Windspeaker August 2015 final

P a g e [ 1 ]August 2015

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Apologies first stepon road

to better relationsPage 9

Winnipegger launchesfundraiser for

water-deprived FNPage 12

Women continueto fall victim

as debate rages onPage 6

Photo

: B

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Inform. Impact. Inspire. Independent. Indigenous.

Saddle Lake PowwowSaddle Lake PowwowMore photos on pages 27 & 28.

August 2015P a g e [ 2 ]

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ADVERTISINGThe advertising deadline for the

September 2015 issue ofWindspeaker

is August 20, 2015.Call toll free at: 1-800-661-5469

for more information.We acknowledge the financial support of theGovernment of Canada through the Canada Periodical

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Departments

FeaturesWomen continue to fall victim as debaterages on 6

The cousin of former Alberta Regional ChiefCameron Alexis is one more statistic for 2015.Misty Potts Sanderson of the Alexis NakotaSioux Nation was last seen March 14 near thenorthern Alberta First Nation.

[ contents ]

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When Jodi Taylynn Belcourt attended a healinggroup led by Julie Collette Bull, her life was inshambles and she had a large chip on hershoulder.

[ rants and raves ] 5

[ windspeaker briefs ] 9

[ provincial news ] 12 - 21

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[ footprints ] Julie C. Bull 26

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Continue to fill the space created by the TRCwith dialogue 7

Don’t wait for “the big home run” or the “bigsolution” that will resolve Canada’s troubledrelationship with Aboriginal people. There aremany things on the journey of reconciliation thatare “doable” and everyone can exercise acts ofreconciliation, said Hereditary Chief RobertJoseph.

Did she jump, or was she pushed?Lavellee resigns 8

The appeal to the Daniels case, set to be heardby the Supreme Court of Canada in October, isnot enough to keep Betty Ann Lavallee fromstepping down as the national chief of theCongress of Aboriginal Peoples.“It’ll be up to the next national chief to take theball and run with it,” said Lavallee, who feelsconfident she has done the necessarypreparation work to make the next steps easier.

Apologies only first step on road to betterrelations 9

Larry Loyie and Lynn Thompson feel differentlyabout the words spoken in the apology by theirhome provinces’ premiers. But what they doagree on is that the words are only as strong asthe actions that follow them.

26



[ rants and raves ]What can I do? Page 5 Chatter

(left to right): Peter Schwarzhoff, Liberal, North Island-PowellRiver, Brenda Sayers, Green Party North Island-Powell River,Glenn Sollitt, Green Party Courtenay-Alberni, Rachel Blaney,NDP North Island-Powell River and Gord Johns, NDPCourtenay-Alberni.

An act of non-partisan activism took place on July 12in Courtenay, B.C. Three political parties worked together to supportthe CBC. Hupacasath First Nation’s Brenda Sayers and GlennSollitt, both candidates for the Green Party of Canada, RachelBlaney and Gord Johns of the NDP, and Peter Schwarzhoff of theLiberal Party all worked cooperatively to take petitions and handout lawn signs. Friends of Canadian Broadcasting have launcheda campaign to let people know that the current attempt to“downgrade and underfund the CBC” is an election issue this year.Sayers was the first to respond to the invitation to come and shegot the most signatures. The invitation was extended to all politicalparties with seats in the House of Commons. The Conservativesdid not respond.

The Osheaga Arts & Music Festival announced July 13 thatit will not permit people attending their event to wear First Nationsheaddresses as accessories during the three-day event at the endof July, the Montreal Gazette reports. ÎleSoniq, the electronic musicfestival held Aug. 14 and Aug. 15 in Parc Jean-Drapeau will alsoadhere to the same guidelines. Osheaga told Facebook fans andartists to not use the First Nations’ spiritual and cultural icon as afashion accessory, and to respect and honor First peoples.

The National Observer eports that Dr. David Suzuki pulledseveral people from the Peace River July 11 after their canoecapsized during the 10th annual Paddle for the Peace event. Thenearly 80-year-old environmentalist was first on the scene, andafter pulling the canoeists out of the water, jumped into theswamped canoe and paddled several kilometres down river. Hethen gave the keynote speech in front of hundreds of people whohad gathered to protest the Site C dam. The Observer said thePeace River is known for frigid waters and people can succumbquickly to hypothermia. They also report that 40 years ago, duringhis first struggle against Site C dam, Suzuki capsized his owncanoe on the river.

On July 9, Pope Francis apologized for the Catholic Church’scomplicity in the grave sins of colonization in the Americas, andnow Aboriginal leaders in Canada hope the statement will lead toa similar apology for the abuses done during the residential schoolsera. “This can be taken perhaps as an indication that maybe hewill be open to complying with, accepting our recommendation,that he come to Canada and apologize specifically to survivors ofresidential schools and their families,” Justice Murray Sinclair, chairof the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), told YahooCanada News. “Overall, I see it as a good sign.” Indigenous leaderAdolfo Chavez said “We accept the apologies. What more can weexpect from a man like Pope Francis? It’s time to turn the pageand pitch in to start anew. We Indigenous were never lesserbeings.”

The Mi’gmawei Mawiomi Secretariat, representing the threeMi’gmaq communities of the Gaspe region in Quebec, filed legalproceedings July 6 in a New Brunswick Court. The secretariatseeks to halt construction of the tar sands export project at theBelledune Port that will run two trains of 125 cars each carrying175,000 barrels a day of tar sands oil every day along the “sacredMatapedia and Restigouche salmon rivers and the Baie desChaleurs,” reads a press release.

“For millennia, our territory has fed us and formed our identity,but these privileges come with responsibilities,” said Listuguj ChiefScott Martin, chair of the secretariat. “That is especially true of oursacred duty to protect the salmon. We are determined to counterthe dangerous threat this project presents to our already underthreat salmon populations, which would also be a threat againstour families and communities. We have not given our consent tothis risky project and the government refuses to even consult us.”

Grandmother Josephine Mandamin iswalking again, despite a knee replacement 18months ago. She continues her sacred WaterWalks with a team of people who, this year, arefollowing the great migration route of theAnishinaabe people. The group will begathering at all seven stopping places wherethey will smoke the pipe and drum and sharestories with whomever wishes to be a part ofthe gatherings; anyone healthy enough, freefrom the influences of drugs and alcohol, to careabout the spirit of our water can take part.

The bucket the women on the journey carrywas dipped into the water on the east coastnear the GaspÈ Peninsula sometime in June.It’s the first time the Water Walkers, who havebeen undertaking an awareness of theimportance and sacredness of clean andhealthy water since 2003, were to carry saltwater. They orphaned the water when theycollected it, and then after they carried it for atime, they returned it to the body of water andcollected a bit more. Mandamin tastes the waterfrom time to time, and she said the waterstopped being brackish as they advanced alongthe St. Lawrence River in early July.

They walk for 10 to 12 hours a day, averagingabout 42 km a day, raising awareness aboutthe oil spills on the Great Lakes, the trainderailments that have caused harm to the water,fish, vegetation and animals. “We do not wantpipelines across our country or ourcommunities,” reads the Website atWaterWalkersUnited.com . The walk will takethem to Madeline Island in Wisconsin aroundAug. 20.

Mandamin is a very determined woman, andit all started with a vision. The spirit of a greatMiigis entered through her dreams and told hershe must take action for the water. She is amember of a very old shell society called theThree Fires of the Midewiwin, Gabriel Peltiertold Windspeaker. He takes care of Mandaminalong the walk and was her speaker during ourdiscussion.

Her vision started a kitchen table discussionamongst a group of women trying to answer asimple question: ‘What can I do?’ It was decidedthat they would set out to acknowledge thewater, treating it like the entity it is, rather thana resource. They wanted to stand up for thespirits of the water. Literally walking the talk,said Mandamin, and there is a lot to talk about.

The first Water Walk was in Spring of 2003when two Anishinaabe grandmothers, and agroup of supporters, walked around LakeSuperior. This was done “to raise awarenessthat our clean and clear water is being pollutedby chemicals, vehicle emissions, motor boats,sewage disposal, agricultural pollution, leakinglandfill sites, and residential usage is taking atoll on our water quality. Water is precious andsacred… it is one of the basic elements neededfor all life to exist.” Mandamin told Windspeakerin July she’s concerned too about the proposalto bury nuclear waste a mile under Lake Huron.

In 2004 they walked the perimeter of Lake

Michigan, then Lake Huron in 2005, LakeOntario in 2006 and Lake Erie in 2007. In2008 it was Lake Michigan again and thensomeone said ‘now you’ll have to walk theSt. Lawrence’, and Mandamin took it uponherself to do that in 2009. And each year afterthere has been a walk around a lake or otherbody of water up to this sacred walk of 2015.It’s an amazing commitment.

And now, others are catching up to theconcerns. In June, recently-elected Assemblyof First Nations Regional Chief Isadore Daycalled on Canada and Ontario to work withFirst Nations to implement the WaterDeclaration of the Anishinaabek,Mushkegowuk and Onkwehone. Thedeclaration guides in the restoration of thewaters in their ancestral lands, based ontraditional knowledge, inherent rights, sacredresponsibilities and the wisdom of the Elders,Chief Day said.

It was in October 2008 that the declarationwas presented during the First Nations WaterPolicy Forum in Garden River. After adiscussion about water quality, water quantity,safe drinking water and a clear path forward,they came up with the declaration that saidthey had a responsibility for, and directrelationship to, the waters, including rain,waterfalls, rivers, stream, creeks, lakes,mountain springs, swamp springs, bedrockwater veins, snow, oceans, icebergs and thesea.

And it says that as the First Peoples ofTurtle Island, through the teachings of thewomen, had the right and responsibility todefend and ensure the protection, availabilityand purity of all waters, both fresh and saltfor the survival of the present and futuregenerations.

At that time, the declaration said theecosystems of the world have been underconsiderable stress from misuse and abuse.It’s now seven years later, and that stresshas worsened. And it’s not just Ontario thatis suffering. Across the country we are seeinga profound impact.

When asked how she wants people torespond to this year’s Water Walk, Mandaminsaid she wants women, if they can, to comeand carry the water and for men to come andwalk with the women for their protection. Andif you can’t walk, come and be a part of theirgatherings and listen to the old stories. Theyare walking for all of humanity. It’s all aboutthe water. There is a Facebook page (WaterWalkers United) that tracks the walkers. Atthis writing they are east of Smith Falls ontheir way to Toronto, Hamilton and Niagara.

And beyond helping the walkers,Windspeaker asks for a wider response toprotecting all waters. ‘What can I do?’ wasthe question asked around that kitchen tablein 2003. And we ask that each and every oneof you take time tonight around your owntable to ask that question of yourselves.

We are water, and water needs our help.Windspeaker

Do you have a rant or a rave?Criticism or praise?

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[ news ]


Women continue to fall victim as debate rages onBy Shari NarineWindspeaker Contributor

OTTAWA

The cousin of former AlbertaRegional Chief Cameron Alexisis one more statistic for 2015.Misty Potts Sanderson of theAlexis Nakota Sioux Nation waslast seen March 14 near thenorthern Alberta First Nation.

Sanderson, 37, is another in along string of missing andmurdered Indigenous womenand girls. At the same time herfamily went public with a pleafor help, the RCMP werereleasing the name of DeloresBrower, whose skeletal remainswere found April 19 nearRollyview, Alta. She had beenreported missing May 2005, lastseen in Edmonton in May 2004.Brower was the third Indigenouswoman to be located in that area.

Amber Tuccaro went missingin 2010; her remains were foundin 2012. Katie Sylvia Ballantynewas reported missing in April2003; her remains were recoveredJuly 2003. RCMP say the bodieswere within an eight-kilometreradius.

The investigations into theirdeaths remain open.

Figures recently released by theRCMP for 2013 and 2014 showlittle progress on the nationalfront as the rate of murders anddisappearances remains steady.Another 32 Aboriginal womenhave been murdered and 11more have disappeared. Thesenumbers are on top of the 1,181murdered and missingIndigenous women, which theRCMP tallied from 1980 to2012. These figures reflect casesin RCMP jurisdiction only.Indigenous women account forfour per cent of Canada’spopulation.

“The Assembly of First Nationshas been saying this all along, that

nothing has changed,” saidAlexis, who held the portfolio forjustice for the AFN. “The PrimeMinister continues to say ‘no’ toa public commission of inquiryand, painfully, our peoplecontinue to disappear and die. Inthe meantime, there’s no action.”

For years Aboriginal leadersand groups have been calling fora national inquiry into the issue.In June, the Truth andReconciliation Commissionincluded the need for a nationalinquiry among its 94recommendations. Theannouncement was made at theTRC’s wrap-up event in Ottawaand brought a room full of peopleto their feet – all but federalAboriginal Affairs MinisterBernard Valcourt.

The provinces are also on side,with the latest call coming fromAlberta Premier Rachel Notley.

“What more does the PrimeMinister need, really? Here you’vegot the territorial leaders andprovincial leaders telling thePrime Minister this is needed.Yet, he doesn’t want to,” saidAlexis.

That refusal was underscoredin a recent House of Commonsvote. On June 18, CarolynBennett, the Liberal PartyAboriginal affairs critic,introduced a private member billcalling for a national publicinquiry into the “ongoingtragedy” of missing andmurdered Indigenous womenand girls. The bill was defeatedwhen Conservative MPsunanimously voted against it.

“This epidemic of violencemust end and the Conservativegovernment — which claims tobe tough on crime and to standup for victims of crime — cannot

continue to ignore this ongoingtragedy,” said Bennett.

This lack of action by thefederal government has frustratedoutgoing Congress of AboriginalPeoples National Chief BettyAnn Lavallee.

“Our women continue to bemurdered and go missing at a ratethat would be unacceptable if itwere happening to any othergroup in the country, and yet thefederal government refuses to callan inquiry to determine the bestway forward,” said Lavallee.

Proponents for a nationalinquiry say it’s a necessary stepin order to determine the rootcauses behind violence againstIndigenous women and how toaddress them.

The RCMP stated in itsupdated report that it “remainedcommitted to ensuring thereduction and prevention of

Organizer Audrey Huntley of Silence No More at Toronto rally to honour Cindy Gladue in April, 2015.PHOTO: FILE

violence against Aboriginalwomen,” but it also said that theRCMP was just one of numerousorganizations that needed totackle the issue.

Alexis, a retired RCMP officer,agrees. He says all levels ofgovernment and theirdepartments, and thecommunity need to get involved.

A sobering statistic offered bythe RCMP indicated that theoffender was known to thewoman in all solved cases ofmurdered Indigenous women in2013-2014. That figure drops to93 per cent with non-Indigenouswomen. The common factorwith both groups is violencewithin the family relationship.

“We have to approach thisfrom a grassroots position, workfrom the ground up goingforward,” said Alexis. “Thecommunity has to rise up.”

A black and red affair in historyCanada and America are two

different countries, but withsimilar characteristics. One wasborn in violence and rebellion, amiddle finger extended to KingGeorge, while the other wasconceived in quiet negotiation,with probably a few ‘I’m sorrys”to Queen Victoria. Over theyears, these two step-siblings havegrown and manifested themselvesin new and different ways.

For one thing, America seemsobsessed with killing AfricanAmerican people. Whether we’retalking about Treyvon Marten inFlorida, Walter Scott in SouthCarolina, the guy sellingcigarettes in New York City, theincident in Ferguson, Missouri orthe recent Charleston Churchshooting, to name just a few,being a black man in America canbe hazardous to your life.

North of that imaginary border,being Native in Canada can alsobe hazardous to your health. Theonly real difference within the

tentacles of this country is,broadly speaking, it appearsCanada has a conscience… ofsorts. With spotty results,Canada, it would seem, isattempting to deal with itscompromised morality. To me, itseems like both countries act likethey are in an abusive relationshipwith members of its population.

America began its existencewith slavery and seems to be stilltaking its anger out on an entire

population of people who wereinstrumental in its creation.Today, the abuse still continuesin America, with one partneropting quite frequently tomistreat those seeking theAmerican Dream and finding anAmerican Nightmare. Truly adysfunctional relationship.

Not to be outdone, we inCanada have our own domesticdisputes to deal with. In the lastfew months there has been story

after story in the media dealingwith Native issues, and Canadiansociety’s attempt at coming togrips with past injustices.

In Canada, it’s more like acouple in counselling. A lot of badthings were done and said in thepast and they are currently intherapy dealing with the aftereffects. Case in point: the Truthand Reconciliation Commission’sreport, detailing the sadsummation of a hundred years offorced education in residentialschools… or could they be calledre-education camps?

Unfortunately, nobody reallyexpects this report to goanywhere, other than your locallibrary. When the report wastabled, Aboriginal AffairsMinister Bernard Valcourt visiblylooked like he would rather bethe guest of honour at aMohawk/Jesuit barbeque then toaccept the recommendations

There was also the Province ofManitoba’s recent apology for the

Sixties Scoop up, when Nativekids were taken away by theprovince and farmed out foradoption to non-Native families;the second salvo at destroyingNative culture through children.

Manitoba was the firstprovince to publicallyacknowledge the damage thispractice has and still does cause.Oddly enough, it was oftenreferred to as ‘AIM’ – AdoptIndian/Métis. Add this to thefederal government’s residentialschool apology and the stereotypeis true. Canadians do like to say“I’m sorry.”

Yet another NationalAboriginal Day (affectionatelyknown as NADs) has come andgone again, with muchgovernment funding provided tocelebrate those traditions thatonce were forbidden and illegal.Perhaps the largest collective caseof a passive/aggressive conditionknown to Canada.

THE URBANE INDIAN

Drew Hayden Taylor

(See Black on page 9.)


[ news ]

Continue to fill the space created by the TRCwith dialogueBy Debora SteelWindspeaker Contributor

VANCOUVER

Don’t wait for “the big homerun” or the “big solution” thatwill resolve Canada’s troubledrelationship with Aboriginalpeople. There are many things onthe journey of reconciliation thatare “doable” and everyone canexercise acts of reconciliation,said Hereditary Chief RobertJoseph.

Chief Joseph is theAmbassador for ReconciliationCanada and a member of theNational Assembly of FirstNations Elders Council. He wasformerly the executive director ofthe Indian Residential SchoolSurvivors Society and is anhonourary witness to Canada’sTruth and ReconciliationCommission.

He was addressing the BCAssembly of First Nations onJune 24 and called upon theprovincial arm of the Assemblyof First Nations to create aReconciliation Portfolio toensure implementation of theTRC report and the 94 calls toaction.

Joseph said there has neverbeen a better opportunity to pickup the tools of reconciliation andchallenge Canadians to treatIndigenous peoples as equal. Norhas there been a more importanttime to hold government’s feet tothe fire.

Joseph said there are a coupleof profound narratives that haveunfolded over the last year thatwill “bring about a change thatyou have never dreamed of

Chief Robert Joseph PHOTO: DEBORA STEEL

before.” The first is theexploration of truth by the TRC,and the second is the awarenessbrought by the Tsilhqot’in titledecision, the first SupremeCourt of Canada ruling of FirstNations title, delivered one yearago in June.

He said Canadians arebeginning to learn more aboutIndigenous peoples because ofthese two narratives.

Because of the TRC report,Joseph said there can be nodispute now about what FirstNations have been saying allalong about what happened inthose schools. Joseph said he hasspoken to many hundreds ofCanadians who said ‘I didn’tknow’ and have asked ‘Howcould it have happened?’

The words ‘cultural genocide’have shaken the country,’ he toldthe BCAFN delegates, makingpeople come to see that the kindand gentle country theyperceived Canada to be was notthe reality for first peoples. Heencouraged survivors to keeptelling their stories todemonstrate that it was culturalgenocide.

“We can help create a lens ofreconciliation,” said Joseph, byengaging Canadians,corporations, and industry tochange their attitudes, creatingnew allies, making them part ofthe struggle and the journey.

He said Indigenous peopleswill transform the soul andconscience of the country.

The BC-AFN is the startingplace for this kind of work,Joseph said, because it is veryprogressive. The chiefs, he said,can appreciate not only the past

By Sam LaskarisWindspeaker Contributor

WASHINGTON

The National FootballLeague’s Washington Redskinslost their latest legal fight, butthe team’s lengthy battle over theuse of its name, deemedoffensive by many, especiallyNative Americans, appears to befar from over.

The latest in the saga occurredon July 8, when a federal judgein the U.S. ruled to cancel theteam’s trademark name and logo.

The U.S. District Court forthe Eastern District of Virginiaruled the Washington teamname and logo may disparage

Native Americans.Brian Cladoosby, the

president of the NationalCongress of American Indians,welcomed the decision.

“It’s time to end the harmfullegacy of perpetuating raciststereotypes that in no way honorour diverse cultural heritage,”Cladsoosby said in a statement.“The federal courts haverecognized that the use of the R-word is offensive and degradingto our identity as Nativepeople.”

It did not take long, however,to realize this issue is far fromover. That’s because theWashington franchise issued astatement the same day.

“I am surprised by the judge’s

decision to prevent us frompresenting our evidence in anopen trial,” Bruce Allen, thepresident of the Washingtonsquad, said in a news release.“We look forward to winning anappeal after a fair and impartialreview of the case. We areconvinced that we will winbecause the facts and the law areon the side of our franchise thathas proudly used the nameRedskins for more than 80years.”

Last summer the U.S. Patentand Trademark Office AppealBoard voted 2-1 that theWashington team name wasineligible for federal trademarkprotection.

Afterwards the football

franchise filed its own lawsuitagainst five Native Americanactivists who led the chargeagainst its name and logo.

The latest ruling – considereda win for the activists and thoselooking for changes and a loss forthe football team – will notimmediately be put into effect.That’s because a final decisionwill not be made until all appealshave been made in federalcourts.

Native Americans have beenadvocating for more than 60years to have the team change itsname.

The franchise was establishedin 1932 and was originally calledthe Boston Braves. After one yearthe team changed its name to the

Boston Redskins.The organization relocated to

Washington in 1937 and hasbeen there ever since.

The franchise has won theSuper Bowl three times, in 1982,’87 and ’91.

Though the club has been inWashington since the late ‘30s,it wasn’t until 1967 theorganization registered its namewith the US Patent andTrademark Office. The franchiseregistered five other Redskinstrademarks, with variousletterings and logos, from 1974-90.

The club’s legal battle over itsname are nothing new. There hasbeen litigation over the use of itsname ongoing since 1992.

One in the win column, but battle goes on

victimization of the residentialschool era, but can look beyondthat into the future and not“soak” in that victimization.

Joseph, however, said he wantsthe national organization to alsoestablish a ReconciliationPortfolio.

He said there needs to be aneffort made now to keep a focuson the TRC report and theTsilhqot’in decision, otherwise hefears the dialogue and interestgenerated by these events will die.

Emcee Gwaans (BeverleyClifton-Percival) agreed that eachdelegate could choose to do one

small act of reconciliation everyday.

First Nations can provide a lotof guidance on how this countryneeds to be different, said DougWhite, former chief of theSnuneymuxw First Nation andcurrently serving as InterimDirector of the Centre for Pre-Confederation Treaties andReconciliation at VancouverIsland University. Such directionis an important part ofreconciliation, he said.

“We are in a time that isremarkably historical,” with theTRC opening up an important

new opportunity and space fordialogue, he said, and “it’s up tous now to fill that space.”

Chief Joseph holds twohonorary doctorates. The firstreceived was an honorary lawdegree from the University ofBritish Columbia in 2003, andin 2014 he was awarded anhonorary Doctorate of Divinityfrom the Vancouver School ofTheology for his work inreconciliation and renewingrelationships between Aboriginalpeoples and all Canadians. In2015, he was appointed to theOrder of British Columbia.

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[ news ]

By Shari NarineWindspeaker Contributor

OTTAWA

The appeal to the Daniels case,set to be heard by the SupremeCourt of Canada in October, isnot enough to keep Betty AnnLavallee from stepping down asthe national chief of the Congressof Aboriginal Peoples.

“It’ll be up to the next nationalchief to take the ball and runwith it,” said Lavallee, who feelsconfident she has done thenecessary preparation work tomake the next steps easier.

For well over a decade, CAP,with Lavallee at the helm forseven years (and as acting vice-chief the previous year), has beenpart of the charge to have Métisand non-status Indians includedunder section 91(24) of theConstitution Act, 1867.

With that inclusion, Métis andnon-status Indians would comeunder federal jurisdiction andfederal responsibility like statusIndians and Inuit. The case wentto trial in May 2011 and theruling, which came down inJanuary 2013, grantedrecognition to more than600,000 Métis and non-statusIndians. A series of appeals hasnow brought the case to theSupreme Court.

Harry Daniels, who the case isnamed for, served as nationalchief of CAP in two separateterms. CAP was also a plaintiffin the Daniels’ case. CAP wascreated in 1971 to promote therights and interests of off-reserveNatives, both status and non-status, as well as the Métis andthe southern Inuit of Labrador.

Lavallee says a positive courtdecision in the Daniels’ case willimplement section 35 rights forthose living off reserve and Métis.Section 35 rights would allownon-status communities to be

included in land title and landclaims negotiations; have theirharvesting rights acknowledgedand respected; and be consultedand accommodated in decisionsby governments affecting landand resources.

She also says such a win willpush the federal government ona national inquiry for murderedand missing women,employment opportunities forAboriginal people, and forceaction on the wide range ofrecommendations which camefrom the Truth andReconciliation Commission. Shesays she is frustrated with the“lack of progress” on Aboriginalissues.

Lavallee announced herintentions to resign in April. Inthe March board meeting, amotion calling for her removalwas introduced, but defeated.She says the motion has nothingto do with her decision.

Did she jump, or was she pushed? Lavellee resigns

“Sometimes you have to takepriority choices…. My familyhas been in Aboriginal politicssince 1996… it’s only fair that Igive back to them now,” she said.Health concerns for both herhusband and her aging parentshave contributed to Lavallee’sdecision.

Kim Beaudin, who introducedthe motion, says Lavallee wasforced to step down becausethere was widespread support forher resignation.

“At the time, I believed – andmost of the board believed – thatshe wasn’t really addressing themandate of the position as chiefor addressing the needs of the( p r o v i n c i a l / t e r r i t o r i a lorganizations [PTOs]) acrossCanada,” said Beaudin, who ispresident of the AboriginalAffairs Coalition ofSaskatchewan, one of eightp r o v i n c i a l / t e r r i t o r i a lorganizations that form CAP.

But Lavallee says two cross-country tours in the last twoyears have convinced her she hasthe confidence of themembership, despite whatBeaudin contends.

“You’re always going to getthose individuals that, no matterwhat you do or say, [are] notgoing to play ball. I think a lotof this is a result of the fact thatthe individual concerned hasalways felt that way from the dayI got elected,” she said.

Beaudin has led the chargeagainst Lavallee since 2012,almost annually introducingmotions and votes of non-confidence aimed at bringing herdown. He said he wasapproached by others tointroduce the motion this pastMarch. Lavallee took over fromPatrick Brazeau in 2009. As faras Beaudin is concerned, Lavalleehas not been following theboard’s directives, is not wellgrounded in the issues, and hasdone little to promote CAP asan advocate for off-reserve FirstNations and Métis people.

Lavallee says infighting isnever welcome, but does give anorganization an opportunity toreflect on leadership. She addsthat Beaudin’s constant criticismwas not a factor in herresignation.

“No, not at all. I mean, I wasin the military for 18-and-a-halfyears. I don’t run from a goodfight,” she said.

Lavallee says she has kept theorganization in a good placefinancially, despite continuedcuts in funding from the federalgovernment. As well, she hasbeen working towards gettingManitoba and Alberta back intoCAP. Winnipeg has the largest

urban Aboriginal population inthe country and Edmonton hasthe second largest, but Manitobahas not been part of CAP for thepast three years, while Albertahas been absent since 2005 or2006.

“We’re not there to balancebooks. We’re there to fight foroff-reserve Aboriginal peopleand it’s just not happening,”Beaudin said. “Being the chiefis almost like being the ministerfor Aboriginal Affairs. Youshould understand the issues.”

Beaudin wants to see CAPreturn to addressing grassrootissues, which include nationwiderepresentation in CAP; tacklingthe high rates of incarceration ofAboriginal peoples; and ensuringemployment opportunities.

Lavallee will continue until theannual general assembly Sept. 24to Sept. 26 in Ottawa, when herreplacement will be selected bydelegates from the eight PTOs.Each PTO is allowed 10delegates. Nomination papersneed to be filed 31 days prior tothe AGA. Already DwightDorey, of the Nova Scotia PTO,has put his name forward. Heserved as national chief from1999 to 2006. The interimnational chief will concludeLavallee’s term, serving for a year.Beaudin says he’s not interestedin the position right now, but isconsidering taking a run atnational chief in 2016. The fullterm is four years.

“Whoever the next nationalchief is… just like the othernational organizations and theirleadership, is going to have to betough and probably work very,very hard in order to move someof these (Aboriginal) issues,” saidLavallee.

PHOTO: CONGRESS OF ABORIGINAL PEOPLES

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[ news ]

Windspeaker News Briefs

Prime Minister Stephen Harper (right) meets with NellieTaptaqut Kusugak, the new Commissioner of Nunavut,in his Langevin office.

Dawn Lavell Harvard, Ph.D has been elected as the newpresident of the Native Women’s Association. The electionwas held at the 41st Annual General Assembly held inMontreal on July 11 and July 12 with about 80 Provincial/Territorial Member Associations casting ballots. Lavell Harvardbegins a three-year term. “I am extremely honoured to followthe amazing women and role models who were mypredecessors as presidents of NWAC. I look forward tocontinuing the work to ensure that Aboriginal women’s voicesare heard,” she told the gathering. Since 1974, NWAC’smandate has been to achieve equality for all Aboriginal womenin Canada. The organization was founded on the collectivegoal to enhance, promote, and foster the social, economic,cultural and political well-being of First Nations and Métiswomen within First Nation, Métis and Canadian societies.

The Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate change has approved a plan for Eagle’s Nest Mine, the firstmining project in the Ring of Fire. The decision comes threeyears after the proponent, Noront, made its first submissionon the project. Noront has worked over that time gaining“social license” for the project, meeting with First Nations fortheir support. The plan commits the company to supportingAboriginal knowledge and including it into environmentalplanning. While some nations have contributed to the plan,Ontario wants the company to include all 10 Matawa membernations.

The Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nationswants people to be aware of phony crowdfunding campaignsthat claim to support evacuees from Saskatchewan fires. “It’sunfortunate that in times like this, there are opportunists,”said Chief Kimberly Jonathan. She is aware of “many bogusaccounts” set up on the crowdfunding site GoFundMe.com.

Métis Elder Nora Cummings wants leaders of theMétis Nation—Saskatchewan to stop their bickering. “Ournation is broken. Our people are sad,” she said July 10 outsideSaskatoon Court of Queen’s Bench. Inside the courthouse,MNS President Robert Doucette was asking a judge to findother elected members of the Provincial Metis Council,including vice-president Gerald Morin, in contempt of court.Cummings said the organization had hit a new low. “The MÈtispeople of Saskatchewan are in crisis... The political disruptionthat has incapacitated our governance organization has goneon long enough.” MNS represents about 100,000Saskatchewan people, but its offices were shuttered in March,funding cut and with a leadership dispute with no end in sight.The MNS lost its $416,000 annual federal operating grant inOctober 2014, after warring leadership stymied attempts tohold province-wide legislative assemblies since 2010, despiteits own constitution requiring two assemblies a year.

T’exelc and Xatsull First Nations are disappointed that B.C. has allowed the Mount Polley mine to partly restart aftera monumental breach of its tailing pond last summer. Millionsof cubic metres of water and toxic metal waste poured intothe Quesnel Lake watershed. Allowing Imperial Metals’ goldand copper mine to reopen ignores First Nations concernsand puts other communities at risk, spokespeople told theVancouver Sun. The mine will restart at half capacity. “Istrongly feel they are not listening. We had a team of expertsworking on our behalf. They continually put forth our concerns,and I don’t see any long-term plans (to address thoseconcerns),” said T’exelc (Williams Lake) First Nation chiefAnn Louie.

Apologies only first step onroad to better relationsBy Shari NarineWindspeaker Contributor

WINNIPEG

Larry Loyie and LynnThompson feel differently aboutthe words spoken in the apologyby their home provinces’premiers. But what they do agreeon is that the words are only asstrong as the actions that followthem.

On June 18, ManitobaPremier Greg Selingerapologized to families impactedby the Sixties Scoop and becamethe first province to issue suchan acknowledgement.

“Today, as premier, I wouldlike to apologize on behalf of theProvince of Manitoba for theSixties Scoop,” he said. “It was apractice that has leftintergenerational scars andcultural loss. With these wordsof apology and regret, I hope allCanadians will join me inrecognizing this historicinjustice. I hope they will joinme in acknowledging the painand suffering of the thousandsof children who were taken fromtheir homes.”

Her two sisters andThompson, at age three, weretaken from their home on thePine Creek First Nation inManitoba. What ensued forThompson were 25 foster homesin Ontario and Manitoba by thetime she was eight years old andtwo failed adoption attempts.Eventually, she settled in aGerman Mennonite communityin Manitoba.

On June 22, Alberta PremierRachel Notley became the firstprovincial leader to issue anapology to residential schoolsurvivors. In a moving statementread at the Alberta Legislature,with First Nations leaders andmembers sitting in the gallery,Notley said, “As our first step, wewant the First Nation, Métis andInuit people of Alberta to knowthat we deeply regret theprofound harm and damage thatoccurred to generations ofchildren forced to attendresidential schools. Although theProvince of Alberta did not

establish this system, members ofthis Chamber did not take astand against it. For this silence,we apologize.”

Loyie is an Indian residentialschool survivor. He was taken atthe age of nine to attend St.Bernard residential school inGrouard, Alta., where he stayedfor six years. The Truth andReconciliation Commission hasidentified 12,000 survivors inAlberta, which was home to 25residential schools.

Thompson says Selinger’sactions are a “good step forward.I was pleased with it. We didn’teven have to have an inquiry forhim to apologize.”

But Loyie isn’t as accepting ofNotley’s words.

“(The apology) means nothingto me if it’s coming from aperson I don’t know, a politician,who thinks she’s doingsomething good and in fact isnot doing anything good if shedoesn’t move on something thatcould rectify what we, aschildren, went through,” he said.

Although they were indifferent situations, Thompsonand Loyie both experiencedabuse and loneliness, and werestripped of their culture andlanguage.

It is estimated that 20,000children were apprehended inthe 1960s through to the 1980s.The “Sixties Scoop,” as thisbecame known by because themajority of children were takenin the first decade, was ag o v e r n m e n t - s a n c t i o n e dprogram entitled Adopt Indian/Metis children. Aboriginalchildren were placed in fosterhomes throughout Canada andthe United States. Seventy percent of those children were putin non-Aboriginal homes.

Indian residential schoolsoperated for 130 years with150,000 Aboriginal childrenspanning seven generationstaken from their homes. Indianresidential schools were thefocus of the six years’ worth ofwork undertaken by the Truthand ReconciliationCommission. The TRC was partof a broader settlementagreement that came about

through a court ruling.Sixties Scoop children are

pursuing court action.Thompson is one of two womennamed in a class action lawsuitagainst the federal governmentlaunched in 2011 in the Courtof Queen’s Bench in Regina.Court action filed in Ontariowas certified this June as a classaction.

As a follow-up to Selinger’sapology, Grand Chief DavidHarper of ManitobaKeewatinowi Okimakanak ispushing for the formation of acommission, while ManitobaMétis Federation PresidentDavid Chartrand wants to see aplan put in place to reunitefamilies.

In Saskatchewan, PremierBrad Wall says his governmentis working toward delivering aformal apology to ‘Sixties Scoopsurvivors.

Thompson, who has lived inSaskatchewan for close to 15years, is pleased with theannouncement. But she wouldalso like to see financialcompensation for survivors,something Wall says will not behappening.

In Alberta, chiefs haveresponded favourably toNotley’s apology.

“I was very moved andtouched by the words thepremier made. I spent nine yearsin residential school and I knowwhat it is to be in residentialschool. And I experienced all theabuse that you can think of andI was a survivor,” said SiksikaNation Chief Vincent YellowOld Woman, who was inattendance for the apology.

Notley’s apology was followeda few days later by anannouncement that theprovince was partnering withthe Siksika Nation and theAlberta First Nations-ownedIndian Business Corp. to make$2.7 million available to SiksikaNation members to create anddevelop business opportunities.The province is contributing$700,000.

“We’re living in times that weneed to work together,” saidYellow Old Woman.

Then there’s the almostuniversal call for a nationalinquiry into the 1,200 murderedand missing Aboriginal women.That is all except for a select fewinfluential, well educated,affluent white men of power,looking down at us from the top.

Prime Minister StephenHarper continues to maintainthat this situation is more of acriminal issue, not so much asocial one in dire need ofinvestigation. The irony herebeing is, that when you have1,200 Native women doing the

same thing collectively, it wouldnormally immediately getresearched and studied by awhole plethora of sociologistsand academics as an importantsocial trend.

A good reason why economistpoliticians should never becomecops.

Next on the list of past assaultanniversaries to becommemorated was July 11.This was the 25th anniversaryof Oka, or more accurately,Kahnasatake.

It’s estimated that half theNative population is under 25.

So almost 50 per cent ofCanada’s Aboriginal populationwasn’t born when this happened.Sometimes kids never knowwhat their parents used to do.So, even though we have allthese “I’m sorrys”, there is still alot of work to do.

As in any abusive relationship,an apology is a good beginning,but it’s not the end. Anybodycan say they are sorry. It’s whatyou do to follow up on thataction that shows real healing.

I don’t think anybody wants adivorce.

(Continued from page 6.)

A black and red affair in history


[ news ]

By Windspeaker Staff

North Saanich, B.C.

The 39th annual BC EldersGathering, hosted by the TsawoutFirst Nation and the WSÁNECElders of North Saanich, attractedabout 4,000 participants to thePanorama Centre on the SaanichPeninsula July 7 to July 9.

Grand Entry of the Elders whoattended was held in the centre’smassive indoor tennis courtsbuilding, and it was still too smallto hold everyone who wanted toattend opening day. Televisionswere set up in the dining hall (aconverted arena) when the mainhall reached capacity so peoplecould watch the openingceremonies from there.

Grand Entry was led by theschool children of the SencotenImmersion program, thegathering’s King and Queen,Doug and Kathy LaFortune, anddignitaries from the four nationsof the Saanich territories, plusprovincial, federal and FirstNations officials.

In attendance for the openingwas Elizabeth May, leader of theGreen Party of Canada and MPfor Saanich-Gulf Islands, GrandChief Stewart Phillip, presidentof the Union of B.C. IndianChiefs, former Assembly of FirstNations national chief PhilFontaine, Aboriginal Relationsand Reconciliation Minister JohnRustad and a delegation fromMalaysia, dressed in theirtraditional regalia.

Elders from each BC Nationthat sent representation to thegathering lined up outside themain hall behind banners withtheir nations’ names on them.Called into the hall alphabetically,each nation sang and drummed,walking past the main stage wherethe host nation delegates heldtheir hands high to greet them.Elders joyously greeted friendsand shook strangers’ hands alongthe way.

Once settled, the children ofthe immersion program sangsongs, the first composed by thewomen singers that said ‘glad tosee each and every one of you.’They also sang a prayer song thattalked about the mountains,ocean and salmon and how sacredthey are.

Co-emcee Ian Sam said “I amamazed at how many Elders wehave here today. Welcome,welcome to our territory… Hopeyou feel at home.”

Each of the chiefs of the fourSaanich nations spoke to thegathering. Chief HarveyUnderwood said he was feelingoverwhelmed. “I value each andevery one of you and what youcarry.” He said he welcomed theinsight, love, wisdom and goodhumor of the Elders. He hopedthe three days of the gatheringwould be “refreshing and life-giving.”

King Doug LaFortune, a carverof considerable note, said he was

“amazed” by the event. Despitebeing named king, he had neverbefore been to an EldersGathering. Not because he didn’twant to, but because summer wasa very busy time for all carvers,he said. He hadn’t really thoughtof himself as an Elder. “It justsnuck up on me,” he joked. Hechoked up talking about thechildren leading the Elders intothe gathering, and how happy hewas to have his own children andgrandchildren at his side.

Queen Kathy said she too was“amazed” at the turnout. “Itwarms my heart.” She saidAboriginal Elders had comethrough a lot of adversity—residential schools and being puton reserves in the first place—butthey remained “strong andbeautiful people… I take pride inthat.”

Happy faces, hugs and handshakes the mainstayof Elders Gathering

Children of the Sencoten Immersion program sing a prayer song to welcome the participants of the 39th annual BC EldersGathering, hosted by Tsawout First Nation.

PHOTO: WINDSPEAKER STAFF

Host Nation Tsawout and delegates raise their hands in welcome as participants of the 39th annual BC Elders Gatheringstreamed past the main stage during Grand Entry July 7.

Blossom Stevens of the Gitmaxmak’ay Nisga’a Elders is “OneHot Elder!”. She and her fan was part of the Grand Entryprocession to open the 39th annual BC Elders Gathering.

Chief Vern Jacks thankedeveryone for coming and told theElders “I love you.” He said wevalued both the youth and theElders and was glad to see somenon-Native people in the room.“You have a lot to learn about us,”he said.

Asked Chief Don Tom “It’s agreat day to be alive, isn’t it?”Chief Rebecca Harris thanked allthe wonderful volunteers, about500 she estimated.

The gathering included timefor visiting and making newfriends, a wide variety ofworkshops and presentations,health assessment andentertainment, includingtraditional songs and dances,contemporary singers like GeorgeLeach, and an Elvis impersonator.

Next year’s event will be heldin Williams Lake.


[ news ]

By David P. BallWindspeaker Contributor

WINNIPEG

Clad in woodland camouflagepants, black shirt and NativePride cap, Daryl Redsky stoopsdown on the gravel roadspanning the Manitoba-Ontarioboundary and lets out an excitedshout as the wind picks up alongwhat his First Nation has dubbed“Freedom Road.”

It’s the embryo of what he andothers in Shoal Lake 40 hope arethe isolated reserve’s long-dreamtlink to the outside world, andmost importantly to cleandrinking water after nearly twodecades under a boil-wateradvisory, despite sitting atop theCity of Winnipeg’s tap water.

With roadworks soon poisedto reach the reserve lands, there’sno plan to stop there, nor to waitfor the federal government tocome to the table.

Redsky, the band’sconsultation coordinator,searches through the misshapengrey stones before he picks uptwo rocks from the road: Onewhite quartz, the other lacedwith glittery pyrite. Fool’s Gold.

“At night when you rub thosetwo rocks together, they spark,”he muses. “Nice and bright.”

Shoal Lake 40 First Nation’sbattle to access clean drinkingwater has now sparked anambitious $10-millionfundraiser on the Internet byWinnipeg residents outragedafter the federal governmentrefused to chip in one-third ofthe road’s $30 millionconstruction costs.

Rick Harp, a Winnipegger ofCree descent, was upset after aJune 25 visit by Canada’s naturalresources and northern Ontariodevelopment minister, GregRickford, failed to yield anythingmore than the $1 million alreadypromised last year towards theroad’s design costs.

That caused several residents toopenly weep in front of reporters,holding up signs threateningplans to expand the TransCanadaHighway only 28 km northwest.“No Road for Us, No Road forYou,” read one sign held up by alocal child.

“Just seeing some of the imagesof people of all ages in Shoal Lake40 basically giving up hope andquestioning their relationship toCanada—in the wake of the

recent Truth and ReconciliationCommission report—justseemed like a golden opportunityfor Winnipeg to step up,” Harpsaid.

As of July 13, Harp’s onlinecrowdfunding campaign hasalready netted more than$70,000 in pledges from 650donors. It’s an all-or-nothingeffort that will only see moneychange hands if the full $10million is reached by the end ofAugust.

But Rickford dodgedreporters’ questions during thevisit, which saw Winnipeg andManitoba break ground for apermanent bridge they’refunding that will form a crucialpart of the Freedom Road.

“Our government is pleased towork with Shoal Lake No. 40First Nation and our otherpartners on the design of theFreedom Road project,”Rickford said in a press release.“This initiative will help improvethe economic conditions of FirstNation community members byproviding all-weather road accessto the Trans-Canada Highwaythrough Manitoba.”

Shoal Lake 40 First Nation’swater problems began a century

ago when the City of Winnipegdisplaced the band from itshistoric village site to build itsdrinking water intake. Thecommunity was relocated ontoa peninsula jutting out intoShoal Lake.

But the engineers knew thewater was contaminated withtannins, compounds that can bedangerous if mixed with thechlorine with which theyplanned to treat the water. Sothey built a dyke and canal todivert the polluted water awayfrom Winnipeg’s source, andinto Shoal Lake First Nation—dividing the reserve in two andcreating a manmade islanddivorced from their own reserve.

Freedom Road would rejointhe two parts of Shoal Lake 40,cross over Winnipeg’swaterworks railway tracks andaqueduct, and meet theTransCanada Highway 28 km tothe northwest.

Harp said he is shocked thatmany First Nations acrossCanada don’t have cleandrinking water in 2015, in oneof the world’s most developedcountries.

“How can this be, in 2015 inCanada?” Harp said. “There’s a

Winnipegger launches $10 million fundraiserfor water-deprived First Nation

core injustice there. Who paidthe price for that water?

“A lot hangs in the balancewhen it comes to this road, newhope for the future … I’mhoping that once [people] know,they act—not simply in terms ofthis crowdfunder, but pressuringall levels of government,including the federalgovernment, to do right by ShoalLake 40 and honour the sourceof Winnipeg’s water.”

For Daryl Redsky, the roadisn’t just a way of accessing jobs,clean water and emergencyservices, however. It’s alsobecome a symbol of hope forlocals after decades offrustration. He said he lovesbringing community elders tovisit the band’s new gravel quarryand see locals working togetheron a project that will benefitresidents for generations tocome.

“Bringing them out here givesme a good feeling because I sharetheir happiness, their sense ofsomething getting done and away of getting out finally,” hesaid. Even if construction hasreached just halfway to theTransCanada Highway, “Wehave never got this far before.”

PHOTO: DAVID P. BALLDaryl Redsky excited about the possibilities


A BC Hydro Media Relationspress release July 7 says a newpoll finds growing support forthe Site C hydro-electric damproject on the Peace River thatwill flood a large area of thePeace River Valley in theprovince’s northeast. It says 59per cent support and 22 percent can accept Site C. Thoseopposed total 17 per cent. B.C.has approved the $8.8 billiondam, despite lawsuitsproceeding through the courtsagainst the project. Province-wide awareness of Site C hasincreased to 75 per cent ofBritish Columbians, reads thesurvey. The telephone poll of1,038 people took place fromJune 10 to 19.

On July 9, the Chiefs-in-Assembly at the Assembly ofFirst Nations Annual GeneralMeeting in Montreal passed“Emergency AFN Resolution39/2015, Site C HydroelectricDam on the Peace River.” Itcalls on the provincial andfederal governments toimmediately cease proceedingwith the proposed Site C Damproject, even thoughenvironmental approvals andpermits have been issued.

Treaty 8 First Nations haveapplied for judicial review of theproject, stating the proposedSite C project infringes on thetreaty rights of the Treaty 8 FirstNations. The Federal Appealbegins the week of July 20.

The B.C. government and

the physical activities that hadtaken place at the project site,”said Polak. “While it is clear thatsome construction has started,I was not convinced that thephysical activity undertaken asof Oct. 12, 2014, meets thethreshold of a substantiallystarted project.”

The ‘Namgis First Nation isdipping into B.C.’s FirstNations Clean EnergyBusiness Fundfor dollars to support an equityinvestment in the Kokish Riverrun-of-river hydro-electricproject, located on northeasternVancouver Island, about 15kilometres east of Port McNeill.‘Namgis will own 25 per cent ofthe hydro facility, and BrookfieldRenewable will hold 75 percent. The $400,000 in fundingsupports the equity investmentby the ‘Namgis in the 45-megawatt run-of-the-riverhydroelectric development,which is located in ‘Namgistraditional territory. The hydrofacility is designed to generateenough electricity to power13,000 homes.

The Nations of the Naut’saMawt Tribal Councilwill develop community energyplans to manage energyconsumption and developstrategies for future cleanenergy projects. The tribalcouncil provides services to 11

BC Hydro have ignored therequests of the Treaty 8 Nationsto put construction on hold untilthe outcomes of the courtproceedings are known, read apress statement from the Unionof British Columbia IndianChiefs. “Site C will destroy andflood over 5,000 hectares ofTreaty 8 First Nation territories.

Site C is a threat to Treaty8 First Nations’ ability toexercise their constitutionally-protected Treaty and Aboriginalrights and will leave anirreversible and irrevocablewound on the land,” said ChiefJudy Wilson of NeskonlithIndian Band, who presentedand moved the resolution.

“These premeditatedactions will forever affect BC’sinteractions with First Nations.”Earlier in July, the GreaterVancouver Regional District(Metro Vancouver) called for atwo-year moratorium onconstruction of Site C. On July3, the president of UBCIC,Chief Stewart Phillip, made apresentation to MetroVancouver. “If constructionbegins on Site C, it will be anobvious message that thisgovernment has deliberatelyignored constitutionally-protected Aboriginal Title,Rights, and Treaty Rights. TheBC government is hoping eitherTreaty 8 First Nations expendall of their energy and meansto defend their territories in thecourts or concede their rights

for agreements that minimizesany benefits to Treaty 8 FirstNations and absolves thegovernment of any and allliabilities. UBCIC will alwayssupport Treaty 8 First Nationsand, if necessary, I personallypledge that I will stand with thepeoples of Treaty 8 and of thePeace Valley in front ofbulldozers and dump trucks toprevent this project fromproceeding.”

The EnvironmentalAssessment Certificatefor Jumbo Glacier Resort hasexpired. In June, BritishColumbia’s environmentminister Mary Polak saiddevelopers of the billion-dollarski resort on top of a mountainin the East Kootenay region—challenged in court by theKtunaxa Nation—will have to“start from scratch.” In 2010, theKtunaxa Nation delivered theQat’muk Declaration to thelegislature in Victoria protestingconstruction on Jumbo. It ishome of the grizzly bear spirit.The declaration outlines thespiritual significance of Qat’mukand Ktunaxa sovereignty overthe territory. The firstenvironmental certificate forJumbo Resort was given in2004, then extended in 2009with an expiry date of Oct. 12,2014, with a proviso that theproject must be “substantiallystarted” by that time. “In makingmy decision, I had focused on

First Nations in the areas of theStrait of Georgia and Strait ofJuan de Fuca, and will receive$80,000 through the FirstNations Clean Energy BusinessFund to develop the plans. It’shoped the plans will raiseawareness about currentenergy consumption patterns,energy resources andinfrastructure, as well as futureenergy needs. “Our membernations are keenly interested inexploring opportunities toconserve resources andproduce clean energy,” saidGary Reith, chief administrativeofficer of the Naut’sa mawtTribal Council.

The Kwolwasut’inuxwHaxwa’mis First Nation onVancouver Islandis also creating a communityenergy plan to find ways toimprove energy efficiency andidentify clean energyopportunities and reducereliance on fossil fuels. Thenation will receive $30,000through the First Nations CleanEnergy Business Fund. Theremote community is “off-grid”and not connected to the BCHydro system. Its locationincreases the cost of food andfuel and the communitycurrently relies on propane gasfor electricity and heat. The highcost of powering thecommunity’s infrastructure alsolimits opportunities foreconomic development.








Thousands march for jobs,justice and the climate

Days after more than 10,000people marched throughToronto, in part, to mark a needfor action on climate, Ontarioand 21 other states and regionssigned the first-ever Pan-American action statement onclimate change. The ClimateAction Statement highlights theurgency of combatting climatechange, affirms that state,provincial and municipalgovernments are leaders inachieving impactful globalclimate action, andacknowledges the need to worktogether to continue reducinggreenhouse gas pollution. OnJuly 5, on the eve of the PanAmerican Climate andEconomic Summits, marcherscalled on the country’s leadersto embrace an economicagenda that prioritized jobs,justice, and the climate. Fourdifferent contingents in themarch— First Nations,students, workers from nationallabour unions, and migrants—visually depicted whatCanada’s new economy shouldlook like. “I am coming toToronto to stand with FirstNations, workers, and thepowerful movement buildingsolutions to the climate crisis.Indigenous people have beendefending the land forcenturies. They are on the frontlines of climate change andfossil fuel extraction, but they’realso showing us that realsolutions are within our grasp ifwe have the courage to reachfor them,” said Jane Fonda, oneof many celebrities to join thecause. “When the workers inthe oil and gas industrythemselves are calling on theirgovernment to help them find

cleaner jobs that don’t burn theplanet, you know we’re readyfor change.”

Mercury levels at highthreshold

A newly-releasedgovernment-commissionedreport says mercury levels inthe sediment of GrassyNarrows’ Wabigoon Riverremain up to 20 times abovenatural levels, while fish are upto 15 times above consumptionguideline levels. These findingsplace the river above thefrequent adverse effects level—the highest risk threshold usedby Environment Canada totrigger remediation in the St.Lawrence environmental riskassessment. The cause forenvironmental health concernwas the result of 9,000 kg ofmercury being dumped by apaper mill upstream in the1960s. “When we shared ourland and water we expected itto be kept pristine, but theyhave failed and destroyed ourculture as a result,” said ChiefRoger Fobister Sr. “We wantthat mercury cleaned up. Thereis no way around it because itis a sacred trust to take care ofour land.” The report finds thatin Ball Lake, close to GrassyNarrows, the mercuryconcentration in the surfacesediment is higher in mercurynow than it was in the 1970s.The report warns that all otherdownstream basins have thepotential to increase over timeto a level above which adversebiological effects are expectedand an in depth analysis ofremediation options is needed.The report was completed inDecember 2014, but keptconfidential until its author,Patricia Sellers, could present

the report to the community inGrassy Narrows on June 12.

New political accord to guiderelationship with province

The Chiefs of Ontario andthe Government of Ontariohave agreed to a politicalaccord that will guide therelationship between FirstNations and the province. Theaccord recognizes First Nationshave an inherent right to self-government and commits theprovince and the Chiefs ofOntario to work together onshared priorities that improvethe lives of First Nations people.The accord states, in part, that“the First Nations and Ontariorecognize the importance ofstrong First Nationsgovernments in achieving abetter quality of life for FirstNations and creating a betterfuture for First Nations childrenand youth.” It commitsleadership on both sides tomeet twice annually andaddress agenda items thathave been developedcollaboratively. The politicalaccord will be signed at a laterdate by First Nations leadersand Premier Kathleen Wynne.

Day elected new AFN RegionalChief

Serpent River First NationChief Isadore Day beat out twoothers to become the newRegional Chief for Ontario forthe Assembly of First Nations.Day defeated Kettle and StonyPoint First Nation Chief TomBressette, and Randall Phillipsof the Oneida Nation of theThames. Day didn’t wait longbefore taking action. He calledon Canada and Ontario to workwith First Nation leaders toimplement the Water

Declaration of the

Anishinaabek, Mushkegowuk,

and Onkwehone to protect theGreat Lakes. The declaration,written in 2008, provides aframework to support FirstNations environmentalaspirations throughcollaboration, Indigenousleadership, and First Nationsceremonies. AFN NationalChief Perry Bellegarde saidDay had been a “strong voicefor First Nations rights andtraditions.” Ontario PremierKathleen Wynne congratulatedDay on his new position,stating, “The Ontariogovernment is committed tocontinuing to build positiverelationships with First Nationsand to work in a spirit of mutualrespect and collaboration.” Dayreplaces Stan Beardy whobecame regional chief in June2012.

CCAB studies Aboriginaleconomic developmentcorporations

The latest Canadian Councilfor Aboriginal Businessresearch report, Community &Commerce Ontario, finds thatcommunity-owned corporationsare a growing trend withinAboriginal economicdevelopment, increasinglycreating wealth for both theircommunities and their non-Aboriginal neighbours. Thestrengths of AEDCs, which arecommunity-owned businessesset up as corporations at arm’slength from chief and council,are their ability to adapt tocommunity needs. They getFirst Nations, Inuit and Métispeoples to articulate theireconomic goals, as well assending a clear signal tobusiness Canada that an

Aboriginal community is opento development that reflectstheir values and needs.Aboriginal communitymembers are generally theshareholders and ultimatebeneficiaries of the AEDCssuccess. The report confirmsthe importance of sustainabilityrecognizing the three pillars: theland, the people and theeconomy.

Filmmaker engaged incrowdfunding to saveinstitute

Filmmaker, actor, anddirector Shirley Cheechoo hasturned to online fundraising tokeep her Weengushk FilmInstitute afloat after beingturned down by band officesand government. Cheechoo,known for her films Johnny

Tootall and Moose River

Crossing, says she has seenmany troubled youth turn theirlives around after studying atthe non-profit training instituteon Manitoulin Island. “Whilethey are making a film, they arelearning how to read, write, domath, leadership, how to dotheir resumes, and how to workas a team,” said Cheechoo. “Sothey can move from where theyare to a better life, and a betterfuture.” In an effort to save theschool, Cheechoo sent 600letters to band councils acrossthe country asking for $250each annually and only gotthree responses. She saysbands don’t want to fund theWeegushk Film Institutebecause it doesn’t give outofficial certification. She iscurrently crowdfunding to helpcover the costs of rent,electricity and internet at theinstitute.

Compiled by Shari Narine


Australian Indigenous leaderslearn from tar sands battle

Delegates from two Indigenoustribes fighting the development ofthe world’s second-largest coalmine on ancestral lands inAustralia recently met withnorthern First Nations’ leaders inAlberta to discuss similar strugglesagainst oil sands development. The$16.5-billion Carmichael coalmine, proposed by Indianconglomerate Adani, would bringroads; a new town with coal-firedelectricity; a fly-in, fly-outworkforce; and a rail line to theancestral lands of the Wangan andJagalingou people in centralQueensland in northeast Australia.The company’s offer ofcompensation for loss of propertyhas been turned down by the tribes.“We’re fighting the same issues,fighting the same people, fightingthe same companies, fighting thefossil fuel industry, fighting ourgovernments to say this is not ok.We will not consent. We have notconsented. And our right to eithergive or withhold consent is beingoppressed,” Australian Indigenousleader Murrawah Johnson, whorepresented the youth of theWangan and Jagalingou tribes,told APTN News.

Canadian government awareof oil sands environmentalissues

A document obtained underCanada’s access-to-informationlaw shows that the Canadiangovernment was aware thatcontaminant levels exceededguidelines, higher-than-expectedatmospheric concentrations ofchemicals, and a lack of regionalspecies such as marten and fisher,in the Alberta oil sands. TheJanuary 2015 briefing note,prepared for Natural ResourcesMinister Greg Rickford, discussedfindings from a tar sandsmonitoring report published inDecember 2014. Whilehighlighting issues withcontaminants and species at risk,the briefing note did not directlylink environmental impacts to theoil sands, saying that “oil-sands-related pollutants in theenvironment are generally not atconcentrations that give cause forconcern.” First Nations andenvironmentalists have raisedconcerns for years and havecriticized oil-sands projects forseepage and leakage of chemicalsfrom tailings ponds, affectingcommunities downstream.

Dickson not guilty of importingcigarettes to Montana FirstNation

In June, a provincial court foundRobbie Dickson, president ofRainbow Tobacco G.P., not guiltyof importing millions of cigaretteswithout a licence for resale on theMontana First Nation. However,he was convicted of two othercharges under the Tobacco Tax Actfor possessing tobacco not markedfor tax sale and for having morethan 1,000 cigarettes. Whether hewill be sentenced on those twocharges will depend on the results

of a constitutional challenge thatDickson has filed. Dickson wascharged in 2011 after the AlbertaGaming and Liquor Commissionand the RCMP seized almost 16million cigarettes from awarehouse on the reserve. TheAlberta government said at thetime that it would lose $3 millionin tax revenue if the “contraband”cigarettes were sold. Courtdocuments say the cigarettes wereproduced by Rainbow Tobacco onthe Kahnawake reserve in Quebecand shipped to the Montana FirstNation. Charges against CarolynBuffalo, Chief of the MontanaFirst Nation in 2011, were stayed.A lawsuit filed in 2011 byRainbow Tobacco and theMontana First Nation against theAGLC sought damages and thereturn of the seized cigarettes, butthe claim was dismissed. RainbowTobacco is located on KahnawakeMohawk territory in Quebec.

New funding for Métisstudents at Lakeland College

Lakeland College hasestablished a special purpose fund

for awards for Métis students.Funding from the Métis EducationFoundation of $130,000 inbursaries and awards will allow forthe distribution each year of twoto four awards worth between$2,500 and $3,500. To qualify forthe awards, students must be ofMétis heritage, Canadian citizens,and have a specified grade pointaverage. The funding will helpstudents who have to deal withstudent loans or have to work part-time jobs in order to cover the costof their education. The agreementwill go into effect for theupcoming academic year and isexpected to last for the next 15years. Of the 1,900 students thatwere at Lakeland College last year,130 were self-declared and studiedin various fields such asfirefighting, ag business,environmental sciences, andpractical nurse programming.

Opportunity for tradesemployment for Paul Nationyouth

Through an Aboriginal YouthCareer Initiative in Trades and

related career opportunities, as co-ordinated by CAREERS: TheNext Generation and TransAlta,Paul Band students in Grades 10through 12 will have a chance foremployment starting in July withTransAlta. In this program,students will go through anapplication and interview processfor a six-week employmentperiod. At the end of the summer,students will have the chance tocontinue on as a TransAltaemployee, enrolled in theprovince-wide RAP program,earning high school credits, hourstowards an apprenticeship and anhourly wage. “Our goal is to havea positive impact on thecommunities around us,” saidDarren McCrank, TransAlta’sdirector of Alberta coal services.Employment in other departments,including human resources,finance and communications, willbe considered.

Smoking cessation programkicks off

Ekaya Pihtwaw, a tobaccocessation project launched by the

Samson Cree Nation, aims toprevent the use of tobacco amongyoung people and adults; protectfrom exposure to second handtobacco smoke; promote cessationamong smokers; and provideeducation and support to thosewho smoke to help them quit.Ekaya Pihtwaw is working withthe First Nation communities ofSamson, Montana, Louis Bull,Ermineskin and Pigeon Lake.Between February and April of2015, a survey conducted by theproject of 839 adults and 52 youthdetermined that 45 per cent of theadult population smoked daily and28 per cent smoked occasionallywhile 13 per cent of the youth(under 18) smoked daily and 22per cent smoked occasionally. Aswell, 55 per cent of the currentadult smokers started smokingwhen they were between the agesof 13 and 16 years, so a priority ofthe project is to focus onprevention activities for childrenand youth. Ekaya Pihtwaw isfunded by the First Nation andInuit Health, Federal TobaccoControl Strategy.


Manitoba Pipestone: Special Section providing news from ManitobaEvacuated Red Sucker Lakeresidents return home

Red Sucker Lake residentswere flown home on June 30following three nights at aWinnipeg hotel after beingevacuated on the weekend ofJune 27 for safety reasons dueto the proximity of fires to theircommunity. Fire crews fromManitoba Conservation andWater Stewardshipsuccessfully battled a blaze thatcame within one kilometre ofthe residences. Most of thecommunity of about 800remained in their homes. The232 individuals evacuated weremainly children, elderly peopleand those with medicalconditions, ranked by priorityaccording to information fromhealth authorities and thecommunity itself. Lodging forthe group was paid for by thefederal government whileexpenses for basics like food,clothing, diapers, laundryfacilities and medical care werecovered in partnership by theRed Cross, Health Canada andthe Winnipeg Regional HealthAuthority.

Lawsuit filed against oilcompany, province

Gamblers First Nation issuing Tundra Oil & GasPartnership and the Province ofManitoba, which licensed thecompany’s drilling on land nextto the First Nation reserve.Gamblers is asking Court ofQueen’s Bench for an order toquash the licences for the oilwells and provide

compensation for oil that wasextracted from the ground nearthe reserve. Gamblers ChiefDavid LeDoux said he invitedthe company to Gamblers’ landto do exploration work with thebelief the company would shareits findings with the First Nationpeople and make them partnersin oil wells with Tundra. But thatdidn’t happen. In its statementof claim, Gamblers First Nationsaid Tundra drilled on landoutside of the First Nation,which is considered traditionalterritory by the reserve, and thatits people continue to holdAboriginal title to that land. Theclaim alleges that when Tundrabegan extracting oil in 2014from the adjacent land, itdiminished the oil availableunder the reserve lands withoutproviding compensation to theGambler people. Gamblers’lawsuit alleges the province hadan obligation to consult withGamblers before grantinglicences to Tundra, but did notdo so. Tundra CEO KenNeufeld said his companyfollowed all provincialregulations in locating its wellsand the province said no oilunderlying Gamblers reserveland has been depleted byoffsetting oil wells, all of whichhave been licensed accordingto Manitoba’s Oil and Gas Act.

Beaudin receives Order ofManitoba

Karen Beaudin, 56, hasbeen awarded the Order ofManitoba. Beaudin, acommunity resource co-

ordinator for the City ofWinnipeg, received her awardfor increasing support,understanding, and respect forIndigenous people in theworkforce. Holding threedegrees and two certificates,Beaudin has been employed asa community developmentworker in Winnipeg’s inner cityand as an outreach worker inthe Aboriginal community inrespect to employment. “BeingMétis, you just want to getpeople more involved and seethe opportunities that are outthere and encourage them tostay in school and go on to post-secondary. There areopportunities out there,” shesaid. Beaudin has also sat onthe Métis Child, Family andCommunity Services Board; co-chaired the Seven OaksParents in Support of AboriginalEducation initiative for SevenOaks School Board, whichprovides after-schoolprogramming for youth;currently sits as vice-chair of theIkwe Widdjiitwin Inc., anAboriginal women andchildren’s crisis shelter; and isa foster parent.

Mayor announcesmembership to MIAC

Winnipeg Mayor BrianBowman has created a Mayor’sIndigenous Advisory Circle toadvise on policies the City ofWinnipeg can implement tocontinue to build awareness,bridges and understandingbetween the Aboriginal andnon-Aboriginal community. The20-member advisory circle

includes former Truth andReconciliation CommissionChair Murray Sinclair; CindyBlackstock, executive directorof First Nations Child andFamily Caring Society ofCanada; and Wab Kinew,associate vice-president forIndigenous relations at theUniversity of Winnipeg. Theadvisory circle is to meetquarterly, with the first date setfor Sept. 17. “The circle is asymbol of unity and … to createunity and equality, we mustbuild understanding. ThroughMIAC, much of the importantwork building strong bridges inour community will continue,”said Mayor Brian Bowman.

Manitoba moves on Aboriginalhistory, culture in schools

Manitoba Premier GregSelinger says his governmentis moving forward withrecommendations from theTruth and ReconciliationCommission for teachingAboriginal history and culture inschools. The NDP governmentannounced a new four-pointplan to ensure students inManitoba learn the legacy ofresidential schools as well asthe ‘60s Scoop. Legislation isto be introduced this fall for anew First Nation, Metis andInuit education policy forteaching the history and cultureof Aboriginals, as well as thesignificance of treaties.“Educating students abouthistorical wrongs is a steptoward mutual respect,reconciliation, and

understanding how we as asociety can move forwardtogether,” said Selinger in anews release. The governmentalso promised to work withpost-secondary institutions todevelop a strategy forintroducing more Indigenouscontent into bachelor ofeducation courses to supportteachers. It says the promisedlegislation will include aprovision that will require theeducation framework to bereviewed every three years.

Pop collective records song tofight suicide

A social media campaignaround the single “One Day,”recorded by a local Indigenouspop collective, is hoping toconnect to those struggling withsuicide. “It’s such a pressing,serious issue that exists in theIndigenous community and lotsof communities. We’re steppingup to the plate and lending ourvoice,” said bandleader andlead guitarist Vince Fontaine.Fontaine co-wrote the song forthe Southern ChiefsOrganization. The hashtag#live4tomorrow was pulled fromthe lyrics as part of a suicideawareness campaign.According to Health Canada,suicide and self-inflicted injuriesare the leading cause of deathfor First Nations youth andadults up to 44 years of age.The song debuted lived inToronto on July 12 as part of thePan Am Games cultural festivalPanamania.

Compiled by Shari Narine


Health Watch

Study shows suicide numbers high in cluster of OntarioFirst Nations

There were 31 suicides by Aboriginal people in Ontario in2013, more than double the number in 1991, according toresearch conducted by Gerald McKinley, a postdoctoral fellowat Toronto’s Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. However,McKinley said the deaths are occurring in clusters in sevennorthern First Nations. His soon to be released study showsthat in northern Ontario, most of the suicide deaths arechildren and teens. The way suicide clusters in some FirstNations†means that it should be viewed as a contagion, hesaid. The fact that northern Ontario is the only place outsideof rural China where more women than men commit suicidealso needs to be explored.

Organizations join to create Thunderbird PartnershipFoundation

The Native Mental Health Association of Canada hasjoined with the National Native Addictions PartnershipFoundation to form the Thunderbird Partnership Foundation.“The new Thunderbird Partnership Foundation reflects thecoming together of substance use and wellness issues in avision for a continuum of care that is grounded in First Nationsculture,” said Dr. Brenda Restoule of the mental healthassociation. The new partnership is also the launch of theNative Wellness Assessment, which will provide culturally-based information to guide treatment services. Health for FirstNations is broadly envisioned as wellness and is understoodto exist where there is physical, emotional, mental, andspiritual harmony. The Thunderbird Partnership Foundation,along with its partners, the University of Saskatchewan, theAssembly of First Nations, and the Centre for Addictions andMental Health, will continue to advocate for and support theimplementation of the First Nations Mental WellnessContinuum and the Honouring our Strengths RenewalFramework. The association also marked the newcollaboration by renaming its organization the First PeoplesWellness Circle.

Foster care program boasts high success rateCommunity Led Organizations United Together, an

Aboriginal-based child welfare program in Winnipeg, hasexperienced significant success with a 70 per centreunification rate in the last three years. The CLOUT programbegan over 10 years ago as part of the community-mandatedMa Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre. Key to its success is the one-on-one approach taken by employees in working with fosterparents, birth parents†and Child and Family Services caseworkers to build individualized case plans for each family andensure everyone is taking the right steps to reachreunification. Families are brought into CLOUT on a referralbasis. According to CLOUT, 40 families were reunited in 2014.

New UBC nursing curriculum teaches respect, historyRetired nurse Jessie Nyberg and Professor Donna Kurtz,

at the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan School ofNursing, will be teaching students about delivering culturally-respectful treatment to First Nations patients in new curriculumfor 2015. Nyberg, a Shuswap Elder, said it is important forpeople to understand how residential schools, the SixtiesScoop, and the Indian Act affected First Nations, and resultedin intergenerational trauma. Requiring medical and nursingstudents to learn about Aboriginal health issues, the historyand legacy of residential schools, and Indigenous teachingsand practices are among the recommendations of the Truthand Reconciliation Commission. The TRC alsorecommended†that medical and nursing students train†inintercultural competency, conflict resolution, human rights,and anti-racism; the new curriculum endeavors to reflect that.

First Nations women at greater risk for stillbirthsFirst Nations women in Alberta are 70 per cent more likely

to have a stillbirth, according to statistics collected byUniversity of Alberta researchers studying diabetes. Pre-existing diabetes is among the factors contributing to thehigher rate of stillbirths, along with illicit drug dependence,alcohol use and smoking. Stillbirths were also more commonfor First Nations women over 35 years of age, those withmore than three babies, and those with a history of abortion,previous stillbirth or neo-natal death. Richard Oster andpartner Dr. Ellen Toth examined close to 470,000 birthsbetween 2000 and 2009. The rate of stillbirths for First Nationswomen over that 10-year period remained steady. The studywas published in the February edition of Journal of Obstetricsand Gynaecology Canada. Presently the U of A iscollaborating with an unidentified First Nation community inAlberta in an effort to reduce stillbirths and increase overallhealthy pregnancies.

[ health ]Compiled by Shari NarineCarvers represent cultural

safety at Island hospital

By Debora SteelWindspeaker Contributor

SAANICH, B.C.

Four 15-foot totem poles arenow at home at the entrance tothe Saanich Peninsula Hospitaltelling all who enter the facilitythat this is the territory of theWSÁNEC First Nationscommunities and that thehospital is committed toculturally safe care.

An unveiling ceremony washeld July 7. The poles werecreated from a log felled in Huu-ay-aht territory on West Coast ofVancouver Island and blessedthere before it traveled to the EastCoast of the Island, where carversfrom each of the four WSÁNECnations went to work. Mastercarvers and young apprenticecarvers worked together on theproject.

Organizers gave tokens to fourwitnesses as in appreciation oftheir job to remember and talkabout the event. Skip and MaySam and their great-granddaughter lit candles andMay sang a hauntingly beautifulprayer song. She said it was ablessing for healing, a blessing forall the hard work that went intothe poles. It was a blessing foreach and every one in thehospital, and a special prayer forthe nurses and doctors that toiledthere.

While the event was not part ofthe 39th annual Elders Gatheringheld at the nearby PanoramaCentre in North Saanich, manyfrom that event were bused to thehospital to witness the polesunveiling. Said carver CharlesElliott “to have our pole raisingand unveiling ceremony duringthe time of the Elders Gatheringmakes it very special.” He said

that before the totems—“oursilent ambassadors”—there wasn’tanything on the hospital site toindicate that it was on FirstNations’ territory. He said thecarvers put their hearts and soulsinto the project.

Carver James Jimmy thankedElliott for being “a really greatteacher.” Carver Mark Henry saidhe was always amazed at how theCoast Salish people always cometogether. “I am very grateful forwhat is taking place.” He said hehoped the people gathered werefilled with joy and happiness atwhat our carvers have brought outin their work.

Doug LaFortune, and his sonBear, carved the Tsawout pole. Hesaid it was a real pleasure to workwith all the carvers. “To do atotem like this was a real honor”and became more so as he realizedhow important it was to thepeople in the community.

Chief Don Tom of the localTsartlip Nation thanked theSaanich Hospital’s nurse liaisonJane Fox for her dedication andcommitment. He said she wasmodest and humble, but was thecatalyst to make the work a teameffort. She had asked, what wouldmake the hospital a morewelcoming place, and this was theanswer to that question.

He said the welcome figureswill help foster good relations.“Where you nurture a goodrelationship, healing will happenthat much faster.”

Western Forest Products wasacknowledged for donating thelog, as well as the partners thatcontributed to the project werethanked.

“We are grateful for thecontributions from [First NationsHealth Authority]… the SaanichPeninsula Hospital Foundation,Peninsula Co-op, Island Health,”

said Tsawout Chief HarveyUnderwood. And heacknowledged the carvers “whoexpressed our people’s hearts andculture and identity of the landthrough carving.”

“This is reconciliation,” saidChief Vern Jacks of Tseycum FirstNations. He said to the non-Natives in the audience, “It’sabout learning. You learn aboutus, and we learn about you.” Hesaid everyone had the same colorblood, just different color skin.The carvers, he said, “are goodmedicine.”

Chief Rebecca Harris ofPauquachin First Nation said thepoles gave a representation of thefour communities in the storiesthat they tell.

Aboriginal Relations andReconciliation Minister JohnRustad said “These culturalcreations are symbolic of theshared commitment to culturallysafe care for all.” He said the poleswere fitting sentinels to standwatch over the entrance to thehospital.

“I know the work of thesehighly skilled and respectedAboriginal artists will speak to allwho enter here of the lastingculture, and presence of theWS¡NE First Nation people.”

Lydia Hwitsum, board chair ofthe First Nations HealthAuthority, said the totems honorthe ancestors and represent thepeoples who have always been inthis territory, and share a messageof how we can work bettertogether as neighbors andpartners.

“They are also a way to honorand recognize the serviceproviders and caregivers,supporting them to reflect oncultural humility and how to bestoffer culturally safe services in ahealth care setting.”

A great granddaughter is prepared before the unveiling ceremony at Saanich Peninsula Hospital.PHOTO: DEBORA STEEL


[ sports ]

By Sam LaskarisWindspeaker Contributor

WALPOLE ISLAND, Ont.

Jewelian Blackbird is hopingto continue representingCanada in taekwondo eventsright up to the highest levels ofthe sport.

And the 16-year-old, wholives in Walpole Island, Ont., isproving she just might havewhat it takes to get there.

Blackbird, who has Mohawk/Ojibwe ancestry, has alreadymade one national team. In2013 she was a member of theCanadian cadet (12-14) squad.

That year she competed at aninternational event in Mexicoand returned home with abronze medal in theheavyweight (over 59 kilogram)category.

Blackbird, who took up thesport when she was eight, is nowin her second of three years inthe Junior (15-17) agegrouping. She placed second inher under-63 kilogram divisionat the national championshipsheld in June in Montreal.

Though she was not chosenfor the national team this yearsince she did not win hercategory at the Canadian meet,Blackbird might still compete ina pair of international eventsthis summer.

The Pan American

Taekwondo Youth Open isscheduled for Aug. 7 to Aug. 9in Chicago. And then the PanAmerican Open WorldTaekwondo Federation event isset for Sept. 11 to Sept. 13 inAguascalientes, Mexico.

It remains to be seen,however, whether Blackbird willindeed participate at theChicago event. That’s becauseher coach Ryan Formosa is onlyinterested in taking his athletesto that event if it gets sanctionedby the World TaekwondoFederation.

“I’ll go if I can,” Blackbirdsaid of the Chicagocompetition. “If not, I’ll juststay back to train.”

Blackbird trains underFormosa at the Chatham-basedCobra’s Taekwondo TrainingCentre.

“The cost for the Chicagoevent is rather high,” Formosasaid, adding a hotel room alonecosts about $200 (US) pernight. “But if it gets sanctioned,we’re going to go. There is noregistration deadline. We canwait until the first week ofAugust before deciding whetherto go.”

Three others athletes from theChatham club will also competeat the Mexico meet inSeptember.

“Now that I’m going therewith my teammates I’ll be morecomfortable,” said Blackbird,

Sports BriefsCompiled by Sam Laskaris

Thompson Named Spitfires’ Head CoachAfter spending the past five seasons coaching in the

professional ranks, Rocky Thompson is heading back to thejunior level. Thompson, a 37-year-old Cree, was named as thehead coach of the Windsor Spitfires, who competed in theOntario Hockey League (OHL), in early July.

Thompson, who was born in Calgary, had spent the pastyear serving as an assistant coach with the National HockeyLeague’s Edmonton Oilers. And prior to that he had spent fourseasons working as an assistant coach with the Oklahoma CityBarons in the American Hockey League.

Though he will be a newcomer to the OHL, Thompson, aformer pro player himself, does have some previous coachingexperience at the junior level. He had worked as an assistantcoach with the Edmonton Oil Kings, members of the WesternHockey League (WHL), for three seasons, from 2007 through2010.

As a pro, Thompson, who had been drafted by his hometownCalgary Flames in the third round of the 1995 NHL Entry Draft,ended up playing for nine different squads. He appeared in 25NHL games, 15 with Calgary and 10 others with the FloridaPanthers.

NHL Clubs Draft Bear And PilonA pair of Aboriginal teenagers were among those who were

selected at the recent NHL Entry Draft held in Florida.Ethan Bear, from the Ochapowace First Nation in

Saskatchewan, was selected in the fifth round, 124th overall,by the Edmonton Oilers.

And Ryan Pilon, who grew up in Duck Lake, Sask., home tothe Beardy’s and Okemasis Willow Cree First Nation, was alsochosen in the fifth round, 147th over-all, by the New YorkIslanders.

The seven-round draft was staged June 26 and June 27 inSunrise, Fla. Bear, a defenceman, had spent the past twoseasons toiling in the WHL with the Seattle Thunderbirds.Despite being a blueliner, this past year he finished in a three-way tie for fourth place in club scoring, collecting 38 points (13goals, 25 assists) in 69 regular season contests.

Bear managed to double the 19 points he had earned duringhis rookie campaign with the Thunderbirds.

As for Pilon, who also plays defence, he has spent the pastthree seasons in the WHL. This past year he was a member ofthe Brandon Wheat Kings. Pilon racked up 52 points (11 goals,41 assists) in 68 games. He had joined the Wheat Kings theprevious year, following an early season trade with theLethbridge Hurricanes, the club Pilon had kicked off his juniorcareer with during the 2012-13 season.

Pilon is the nephew of former defenceman Rich Pilon whoappeared in 646 NHL matches, primarily with the Islanders,before retiring in 2003.

Winnipeg Hosts NationalsWinnipeg will be hosting this year’s Canadian Native Fastball

Championships. The national tournament will be held at theBuhler Recreation Park. Games will begin on July 31 andcontinue until Aug. 2. Teams will be competing in top honours infive categories. This will include the senior men’s and seniorwomen’s categories, which will offer $13,000 and $10,000,respectively, to the winning clubs.

There will also be a 21-and-under men’s grouping, as wellas male and female masters divisions.

Jacobs To Enter Lacrosse Hall Of FameDuane Jacobs has certainly racked up his share of coaching

and managerial accolades in the past dozen years. But Jacobs,who is Cayuga and grew up in Ohsweken, Ont., will become ahall of famer later this year for his playing abilities.

Jacobs, 49, is one of six individuals who will be inducted intothe Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame.

The class of 2015 was announced on July 3. Inductionceremonies will be held Nov. 7 in Niagara Falls.

The Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame and Museum is locatedin nearby St. Catharines.

Jacobs played professionally in the National Lacrosse League(previously known as the Major Indoor Lacrosse League) from1992 through 2003. He played for the Detroit Turbos, RochesterKnighthawks and Buffalo Bandits.

He won the NLL title with Rochester in 1997 and alsoappeared in three other league finals with the Knighthawks.

As a player Jacobs also won the Mann Cup, the CanadianSenior Men’s championship, three consecutive years, 1994-96,with the Six Nations Chiefs. He also won the President Cup,awarded to the top Senior B men’s team in Canada, twice, withthe Owen Sound North Stars in 1989 and the Kitchener Kodiaksin 2003.

Since ’04 Jacobs has been a coach and/or GM of the Chiefs,the two-time defending Mann Cup champs. He also coached inthe NLL with Buffalo and the Minnesota Swarm.

adding she did not know any ofher fellow Canadiancompetitors when she took partat the Mexico event two yearsago.

Formosa believes Blackbirdcan fare well at the Mexicanmeet as well as the Chicagoevent if she does indeed attend.

“I think she can do very wellthere,” he said. “She’s in hersecond year of junior now. Buteverything is a building blockfor next year. The main goal isfocusing on next year which willbe her last year of junior.”

While in her final season ofjunior competition, Blackbird,who is heading into her Grade10 studies at WallaceburgDistrict Secondary School, canalso start entering some senior(18 and over events).

“My goal is to try and makethe (Canadian) senior team,”she said. “And I want tocompete in Grand Prix events.”

The Grand Prix competitions,held in various countries aroundthe world, are part of the highestseries for the sport.

Blackbird is also hoping toone day represent Canada in theSummer Olympics.

“It is so hard to get there, butit’s a longer term goal,” she said.“I still want to get there, butthere’s other things I want tomake first.”

Formosa believes how farBlackbird gets in taekwondo isup to her. He has seen his shareof athletes leave the sport aftergraduating from high school inorder to concentrate on theirpost-secondary school pursuits.

Blackbird, who is hoping tobecome a social worker, is keento continue both her athleticand academic endeavours.

“I will try to balance both,”she said. “Taekwondo hasalways been a big part of mylife.”

Blackbird currently trains fourtimes a week at the Chathamgym, located about 40 minutesfrom her home. One of sevenchildren in her family she relieson rides from others to get herto her training.

When she is not able to cometo the gym, Formosa saidBlackbird will call in and receivecardio and muscle conditioningadvice.

“She can do that stuff athome,” he said.

Formosa believes one of thereasons Blackbird has beensuccessful in the sport is becauseshe can adapt to differentsituations during matches.

“She’s very responsive in thering,” he said. “I can makecomments to her and what sheshould be doing and she can doit.”

So far it seems Blackbird ismaking plenty of right moves inher career.

Young competitor takes abalanced approach to sportand school


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[ education ]

By Barb NahwegahbowWindspeaker Contributor

TORONTO

Very few writers in Canadacan actually make a living fromtheir writing. Writer DrewHayden Taylor is one of thosewriters. A member of CurveLake First Nation nearPeterborough, Ont., Taylor is anovelist, playwright, short storywriter, and television scriptwriter. In a recent interview, thehandsome, blue-eyed writersaid, “I don’t have a day job.Writing is my full-time job andI’m very flattered that I’m ableto do that.”

Taylor’s diversified writingportfolio recently earned himthe appointment of the EdnaStaebler Laurier Writer inResidence at Wilfred LaurierUniversity, a four-monthposition he starts in January2016.

Taylor was chosen from agroup of 20 applicants. It’s a full-time position that comes withan office and a house. Forty percent of his time, he’ll be engagedwith the university and localcommunities, doing lectures,public readings, and offeringadvice to the aspiring writersamong the students and faculty.

The remainder of his time willbe devoted to a writing projectand, “right now, I’m jugglingtwo or three ideas on books Iwant to write while I’m there,”said Taylor. “I might work onthe second draft of a novel calledChasing Painted Horses. Or

maybe I’ll work on anotherproject.”

Taylor isn’t even close torunning out of story ideas. Thekey to being a writer, he said, ishaving the ability “to observe,the ability to sit there and soakin the world, the ability towatch, to listen, to understandand to just appreciate what an

interesting world we live in.”The Native community “isalways providing lots and lots ofinteresting material to explore,”he said.

Coming from an oral culturetaught him about dialogue, hesaid. Growing up in thecommunity, sitting around thekitchen table, drinking tea and

telling funny stories were histutorials for writing dialogue. “Itprovided me with a realadvantage,” he said.

Taylor’s greatest fear is thatpeople might not want to laughanymore, a fear he’s not likelyto confront any time soon. “Ithink I became successful,” hesaid, “because I incorporate a lotof humor into my work, or aslightly tongue-in-cheekperspective on the world. Thathas always been my forte, mycontribution to the genre ofNative literature.”

In August, Taylor celebratesthe launch of his 27th book.He’s come a long way from thefive-year-old kid growing up onthe reserve, sitting with a bunchof comic books, anxious to startschool so he could learn to read.

“I developed a fondness for allthose tales, all these stories fromexotic places that found theirway to the lap of this little kidon the reserve in the middle ofnowhere,” he said. “I rememberthinking, wouldn’t it be cool,wouldn’t it be interesting if Icould take stories from mycommunity and then send themaround the world?”

In his teens he announced hisdecision to be a writer. Both hismother and his English teacherdiscouraged him. “Being awriter’s too difficult,” they toldhim, “Find something else todo!” Taylor took their advice andput his dream on hold for 10years.

A series of fortunate accidentsgot him back to writing in the1980s. “Out of nowhere,” he

Writer Drew Hayden Taylor, 2016 Edna Staebler Laurier Writerin Residence, Wilfred Laurier University.

Long-time Windspeaker contributor heading toWilfred Laurier

recalled, “I got the opportunityto write an episode for TheBeachcombers.” That qualifiesas one of the most excitingthings in his writing career,although there are many, he said.“I sold the script and it wasproduced and I rememberwatching it, this show I’dwatched as a kid and it had,written by Drew Hayden Taylor.That was pretty exciting!”

There isn’t just one thing that’sbeen a defining moment or aspecial moment, Taylor said. “It’sbeen a whole series of surprisesand excitement scatteredthroughout 30 years of writing.”The publication and productionof his first play, Toronto atDreamer’s Rock, his first novel,and the overwhelming success ofFunny You Don’t Look Like One,a collection of his articles, haveall been pretty special.

He doesn’t have a favoriteproject either. “It’s like saying‘who’s your favourite child’when you have a bunch ofchildren,” he said. “Each onecame from a different place inmy life at a different time, andeach one has been especially funand interesting at the time Iworked on them.”

Dr. Tanis MacDonald, chairof the selection committee atWilfred Laurier University, saidshe hopes Taylor’s appointmentwill heighten the visibility ofAboriginal culture and deepenthe discussion about theAboriginal presence on campus.

“I think Drew will be a reallygood ambassador for that,” saidMacDonald.

PHOTO: BARB NAHWEGAHBOW

A housing project for theElders of Flying Dust FirstNation in Saskatchewan hascreated opportunities for FlyingDust First Nation youth toobtain training and skills in

building and ensures the homesare both adequately built andmeets the needs of thecommunity.

Flying Dust First Nation,located 300 km northwest of

Saskatoon, and Habitat forHumanity Canada hosted an AllChiefs Build of a 10-unit Elders’lodge. It was the start of apartnership between ChiefRichard Gladue, his council and

Habitat for HumanityLloydminster.

“We are very proud to partnerwith Habitat to find sustainableand affordable housing solutionsfor our community,” said Chief

Gladue. “This project will enableus to provide suitable housingfor our Elders and assist youngfamilies in realizing their owndreams of homeownership.”

Projects trains and houses people in Flying Dust

(Continued on page 25.)


[ careers ]The lodge is named Kikinaw,

the Cree word for Our Home.Over the past eight years,Habitat’s Aboriginal HousingProgram has built more than 100homes for First Nation families.

The lodge broke ground inMay and once built, the homescurrently occupied by Elders canbe retrofitted for other families inthe community, helping toimprove living conditionsthrough good housing andenabling access to a significantasset that would be otherwise outof reach, reads a press statement.The project also createsopportunities for youth to obtainskills.

Since its inception in 2007,Habitat’s Aboriginal HousingProgram has worked to addresshousing affordability issues facedby Aboriginal families in Canada.

In 2011, Habitat signed anagreement with the Assembly ofFirst Nations with the ultimategoal of increasing First Nations’involvement in Habitat projectsand enhancing opportunities forFirst Nations people to furthertheir knowledge and skillsapplicable to all dimensions ofhousing, while adding to thehousing stock.


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[ footprints ] Julie C. Bull

Comedienne was morethan just a bunch of laughs

When Jodi Taylynn Belcourtattended a healing group led byJulie Collette Bull, her life wasin shambles and she had a largechip on her shoulder.

“I wanted to leave, but Julietold me I would smile one dayand be happy,” Belcourt wrotein a Facebook tribute to Julie.“She asked me to trust her. Iwent home that night anddecided to stay. I stayed for oneyear straight. She believed in mewhen no one else would, and ingroup she made me laugh untilmy belly and cheeks hurt.”

The Alberta comedienne’s useof wise counsel and humourendeared many more likeBelcourt to Bull.

“Julie was naturally talented ina number of ways,” saidEdmonton’s Louis Buff Parry, aclose friend who gave the eulogyat her funeral on Alberta’sGoodfish Lake First Nation.The much-loved performer,educator and counsellor died ofcomplications due to diabeteson May 23, 2015. She was 42years old.

Parry explained toWindspeaker that it was after heshowed Julie a video clip of hisex-wife performing stand-upcomedy as an opener forcomedian Howie Mandel thatBull first considered usinghumour to make a living.

“After she saw thatperformance, it sent her to aplace where she’d always kind ofbeen because she is by nature avery funny person. She tooklessons in comedy and before weknew it she was going on tour.”

The final exam Julie had topass from the course she tookat Yuk Yuk’s InternationalComedy Clubs in 2001consisted of giving a liveperformance onstage at a YukYuk’s stand-up comedy night.

“She was nervous but she didgreat,” said her younger sisterCrystal. “Students were givenother opportunities to performat Yuk Yuk’s, and my sister

By Dianne Meili

always took them. She gave outa lot of complimentary ticketsso she always had support fromfamily and friends. That reallyhelped her build confidenceand she just kept going.”

She ended up doing comedyfor more than 10 years, makingaudiences of up to 2,500 peoplelaugh. She performed inEdmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg,and Toronto, and also travelledto the United States andAustralia with her show.

Julie often relied on her bodyweight to make audienceslaugh. She was a large womanwho had often been referred toas “that fat chick” in school, saidCrystal. “She had self-esteemissues, as we all do, but I thinkshe was in her late 20’s whenshe finally accepted the way shewas and decided to just live.

“She was my role model. Iloved the way she dressed.There was even an articlewritten about her fashion sensein a Big, Beautiful Womenmagazine about 10 years ago.

“She loved the 80’s and theclothing of that time – thoseleopard and zebra prints. It wasall about big hair, too, and Iremember there’s a picture ofher in high school with her hairspiked sky high – about half afoot off her head. She said if shewas going to be known as “thatfat chick” she might as well beknown as “that fat chick withthe hair.”

Born in Goodfish Lake onJune 26, 1972, Julie’s close-knitfamily moved to SherwoodPark, just outside of Edmonton,when she was still young, andthen spent three years inVictoria while her father, SamBull, attended law school.

The family returned toAlberta when Sam started theConfederacy of Treaty Six FirstNations, of which he becamethe executive director. Julie alsoworked there for almost sevenyears, beginning in 1994, as theEducation Coordinator,

working with Aboriginalorganizations and mainstreamagencies while participating inthe political process at FirstNations’ local and provinciallevels.

In 2005 she began working asa facilitator for NativeCounselling Services of Alberta.With a partner, she developeda parenting and life skillsprogram, delivering it andevaluating it regularly bykeeping statistics related to herclients’ lives. She alsoresearched, developed and ledworkshops in self-esteem,

Julie C. Bull

Every single Windspeaker article ever published(well, almost)

is now available on our online archives atwww.ammsa.com

The archives are free to search and read.

effects of colonization, humourin the workplace and anespecially well-attended sessionentitled ‘Play Is Not Just ForKids.’

Her teaching style revolvedaround humour and made hera popular facilitator, Master ofCeremonies for private andpublic events, and professionalpublic speaker.

“My sister made friendseverywhere she went,” recalledCrystal. “She was the mostoutgoing person I ever knew.She was a spiritual person, too,and was taking courses to

become a minister atEdmonton’s Centre forSpiritual Living.”

In his eulogy, Parry touchedfuneral goers by readingpoems Julie had written andexplained why he called her“Jules” instead of “Julie.”

“She was always correctingme and telling me I shouldcall her Jules. So I did, andhere’s why: because she was adiamond – sometimes in therough – with a big, rubyheart. Her struggles createdthe great pearl that shebecame.”


Photo: Bert Crowfoot


Photo: Bert Crowfoot

Documents

Windspeaker August 2015 final