1993: A tongue-in-cheek look back

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As the world slowly creeps into the year 1994, it gives many of us the chance to reflect on the preceding year and its events. Upon examination, 1993 was an important year for the Aboriginal people of this country. There were many things to be proud of and pridefully show the world, but as seems to happen all too often in the Native world, many negative and tragic events seemed to dominate our communities.

- Film-make Alanis Obomsawin's award-winning documentary about Oka, Kanesatake: 270 Years of Resistance. In the real world of cowboys and Indians, we salute Ms. Obomsawin for showing us who the bad guys actually were. I guess John Wayne is still dead.

- Nunavut: the Northwest Territories were split into two separate political entities this year, one for the Inuit and one for the non-Inuit. This occurred after the government just finished completing a brand new legislative assembly building in Yellowknife. Now they have to build another one in the Eastern Arctic. With self-government approaching, does that mean every reserve will get one?

- In the entertainment world, Native people are still "in." Big Hollywood movies Thunderheart and Geronimo were released to lukewarm responses. And a special mention should go out to the CBC for being economically minded by using practically the same identical Native casts for North of 60, Medicine River and Spirit Rider. Who says Indians don't all look alike?

- The Royal Commission on Aborigjnal Peoples. Where is it? What's it done? Has it disappeared into the Ottawa Triangle with all the other commissions? Was Amelia Earhart the chairperson?

- Political biographies of Native politicians Elijah Harper, who added a whole new dimension to Nancy Reagan's "Just Say No" campaign, and Ovide Mercredi, who did more for Indians in suits than when Grahame Greene played a lawyer on L.A. Law. The books contain just about everything you wanted to know about the men, the myths and the type of suits they wear. How far behind can the movie dramatizations be? Elijah Harper, in his best Cree/Clint Eastwood accent asking: "What part of no don't you understand?"

- The unfortunately cyclical rash of suicides and attempted suicides in communities like Davis Inlet. They blame it on the fact they need a new community, preferably one that's livable (damn Indians, always wanting something!). Rumor has it that, for some strange reason, a healthy and proud environment might actually cut down on the number of people wanting to kill themselves.

- The explosion of interest in the underground economy of buttlegging. The flow of illegal cigarettes crossing the St. Lawrence at the Akwesasne Reserve caught the media's eye this year when the Cornwall mayor was allegedly shot at because of his request for a crackdown on the contraband trade. Well, they do say smoking is bad for you.

- Manitoba Cree Stan McKay was named Moderator (head honcho) of the United Church of Canada for a two year term. Now there's something you don't see often, a Native person telling the Church what to do.

- The release after little more than two years in jail of the white supremacist/RCMP informer who was convicted of shooting a Cree trapper as he left his store in wonderful downtown Prince Albert, Sask. The murder resulted in a public inquiry that criticized the police and prosecutors for not recognizing the role racism may have played in the shooting. White supremacist shoots Indian in the back. Nope, no racism there. When all's said and down, Leo LaChance is still dead, and Carney Nerland has been given a new identity, a job, and probably a house in the RCMP's witness relocation program. Now what's wrong with this picture?

- Native novelist Thomas King was nominated for the Governor General's Award for his wonderful fun novel Green Grass, Running Water. It told the story of Indians, dams, legends, silliness and general chaos. I guess white people would call it Parliament.

- Jean Chretien's election as Prime Minister of Canda. In 1969, Indian Affairs Minister Chretien orchestrated the infamous White Paper, calling for the elimination of reserves and the end of all special status for Native people, which he said prevented them from becoming equal citizens of Canada. Supposedly he has since backtracked a bit on that stance but you know what they say about leopards and their spots. With a majority government, anything is possible. If Leonard Cohen could win Best Male vocalist, don't be surprised if all of us Indians are booted off the reserve and end up in your "burb" looking for affordable split-level duplexes. Now there's a scary thought, for both sides.