Speakers highlight ANWA conference

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A highlight of the Alberta Native Womens Association annual conference was

the evening banquet, held on June 21, at the Canadian Native Friendship Centre, in Edmonton.

The banquet featured guest speakers Adele Arcand, from the Education board of Alexander Band, Sam Sinclair, president of the Metis Association of Alberta and Margaret Waterchief, a Native leader from the Blackfoot Nation.

Arcand encouraged the Native women of Alberta to start "trusting one another" in order to work for the Native communities to work together.

"I look at the communities and see that we are not unfied, we really don't trust one another," said Arcand. Causes of disunity in the Native community may have come from external influences by the church and the values of the dominant society, said Arcand.

Arcand believes that individual interest in gaining money, power and material possessions have corrupted the Native community. Native people are neglecting the traditional values, such as kindness, sharing, caring about others and working together

on solving community problems, commented Arcand.

Arcand urged listeners to look within themselves and within their communities to find the strength to build unity.

"I'm not saying it should not be political, but we have to start with ourselves, we have to start at home," concluded Arcand.

Sinclair blamed the lack of resources and the government "piecemealing funds"

to Native communities as a major cause of disunity and other problems in the Native community.

"It's come to the point, where we are fighting just to survive," said Sinclair.

He urged unity on political action to pressure Canadian governments to deal fairly with Native people.

"Some people talk of life after death, I wonder if they will allow us life after birth," pondered Sinclair.

He expressed confidence in united Aboriginal stand at the next First Ministers Conference on Aboriginal rights, slated for April, 1987.

"We should be together as one voice," said Sinclair.

The keynote speaker for the evening banquet was Margaret Waterchief, of the Blackfoot Band, who has been active in Native politics for eight years.

Women are the backbone of the community. They, as mothers, will bring Native people together to fight for a common cause, counselled Waterchief.

"Women have more feeling for their people, we actually go through a life and death situation, in giving birth to a new life," said Waterchief.

Unity can be achieved in the Native community when Natives begin to turn to the creator for guidance.

"Unless you find the creator, you will not go very far, you will not find unity," said Waterchief.

She urged Natives not to pursue money and power, which are prime causes for disunity.

"We as Native women, have the responsibility and have power within us to lead our communities. Why can we not bring the Native nation together?" asked Waterchief as she concluded her message leaving it to her audience to contemplate their own individual answers.