Henry Snuff was chief

Page 5

Dear Editor:

RE: Treaty 8, 1899 and 1900

In the August 1999 Windspeaker article titled, Treaty 8 signatory ignored there is an error in the name of the Treaty 8, 1900 Yellowknives chief. The Treaty 8, 1900 for the Yellowknives Band was signed by Chief Henry Snuff. (You are correct in stating Akaicho was a chief of the Yellowknives, but he was chief in the 1820s.)

Considering this year is a centennial year for the first part of Treaty 8, 1899 and next year 2000 is the centennial year for the second part of Treaty 8, 1900, it is hoped that the true identity of the real Yellowknives will be re recognized and gain their rightful place in Canada.

In 1991, the Dogrib Band of Dettah, N.W.T. took the name and identity of the Yellowknives Band. This error of band identities has to be corrected. Since next year is the centennial year for the second part of Treaty 8, 1900- let us have a true celebration - with the rightful recognition of the Taltson River Yellowknives and the descendants of Chief Henry Snuff. The Taltson River, N.W.T. people have been seeking their true identity and recognition of their Treaty 8 in inherent rights for the past five years. In closing, let us all have a true Treaty 8, 1900 Centennial/millennium next year, 2000.

Thank you.

Barbara Beck