U of C prof says media biased

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Lubicon protests not reported

An outspoken member for the Committee against racism, supporting the Lubicon Land claim, charged that there's been a news blackout of the Olympic Torch picket.

Speaking at the University of Lethbridge Dec. 2, Dr. Joan Ryan, a university of Calgary anthropologist said the committee set up peaceful pickets at every city where the Olympic torch was carried since it started in November but had received no media coverage.

"The media has been so blatant. At one point a picketer actually went up to a CBC cameraman but the cameraman turned his back," Ryan told about 35 people attending the Lubicon Lake lecture hosted by the university student's association.

The Lubicons who live at Little Buffalo about 100 km east of Peace River in northern Alberta have launched an international boycott of the Native artifacts displayed called the Spirit Sings and the Calgary Winter Olympics torch relay. They hope to draw attention to their 47 year old land claim dispute with Ottawa and the province.

The Lubicons were left out when Treaty 8 was signed in the late 1800s, but were promised a reserve in 1939. Since then both the federal governments and provincial governments have failed to recognize the Lubicon band. In 1975 they launched a caveat claiming legal interest to a large scale development occurred. The Lubicons say their traditional life style and economy has been disrupted by the oil companies and the problem has escalated in the community.

Ryan says she is appalled that there is a news blackout in a democratic society and contends that the media doesn't want to smear the Winter Olympics by reporting on the Lubicon Pickets at torch relay centres.

Ryan also blasted the media because "they have distorted the Lubicons boycott of the Olympics."

"The boycott of the Olympics is not against the athletes, but against the major sponsors Shell Canada and Petro Canada because they are the major operators at Lubicon," she said.

Ryan criticized Joe Clark, External Affairs Minister, and Calgary Mayor Ralph Klein for misinforming the public.

During Mayor Klein's recent European promotional tour with Blackfoot Indian Adrian Stimson, they deliberately invited only elite press who reported on a favorable picture of the Calgary Olympics. Other reporters were left out because the press conference locations were changed at the last minute, said Ryan.

As well, Clark sent out information which was "loaded with misinformation on the Lubicon case," added Ryan .

However, the United Nations, with support from 18 countries ? excluding Canada, has sided to hear the Lubicon case under the UN act section 27, regarding political and religious harassment.

Ryan said she finds it ironic that Shell Canada is sponsoring the "Spirit Sings" Native artifacts exhibition.

"How ludicrous to celebrate the Indians with artifacts of the past rather than live Indians," said Ryan.

Asked by an audience member if Treaty 7 bands supported the Lubicon cause, Ryan said the reaction is mixed. "Some support the land claim but not the Olympic boycott." She added it's an individual decision if Natives in southern Alberta choose to participate in the Olympics.

"It boils down to money," said Ryan, referring to the fact that some Natives will benefit financially from the Olympics.

She said $3 million has been allocated to the Stony band near Morley to host an Olympic powwow. Another $150,000 will be given to a Native group to coordinate a Native youth conference during the Olympics.

Despite the Lubicon's struggle, Ryan believes they will not resort to violence to push their land claim. "They are a non-violent people but they are growing more frustrated. And if the land claim issue is not settled shortly, the Lubicons' spiritual and economic ties to their land will be severely threatened, she adds.

Ryan urged the audience to petition and write letters to their MP's about the Lubicons' land claim dispute. The Native American Studnt's Association plans to picket the Olympic torch when it passes through Lethbridge in February.

However, Olympic Native Liaison Coordinator, Sykes Powderface disputes Ryan's figures saying that he "doesn't know where she (Ryan) gets her information."

"We have budgeted $70,000 for the powwow," said Powderface. "$35,000 will go to the Stoneys for the powwow out at Morley and the other $35,000 will go toward the powwow at Lindsay Park."

Powderface also disputed the figure given to the Youth Conference saying the Olympic organizing committee is not sponsoring the event but the federal government.