Students to inform others about Lubicon

Page 1

As the Olympic torch runners wind their way to Edmonton and the Calgary Winter Games loom closer on the horizon, support for the Lubicon Indian band is growing on the University of Alberta campus.

Close to 50 students met at the Heritage Lounge on the university campus to learn more about the history of the Cree land claim fight and to hear about on-campus activities in support of the Lubicons, Jan. 28.

The loosely structured action committee was made up of students and representatives of student groups and was set in motion last December.

The group will set up an information booth in Hub Mall Feb. 3 to 5 to generate awareness about the small Cree band.

"The student we want to reach is the (one) who doesn't really know much about the issue involved . . . we feel our role as Aboriginal students on campus is to get the information out," says president of the Aboriginal Student Council, John Kortuem.

A public forum on the Lubicon band will also be held Feb. 9 at 7:30 p.m. at the Humanities Centre Lecture Theatre 1. Chief Bernard Ominayak, Indian Association president Gregg Smith and Metis Association of Alberta president Larry Desmeules are scheduled to attend.

Representatives from all political parties in Alberta are also being invited to take part in the forum.

Kortuem says although plans have not yet been finalized, the students are planning a rally during the arrival of the Olympic torch scheduled to arrive in Edmonton Feb. 10.