New Directions considered for New Year

EDITORIAL

Page 6

The dawn of a new year is traditionally a time for reviewing the accomplishments and failures of the past year, and looking forward to doing better in the year ahead.

A year ago, at the beginning of 1986, we asked our readers whether or not they thought we should be reporting the violence, fear and persecution suffered by Native people from both Natives and non-Natives. We said in this column at that time that we felt such "negative"stories should be reported to "expose them so that those responsible are dealt with appropriately, and to deter others from doing the same thing."

Over the course of 1986, there were numerous stories about problems facing Native people. Some of those stories revolved around complaints about Native leaders, indicating that our concerns were shared by others in the Native community.

Our coverage of these stories prompted considerable reaction, both positive and negative. But what we did discover is that our reporting in these matters was not only valid, but echoed a general growing feeling in the community that Native leaders must be just as accountable to the people they represent and/or serve as any other people in positions of power should be.

We also discovered that it is vitally important that, in the case of stories involving challenges to leadership, it is important to get both sides of the story wherever possible, even it one side is unwilling to co-operate. We have taken steps to strengthen our efforts in that regard, and to let our readers know when balanced coverage is impossible due to lack of co-operation.

Now that we are on the threshold of a new year, it is time, based on our experience of the past year, to take a look at what we can expect in the year ahead, and how we should react to the activities and concerns of the Native community in 1987.

We have observed that out of the confrontations of the past year has come not only a greater awareness of the problems facing Native people, but a greater realization of just how serious they are and a greater determination to do something about them. Even more encouraging are the strong indications that important changes and transformations are occurring - particularly at the community level where individuals and groups are taking responsibility for the problems they face and doing something about them.

In the new year, we want to emphasize those positive things, and we encourage you to let us know about them.

We want to print more of the words of the Elders, about Native traditions, about ordinary people doing extraordinary things.

As we begin a new year, we not only wish each and every one of you the very best for yourself, your family and your community, but we pray that we can play a part in enriching the new year for you.