Band awaits recognition from federal government

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Since Kahkakew Larocque became chief of the Yawassanay band four years ago, he has been working to have his band recognized by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC). A year after becoming hereditary chief, Larocque filed his application under the newly constituted bands provisions contained in section 17 of the Indian Act.

The 43-year-old Larocque owns land outside of Kamloops, which he intends to provide for band use. His home on the property will be converted into a band office.

According to Larocque, the history of the band, whose members are of Stony, Cree and Soto lineage, can be traced back to 1650 when Chief Yawassanay received the Thunderbird clan chieftainship.

Originally from Manitoba, the band relocated to British Columbia between 1660 and 1665 following tribal warfare with the Iroquois and Lakota. The influx of non-Native settlers that had moved onto Yawassanay land was another factor that led to their move. Because members do not now live as a community, they gather mainly for feasts, ceremonies, memorials and tea dances.

Funding for housing and infrastructure is the main reason why the Yawassanay band is applying for recognition by INAC. Larocque also has plans for self-government after the band application has been approved. The main reserve will be on Larocque's own parcel of land in the Greenstone/Lac La Jeune area, south of Kamloops. Larocque hopes the band will establish an economy based on logging and tourism.

"We're trying to work with the white society, we're trying to create jobs, we're trying to create a better understanding and acceptance of each other. I haven't had any negative feedback from them, just from the other bands," Larocque said.

Larocque has been met with opposition by Aboriginal leaders because of land claims he has filed for areas believed to be inhabited by members of the Yawassanay band when they arrived in BC. The land stretches west of the B.C/Alberta border near Moose Lake and west along the Fraser River to Prince George. The claim also encompasses an area extending from Valemount, Golden, Revelstoke and Wells Gray Park. The southern claim includes areas around Kamloops Lake, Logan Lake and Lac La Jeune. West of Ashcroft, the area covers Shalath and north along Carpenter Lake. So far, Larocque has not heard from the federal government regarding the status of his application.

So far, Larocque has not heard from the federal government regarding the status of his application.

Larocque admits that the response from other Aboriginal leaders to the Yawassanay land claim has been mixed. Bands in the Shuswap territory, such as Bonaparte and Skeetchestn have claims to the same area.

"What I find interesting is, in particular the bands in B.C. have really this idea, I call it DIA (Department of Indian Affairs) mentality of 'this is our region, that's not yours'," said Larocque.

"Our belief, my belief, is that the land is Indian land, regardless of what tribe you are. We all have the same rights to the land; we all have the same accessibilities. They claim ownership here and I tell them it's stewardship."

Another issue has sprung from the land claim. The provincial government and Sunrise International Incorporated, an Alberta-based company, have plans for tourism development in Valemount. Larocque plans to file a writ of summons and statement of claim against the province to halt negotiations with Sunrise until consultation occurs. The provincial government, however, has informed Larocque that it will not negotiate with him until the band has been recognized under the Indian Act.

Larocque has 154 people on his band list so far, most of whom are either treaty or status. Membership will not be extended to the Metis or to Indians who fall under the Bill C-31 category.

"We're opposed to recognition of the Metis as being Aboriginal under the Constitution. We don't believe there's such a group. We also are looking at a blood quantum and these arefairly controversial, but this is, from what I am constantly reminded by my great-uncle, that Yawassanay was not very fond of non-Native people, so didn't believe in the mixing of them. So part of re-establishing the band is following some of his values," said Larocque.

"(Bill C-31), in my own belief, is that under treaty, we have the right to determine who our members are, not the government, that's the standard...we're not looking at accepting anyone who's right now less than 50 per cent Native ancestry. I know the Indian Act doesn't go by blood quantum but this is something that if and when the band is formed, it'll be up to the membership to support it or not support it."

A traditional clan system will be re-established in which, Larocque said, "it's the band membership that directs the hereditary chiefs." Elected representatives will relay decisions made on issues by their respective subclans to the chief. A consensus must be reached among members before any decisions affecting the community are made.

"Living on reserve, growing up in reserves, just being involved with Indian people all our lives, you can see how ineffective our bands are today. Just because you're a chief or band councillor doesn't mean you are qualified. That doesn't mean you are aware of the issues or the situation or you know how to deal with the government. I'm not saying that I do, I have a sense that a lot of our people could do better under a different system where there's more equal representation," said Larocque.