John Samson recognized

Elders discuss numerous concerns

Page 8

Indian Elders addressed a number of issues and problems that are presently being faced throughout Indian country, at the regularly scheduled Elders Meeting on December 8 and 9 at the Jim Rattlesnake Sports Building at Ermineskin, Hobbema.

Elders meetings have taken place all over Alberta in the past year, having no planned agenda, which allowed for a free expression of views to be shared by Elders from a cross-section of Indian communities.

"We have helped increase the awareness of the Ruperts Land issue, the Bill C-31 and membership issues, among others, and we have discussed the treaties and other topics that the Elders were interested in," said John Samson, chairman of Elders group meetings, in his opening address.

RUPERTS LAND

Information on the Ruperts Land claim was requested and James Small, member

of the task Force on the Ruperts Land Claim was available to make a presentation and answer questions on the subject.

Small explained that the Ruperts Land Transfer 1969/70, from Hudson's Bay Company to the Dominion of Canada, had to be completed first, before the numbered treaties (beginning in 1871) could be negotiated with Indian nations.

The Ruperts Land transfer covered a vast region stretching from the Hudson's Bay area, west through the prairies to the Rocky Mountains.

The Ruperts Land claim could get the government to recognize the numbered treaties made with Indians. In any case the transfer of a huge amount of land did not have any involvement by the Indian people living in the region at that time, said Small.

Louis Sunchild, Elder and former leader of the Sunchild band addressed the assembly by speaking about how the treaty came into effect on his community.

SUNCHILD BAND

The Sunchild band first signed Treaty 6 in 1944, when treaty commissioners approached the band, said Sunchild.

"I was the first one to sign, that's why I have treaty Number 1," (on the band list) said Sunchild.

"They (commissioners) said that the terms of the treaty could not be different than those agreed to before (1876)" continued Sunchild. "Both the sacred pipe and the Christian bible were used to finalize the signing.

"The government people had said they were wanting to share the land with us and that they were not buying the land. Later they offered us treaty money, which for the first payment was to be $12 a person.

The money put in trust for the Sunchild band was to be used to buy cattle, build houses or for other band purchases said Sunchild.

The subject of the Indian Treaties, was taken up after the inspiring talk by Sunchild, who concluded by urging the Elders to continue to work together and using the pipe and prayers to guide their efforts.

TREATIES

Because of the difficulties caused to Indian people by the provincial hunting and fishing regulations that are enforced and the federal government actions such as changes to the Indian Act, the Elders were concerned that the Treaties were not being followed.

A call for a workshop type meeting by the Treaty Indians to review the implementation of the Treaty was suggested by one delegate.

"Indians never had any say about what was going into the treaties. Pre-set guidelines for Treaty negotiations were brought over from Ottawa by Treaty commissioners," said Samson.

"We have to remind the Queen, through her representatives, to keep the treaty promises. Go to the higher court, never mind bothering with Indian Affairs," said Elder Louie P. Crier.

The discussion on the Treaty led into another one about the representation of Treaty Indian people and interests at the upcoming First Ministers talks on Aboriginal and treaty rights in Ottawa, next April..

"We (Elders) would like to see Treaty Indians get a seat at the FMC (First Ministers' Conference)," said Samson.

Small explained that Treaty Indians did not get a seat at the FMC, because of

the way Indian organizations changed over the years from a national organization known a the National Indian Brotherhood to what it is known as today, the Assembly of First Nations (AFN). Treaty Indian nations later split with the AFN, some organizing the PTNA, Prairie Treaty Nations Alliance. The PTNA was not recognized by the government, therefore could not get funding and could not have a seat at the FMC talks.

"Indian people and organizations are puling in so many different directions, maybe this is why Treaty Indians are left out of the FMC," said Samson.

PRISONERS

The neglect of Indian prisoners was next discussed at length and was brought about by some Elders' concern about reaching out to Indian people presently in jails across Canada.

Native Counselling Services of Alberta had made presentations at previous

Elder meetings on this issue.

Samson suggested that work camps be set up on Indian reserves for Native inmates serving time on minor offenses.

"We want to bring our people back. These people are very lonely, they never get to see their relatives," said Samson.

These inmates, mostly young offenders, could do community work on Indian reserves, such as cutting firewood, repairing fences, gathering teepee poles and doing cleanup work, said Samson.

Community Elders could go and counsel Indian inmates much easier if the work camps were on the reserve, was one benefit that mentioned that Indian inmates could get out of the arrangement.

Concerns were raised on how such a proposal could best be approached. The legal concern was who would be held responsible for the camp. The financial costs of an inmate work camp operations was also questioned.

Chester Cunningham of the Native Counselling Services of Alberta is to be approached for more information on the feasibility of Indian inmate work camps on Indian reserves.

VETERANS

The issue of Indian veterans not getting the same veteran's benefits as non-Indian veterans was brought to the attention of Elders.

As veterans, Indians who had served in the armed forces were entitled to receive beefits made available by the federal government to returning servicemen, to help them continue civilian life.

Indian veterans have complained over the years that they did not receive the same treatment, because they were Treaty Indians.

The Soldier Settlement Act incorporated some provisions into the Indian Act. Under the Soldier Settlement Act, and the Veterans Land Act, veterans could get land and grants to buy land, livestock and equipment for farming and commercial fishing. Veterans could also apply for low interest loans, training programs and veterans pension.

The veterans issue will continue to be monitored by Elders after it was reported that the Indian Veterans Association was in limbo.

In the second day of the Elders meeting, a vote of confidence was given to John Samson who has been the lead figure this past year in organizing meetings for Indian Elders in Alberta, to talk of the current situation of Indian nations.

"The main thing we want to do is to direct our thoughts and recommendations to our leaders,"said Samson.

After thanking the other Elders for their vote of confidence, Samson repeated that he felt very strongly that "we have to keep pressing for representation of Treaty Indians at the First Ministers' talks."