Dispute over funding stalls Olympics powwow plans

Page 5

A dispute over funding and procedure has led to a temporary stall in the planning of the Calgary powwow scheduled for the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics, said Sykes Powderface, coordinator for Native Programming for the Games.

The powwow, which has originally been designated to the Blackfoot, met an impasse when Blackfoot Chief Leo Youngman allegedly withdrew from the powwow planning over an Olympic procedure dispute.

"OCO, (Olympiques Calgary Olympics) required a written presentation giving cost figures," said Powderface. "We need detailed information."

According to Powderface the Blackfoot tribe never presented them with such a paper and Youngman, upset over the course of action the powwow was taking, withdrew from the talks.

"On May 11 Leo (Youngman) withdrew. And on June 10 he confirmed it," said Powderface. "It was a matter of miscommunication. He didn't let us know it was a personal withdrawal."

Due to a lack of communication the Blackfoot council were not aware OCO no longer considered them in the running for the powwow said Powderface, adding that at present several reserves have applied for the right to the powwow, but he could not say which ones.

However according to Blackfoot band councillor, Jim Monroe, the Blackfoot are still in the running. Munroe said that a letter has been sent to OCO stating the Blackfoot would take on the powwow under the explicit condition that the budget allotted by OCO for the powwow remain at the original $70,000.

Powderface, however, says that is impossible.

"It was decided at a meeting of the Treaty 7 Chiefs, that there be two powwows held," explained Powderface. "One powwow would be held in Calgary for the visitors, unfamiliar with powwows, while another one be held at the Good Stoney Arena to allow the Indians to celebrate the Olympics with a traditional powwow."

The $70,000 was divided equally for each powwow. Therefore the Calgary powwow will only receive $35,000.

"We are caught in an embarrassing position," said Munroe. "We can't put on a show for half the price, not a world class event," he added. "Our council decided we are not quitters and we will put on the show if we get the full $70,000," he said. Powderface estimated the cost of the Calgary powwow would run up to as high as $250,000 and the band that gets the powwow will be responsible for the additional costs but admission charged to the public would go back to that band.

But Munroe said that would not be enough. "What if we only raised $15,000. We can't afford to cover the difference.

"The decision on who gets the Calgary powwow will be made this weekend. We don't have a lot of time," said Powderface.

Chief Leo Youngman was unavailable for comment at press time.