RUSSELL WHITE: A brief history

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Russell White is an Alberta non-Status Indian with a long history of involvement in Native affairs.

Born on the Alexander Reserve in 1941 to the late Henry (Munias) White and Mary Jane Arcand, daughter of former Alexander chief Alexis Arcand, Russell was raised in Fort McMurray, where he attended St. John's Separate School.

After high school he joined the Royal Canadian Signal Corps and served with the United Nations Peace Corps on the island of Cyprus.

When he returned to Alberta in 1966, where his father "made me aware I had special rights in this country as an Indian."

In 1968, White moved to Calgary and became involved with the Metis Association of Alberta as a member of the board of directors of Local 101 there, then served as president of the Local until 1974. Through the Local, he says "I did many community projects such as housing, youth camps, student exchange programs, sports programs, etc."

White "took a leave of absence from politics for a few years" to take special training in leadership, community development, business management, and drug and alcohol counselling training with the Nechi Institute. He worked for Poundmakers Lodge as a counsellor, then co-ordinated a youth drop-in centre, the Nechi Centre, in the Boyle Street area.

He returned to the Native political arena "at the request of people" and was elected to the board of directors of the Metis Association of Alberta, "but I realized it did not carry a mandate to meet my political needs."

White then joined the Native Council of Canada (Alberta) of which he is now a vice-president. He recently regained his Indian status and is now working towards regaining full Indian rights.

In the past year, White formed the Aboriginal Trappers Federation of Alberta.

"My own personal belief as an Indian leader is that we must allow our people in the communities total involvement in their development of themselves.

"I disagree with leadership and organizations that subdue the people's ambitions. Our role as leaders is not to make the decisions for the people, but to make an avenue and assist the people in their self-determination.

"One avenue that I see for the Indian to achieve self-government is not by what we assume is a political process, through First Ministers Conferences. I believe we must exercise our legal rights in this country through the royal Proclamation of 1763."

"This act is what guaranteed self-government to a nation of people - to live on our own lands, determine our own citizenship and to share in the wealth of this land as equal partners.

"I believe that we are very close to achieving this goal and am presently sharing my concept of a self-government model with the people.

"I strongly urge the youth of this country to motivate themselves toward the development of their future.

"The teachings of my parents and my belief in the Indian people gives me the strength and courage to continue in the fight to achieve our self-determination."