Chief comments on his people and land

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FORT NELSON - The chief of the Fort Nelson Indian Bnd in British Columbia, George Bane, describes his Band's a moving ahead with times, but also stresses that there is a need for unity among his people.

Transfers of people into the band had caused some friction and Bane says to fight this, "our people must work together. If they did this every day, life would be alright. We need to support one another."

The Fort Nelson Band has a membership of 364 people, with 250 residing on the reserve that totals 24,444 acres of land, approximately 5 km from the town of Fort Nelson.

Bane has lived in the area most of his life and in the earlier years trapped and fished for his living.

Tday he is known as one of the leading guides and fur buyers in Fort Nelson.

Bane has served his band as chief for 16 years, but it was not until 1954 when he was first elected.

"Before 1952, I was working for the Band under the Department of Indian Affairs. I was recognized as a leader and for a period of four years I acted as headman."

Non-Native people who have lived their lives in and around Fort Nelson, and those who have moved there for work, respect the Slavey Band.

Former Justice of the Peace, Jim Thompson, now retired, says that non-Native people were always treated with respect.

"When you live in an isolated area such as Fort Nelson was and still is somewhat, people learn to get along together. It is not like the city," said Thompson.

The Slavey Band has people living on other reserves in the area at Fontage, Kantha, Snake River, McKlanic Lake and Moose Lake. These reserve comprise 40

acres of land.

The Fort Nelson Band now has a construction firm (Eh-Cho Dene) that does business both locally and outside of the reserve.

Approximately 400 acres of land are at the moment under cultivation and many of the people are farming.

Over 1,100 acres of land is being developed as rangeland, and, "it will be broke and seeded this year," said Bane.

Because there is no school on the reserve, the children are bused into Fort Nelson for their education, but Bane does not see this as a hindrance.

"The schools in Fort Nelson are good and we have no complaints."

Working in a position as chief for 16 years, George Bane does believe that the problems they have regarding factions on the reserve can be solved in time.

"For the Slavey people, it is a lifetime of moving ahead. We cannot set aside five years for fighting for 10 years of enjoyment. Problems must be dealt with so we can have a life that is good for everyone."