Self government in action in B.C.

Page 11

The Grade 12 students enrolled in summer courses at the Thunderchild High School went to Sechelt, B.C. to personally witness self government in action.

"We want to do something for the students since they have worked hard and are committed to finishing their classes," said Jerry Okanee, director of education. "We want to encourage them to stay in school and to further their education."

The participants of the trip were: Angela Paddy, Terri Smallboy, Leonard Horse, Laura Horse, Joe Angus, Tim Weekusk, Rolland Weekusk, Rusty Paddy, Debbie Jimmy, Linda Okanee, Fred Thunderchild, Maggie King and Jerry Okanee.

Just before the trip that took place from Aug. 8 to 15, the education committee members met with the Grade 12 students to send a message that the Thunderchild Education Committee strongly supports their education.

Early Saturday morning the two vans waited patiently for everyone to "jump in." Fred Thunderchild, the early bird, was there first since he was the driver of the lead van.

The trip was uneventful until Jasper National Park. The beauty of the park made a few wonder that, yes, Indians did occupy this national park at one time. The first overnight stay was at a campground in Clearwater, B.C. Along the way, smoke could be seen in the valleys and fires on the mountain tops. Everyone quickly set up the tents in the darkness at the campground. A faint howling sound could be heard in the night. Unfortunately, it was not the Sasquatch.

The next day, the vans made a bee line for Vancouver. Unsettling stories about the steep roads were anticipated.

Entering Vancouver can be tricky, but Alvina Thunderchild, one of the trip co-ordinators, provided each van with a map.

The next morning, Aug. 10, everyone packed their belongings and waited patiently for the ferry at Horseshoe Bay. It was thought some people would get seasick, however only one person was concerned. The ferry crossing to the island was smooth and we were surrounded by spectacular scenery. We reached our final destination of Sechelt.

We found our contact Counsellor Carol Louis of the Sechelt Indian Band. Although a few people were hungry around the edges, we set up camp at Wilson Creek. We were accompanied to the campground personally by Counsellor Louis. Everyone was invited to the Sechelt Longhouse for a traditional salmon supper around 5 p.m. Indian time. Inside the Longhouse were four huge totem poles, an ultra modern kitchen and seats to accommodate hundreds of people. No smoking was allowed in the Longhouse and no one did smoke. The Longhouse was completely made of wood. Inside one gets the feeling of great accomplishment, a deep sense of respect, and pride for the Sechelt Indian Band. The Sechelt Indian Band was able to obtain self government in 1986 and was the first Indian band to do so in Canada.

A priest's prayer and a few comments made by Carol Louis opened the supper inside the Longhouse. Several Elders, young people and other community members ate with us and we shared stories. Later, the young people of Sechelt had a get together with the Thunderchild students, including photographs outside the Longhouse.

Carol Louis gave Maggie and myself a tour of their band lands. We asked her a million questions and she summarized the Sechelt Indian self government structure. One could sense their improved quality of life, their push to enhance economic development and to reduce dependence upon social assistance.

The economic development on their band lands (no longer referred to as Indian reserves) was impressive. The Indian community of the Sechelt Government District is quite modern and yet reflects the West Coast culture.

The next day, we visited the Sechelt band offices and saw first hand their awards and plaques pointing out their achievements. It is true that Rusty slept only a few hours since his artwork was to be part of the gift exchange that afternoon. (We thank Rusty for his hard work since he had to finish the mirror in the laundry rom at Wilson Creek campground.) We met the education co-ordinator and Chief Gary Feschuck that same morning. He commented that the chief and council are required to be drug and alcohol free. In the afternoon, we all met with the Sechelt chief and council. The presentation consisted of an overview of self government.

We presented the Sechelt chief and council with an engraved mirror of Plains Indians on horseback, sweetgrass, a beautiful dreamcatcher made by Kelly Paddy and a Thunderchild powwow jacket.

The Sechelt chief and council gave us a complimentary tour by boat to Jarvis Bay Inlet. At this remote location we visited a beautiful lodge surrounded by mountains and clear blue green water. A group of kids aged 8 to 10 years old were there to learn not to consume alcohol and illegal drugs as part of the Sechelt health program.

On the way back to Sechelt, some of the students had the opportunity to drive the boat. We left Sechelt that evening with a sense of empowerment and thoughts of the future for our own Indian band.

In Vancouver the next day, we quickly toured the urban reserves, namely Squamish and Burrard, where the late Chief Dan George used to lead the community. We also stopped by the Museum of Anthropology at UBC. On Friday some of us attended the Kamloops powwow. Their dancing arbor is huge and well built. Surprisingly kids were not running around in packs, fighting, nor were any parents paged to pick up their children.

On the way back, one of the vans had to pass through Salmon Arm, the town on evacuation alert. Although fire could be seen, it was far from the highway. Upon reaching Saskatchewan later that night, we were glad to be back in our own territory. It was a great experience for everyone to see self government in action.