AMMSA Home Page Back to the start... Windspeaker Canada's National Aboriginal News CFWE-FM Alberta's Aboriginal Voice Alberta Sweetgrass Alberta's Aboriginal Newspaper Saskatchewan Sage Saskatchewan's Aboriginal Newspaper Raven's Eye BC and Yukon's Aboriginal Newspaper Aboriginal Media Services Aboriginal Media Selection Info. AMMSA Mission & History Canada's National Aboriginal News AMMSA Marketing Reach Canada's Aboriginal Market AMMSA Merchandise Show your colors... AMMSA Subscriptions Don't be left out on news and info. AMMSA Aboriginal Scholarships Scholarships and bursaries specifically for Aboriginal students. Aboriginal History Calendar Will history repeat itself? Find out... AMMSA Aboriginal Careers Starting or changing careers? Start here. AMMSA Community Events Find out what's happening! AMMSA Festival Showcase In depth coverage of Aboriginal Festivals & Events. On-line Contest A new contest every month! E-mail us your comments to: edraven@ammsa.com

The Aboriginal Newspaper of British Columbia & Yukon Published November 16, 1998 Veterans honored Chinese Canadian and Aboriginal veterans joined forces to open the Chinese Canadian Military Museum in Vancouver on Nov. 7. Pictured are: (from left to right) Duane Terry, Bing C. Wong, Kwagiulth Nation member Judge Alfred Scow and National Aboriginal Veterans Association President Art Eggros. See the story... Photo credit: Joy Ward Veterans honored by Paul Barnsley Nisga'a people say "Yes" by Paul Barnsley Makah whaling watch continues Eco-colonialism or environmentalism by Paul Barnsley Apex of chief's career approaching by Paul Barnsley Recovery: The first three years by Gil Lerat Land issues: Who's right? By Paul Barnsley News in brief: Labor, Summit find common ground Native lawyers to meet Summit chiefs laud new guide Here is a full list of additional stories featured in the November, 1998 issue of Raven's Eye. If you are not receiving your own copy of Raven's Eye, then you have missed all this information. Click here for Raven's Eye subscription information. Shooting leads to independent investigation First Nation builders elevated and empowered Therapist says bands keeping youth suicide secret Committee pulls plug on Fargo; Oklahoma may host Veteran leader retires Union ready for action Premier fighting hard for Nisga'a deal Native Youth Movement takes a strong stand Movie bug bites Okanagan Nation communities Labor, Summit find common ground Two days of meetings in Nanaimo in late October ended with the renewal of a 12-year-old commitment from organized labor and First Nations leaders to work together. "First Nations and labor are going to stand together and actively participate in the new economy and business opportunities the Nisga'a and other treaties will bring in the coming years," said British Columbia Federation of Labor President Ken Georgetti. "The treaty process is our opportunity to shape the future economy of this province," said George Watts of the First Nations Summit. "And if we sit back and pass up this opportunity, we're going to be thrown into the North American race at the bottom. That's not good for Aboriginal people. That's not good for working people." The parties agreed to work together to fight the growing gap between the rich and poor in the Canadian economy. They also agreed to work more closely in areas such as pressuring governments to embrace the spirit of the Delgamuukw decision and participating in an effective treaty process. Watts said the parties are committed to promoting fair treaties. "We will support the Nisga'a in fighting back against the legal action launched by Gordon Campbell and the Liberal Party," he said. "The alternative to the treaty is to stay under the Indian Act, which is unacceptable to the Nisga'a and all First Nations." Native lawyers to meet "Traditional Laws, Values and Governance" is the theme for the 10th annual Indigenous Bar Association of Canada conference, which will be hosted at the First Nations House of Learning Longhouse at the University of British Columbia on November 12 and 13. The Indigenous Bar Association is a non-profit professional organization for Indigenous persons who have legal training. Speakers from all over the world have been invited to address the conference. The organizers will waive the conference fees for the first 50 Indigenous law students who register. "The objective is to bring together various members of Indigenous communities to discuss and reflect on our cultural and spiritual values in our respective careers," said IBA director Candice Metallic. "As Indigenous lawyers and community members are in positions to influence the future of our Nations, we are obliged to be familiar with and appreciate the values which have shaped traditional laws and governance structures." Summit chiefs laud new guide The British Columbia Ministry of Education will introduce Shared Learnings: Integrating Aboriginal Content K-10 this month. The resource guide will help teachers and students learn about the culture, traditions and languages of the Indigenous peoples of the British Columbia area. Grand Chief Edward John, a First Nations Summit Task Force member, is optimistic that this move by the ministry will have a beneficial impact. "While we don't know the specifics of what will be included in the new resource guide and teaching modules, it is important to First Nations and all British Columbians to know more about the historic and current relationships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in British Columbia," John said. "This new educational material will hopefully balance the misguided efforts of those opposed to the Nisga'a treaty and B.C. treaty process who continue to spread misinformation to the British Columbia public based on the denial of Aboriginal rights and Aboriginal title held by First Nations people in this province today." Veterans honored By Paul Barnsley Raven's Eye Writer VANCOUVER The National Aboriginal Veterans Association was invited to participate in the opening of the Chinese Canadian Military Museum on Nov. 7. Located in the Chinese Cultural Centre on East Pender St., the museum will serve in part as a reminder that Chinese Canadians served in the Canadian military despite the fact that they were not granted full rights as citizens until after the Second World War. Chinese Canadian veterans reached out to Aboriginal veterans in a show of respect and to indicate that they understood the depth of the insult that Aboriginal veterans must feel after being treated in a similar manner, said NAVA member Joy Ward. Several Aboriginal veterans participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony which officially opened the museum. An honor song was sung during the ceremony. Nisga'a people say "Yes" By Paul Barnsley Raven's Eye Writer NEW AIYANSH Nisga'a Tribal Council President Joe Gosnell spent Saturday, Nov. 7 in his office answering calls from reporters in all parts of the country as Canada and the world turned its attention to the remote and starkly beautiful Nass Valley and the Nisga'a ratification vote. At least 60 per cent of the Nisga'a people voted to slip out from under the Indian Act and embark on an historic journey into unknown waters. "The Nisga'a Treaty is a triumph for Canada," Chief Gosnell said after the results were announced. "It spells a new relationship between Aboriginal people and non-Aboriginal people in this country. Together, we are writing a new chapter in Canadian history - and the whole world is watching. Once the treaty is ratified by all three parties, we will be full participants in Canadian society. Now let's get it done." Two days of voting and three long days of counting and verifying ballots brought one stage in a more-than-a-century-long process to a close in the early days of November as the Nisga'a people decided to give their tribal council's final agreement with Canada and British Columbia a chance at life. Pending a ratification vote in the British Columbia legislature, which may happen as early as Nov. 26, and then another vote in House of Commons, the new reality for Nisga'a people is that life under the Indian Act is about to end, for better or for worse. Premier Glen Clark is worried that the approaching free vote in the provincial legislature or one of the three court challenges which dispute the legal legitimacy of the agreement may still kill it, a possibility that Nisga'a Tribal Council President Joe Gosnell acknowledged. "Our lawyers made application for us to be added as defendants in the lawsuits a few days ago," Gosnell told Raven's Eye a week before the vote. "So far, we've heard nothing." Gosnell predicted an angry reaction and widespread activism by Aboriginal people should the agreement be vetoed. Premier Clark has also said publicly that a move to kill this agreement by Opposition forces could kill all hope of treaty negotiations in the province. Aboriginal leaders in many parts of the country, and especially in the British Columbia Interior, have condemned the agreement for giving up too much land and creating the precedent for the extinguishment of Aboriginal rights. Former Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs President, Saul Terry, called the agreement "state-assisted suicide." Gosnell reacts angrily to that kind of criticism. He believes his council took action and accomplished something when other leaders were stuck in neutral. "They haven't done a damned thing," he said. Those who voted in the Nisga'a ratification vote cast two ballots. In addition to approving the final agreement to accept land, cash and a limited form of self government, the Nisga'a people also voted to approve the Nisga'a Constitution. The constitution has not been made available outside the Nisga'a communities but Gosnell gave Raven's Eye a few insights into its contents. "The Nisga'a Constitution is an internal document that will be the guiding factor after the treaty is ratified," he said during an interview on Nov. 7. "It will describe how we'll be governed after we've disposed of the Indian Act. We're throwing the Indian Act out and in its place we're going to establish the Nisga'a Constitution." The tribal council president said the main benefit of the new constitution will be an improved form of accountability. "Until now, our councils were more accountable to Treasury Board and the minister of Indian Affairs than they were to their own people," he said. "We think that went out with the dinosaurs and this final agreement and constitution will break that link with regional office and Ottawa." Gosnell said there are provisions in the constitution for the people to recall leaders who they feel aren't doing an adequate job. His council, he said, has broken the deadlock that exists in many Aboriginal communities between modern forms of government and traditional forms of hereditary government. "We find it hard to believe, bearing the times we're living in, that east of here there are chiefs for life," he said. Adding that there is a place for hereditary chiefs and traditional institutions in his community's future, he said that place will not be in government. "From a political standpoint, there's no chiefs for life in our constitution," he said. Gosnell believes the control over its own affairs that the final agreement gives to the Nisga'a Nation will more than balance out the loss of the protections of the Indian Act and his people will thrive. "If we fail, we will have no one else to blame but ourselves," he said. The task of rebuilding a nation in a modern context is the next step once the agreement is ratified at all levels. It will mean, in Gosnell's eyes, the creation of something new and modern. "I don't like this Hollywood version of Indians," he said. Results (as of Nov. 11) Final Agreement Total ballots cast - 2,029 "Yes" votes - 1,215 Percentage in favor - 60 Ballots yet to be counted - 382 Nisga'a Constitution Accept - 1,227 Reject - 408 Percentage in favor - 76 Makah whaling watch continues: Eco-colonialism or environmentalism By Paul Barnsley Raven's Eye Writer NEAH BAY, Wash. Descendants of the original inhabitants of the furthest western regions of the North American continent are locked in a high-profile cat and mouse game with the international environmental community as several environmental groups patrol the Juan de Fuca Strait in an attempt to stop the resurrection of an Indigenous cultural activity. It's all about whaling. The reservation community of Neah Bay, population approximately 15,000 on the American side of the strait in the state of Washington, has been site of a media watch since the late days of September. The Makah Tribal Council has done its legal homework with the state and federal governments and is within its rights to harvest as many as five grey whales this year. October 1 was the day when the whaling could legally begin. Environmentalists and the international media descended on this town, a 90 minute ferry ride across the strait from Victoria, in late September. The environmental groups arrived with the intention of stopping the whale hunt. The media, of course, were present to cover the hunt or the environmentalists efforts to stop it. After more than a month of waiting, there is a strained feeling in the air around Neah Bay. Violence has broken out on at least one occasion. The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society has been aggressive in its efforts to scare whales away from the region. Raven's Eye photographer Heinz Ruckemann has spent a lot of time in the area, hoping to capture images of the event for our readers. He reports a Sea Shepherd ship has been discharging loud explosive devices in an attempt to scare the whales away from the region. Ruckemann also reports that the community is divided over the issue. He said one Elder who opposes whaling has been the target of jeers in the street from young people. Critics say the Makah leaders are allowing themselves to be used by whaling companies in Norway and Japan to undermine a 1986 ban on commercial whaling imposed by the International Whaling Commission. Once the ban on whaling is broken, the commercial whaling companies will make their own applications to resume operations by claiming they are also Indigenous peoples with whaling traditions, the environmentalists claim. Will Anderson, on board a submarine painted to look like a killer whale to scare the greys away from the Makah hunters, works as an advocate for the United States-based animal welfare group, Progressive Animal Welfare Society (PAWS). He told Raven's Eye there have been a few minor incidents during the standoff , but he said the U.S. Coast Guard is keeping a close watch on things. First Nations on the Canadian side of the border are keeping a close watch on events to the south. Nuu-chah-nulth people on the West Coast of Vancouver Island are related to the Makah people and are also traditional whalers. They attended a potlatch in Neah Bay this month. Nuu-chah-nulth leaders are also making plans to revive the whale hunt, saying it's an important part of their culture. Francis Frank, co-chair of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council, wants the environmental groups to mind their own business. "We think the protests that are being engineered are just another form of eco-colonialism, and because of our kinship with them, any challenge to the rights of the Makah people is a challenge to the rights of the Nuu-chah-nulth people," he said. "There is a contradiction in what the environmental groups are doing. The environmental community in the past has unconditionally supported our right to negotiate our treaty. Now they are contradicting themselves by saying neither the Nuu-chah-nulth nor the Makah should be able to practice our rights. In doing this they are arguing for the continued oppression of our people." Apex of chief's career approaching By Paul Barnsley Raven's Eye Writer PENTICTON Chief Stewart Phillip believes he has been given a crucial job at a crucial time for his people. Elected as president of the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs during the organization's 30th annual general meeting in Vancouver from Oct. 20 to 22, the Penticton Indian Band chief came away from the gathering with a new job and a renewed feeling that a turning point in the relationship between Indigenous peoples and the colonial governments is rapidly approaching. Phillip said a resolution which the chiefs passed in Vancouver will be the guiding light during his term as UBCIC president. In that resolution the chiefs showed they are tired of reacting to governments and will, in the future, make plans and take action to force progress in a variety of areas, especially the all-important land issue. "The resolution, in essence, was to seize the initiative," Phillip told Raven's Eye. "The chiefs are not prepared to continue to pursue the same old agenda and continue to discuss the issues ad infinitum. We see what could almost be called a crusade by the federal and provincial governments to extinguish our rights and title. Delgamuukw gave us a lot of hope. The chiefs were jubilant when the decision came out. We really thought we'd finally see some justice and we've been waiting patiently." The patience was wearing thin during the UBCIC general meeting. Many chiefs complained that the governments have spent more time, energy and expertise finding ways to avoid embracing the spirit of Delgamuukw than they have in complying with the Supreme Court of Canada decision. Phillip and many other chiefs see the executive or political branch of government resisting the rulings of the courts. The new UBCIC president predicts his organization will develop a strategy which will incorporate "political action, legal action and direct action." The Penticton Indian Band chief is no stranger to direct action. His community became the focus of national attention when it stopped the development of the Apex resort several years ago. Stewart and his wife Joan, a Penticton band councillor, make it a point to travel to and show support for other First Nations in the province whenever there is a confrontation. The chiefs actually got a two-for-one deal when they elected Phillip. He and Joan, their four children grown and out of the nest, are full-time political activists who work very closely together. "Politics brought us together," he said. "We were both working at the Vancouver Indian Centre when we met in 1977. Since then, we've been arrested together and jailed together." And if the election of the 48-year-old, 22-year political veteran means interesting times to come for federal and provincial government officials, Phillip might have at least a little sympathy for them because he has lived through some very interesting times, himself. He was apprehended by provincial authorities at the age of nine months and spent the next 23 years being raised by a non-Native couple in Quesnel. His birth parents, he said, both had tuberculosis at the time of his apprehension, and provincial policy made it impossible for them to contact him. Eventually, his birth father tracked him down and he was invited to return to his home community. "A lot of the children who were apprehended were returning to Penticton. The community was reaching out to them," he said. "In fact, I was the last one to return. And I was just overwhelmed by the love I felt when I went home." He had a lot of catching up to do when it came to his Indigenous heritage and the struggle took its toll. But he is now very proud that he has conquered a problem with the bottle and remained sober for 11 years. He and Joan both sought treatment (Joan has been sober for nine years). Phillip has also faced death at close range. On June 19, 1996 he underwent a liver transplant which effectively cured his liver cancer. He said he was in great peril when word came down that he had been accepted as a transplant recipient. "I've got a bumper sticker in my office that helps me get through some of the hard times," he said. "It says 'Any day above ground is a good day.' Being that close to death gives you an incredible respect for the precious gift of life." Known and respected among his peers as a man who says what he does and does what he says, Phillip is halfway through a four-year term as Penticton chief and said his home community is showing great support for him as he takes on the arduous task of adding the UBCIC president's duties to his workload. He tried to persuade Saul Terry, the retiring Union president, to continue. When Terry made it clear he was retiring, and Phillip was nominated, he made the decision to stand for election. "I felt greatly honored to be nominated and then elected and I feel this is a very critical time in our history," he said. Recovery: The first three years By Gil Lerat Raven's Eye Columnist VANCOUVER Those who are already in recovery know that it's a life-long journey of healing and self-development. One of the greatest myths about seeking sobriety is the belief that "everything will be OK if only I quit using." My column this month is going to look at the first three years of sobriety and why this phase is the most important if we want to remain clean. As I have said in past columns, abstinence is the easiest part of recovery. All we have to do is not "pick up." I'm sure we have all heard of someone who is on a "dry drunk." It's reteaching ourselves how to deal with life, emotions and feelings on a daily basis in a healthy manner that will enable us to remain clean without the use of alcohol or drugs. There is a difference between abstinence and recovery. Those who choose abstinence will undoubtedly relapse. This is not fantasy. It's a fact. The reason? You have to learn how to live with yourself when you're not using. That is why the first three years are very critical for a person who is about to journey into healing. This three year theory applies to those who are in recovery, not abstinence. That is, people who are continually taking inventory of themselves to better understand themselves. Year one basically deals with what we term as physical detoxification - getting our minds and bodies used to not using. No matter what dilemma we come across in our first year, as long as we don't "pick up" we've won. Depending on what your drug of choice was, the body can actually physically detoxify at 30, 60, 90 days and 6, 9 and 12 months after using. When I was around six months clean, I swore that someone was using cocaine in the recovery house that I was working in. It was a real hot day. I was sweating and when I was about to take a shower, I realized it was me who smelled like cocaine. My body was still physically detoxifying. Year two is what we term as mental/emotional detoxification. The main issue is no longer "not picking up", but dealing with the new found feelings and emotions. The majority of people who become chemically dependent used when they were happy, sad, agitated, etc. We always found a reason to use. Now that we have entered recovery, we have to see an emotion through to the end. Believe me, this is very difficult for many an addict. When we first begin abusing we stunt our emotional growth. I was 30 years old when I cleaned up. I became very angry with myself because I was no more than 15 years old emotionally. Year three is what we term as the maturation phase. We begin to feel and deal with emotions and feelings that we have felt and dealt with before. We can start to analyze what worked and didn't work the first time around and ask ourselves, "How can I handle this situation better?" Remember, using was a way of life. Therefore, not using has to be a way of life. There is only one thing that you have to change when entering recovery . . . everything! To this day I still remember what my alcohol and drug counsellor told me when I was at my most agitated stage of recovery. "It took you 30 years to learn all these dysfunctional behaviors. What makes you think you can change them in six months?" It's a tough process, but believe me, it's worth it. Until next month, may the Creator be with you always. Land issues: Who's right? By Paul Barnsley Raven's Eye Editor I spent three days covering the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs 30th annual meeting in Vancouver and then, two weeks later, was off to the north to get a first hand look at the Nass Valley and the Nisga'a vote. The views held by the Union chiefs and those held by Nisga'a Tribal Council President Joe Gosnell are as widely separated as any two points of view can be. But is one right? Is one wrong? It seems that if one group is right then the other must be wrong. They certainly disagree. And the two sides certainly weren't shy about criticizing the other. On both my trips I met Aboriginal leaders of great ability, passion and charisma. Chief Saul Terry rightfully earned the respect and affection of the Union chiefs over his many years as their president. It was inspiring to see him still unbowed after so many years of being the outsider, of taking on governments without softening his resolve to win back the land. In his farewell address, he repeated his position that compromise isn't the answer when it comes to the rights of the future generations and land claim settlements. His successor, Chief Stewart Phillip strikes me as a deep and strong individual who will not blink when push comes to shove. He also gives off strong indications that he will act at the right time in a decisive manner. There are many people in Victoria who felt their blood pressure rise a bit when the word got out that Phillip will lead the Union. Nisga'a leaders and Union chiefs disagree completely on the right solution to the land question in the province. The Nisga'a leadership defends their agreement by saying that compromise is the only way to get things done. Nisga'a Tribal Council President Joe Gosnell told me that he and his negotiators fought the government hard on every single word in the agreement that the Nisga'a people approved in early November. He's under no illusions that Canada wouldn't have taken it all and left his people with nothing if they'd been able to do so. He believes, and feels the favorable vote proves his people believe, that the Nisga'a agreement was the best his people could do. Gosnell left Nov. 10 for a speaking tour of Europe, during which he said he'll tell foreign governments and their diplomatic staff members that Canada is finally, slowly beginning to get it right when it comes to dealing with Aboriginal people. Is that a sign of an unhealthy coziness with a Canadian establishment that is still perceived by many Aboriginal leaders as the enemy? Or is it a sign that Joe Gosnell has found the answer for which his people have been searching for over a century? It's hard to reconcile the many different threads that make up the recent history of Canada's relationship with First Nation leaders in British Columbia and elsewhere across the country. On the one hand you have Stewart Phillip saying that this is a moment in time when the federal government is trying to wipe out Indigenous rights, once and for all. Then you have Joe Gosnell saying all is progressing as it should. Then you have the First Nations Summit Task Force chiefs saying they're encouraged by Premier Glen Clark's defense of the treaty process, the only way they see to get a square deal from Canada. I guess the only thing I'm really sure of right now is that it's good that there are choices for First Nations leaders when they attempt to settle the land question in the best interests of their communities. Whether it's a special deal, a seat at the treaty process table or the hard line of the UBCIC, each individual community can act as it sees fit to find its own answer. Ed. note: Carla Robinson, now working for CBC Newsworld, let us know that while her mom is from Bella Bella, her dad's from Kitimaat. It seems, after we did our story about her getting the CBC job and only mentioned Bella Bella, the folks in Kitimaat think Carla's forgotten about them and that's just not true, she said.