention of superstar defenceman Paul Coffey when they visited the Oilers dressing really not competitive with bands will fair under the and gas royalties were room. See story on Page 21. those of the province and new low oil price which - Photo by Rocky Woodward therefore bands will be tumbled during the last few Continued Page 3 A NEW DAWN IN ABORIGINAL COMM'JNICA'ÇIONS. WI r PAGE 2. MARCH 28, 1986, WINDSPEAKER Far -reaching consequences to Neilsen report is consultation funding to this "double-funding." education ánd their replace- On Friendship Possible alternatives for From Page I Indian and Inuit associa- The report also suggests ment with loans and Centres and Native Native representative tions." that the government should bursaries. representative organi- organizations are the same cost of non -insured health The report also suggests look into "the overall On Social Welfare: zations: The report as those for the friendship services, primarily through that any Native health units economies that could be The two main suggestions suggests ,thbt the issue of centres - a cut or the the administration of a in major urban or northern achieved by revision of in this area are that a FriendsVtip Centre funding scrapping of funding to the needs -test type of proce- provincial centres be student assistance and the "workfare" system be set be put' on hold until the organizations. The rep- dure...closing of Indian financed by Native people elimination of the present up on reserves and that jurisdictional responsibility resentative organizations hospital facilities which themselves. guidance -counselling pro- bands be "encouraged" to for off -reserve Natives is do not come off as easily as duplicate those being On Education: The gram." The revision of finance their own adult decided. Among possible the friendship centres, provided by provinces or report proposes that EPF assistance for Native post- health care facilities, tying options suggested in the however. The report's municipalities (starting with (Established Program secondary students would up their capital in facilities report is the outright end of preferred alternative is that the one at Cardston), Funding) for post -secondary include the ending of much that they would then rent federal funding for the the organizations' funding and.. `anon.. alth education be cut because of the grants for their back to the feds or province. centres. be cut by 50%as a start. Expo may be focus for protests But they wouldn't fund this fair. One group is the Haida rather than the empty one because it wasn't their nation, From Page 1 who came under canoe. idea, but the Native peo- the spotlight recently for Native groups will be was going to provide ples' idea," he said. blocking a logging rod on represented in the Folk Life money for 25 years. This Smith says he was given their traditional land in the pavilion which showcacos was going to be a long -term the "runaround" by the Queen Charlotte Islands. various Canadian cultural Support questionable project to publicise Native government, who encour- However, many analysts groups, says Crystall. people and their culture," aged him to formulate busi- say this tactic would fall These cultural groups for Neilsen Report said Douglas. ness plans and design right into Premier Bennett's include Japanese cuisine, Chief Earl Smith of the plans. game plan which is to whit- Caribbean drum dancing Ehattesheht Band on Van- "But they had no inten- tle away B.C. Indian land and French Canadian couver Island, who was the tion of funding it right from By Jamie McDonell Native groups across the claims by declaring their week, he added. financial charman of the ill - the beginning," he said. country. lifestyle and culture part of Haida Chief Miles fated pavilion, is bitter and "We just had no coopera- OTTAWA The Nielsen For instance, while the past. If there is no vis- Richardson says there has - a angry over the federal tion. Report's volume on- Native letter was sent to the ible presence of B.C. Indi- been no decision on a boy- government's decision not I talked to everyone (in people has been getting a Assembly of First ans at Expo, this would only cott as yet. However, in a Nations to fund the pavilion. the department) from failing grade from almost here in Ottawa, the task confirm Bennett's ascer- recent speech he pointed "It would have been a Crombie to the chairlady, every reader, and the rating force didn't even bother to tion that B.C. Indians are out that according to Expo great idea," he says. "But but it didn't to drop as reply to AFN's get me any- no longer separate from pamphlets, visitors to the continues lengthy the decision (not to fund) where," he added. groups are able to dig return letter. mainstream society. fair can see the "once rich was purely political- - However, although the deeper into the 523 page "They seem "Let's face it, if the Haida and colorful" B.C. Indian to have somebody got to the minis- conflict to be volume. made up their appears boycott, who will care ?" culture in local museums.

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