By Lloyd Dolha

Recently re-elected National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, Phil Fontaine is beginning a complete review of the national lobby group’s decision-making process through a National Chief’s Commission on Organizational reform.

“It [the AFN] evolved into a chief’s organization and it may be time to re-invent the assembly,” said Fontaine in a recent interview.

A National Chief’s Commission will review the way the national chief is elected. Currently only elected chiefs can elect the national leader.

The AFN’s governance structure has been harshly criticized by Indian Affairs Minister Robert Nault as an elitist body representing only self-interested chiefs. Nault cut the AFN’s funding during the 2000-2003 term of the confrontational Matthew Coon Come from $19 million to approximately $6 million.

Coon Come attempted a similar review in 2001, but his efforts were quickly stifled by the governing chiefs. He tried to revive the issue earlier this year in a 46 page discussion paper on restructuring, but was defeated by Fontaine in the July AFN election.

Fontaine, back at the helm of the AFN after his defeat by Coon Come in 2000, said the chiefs now favour change in the organizational structure of the national body.

Fontaine said he’d like to see the AFN promote a more positive image of Canada’s First Nations so taxpayers will see more First Nations success stories.

“They have to know that the money that’s going towards First Nations’ services and programs is not going into a sinkhole, but that there is a significant return on investment,” said the national chief.

Fontaine added that social conditions for First Nations can be improved if a way can be found to train the growing number of aboriginal youth to match the emerging labour shortages in the Canadian economy as baby-boomers retire in the near future.

Native youth hold future
It’s a daunting challenge. The 2001 Aboriginal Peoples Survey released by Statistics Canada on Wednesday September 24th, found that 48 per cent of young aboriginals aged 20 to 24 were high school dropouts as compared to about one-third of non-aboriginals. One quarter of native girls aged 15 to 19 said they left school because of pregnancy or child-care issues, while 24 per cent of boys in the same age group cited boredom.

Survey questions were answered by117,000 Indian, Inuit and Metis people, including 86,000 living off reserve.

Witness the aboriginal youth gang phenomenon exploding across the prairie provinces. The aboriginal youth population is set to quadruple in the next decade and with that comes a greater need to educate and train native-teens – almost 70 per cent of whom drop out of school for private sector jobs.

If the problem is left un-addressed, the social and financial implications will punish Canadian taxpayers said John Kim Bell, president of the Aboriginal Achievement Foundation (AAF).

By 2016, nearly 400,000 aboriginal youth will be eligible to enter the work force said Bell.

“If we don’t change the drop out rate, the cost of health is going to go up, the cost of welfare is going to go up – because if these 350,000 kids are unemployable, what are they going to do?”

Many of the Canada’s 92,000 aboriginal youth aboriginal youth aged 15 to 19 can only find low paying part-time or seasonal work said Bell.

Bell, the founder of the Achievement Foundation, that tirelessly encourages aboriginal youth to pursue higher paying employment in manufacturing, transportation and information technology industries through career fairs held four times per year across the nation.

On Tuesday, September 23rd, some 300 corporate executives, academics aboriginal leaders and youth gathered in Toronto in an effort to introduce aboriginal students to new career paths.

Fontaine sets up office
In the meantime, AFN leader Phil Fontaine has recently come under fire for a proposed $900,000 budget to set up his national office.

That includes plans to spend an additional $300,000 to upgrade AFN headquarters that were upgraded four years ago during Fontaine’s first term as national chief for a total of $1.2 million in the proposed budget.

Fontaine was not available for comment, but Manny Jules, his new chief of staff defended the request currently under review by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada.

“There’s always a difference between what you request and what you get,” said Jules in an interview.

At least $250,000 of the proposed amount will be used to compensate four non-political staff who were fired after Fontaine’s
return to the national office.

Fontaine wants to double his staff to 18 from the number who served under Coon Come.

As for the renovations, Jules said that work was being done during Fontaine’s first term, that included oak wood flooring and cherrywood wall panels for the national chief’s office and more upgrades are expected.

“One of the things we want to make sure of is that people, when they come into the Assembly of First Nations, know they’re coming into a national institute that represents First Nations across the country,” said the new chief of staff.

Roberta Jamieson, leader of the Six Nations of Grand River in Southwestern Ontario was also a candidate for the AFN leadership in the July election.

Jamieson expressed surprise at the news of the proposed office budget.

“It’s a very big price tag. We all know what the needs are in the communities,” said Jamieson.”He’ll have to account to the chiefs.”

By Bernie Bates

HallwayThe blue light of early morning filled the intermediate boy’s dorm of the Saint Joseph mission, when Brother Robby came in to announce: “Time! Time, boys to get up. Time!”

But I was already awake – this was to be my first memory of the Catholic Residential school system.

As the lights went on they made a ‘ping’ sound. One by one they were turned on and one by one they sounded off; Ping, Ping, Ping. It’s kind of funny, the things a person remembers. They say that the senses can provoke powerful memories and stir emotions you’d thought to be long dead!

It’s been many, many moons since I attended the mission and in that time I’ve forgotten a lot of things, or, should I say, repressed. But recently I had the opportunity to walk the halls of an old mission. Even though the place had been refurbished and was now a fancy resort, the basic structure was still intact.

“Standing at the entrance, I was struck by the immense size of the building, I’d never seen anything so big. I was scared and I just wanted to leave this place and go home with my Mommy!” But, hey! I was now on holiday with my wife! I wasn’t a small kid anymore and this building was no longer a Catholic Mission either.

As I said, the human senses have a way of bringing the past back with an intense fervor.

Checking in at the front desk was as the same as any other hotel, until I was told that the room was once the ‘visiting room’ (a room where parents and children would meet). It was then that a feeling came over me like a flood of water, tears, to be more exact. I remembered it as the ‘crying room,’ because, anyone that came into that room would break down in mournful sobs or out-right wails of sadness- I was eleven- again!

Walking down the halls, I could hear the steps of a hundred shoes following behind me. We were all in a line marching to the recreation room to say our pre-meal prayers. The junior, intermediate and senior boys all standing against the walls, shoulder to shoulder, heads bowed, and, in unison, a roar of voices would begin; “Our Father….!” Then I snapped back to the present day and I was standing at my hotel room door with my wife saying, “Well? Are you coming in?”

My wife, being a person of non-native heritage, had no idea what was going on in my head or in my heart. To her, all she saw was me standing there with our suitcases and a blank stare on my face. Little did she know I was carrying a lot more ‘baggage’ than either of us realized!

If you have a little more salt than pepper in your hair, you’re probably old enough to have attended a mission and you’ll know what I’m writing about. But, if your hair is still as black as the feathers of a crow- I hope you’re be able to read and get the ‘feelings,’ I and many others felt, both good and bad.

As some would have you believe- it wasn’t all sex abuse and cultural devastation. Some of the Fathers, Brother and Sisters were very concerned with our feelings of abandonment, due to the fact we were left in the care of an institution, especially for the younger ones.

They did their best to help us adjust to the loneliness a person can feel, even as they stand in a crowd of hundreds. And for me that saviour was Brother Robby.

I truly believe Brother Robby saved me from my self-imposed depression. I was very upset at my parents for leaving me at the mission. And to punish them for their betrayal, I, at first, hated them as hard as I could. When that didn’t work, I decided to pout and became as sad as I possibly could.

The only thing wrong with that plan was- Brother Robby wasn’t going to let me do that to myself!

He was a ‘hell of a guy,’ for a Catholic Brother! I swear he could make the Devil himself smile. He just had a way of sensing when you were down and he’d do something to get your mind off of whatever was bothering you.

Everything from a joke out of his well worn bag to crossing his eyes, sticking out his tongue and making a funny face to an understanding nod of his head, accompanied by a sympathetic smile.

I don’t know where you’re at, Brother Robby, or even if you’re still alive …. I just hope, somehow, you receive this – “I thank you, for helping me! And I love you like a brother, for your heart-felt compassion!”

By B.H. Bates

CartoonI’m not only a writer, I’m a cartoonist and, as such, I supplement my income by painting windows for different events and occasions. For example: annual
festivals and Christmas. And, on a regular basis I’m asked (by people who are watching me work), “Do you carve?”

I’m never asked questions like: “Do you (also) paint portraits?” or “Do you spin a mean potters wheel?”

No, it’s always a wood carver. Never a glass blower, a mural painter, a photographer, a jeweller or a water colorist, be it, scenic or nudes.

And the reason is simple: I have black hair, brown eyes and a year-round tan on my back side. Therefore, being native and an artist, I must carve totem poles!

The thing that kind of rubs me the wrong way is, let’s say, for instance, I was a person of Irish descent. Would I still be asked the same question? Not likely, but, more than likely I’d be asked, “Where’s a good place to hunt Leprechauns?”

And I am an artist! But, there’s more to me than that . . . I’m not only a cartoonist I’m also a writer, a poet and, among other things, I was also an advertising manager for a newspaper, a professional bull rider and I used to choreograph dance for a company called Knew York Productions! But, sadly, all they see are the feathers!

Seeing that I’m on the subject of, “things that rub me the wrong way!” Let’s take a look at the government’ support of “native art!”

I’ve tried for years and years and years to get funding so I could pursue my dreams of one day becoming a revered novelist, a witty humorist, an insightful playwright and a noted poet. And time and time again I was rejected (and as a writer I’m well aware that rejection is just part of the game).

But, the one thing that really put a stone in my moccasin is the fact that I was passed over (for funding), time and time again, in favor of other artists that were getting the wampum just so they could carve another #@%*ing eagle!

Now before I get a bunch of natives with sharp implements mad at me, I just want it to be known, that I’m very much in favor of the traditional crafts. I simply want the government to know that we natives have more to offer, creatively, than the same old bird!

Multi-talented we are!
We have mastered other venues in the World of art. We can spin a mean potters wheel, act, dance, write and sing as sweetly as anyone else on the Great Spirit’s planet! Some natives are even revered and considered every bit the professionals of our given fields and not just a bunch of ARTSY FARTSY goof offs! And we should be recognized and given credit for our efforts to further our people, in the eyes of the World!

In a way, the boys’ club of Ottawa, are once again trying to keep us down on the farm (Rez). And by that, I mean, the government is providing some natives with the resources to support the ever growing market for carved wood, yet they rarely support other natives with worthwhile endeavors.

As long as natives are willing to carve and sell at a loss to greedy shop owners, the Ottawa boys will just go on giving their support to the same old, same old!

I mean, come on, now! How many times can the same old Thunderbird be re-carved? It’s just regurgitation for the masses as far as I’m concerned!

Why not a playor a musical about the Thunderbird? Maybe even a Rap musical about the mighty Great Spirit! I’ll even give some native Rapper out-there the first few lines, just to get things started:
Brownish blues or war-hoops, you choose. Stop looking at your shoes and raise your eyes to the skies and sing, “I will not melt into your pot nor will I fade into your past. I am not the last. I am a child of the Great Spirit!”

Just ask yourself, how many great native actors do you read about in the STAR? How many writers of native heritage jump to mind when someone says the words “bestseller?” How many other professions can you think of, in which we’re not represented? We natives, as a people, are very talented when it comes to the arts. So why aren’t there more natives standing at podiums across this great land receiving trophies and kudos?

I do know this, if you want to grow a flower, you have to plant the seed in a fertile soil and nourish it as it grows. And the reward you get is not only in the beauty from that one flower, it’s also in the seeds you’ll receive from that flower to grow even more beautiful, fragrant and eye pleasing wonders of nature!

By Lloyd Dolha

Located in the heart of the booming oil and gas fields of northeastern British Columbia, the Blueberry River First Nation has filed a $7.5 million lawsuit against the province and the Calgary-based Canadian Natural Resources Ltd., seeking damages over gas-related illnesses suffered by local residents and a permanent injunction against all development and production activities within ten kilometres of their reserve.

“Our community lives in the shadow of gas wells and flares and now two-thirds of our land is unsafe to live on,” said Blueberry River Chief Malcolm Apsassin, at a press conference in Vancouver on October 20.

Apsassin said that his people suffer from a number of sicknesses and live in constant fear of the effects of the natural gas wells that encircle their community of 350 people located some 80 kilometres north of Fort St. John.

“We must be able to hunt and fish and live on our land again, so we want no oil and gas [activities] within ten kilometres,” added Apsassin.

The Blueberry First Nation’s traditional way of life, largely of trapping and ranching, has been hindered by resource development.

Surrounded by wells which produce and release quantities of hydrogen-sulphide “sour” gas, the lawsuit will demonstrate that British Columbia, which asserts legislative jurisdiction over all aspects of oil and gas development through the BC Oil and Gas Commission (OGC), and CNRL, who have significant operations in the vicinity of the reserve, have directly impacted the use and nature of the reserve.

New report on sour gas
In Alberta, a new study prepared with funding from the Ministry of the Environment suggests that there is a lot that even scientists don’t know about the toxic effects of sour gas.

The study, an examination of scientific literature, media reports personal accounts and reports from a number of institutions and research boards, says that closing the knowledge gap should be a priority.

“There are many examples that hydrogen sulphide should be regarded as a broad-spectrum toxicant and that repeated exposure may result in cumulative effects on many organs systems such as the brain, lung and heart,” states the report, prepared by University of Calgary researchers Sheldon Roth and Verona Goodwin.

Robert Coppock, a member of the American Board of Toxicology, agreed with the finding of the report that there is a need to know more.

He noted that there are more than 6,000 chemicals in sour gas, making it much different from pure hydrogen sulphide.

Coppock said that very little is known about the interactions of hydrogen sulphide with some of these other chemicals; however, he noted that carbon sulphide, which has been found in sour gas, is well known for its effects on the reproduction and endocrine systems.

Hydrogen sulphide is very foul smelling but can very quickly paralyze the sense of smell and can overcome the victim and eventually cause death. Therefore, smell cannot be relied upon to provide warnings of this treacherous gas.

It is also an irritant of mucous membranes including the eyes and respiratory tract.

The move comes after a long history of problems between the band and the province over oil and gas development around the reserve at the cost of the band.

In 1979, the reserve experienced a massive release of hydrogen sulphide, causing community members to flee for their lives. The major leak forced the evacuation and rebuilding of the reserve.

Chief Stewart Phillip, president of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, said that there is a growing pattern of readiness on behalf of the Campbell government to grossly violate the rights of First Nations in the pursuit of an economic agenda that will create a “nightmare of litigation”.

“BC will not have the economic certainty of collecting billions of dollars in revenue unless they reach an accommodation with First Nations through honest and honourable good faith negotiations”.

By Cam Martin

Since its beginning, the Museum of Anthropology in Vancouver has been committed providing an authentic representation of First Nations art and culture. Situated on the western tip of the sprawling University of British Colombia campus, the university’s Museum of Anthropology overlooks the mountains and sea, providing a beautiful backdrop for the native art inside, most of which is Northwest Coast in origin.

Museum The current building, designed by renowned Canadian architect Arthur Erickson, opened in 1976. Its design is based on the traditional northern Northwest Coast post and beam structure.

The broad cement beams, and rectangular arches of the museum reflect the efficiency of the Haida House design, and provide the perfect setting for the museum patrons to learn about First Nations culture.

In addition to the main design, the museum has many aesthetic features which are First Nations in origin. The main entrance has two contemporary Welcome figures, one carved by Nuu-chah-nulth artist Joe David, and the other by Musqueam artist Susan Point.

Beyond them are two massive doors, carved from solid wood blocks in 1976 by four master Gitxsan artists; Earl Muldoe, Art
Sherritt, Walter Harris, Vernon Stephens.

Western focus
Inside the museum, there is a beautiful selection of objects from First
Nations across Western Canada. As you enter the main exhibit area, there are totems and house posts from the Coast Salish region bands, including Musqueam pieces, on whose ancestral land the museum is built.

Among some of the more well-known sculptures that the museum exhibits are Bill Reid’s famous sculpture, ‘The Raven’ and the ‘First Men’.

The Great Hall, the museum’s main structure, has huge totem poles from Gitxsan, Oweekeno, Haida, and other First Nations. This space is used as an auditorium for museum events. The 15 meter glass walls which overlook the two Haida Houses and other totem poles behind the museum provide a beautiful backdrop for dances, concerts, drama, and many academic events.

The Museum of Anthropology strives to provide a cultural context for the artifacts contained within, as well as the long remaining First Nations artwork. Museum staff have consulted with First Nations representatives in an effort to create a realistic appearance and setting for the artwork. All of the pieces are accompanied by sketches or descriptions which explain how the object would have been involved in the lives of those who built them.

Recently, two members of the Musqueam band were offered internships at the museum. The grant of over $60,000 was made possible by the Department of Canadian Heritage Museum Assistance Program.

The goals of the program are to prepare researchers for working with Elders and to develop their skills in museum practice. The museum has worked collaboratively with the Musqueam on many projects, making sure the native culture of the site is preserved.

Many of the central displays which feature First Nation art are open, with no glass partitions and minimal barriers. In addition to providing an interactive learning environment, the lack of restrictions encourages the patrons to see the objects not as relics of the past, but as objects that still have cultural relevance to the First Nations people.

In conjunction with their desire to create a realistic experience for their patrons, the museum strives towards creating an environment suitable to the creators of the objects they exhibit. There has been extensive consultation with First Nations representatives on the placement of each object in the museum.

Even though the staff have researched their exhibits in order to
show them in their cultural context, there are still cautionary notes
reminding patrons to question how they are viewing the objects, and how the setting might affect their reactions to it.

Canada’s largest teaching museum
This focus on authenticity comes from the desire to educate about the local culture. The museum is the largest teaching museum in Canada. The museum wants to represent First Nations culture accurately so that they can educate in an unbiased way.

Because of its connection with the university, the museum’s focus is on education and much of the space of the museum is for academic use. More than a quarter of the usable space inside the museum are
research areas and lecture halls.

The museum also seeks to educate on secondary and grammar school levels. More than 11,000 lower mainland school children visited the museum last year, and they expect that number to double this year.

The university’s communication manager, Jennifer Webb said, “Our open environment really sparks the kids interest. It is inspiring to see them interact with the exhibits.”

In addition to the tours, there are tutorial kits that educators can get from the museum, which include a manual, teacher and student worksheets, and objects related the study program. Webb does not neglect to point out the museum’s educational value, “The programs we offer help to open children to new cultures, First Nations or otherwise. We’ve got alot of stereotypes to break down, and these programs are a good step.”

The museum is involved with the university’s First Nations program.
Students of the First Nations program often travel to the museum for
tangible examples of what they are studying.

Also, a large portion of the museum’s staff is taken from the First Nations program. The museum understands that it is better to learn about a culture directly from its people.

The Museum of Anthropology in Vancouver continues to be progressive in its relations with the cultures that it exhibits. They are committed to education and authentic representation of the First Nations people of Canada.

By Dan Smoke – Asayenes (NNNC Staff)

Buffy Ste. Marie will headline a benefit concert in Massey Hall October 10th to honour the life of slain activist Dudley George, to help the George family with its trial costs, and to launch a permanent education fund for Aboriginal youth, in Dudley’s memory.

Contacted by the Elementary Teachers of Toronto (ETT), which raised over $60,000 for the Ipperwash Justice Fund last year, Buffy said they hope, “to raise both awareness and money at the concert.
I have utmost respect for teachers who refuse to take silence as an answer to the questions surrounding Dudley’s death.”

BuffyShe will be joined onstage by emcee Tantoo Cardinal, and guests: Charlie Hill, Pura Fe, and Derek Miller and others.

“As a teacher myself before I was ever a singer, I have a hard time playing stupid when I want to know something and somebody wants me to forget it. As founder of the Nihewan Educational Foundation that has, since the 1960s, given away millions of dollars to students trying to make the world better, healthier, and smarter, I have seen scholarship recipients go on to great lives, including some who became the presidents of tribal councils,” she said.

She questions why there have been no answers forthcoming from the Harris/Eves government. “Educators all over the globe teach children that the world can be a better place through education, good leadership, healthful lifestyles, and working together. How do we explain to them the events of September 1955 that killed a member of our human family? Every autumn, school children reflect on the big “What happened?” when Columbus got off that boat.”

Were the Europeans who destroyed the indigenous worlds they found really as violent and underhanded as they seem? Or were they too victims of bad leadership that recurs again and again in weak human societies.”

Now Canadians, especially educators, are considering the possibility that such bad leadership might actually be condoning violence and underhanded coverups today, as in the death of Dudley George. As for me, I can’t sleep nights wondering what really happened. Like the Elementary Teachers of Toronto, I just want to know.”

Buffy Ste Marie has made 17 music albums, three television specials, spent five years on Sesame Street, scored movies, helped to found Canada’s “Music of Aboriginal Canada” JUNO category, raised a son, earned a Ph.D. in Fine Arts, taught Digital Music as adjunct professor at several colleges, and won an Academy Award Oscar for the song “Up Where We Belong”.

Deadly protest
On September 6, 1995, Dudley George, unarmed, was protesting the destruction of a sacred burial ground at Ipperwash Provincial Park in southwestern Ontario when he was shot and killed by the OPP.

Ex-Officer Ken Deane was convicted of criminal negligence causing death to George and resigned from the OPP. The family launched a wrongful death lawsuit against the provincial government and for eight years they have been calling for a public inquiry, saying they would drop the lawsuit if an inquiry were held.

The government has consistently refused so the George family proceeds to court September 22nd, with the intention of exposing the truth about the events in Ipperwash that night.

Dudley’s brother, Maynard “Sam” George told NNNC having to go to court will be “a hard time for me and my family to get through, because that wound is still open.”

The wrongful death civil trial is expected to last at least four months before Mme. Justice Jean MacFarland, the judge who ruled in favour of Jane Doe’s civil lawsuit against the Metro Police. “I have to be there for that whole time,” George said, so he is moving to Toronto.

“It makes me feel good they’re going to create a scholarship in Dudley’s name to help other young people. A lot of good hearted people are supporting us. They believe in what we’re trying to do.”

George said he hopes the trial will allow “the truth to come out. We’re looking for who, why, when, where, and what happened that night. We are going into this with an optimistic feeling.”

The concert will be evidence of strong public support to see the truth exposed, to make the Ontario government accountable for its actions, and to ensure that Dudley’s name will live on through a permanent education fund for Native youth.

By George Paul

Boston Bruin icon, Ray Bourque, officially dropped the puck to a sold out Central Maine Civic Center for the inaugural home season opener of the Lewiston, Maineiacs on September 19, 2003.

Eskasoni’s future icon, Chad Denny, laced his skates for the Maineiacs to officially become the first Mi’kmaq from Nova Scotia to play in a Quebec Major Junior League Hockey game.

Chad DennyDenny, who his teammates jokingly refer to as”Team Baby,” is the youngest player in the team but not the smallest. Denny weighs 218 pounds at a height of 6’2 inches.

Denny’s first official game was with great anticipation and nervousness. Close to 30 family and friends took the 12-hour journey to attend Chad’s first game.

The month leading to the home opener was nerve racking for the family. Many players were cut from the team but Chad made it to the final roster. Maineiacs head coach, Mario Derouche said, “Chad is the future of our team, he’s only16 years old and is a big presence on the ice. This will be a big year for him.”

For Chad the Quebec Major Juniors is a major step from Sydney midget, ” It is a real challenge, a whole different game, more intensity, more speed,” said Chad.

Chad has great support from family and friends back home and the transition of being away from home is much easier for Chad. Chad is accustomed to traveling to Maine. For generation his family and many Mi’kmaqs from Atlantic Canada have always made the annual trek to Maine to harvest blueberries for 3 to 4 weeks in August.

This year, Chad’s trip was for a whole different reason.

So far Chad is coping very well and is not home sick. Chad likes Lewiston and the family he’s billeted to. Chad’s parents are only a phone call away and they have the phone bill to prove it.

The Drummondville Voltigeurs spoiled the Maineiacs’ home opener with a 6-3 win at the Central Maine Civic Center. But it was a great night for the Maineiacs franchise. The Civic Center was sold out in for the first time, it is said over 50 years.

Chad played extremely well in the season opener and the crowd saw the first fight when at 8:03 in the second period, Chad threw down the gloves with Vincent. Chad and Vincent wrestled each other to the ground and each got fighting penalties for their actions.

The fight energized the crowd.

Historically natives in professional hockey have always had the reputation as enforcers and fighters. But for Chad his mission is very different, “I won’t fight, until I have to. I didn’t come here to fight, I came here to play.”

The Maineiacs are scheduled to play against the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles on November 14, 2003. I guarantee, not a seat will be left at Center 200.