w V Metis Association disbands in Sask. by Terry Lusty issue for some years and one of the main arguments A rift between Metis and against the split is that it non -status Indians has would not really change the erupted into the dissolution conditions of the people. of the 50- year -old Assoc- There would still be alcohol iation of Metis and non- problems, unemployment, Status Indians of Sakat- etc. said Rose Boyer and chewan just weeks after a Nora Ritchie of Saskatoon $750,000 cut in funding by as well as Jim Favel from Ile the Saskatchewan govern- a la Crosse. They added WEDDING SONG ment. that the organization would The dissolution plan remain a stronger body if it Joe Naytowhow sings a love song to his bride Mary Morin (Sky Blue) after the two were married by Albert evolved during the July 23- included both groups. Lightning (with headdress) on the Morley Reserve last Monday. 24 annual assembly of Favel maintained that, -Photo by Dianne Meth AMNSIS which this year "nothing's going to change; experienced a sharp decline the problems will still be in attendance. The reason there." He commended the given by the society's efforts of the president executive for the decrease during his 20 years in office, INSIDE is lack of funds, since the particularly his role in the province did not renew the Constitutional Talks in Morning train THIS WEEK $750,000 core funding it has Ottawa. "I believe in the provided in the past. pilosophy of a Native By noon of day number organization being sup- kills Hobbema man one, a mere 131 delegates ported by Native people," had registered. By day two, said Favel who does not Jason Lee Buffalo, 21, of Buffalo was to take part Money Morley the figure had only increased think the split is represen- the Samson Band in in a wedding at the end of to a total of under 200 tative of northern sentiments Hobbema was killed August and was on his way problems ecumenical which is less than half the where Metis and Non - instantly after being struck back from Edmonton, rock conference usual number. A similar Status people lead similar by a train Saturday morning where he was being fitted situation was experienced lifestyles. around 7:30 a.m.. The for a tuxedo. Old Sun coverage at the last assembly of the The northern areas were accident occurred 10 km Buffalo, who was quite See page 2 See page 9 Alberta Metis when their greatly under -represented south of Wetaskewin. active in the community, organization was unable to Favel argued, noting that was said to be liked by Buffalo and some friends provide expense money to only six northern locals many people on the reserve had run out of gas along delegates. were present at the and that he was easy to get highway 2A and he was Following two days of assembly to represent along with. He was also said going to his cousin's place debate at Batoche, Sas- northern interests. He to have many friends. The for help when the accident katchewan, delegates further accused the funeral services were held Many people Royal occurred. couple voted 86 -51 in favor of assembly of being vastly on July 29, in Samson with flock to visit splitting the organization "over- represented" by Buffalo is the son of burial at the River Side and separating the Metis southern members. Freda Buffalo and was Cemetery. honor historical from the Non -Status Indians. Other delegates exp- brought up by his Uncle RCMP said a coroner's Batoche site Although the decision ressed confusion over the and Aunt, Frank and inquest will be performed has been finalized, there split and admitted to being Florence Buffalo of sometime within the next See Page 10 & 11 Seepages 14 & 15 have been mixed feeling pulled in two directions at Hobbema. He is survived couple of months and that about the division. It has by two brothers and two the investigation into the been a hotly contested Continued Page 4 sisters. accident continues. Royalty payments cut off to band By Albert Crier per- capita distribution is for membership codes on May must be over 21 years old. for all band members. Lake did send in a band our members. We send the 16. The vote received a Saddle Lake council had Including the re- instated council resolution and band Royalty payments have Bill C -31 people to Indian majority, said Houle. The sent a band council band members." said Jack memberhsip list that been cut off to the Saddle Affairs for the services they membership codes have resolution (BCR) with a list Heghes, Manager of excluded re- instated status Lake First Nation and the need." said Chief Houle of been submitted to Indian of band members the band Statutory Requirements Indians. Goodfish Lake Band, over Saddle Lake. Affairs and are presently council said are eligible to and Band Resources. The gas royalty money is a dispute with Indian Affairs under receive per- capita shares. presently being deposited Band members of the review. Heghes, confirmed that over the question of into the band's capital Goodfish Lake band have However, Houle states But Indian Affairs officials under secion 64 1.a of the membership of re- instated account, said Heghes. been denied their gas that the regional office of refused to recognize the Indian Act, per- capita status Indians. Chief Houle does not royalty shares, as Goodfish Indian Affairs has refused list, because it excluded re- shares could be distributed know when the issue will be Lake and Saddle Lake are to recognize the referendum instated members.. to band members from that People who were re- resolved or when royalty considered by the govern- results, because 18 -year- particular band's capital instated as status Indians, "We have forwarded our per- capita shares will be ment as one band. old band members were revenue acount, however under Bill C -31 and were band list, whether the distributed again. vote. band consent is necessary. added to the membership Royalty shares of $20 not allowed to government recognizes our "We will probably hold lists of the two bands by the we continue to were distributed in May; Bill C -31 had also lowered action, will "The Indian Act is quite out, if Indian Affairs insists Indian Affairs, must receive our own affairs." said since then distribution has the voting to 18 years run clear on per- capita dis- that we include C -31 their share of per- capita age stopped. Previous dis- old from the previous 21 Houle. tribution, that all band people. We will bank our payments, insist govemment tributions were reduced year old voter eligibility as "The gas royalty monies members, including re- money." said Houle. Chief officials. from previous payouts of well as restoring status to have not been cut off, we instated band members be Morris Jackson of the to $100. "We haven't accepted $40 many non -Status Indians. are waiting for a band eligible to receive per- capita Goodfish Lake tribal council the re- instated peoplr.. Our Saddle Lake held a But under Saddle Lake council resolution, reques- shares." stressed Heghes, was unavailable, to com- programs, services and referendum vote on customary law, band voters ting per- capita payments who -admitted that, Saddle ment at press time. PAGE 2. WINDSPEAKER. JULY 31. 1987 Provincial Split in Zone 4 Housing registry causes feud A dispute over the points out that according to tired" of the attacks coming transfer of a housing a Metis Urban Housing from the zone and add that registry from Metis Urban board meeting the registry they intend to continue the Housing to the Metis "No one seems to be considering should have been trans- registry. Womens Council of ferred to an organization "We are helping lots of Edmonton is causing anger the people for whom the service within Zone 4. people find decent homes," and dissent within Zone 4. --Ben Courtrille "Approval was given for said Chalifoux. "And we A housing registry based was designed." the transfer by Mike are not just connected with in the Edmonton friendship Woodward not by the Metis Urban Housing, we centre began operation proper officials of the place people in all kinds of July with a grant of $29,000 zone," said LaRocque. homes, including Edmonton from the Alberta Housing Alberta Housing Cor- Housing and other housing Corporation. However, poration official Siona corporations." Zone 4 Vice -President, Ben Monaghan confirmed that The registry already has Courtrille says the registry no proposal had been helped more than 20 should have gone to an received from Zone 4. "We families find homes and organization within the only received one proposal," complain there is a lack of zone and even to the said Monaghan. "And that housing for Native people regional office itself. was from the Metis Womens in the city of Edmonton. "It should go to that Council of Edmonton. "It is very difficult, office, with a person hired They felt a more central especially for single mothers to do that task specifically," location would help and single people. Many of says Courtrille in a letter to prospective tenants." our people are forced to live Alberta Housing a copy of Monaghan says she is out on the street," said which has been obtained by aware of the political Chalifoux. Windspeaker. difficulties in within the Chalifoux who is chair- "No one seems to be zone but added that the person of Metis Urban considering the people for decision was essentially Housing's tenents as- whom BEN COURTRILLE, THELMA CHALIFOUX AND LARRY DESMEULES the service was ...locked unpolitical.