Feds draw wrath of Lubicon supporters at rally

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Downtown Edmonton rang with speeches and clapping at a rally Oct. 21 commemorating the first anniversary of the Lubicon Indian blockade at Little Buffalo.

A crowd of about 150 people gathered at Canada Place to hear speeches condemning the federal government for its treatment of the Lubicon Nation for the past 50 years.

The tiny Lubicon Indian band from northern Alberta has been seeking recognition as a band and a land claim settlement since 1939.

Speakers included representatives from political and religious groups as well as other interest groups.

On Oct. 15, 1988 provincial RCMP tore down a five-day blockade of roads to Little Buffalo after the band asserted jurisdiction to land they claim their own when negotiations broke down with the federal government.

RCMP charged and arrested 27 people.

But in December, Lubicon chief Bernard Ominayak met with Alberta premier Don Getty to sign the Grimshaw Accord - an agreement that set aside land for a reserve.

But subsequent negotiations with the federal government broke down on January 24 this year when a federal "take it or leave it" offer was made, according to Ominayak.

The offer contained little room for self-government and if accepted, left the band depending heavily on the government, he added.

The Lubicon rejected the offer.

Since then the federal government had done everything in its power to discredit the Lubicon people, instead of coming to the table with "the political will to settle this claim," he said.

The government tore apart the Lubicon people by creating the Woodland Cree band in a "divide and conquor" tactic, charged Ominayak.

Such actions are unfortunate in today's day and age, Ominayak added, and should be prevented by public pressure.

The fight must be taken to the general public in an effort to make them more aware of the Lubicon plight, he said.

"If his were to happen to a non-native society there would be an uproar throughout the country. A lot of us are aware of what is happening...but I don't think the general public is aware or concerned do much as to what takes place," he said.

Ominayak said Prime Minister Brian Mulroney should look in his "backyard" before "preaching throughout the world about human rights and what should be done about violation of (them)."

The recent government treatment of the Lubicon is a signal of future treatment for other Indian Nations, the chief said.

"I was appalled to read in the (Edmonton Journal) this morning a quotation from the prime minister," stated Bill Phipps, a representative from the Edmonton interchurch Committee on the North (EICN).

Phipps quoted Mulroney saying Canada is staking out "high moral ground" against apartheid in South Africa, so when the "new South Africa" asks 'Where did Canada stand and who stood with us in our struggle for freedom?' The word Canada will

come back loud and clear.

"We'd like to ask the prime minister where the high moral ground is in respect to the treatment of the Lubicon people." Phipps said to a round of applause.

He called Mulroney a "hypocrite" for telling the world Canada is a wonderful, just and free country while using the old method of divide-and-conquer with respect to (aboriginal) people.

Liberal MLA Nick Taylor said it is a "sad thing" when Mulroney and the federal government call for a united Canada, then promotes separatism by dividing the Lubicon and creating the Woodland Cree band.

"This has to be one of the most obscene acts in politics," said Taylor.

"To preach about the evils of separatism and then go out and try to tear apart the Lubicons by encouraging separatism."

New Democrat leader Ray Martin called on Getty to pressure the federal government to settle the claim and reaffirm the Grimshaw Accord reached between the Lubicons and the Alberta government.

The Lubicon Lake Cree were missed by federal authorities in 1899 and never signed a treaty or ceded their land.

A treaty and reserve were promised to them in 1939 and they livd traditionally up until 1980, when oil companies began to move into the area.

By the mid 1980's, 90 per cent of the band depended on welfare to survive.