The Aboriginal Newspaper of British
Columbia & Yukon
Top News - September - 2003
Published September 15, 2003
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New Elders' council formed to aid their own
Tourney held to benefit Elders
This is only a partial listing of the stories featured in the September 2003 issue of Raven's Eye. If you are not receiving your own copy of Raven's Eye, then you have missed out on a lot.Click here for Raven's Eye subscription information.
B.C. to host Native nationalsSam Laskaris, Raven's Eye Writer, Prince George
After being held for its first two years in Akwesasne in eastern Ontario, the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships are heading west.
The tournament will be staged in Prince George from April 18 to 24, 2004. The majority of the matches will be held at the Prince George Multiplex, a facility that has a seating capacity of about 6,000. The rink is home to the Western Hockey League's Prince George Cougars.
Eight male and six female squads participated at this year's championships that concluded in May. Ray Gerow, the chairperson for the 2004 national organizing committee, wants to see those numbers grow. Gerow was the general manager of the only boys' squad from British Columbia at this year's nationals. He hopes to include a British Columbia girls club and a squad from the Yukon and Northwest Territories in 2004. All the teams from last year's championships have indicated an interest in continued participation.
"It's only fair that this event moves around the country," Gerow said. "Sometimes it will be in your backyard and sometimes it's going to be across the country."
Gerow said participating squads realize their travel expenses will vary from year to year, depending on where the tournament is staged. But in order for the tournament to continue to grow, Gerow believes there must be some continuity among competing clubs.
"It cost us an arm and a leg to get out there this year," with expenses totaling about $42,000.
Gerow, who had to relinquish his GM duties for the B.C. club in order to join the organizing committee, said he's hoping things are done a bit differently than they were for the first two nationals.
"I want to make it a family event," he said. "We want all players and their families to come here and enjoy themselves. If we pull it off correctly, hockey is going to be secondary."
Besides the hockey competition, Gerow is hoping tournament participants will all engage in other sporting activities, including perhaps bowling, swimming or snooker events. And he's also hoping to include some cultural events.
"That way all teams can interact with each other off the ice," Gerow said. "We really want to push that end of it."
The national tournament features bantam and midget players. Only those players of Aboriginal ancestry are eligible to compete.
The Aboriginal Sport and Recreation Association of B.C. (ASRA), the leading multi-sport organization for Native people in the province, will lend its support.
"This event will offer our youth the opportunity to showcase their talents and positive energies," said ASRA executive director Alex Nelson.
New Elders' council formed to aid their own
Erin Culhane, Raven's Eye Writer, Port Coquitlam
There's a new kid in town. Actually, it's a new organization. And while they may be fresh on the scene, they've been a long time in coming and they represent thousands. They are the B.C. Elders' Council.
Thirty-nine members strong, the council held its first annual general meeting during last month's Elders' Gathering in Port Coquitlam. The council addressed a number of topics, including approaching the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, many aspects concerning the annual Elders' Gathering, and petitioning financial support from provincial and federal governments.
The council started 10 months ago as a result of the ongoing efforts of Donna Stirling, its elected secretary. Stirling is also the co-ordinator of the B.C. Elders Communication Centre Society. She explained that she set up the Elders' Communication Network in mid-2000 and started the Elders' Voice Newsletter in December of that year. Last summer, the Elders' Web site was up and running: www.bcelders.com.
"Now, I am happy to say that all of these things are in place for the new B.C. Elders' Council to utilize, to start bringing about much needed change and improvements for our Elders, both on and off the reserve."
Of the newly formed council, Stirling said, "They are going to be a driving force."
Council member Jeanette McMaster from the Okanagan Nation said, "I became involved with the council because I see so many of our urban Elders without representation, and I believe I can be a voice for them."
McMaster explained that council members are people who are concerned about the welfare of Elders in the community. "You're on a one-to-one basis, so that the Elders don't have to go through channels to voice their concerns," she said, adding that many Elders don't understand legal terms. "For instance, even when signing a will, they don't know what they're signing."
The first annual general meeting was also the first meeting with all of the council members. McMaster said they plan to meet every four months from now on, with the venues yet to be decided. "We're not funded by any company or government. All of the work we do right now is all volunteer."
McMaster emphasized the importance of Elders working to help Elders. "Our mission is to be a voice for the Elders who have no one to speak for them. We have the ability to speak on their behalf-a lot of Elders can't write or speak English.
"It's all right to have chief and council, but not too often do we hear from the chief and council ... they are in such demand they barely have time for themselves." McMaster added that the Elder's Council doesn't replace the chief and council; "it's merely an extension for them."
She explained that one of the council's resolutions at the meeting was to support Stirling's efforts, which have thus far gone unpaid. "She's been doing the work for several years, and we decided that when we get our funding we will give a salary to Donna for the B.C. council. I think it's only appropriate-she's doing lots of work for the Elders."
As for dwindling support for the once-a-year Elders' gathering, Stirling said, "It's time for the government to start supporting the Elders' event. It happens once and nobody supports it."
McMaster agreed. "There's so many things that the B.C. Elders' gathering can do but no one seems to care about these issues or they are too busy." While money for many other causes and initiatives pours in, the well for Elders runs dry. "Not even a penny," said McMaster.
McMaster also spoke about the prevalence of elder abuse, saying, "A lot of our Elders are abused verbally and physically by their own children and grandchildren. Their homes are invaded and taken over, but most are afraid to speak up for fear of retribution. We are going to make ourselves available, let them (Elders) know we're there for them to help them resolve their issues."
Helping Elders is something that Stirling will continue to do. "It has been said that change comes in excruciatingly slow increments, but with so many people working on improving things for the Elders, on many levels, I believe that Elders can take hope that improvements will continue," said Stirling. She added that early next year the inaugural Elders' Native art auction will be online, a measure to support the interests of Elders.
Tourney held to benefit EldersGoody Niosi, Raven's Eye Writer, Qualicum Beach
The Elders are the heart of the Snuneymuxw community, said Chief John Wesley at the band's annual golf tournament Aug. 29.
It is because they are so vital to the health and strength of the community that the First Nation chose to dedicate its second annual tournament held at Glengarry Golf Course in Qualicum Beach to them.
Wesley said the tournament also gave the chiefs from distant bands a good opportunity to socialize while contributing to a worthy cause.
"It's good for all the chiefs to get together," he said.
The team from Coastland Wood Industries was the eventual winner.
The funds raised will be used primarily to assist Elders to travel to the various functions they attend throughout the year. Although some of these events are purely social, many of them are culturally significant. The Elders are asked to say prayers and give blessings at many official events such as the beginning of the annual Cadillac Van Isle 360 Yacht Race that circumnavigates Vancouver Island. They also attend conferences like the recent Elder's gathering in Port Coquitlam on the Lower Mainland.
The tournament drew about 100 participants from the Native and non-Native communities. Among those present were Chief Barry Seymour from Prince George, Chief Alan Claxton from the Tsawout Nation near Saanich, Chief Doug Kelly from the Sto:lo Nation in Vancouver, and Chief Terry Sampson from Chemainus.
Tournament organizer Keith Wilson, who is the Snuneymuxw economic development advisor, said he was pleased with the turnout and with the 25-degree temperatures under clear blue skies. Wilson said he hoped to raise adequate funds for what he called a very good cause. "The Elders are the core of the community. They are the conscience; they are the history; they are the roots."
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