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EDITOR'S NOTE: In addition to the discussions reported by Jim Thunder in the following story, a number of other politically sensitive issues were discussed. The Elders asked that the media not report their discussions on those sensitive issues. Out of respect for their wishes, we will not be reporting on those matters they wish left unreported.
FORT McMURRAY - Elders from across Alberta gathered at the Ramada Inn here January 22 and 23 for an Elders Conference sponsored by the Indian Association of Alberta.
The meeting was attended by approximately 19 Elders from various Indian bands in the province. During the two-day conference the Elders spoke on many different topics such as Indian self-government, the upcoming First Ministers' Conference in March, government transfer of health programs to Indian bands, Indian policy on the membership code and Native inmates within the Canadian institutions.
Joe Cardinal of Saddle Lake, said "many times I have thought of depending on the young generation who are educated to present our views, but many of them are ruined by alcohol and drugs. Their education has brainwashed them to think just like white people. I know of many Elders who have died because they worry too much about the future of the young people.
"I had many worries. I thought about giving up but I shouldn't think that way. I get sick. My spirit is wounded. Sometimes I can't sleep. I think a lot. As an Elder I feel for my people. Indians don't get along with Indians.
"When I was young I listened to many Elders. They taught about love, respect, kindness and honour. And now, I am an Elder, but today things are different."
"We are lacking in unity," said Felix Buffalo of the Samson Band. "It makes it hard for us. I am concerned about the grandchildren."
"I believe in the treaty. Don't give up. Never get discouraged. Always fight for our rights. Don't forget what our ancestors stood for. Chief Big Bear was a wise leader. The treaty is sacred. Let's not break it.
"We have to stand together for unity."
Dan McLean of Sturgeon Lake said, "we, the Indian people, will have to educate the Canadian public. They do not understand us. They do not know our history of the present problems facing the Indian people today. We should have a paper to represent our views.
They think we are welfare recipients and that we depend on the generosity of the government for handouts. that is not true. We are not drunks.
"We own this land. Also everything that is under the ground is ours. When the treaty was signed, the government commissioners told us that they only wanted the top soil of the land to the depth of one foot. They told us that anything below one foot would be ours forever.
"We paid a high price for our so-called 'benefits' today. They took our land. They almost destroyed our culture. They denied us justice. We are stripped of our human dignity. We paid with the lives of our people. We have paid and paid until, now, we have almost nothing left."
Another Elder, Johnny Samson of Hobbema, who was the chairman of the conference, spoke on the same theme: "The white people have become rich because of the natural resources taken from the earth. They have taken our timber, fur, gold, silver and oil. "Anything below the earth is ours. Money for our health care and education comes from the government, but it is our money in the first place."
During the conference, the Elders spoke on many different topics. They voiced their hopes, fears and concerns of the various issues that affect the daily lives of the Indian people. Perhaps the most inspirational speaker was Joe Cardinal of Saddle Lake:
"I have always lived as a traditional Indian. I was born and raised that way.
"I am not afraid of future government decisions. Two months from now, when the First Ministers' Conference is over, I will not cease to be an Indian. I will still have the same rights whether or not they are recognized by the government. And after I am goe, the future generation will continue to fight."
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