Elder John Tootoosis visits university

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Elder John Tootoosis from the Poundmaker Nation in Saskatchewan recently visited the new School of Native Studies at the University of Alberta.

Tootoosis is a member of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) Senate and will very soon receive the governor e general's Order of Canada arward. At the age of 86, he is also the subject of a biography written in 1976. The book, John Tootoosis, was co-authored by Jean Goodwill and Norma Sluman. Tootoosis also has an extensive history in Saskatchewan Native politics.

The supposed purpose of his visit was to give a lecture to the native Studies 300 class on the treaty signing process carried out between the British Crown and Canadian Indian Nations. However, the lecture, which ran in excess of three hours (including a very well attended potluck lunch), covered a surprisingly much broader spectrum of subjects.

Starting out with the pre-treaty era, Tootoosis told how, traditionally, Indian nations had their own systems of law in place - laws which were adhered to by society. For instance, conservation laws relating to the environment and wildlife were among the more important laws that operated within the land.

He reflected on the educational system which produced the "experts" and "professionals" required in day-to-day Indian life. There were those whose profession it was to hunt, and those who were experts at sewing. Bands and tribes also had people who were knowledgeable in the area of sanitation - people who knew when it was time

to move camp, etc. Thus, there was a systematic life here in place when Europeans arrived.

"I'm proud I'm an Indian," said Tootoosis. "I know how Indian people were before these people came."

He stressed that the Indian treaties were between "nations." Indians signed with the British Empire, who used the Canadian authorities as administrators. He thus did not agree with the participation of the provinces at the present constitutional process. It is also all-important that the treaties were signed in perpetuity. They are to last..." as long

as the sun travels..."

"Today, we have teachers, lawyers...we have some doctors. These are our tools." He said, however, that Natives must try to live a proper life, and must deal with the alcohol and drug abuse problems. The importance of education was also a recurring

theme in his presentation. Several of the students asked him searching questions concern-ing Natives and the issues they face. In most of his answers he stressed the importance of "studying" these issues, and returning to the communities and working for their people.

After the first part of his lecture, there was a potluck lunch at the Native Student's Lounge. I have to comment on the interest the university community paid to this event - and not just the university community. Besides the attendance of professors, support staff, program directors, students, etc. from the university, there were also others from the community at large. Native organizations sent people, the media was obviously there, and several people who were just generally interested. I have never seen the Native Lounge as packed as it was that day - a healthy sign for Native Studies at the University of Alberta. After lunch, everyone moved upstairs to the Athabasca Lounge. There his lecture included a comprehensive history of Saskatchewan Indian organizations. He talked of founding an organization that ultimately, after a series of amalgamations, became the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations, with its recently newly elected president, Roland Crow.

He also, in closing, reflected on the histories of some of Edmonton's local Bands: the now defunct Papaschase Reserve, once situated in southern Edmonton, the also defunct Iroquois Reserve called the Michel Band (Callihoo), and the Bobtail (Montana) Band, one of the four Bands of Hobbema.

Thus it proved to be a very interesting day at the School of Native Studies. The director of the school, Richard Pice, also had other guests on the schedule. Dr. Michael Asch, on leave form the chairmanship of the U of A's Anthropology department, Clifford Gladue from the Fishing Lake Metis Settlement, and John Samson, Samson Band Elder, will all be lecturing at the school in the near future. Price also hopes to bring in a Metis Elder.

For further information the school can be reached at 432-2991.