University rallies for Lubicon cause

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Lubicon Chief Bernard Ominayak welcomed support from both Native and non-Native students at the University of Alberta during an information meeting on campus Dec. 12.

"It's always encouraging to see people who are prepared to try and assist and support us any way possible. That's been our only source of power in trying to deal with the opposition which is tremendous . . . and I think that's the only reason why we've been able to hang on this long," he said.

About a dozen students representing various university groups met with the chief of the northern Cree band at the Native students lounge.

Andrew Rodomar, a member of the university's New Democrats, said his group became aware of the Lubicon Indian band through an editorial in the university newspaper, The Gateway.

"We certainly think it's (Lubicon situation) a priority, just in terms of a social justice issue. It's obviously an outrage what's happening."

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss ways in which the students could actively support the Lubicon band and to receive input from the chief.

The band is involved in a 47-year-old land claim struggle with the federal government.

Some of the ideas proposed by the students included protesting the Olympic torch run on Feb 10, a rally at the University of Alberta with Chief Ominayak as the principle speaker, a letter writing campaign, distributing literature on campus to inform students of the Lubicon situation and a march to the legislature.

Ominayak told students that although he could not promise, he would try his best to be involved in the proposed activities and asked to be kept informed of plans.

During the meeting the students questioned the northern Cree chief about the current situation on his reserve.

"We've see our way of life deteriorate very fast. We went from a traditional economy to a welfare economy in a matter of years," Ominayak told students.

The Lubicon band which has been inundated by oil activity on its land has succumbed to many of the social ills accompanying resource development.

"I think just about any kind of social problem there is, we have," said the chief in an interview after the meeting.

He told Windspeaker that more than 90 per cent of the band members are on welfare and added "people are still trying to hunt and trap (but) with no results."

He said the increase in the number of people on welfare has created a community with "a whole lot of time on their hands.

"And that leads to drinking, family break ups, and alcohol-related problems especially with the younger people . . . we've got a funeral just about every week," said Ominayak.

At present there are 41 confirmed cases of tuberculosis in Lubicon Lake and another 130 band members are receiving treatment, he said.

Ominayak says in the past several months there has been mounting support across the country for the band. The Assembly of First Nations recently wrote to all the bands in Canada asking for their support.

The Lubicon band has called for an overall boycott of the Calgary Olympics because the events are being sponsored by oil companies.

He said the oil companies on Lubicon land and the people organizing the Games are one and the same.

The Lubicon Olympic boycott began with The Spirit Sings exhibition of Native artefacts at the Glenbow museum. To date 30 museums have confirmed that they will not loan artifacts to the exhibition, sponsored by Shell Canada.

Ominayak was recently in Ottawa to participate in a protest of the Olympic torch run (Dec. 16).

The president of the Aboriginal Students Council, John Kortuem, who also attended the meeting, said, "We're inspired by the leadership shown by Bernard Ominayak. He's a person who acts very much like a leader should."