The two sides of Everett Soop

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Everett Soop straightens his plaid shirt, tugs at this pants, leans forward in his wheel chair and takes the microphone.

He hardly needs an introduction. The renowned Blood cartoonist/writer is in a league of his own. Many have tried to copy his success but have not reached the heights he has.

For years readers of Kainai News turned to his sardonic cartoons and his equally satirical column called Gitskenip (a Blackfoot word meaning 'you know') making him an institution in the Cardston-based Native newspaper. He left the newspaper in 1982 after 14 years to assume duties as a Blood tribal councillor, a role he often depicted in his hard-hitting cartoons.He was defeated in last year's fall tribal elections.

Soop now devotes his idle hours to solitary pursuits such as writing poetry and other literary works, instead of contemplating for many hours on how to make the world a better place to live.

Soop has received much recognition for his work. In his younger days he won a national high school essay contest, was awarded scholarships for his academic achievements at the Banff School of Fine Arts and the Alberta College of Art and was honoured by the Alberta government when he received an Alberta Achievement Award several years. Soop received journalism training at Calgary's Mount Royal College, and art training at Brigham Young University and the University of Lethbridge.

But if there's one thing that Soop seems to care about more than his fame and success, it is his deep commitment for the Native handicapped.

At 44, Soop is disabled, having been incapacitated by muscular dystrophy since since the age of 134. He has championed the Native disabled cause since 1981 and was the driving force behind the Kainai Handicapped Association. Apart from his abrasive personality, few people know Soop's humanitarian and even humble side.

Yet Soop speaks bluntly and openly in the manner for which he's famous. The quiet minority of Native disabled people want no special treatment, says Soop. "Everybody has come out of the closet ? the gays, the women, etc. and now the Native disabled. All we want is to be normal," says Soop.

He estimates about 600 people out of a total population of 6,800 people on the Blood reserve are disabled either physically or mentally. He added that at least 10 per cent on most Indian reserves are disabled in some way.

In an interview at his home about 15 km northwest of Cardston on the Blood reserve Soop says there have been numerous "superficial" studios commissioned to determine Native disabled needs and wants. Ironically, Soop says that able-bodied people hired to work on these projects have benefited the most from Native disabled projects.

But Soop understands only too well that the Native disabled problems have no easy answers or solutions. But, patience is wearing thin as some Native disabled people are growing frustrated over the many promises made by government and band officials to improve their conditions "during the phony year of the disabled," says Soop.

However, he believes the Native disabled face more discrimination than any other Native group and that is a major hurdle to overcome before they can get the change and opportunity for services such as jobs, housing, etc.

"Every group claims they are the most discriminated, but without doubt the Native disabled are the most discriminated by their own people ? by their own tribal leaders.

And I'll tell you that we (Natives) have a deplorable record for taking care of our Elders and the disabled. Centuries ago, the Indian left the disabled out to die. We're still doing that today.

"The white society is not doing any better. They incarcerated them (disabled people) in nut houses, asylums along with the mentally handicapped.

"People still have this primitive attitude that the mentally handicapped are created for their amusement," Soop says angrily. But on the other hand, Soop argues that the government and the tribal governents are not entirely to blame because "they've been kicking the football around as to who's responsible for Native disabled.

"Their (handicapped Natives') problems are compounded by the fact they're disabled and such problems as integration, discrimination, lack of consultation and all these problems that the Native leaders complain to the government of are beefs that the Native disabled are airing against our tribal leaders.

"But then you have to understand that our leaders are fighting back by saying that the problem is no greater than people on the reserve because they have housing shortage (among other issues to deal with)."

Although many Native disabled people are becoming frustrated, Soop says they are still motivated and even hopeful. "Most disabled Natives are highly motivated but nobody is giving them the chance. I think I have more or less been in the forefront because I have tried council, I have had access to the media and I have had so many other opportunities. These young people and other disabled have not had the opportunity and that's what we have to do is give them that chance."

But Soop feels awareness of the Native disabled need should be more public instead of being documented in studies which most likely end up shelved. "I think the problem we have is the negative image that Indians have of themselves. You have that negative image of being an Indian and add on the negative image of being disabled. We have to try everything that we can to build up the esteem and self-confidence of the Native disabled.

"I think the capabilities are there and some (disabled) are very gifted and talented," says Soop who cited the athletic abilities of such Blood athletes as Leonard Brave Rock and Merle Healy.

But Soop says that the Native disabled must take some responsibility "by not resorting to making excuses or putting people on guilt trips ? some disabled people can get pretty nasty." But he is quick to point out that most disabled people have acepted their disabilities although most have had to go through a period of adjustment.

"When you say disabled people, some people will still think of us as freaks, Frankensteins, and stuff like that. I know it's ludicrous but nonetheless it's true," he said.

Most importantly, Soop contends that the Native disabled must work with band governments in order to achieve their needs. Soop stresses that the disabled must decide what they want and how they want to achieve those needs while working co-operatively with resource staff.

Soop says he's grateful for the help he has received from many Native and non-Native professionals in doing whatever they can.

However, in many instances the disabled group competes with band governments for monies to provide services and short-term projects for the disabled.

"That's unnecessary," said Soop, adding he's hopeful that a team approach can be worked out so that all parties can work together to promote a better lifestyle for them.