Twinn defends Tory support

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"I feel it's unfair to pick on Indians," was the reaction of Sawridge Band Chief Walter Twinn in the March 19 article in the Edmonton Journal which focussed on the band's political contributions.

The article in question compared the Band's donation, which totalled $90,000, to that of other donors whose amounts were appreciably less than theirs. The tone of Journal staff writer Dave Cooper's article seemed to imply that something was wrong with the Band's contributions.

Twinn made no bones about such action and feels there is nothing to apologize for and that it was not a mistake. He spoke of the right of any persons or groups to make contributions of this nature and the Indians "have to go to mainstream society and politics" for their own survival. Some people contribute to three different parties, he said. "At least Sawridge has been loyal to just one party." He also commented on political alignments by saying that "any Band Council or Chief of Indian people that don't participate, especially in the federal government, are fools."

Twinn expressed much concern over the country's deficit. "If this country goes broke and the Sawridge does have money, they'll go broke, too" he said. For Twinn, the contributions are to protect their own self-interests. Because the band is more favorable to the PCs than other political groups, they support PC philosophy through their financial contributions. Such funds can help to change the government - that is, to help elect the party of their choice.

When questioned as to whether the donations, which had been made prior to the 1984 federal election, had gone to referendum with their Band members, Twinn defended the council which was the party responsible for making that decision. "I don't see the Heritage Trust Fund being put to referendum or anything else," he suggested.