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Published August 17, 1998 Berny Wiens, Minister for Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs; Clem Chartier, Metis Nation of Saskatchewan President; and Hon. Ralph Goodale, federal interlocutor for Metis and non-status Indians were on hand to sign the Memo of Understanding July 24 at Batoche. Photo Credit: Terry Lusty $400,000 awarded to Métis Nation by Terry Lusty Wild rice growers compete in big business by Donna Rae Paquette Onion Lake powwow still drawing crowds by Pamela Green The games of summer by Linda Ungar Taking diabetes awareness to the capital by Sabrina Whyatt Powwow season will be missed by Denis Okanee Angus Here is a full list of additional stories featured in the August, 1998 issue of Saskatchewan Sage. If you are not receiving your own copy of Saskatchewan Sage, then you have missed all this information. Click here for Saskatchewan Sage subscription information. Improving social progams in north regions Guide reveals Native history Rookie wagon drivers in the hunt Native business growing rapidly Fur trader day $400,000 awarded to Métis Nation By Terry Lusty Sage Writer BATOCHE Another step towards Metis self-government and economic development was accomplished last month when a five year tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between Saskatchewan Metis and the provincial and federal government. The signing took place on July 24 at Back to Batoche celebrations with a $400,000 donation to the Metis Nation of Saskatchewan. Representing the Metis was president Clem Chartier, while Ralph Goodale stood in for federal government as Interlocutor for Metis and non-status Indians and Berny Wiens, Minister for Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs. The MOU is a continuation of the one signed in 1993 to help develop Metis initiatives in areas such as housing, education, jobs, health, justice, culture, language, governance and social and economic development. "It opens doors for us and we need to build on that," said Chartier, who added that the program dollars do not really address such issues as Metis rights. "Our common objective today is to build on past successes and achievements while finding new ways of strengthening Metis culture and institutions for the future," said Goodale. "This tripartite process can address issues like those mentioned, as well as land and resources, Metis governance and so on." "Opportunities for economic prosperity through community and economic development make visions into realities," boasted Wiens. He went on to say that a number of Metis business ventures demonstrate successful Metis entrepreneurship as do Metis individuals who have entered both provincial and federal politics as MLAs and MPs. Goodale stated that Saskatchewan and Manitoba are the only provinces to benefit from these MOUs, although others are in the negotiation stages. Of particular concern regarding practical results from the MOU process are: a Saskatchewan Metis Enumeration Project; a northern project comprising the mayors and Metis local presidents in the northwest Metis communities, now in its third year of development of Metis community governance models and devolution of programs and services; a Metis urban governance council involving the Metis Nation of Saskatchewan local presidents and area directors for Battleford, Prince Albert, Regina and Saskatoon, to examine urban Metis governance models appropriate to each urban setting; economic development partnerships in the areas of tourism, agriculture and the development of Metis Nation lands at Batoche; three community justice committees established by the Metis Nation of Saskatchewan under its affiliate, Metis Family and Community Justice Services. On behalf of the Metis Nation, Chartier explained that the $400,000 will be utilized to strengthen programs that foster business development and offer loans and grants to Metis businesses and entrepreneurs. One of the developments directly related to the Metis and Batoche is a management agreement with Parks Canada for Metis to assume control of the Batoche National Historic Site, which "has special significance for us," said Chartier. As well, he accredited the MOU signing to former Metis Nation president Jim Durocher and provincial treasurer Allan Morin, who were involved in negotiating the deal. Wild rice growers compete in big business By Donna Rae Paquette Sage Writer PRINCE ALBERT It's hard to beat big business, but Saskatchewan wild rice growers are holding their own against competition giants in the U.S. Grown mainly north of Prince Albert, wild rice has been an economic resource for many Aboriginal communities. The Lac La Ronge Band is one of many who have tapped into the market as risky as land farming. La Ronge Band-owned Lac La Ronge Industries has weathered a decades-old low price for green wild rice that has hovered around $.70 per pound while the costs for seeding, harvesting and especially transportation have steadily risen. Company manager Wally Parada said the low pay and high competition from paddy-grown wild rice in Minnesota and California has hit producers hard. "Some of these lakes are only accessible by air and that really raises your transportation costs. It used to be a really good business and people were making good money at it, but now it's really gone down." He said the US has an advantage with the paddy method and long growing season. "They can guarantee delivery of a certain number of pounds and their volume says they can sell for around $.20-$.30 a pound. We can't compete with that." He said growers have no legislation protecting them from the unequal footing their competition has U.S. customers. Customers sometimes don't differentiate between the imported cheaper product which is not 100% pure wild rice, a crop native only to Canada, and the US brands which are actually blends of rices. La Ronge Industries employs up to 30 people during harvest and at one time had a fleet of boats for contractors to go out and harvest the rice. The high operating costs now demand that contractors supply their own boats although the company still keeps a number of boats for harvest use. A processing plant located in the La Ronge industrial district processes about one and a half million pounds of wild rice between August and October. Saskatchewan Agriculture agrologist Jerry Ivanachko, says there are around 200 wild rice producers in the province and over half of those have treaty status and produce from First Nations-designated land. Between 75-80% of all Saskatchewan producers are of Aboriginal ancestry. Ivanachko said the large North American and European markets gobble up all the wild rice they produce. Grey Owl Marketing Co. Ltd. in St. Albert, formed by Saskatchewan Indian bands 15 years ago, is one of the larger marketing agencies of Aboriginally-grown wild rice. "In Canada we grow three and a half millions pounds of wild rice and over half of that comes from Saskatchewan. The US grows over 30 million pounds, mostly in California but their's is a blend of rices and not the same as ours here." Ivanachko said new players are coming on stream as Indian bands diversify in economic development projects. "Wild rice is the only native cereal and Canadians like it. It can be a viable crop and right now we have a lot of new producers in the Meadow Lake area and around Waterhen and Canoe Narrows. Some of them are quite large and able to produce up to 50,000 pounds a year," he said. Last year's provincial harvest weighed in between 200,000-250,000 pounds but crops have always been as variable as the weather. Heavy rainfall that raises lake levels and dry years that cause levels to drop affect germination and production. Ivanachko says this year is turning out a bumper crop. Wild rice has been enjoyed by Canadians since its early settlement. Centuries ago explorers entering the northern lake states of Minnesota and Wisconsin, and parts of neighbouring Ontario and Manitoba, were introduced to an aquatic grain-wild rice. The grain was of major importance to natives in these areas. Wars that lasted hundreds of years were fought between some tribes over disputed rights to prime wild rice stands. The crop has been successfully grown in Saskatchewan since the 1920's when it was brought in from eastern Canada as muskrat food to increase muskrat populations for trappers. Today wild rice remains a highly desired commodity. Nutritional analysis shows that wild rice is low in calories and fat, yet high in fibre, iron and good-quality protein. It also contains a wide variety of minerals and vitamins. Onion Lake powwow still drawing crowds By Pamela Green Sage Writer ONION LAKE Song, dance and drumming have always been the center of the ceremonies and celebrations of the First Nations people of the plains. The word powwow, which came from the Algonquin word pauwau, meaning medicine man, has become in our time, a powerful expression of cultural survival and renewal. One that traces a proud lineage from the ancient sundance lodges to a modern day competitive circuit that has spread like a wildfire across North America. One of the most important powwows on the international circuit took place at the Onion Lake Reserve in July. It brought together over 700 dancers and thousands of visitors. "One of the reasons that Onion Lake draws so many people is that we don't really push the competitive aspect," explained powwow committee president Brent Dillion. "We see it more as a gathering place for people and concentrate on making sure that things run smoothly." The annual celebration did come full circle again, but only after a year of hard work and planning by a large group of volunteers and committee members. Cooperative weather, warm breezes and a spectacular display of northern lights lighting up the midnight festivities, round dance and interibals also set the mood. Mother Nature had the last word Sunday night when that clouds opened up and the rain came pouring down, shortly after the hand drum competitions got underway, bringing a dramatic close to an otherwise perfect weekend. Competitors and visitors from all over the continent watched the opening ceremonies while dancers and veterans carried in the eagle staffs followed by flags of Alberta, Saskatchewan, Canada, Great Britain and the United States. The music for the grand entry and honor song was provided by the Canadian host drum, Blackstone from Sweetgrass, who also played the opening round for the grass dancers, who traditionally stomp down the grass in the arbor for the other dancers who follow. Chief Wallace Fox gave a welcoming address after the prayers, inviting all visitors, dancers and competitors to join the circle. "The great thing about this powwow is that we accept all visitors and there's no charge. We don't sell our culture, as told to us by the Elders. We depend on donations to offset costs and have received generous support from a number of sponsors including Nelson Lumber, Peace Hills Trust, CIBC in Lloyd Minster and the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Commission," said Dillion. Security was highlighted this year with a new force of band members trained on reserve, to work with and complement the team from the United Protection Services and the RCMP contingent which had several young Aboriginal officers in training. Traditional touches for the thousands of visitors included Cree specialties such as bison burgers on bannock and sweet Saskatoon pie, as well as a tipi village, hand-made arts and crafts and the chance to see some of the finest dancing regalia in the world. Visitors were also very impressed to see some beautiful Cree babies being carried by their mothers and Kokums in traditional moss bags and handmade cradle boards, decorated with beading and quill work. Visitors and newcomers were also able to learn about some of the old ways, time-honored customs and fine points in maintaining respect, tradition and correct etiquette, including the fact that sacred and spiritual ceremonies are never photographed and the shaking of hands with Elders and veterans is both welcome and appreciated. The great success of the annual Onion Lake Powwow depends on the enthusiasm and dedication of many dancers, drummers, singers and crafts people, some who travel a great distance to join in the circle, explained Dillion. As well, the unflagging support and hard work of the volunteers and members of the powwow committee make it all possible. The games of summer By Linda Ungar Sage Writer CROOKED LAKE "It was the best fun - being a Cowessess band member and part of the summer games." That sums up the excitement Darren Lerat, 13, of Saskatoon feels about the 24th annual Saskatchewan Indian Summer Games held in the Qu'Appelle Valley on the Cowessess First Nation, north of Broadview. Morley Watson, First Vice Chief of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations echoes that sentiment on behalf of Saskatchewan's 72 First Nations, "the summer games show what our First Nations are all about." The Cowessess population blossomed from a community of 600 to a large town, with 3,000 youth participating. People pitched tents in the rain, fighting mud and the mosquitoes. They played their hearts out in golf, soccer, fastball and track and field. To add to the comradery of the sporting activities were cultural events, a tradeshow, novel food items including bologna bannock burgers, and a youth conference. The colorful opening ceremonies included eight RCMP officers dressed in red surge, dignitaries and the Lance runners, followed by incredible fireworks resounding through the valley under a full summer moon. The games were created in 1974 to provide an opportunity for First Nations youth to become active in sporting events not available to them in the mainstream system and has grown to one of the largest sporting events in the province. Twenty-four years ago, founder Tony Cote, of the Yorkton Tribal Council, began the tradition of the summer games to give youth a focus and a chance to compete and build new friendships. "These games are for the young people," says Cote. Perry Bellgarde, Chief of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations says the games help youth abstain from alcohol and drugs, ensuring they have respect for themselves and their communities. With competition comes excellence, and the summer games honored its outstanding athletes with medals during the closing ceremonies. Meadow Lake Tribal Council went home the point leader with 940, followed by Yorkton Tribal Council (the host agency) at 708 points, Touchwood File Hill Qu'Appelle made an excellent showing at 635, the Battlefords at 626. Saskatoon tallied 546 points, Prince Albert 542, Onion Lake 299, Agency Chiefs 282, Fort Carlton 213 and South East Treaty 4 Tribal Council 166. For 28 of the participants ranging in ages 14 to 23, the summer games will live on in memory as a very cultural experience. These young people were part of the Sacred Lance run. The Lance is a cultural symbol that First Nations runners carry from one summer games host community to the next. This is the fourth year the run has been part of the games. For six days, fourteen Cowessess and 14 Whitecap runners escorted the Lance over 400 km from Whitecap Dakota Sioux First Nation near Saskatoon to Cowessess in the Qu'Appelle Valley, 150 kilometers east of Regina. Gord Lerat, 45, of the Cowessess First Nation, co-ordinated the Lance run. Lerat was a distance runner in his youth. He says this experience was much more than just endurance and speed. "There was a lot of cultural involvement. To qualify, runners had to display a high level of commitment and a positive attitude. They agree to remain drug and alcohol free and participate in the pipe ceremonies, sharing circles and sweats, before and during the run." They ran 65 to 90 kilometers a day at approximately 12.5 kilometers an hour. The runners were split into four groups based on speed and endurance or sprinter abilities. The rotation of runners was modified as the kilometers ticked by - to keep on schedule and to avoid fatigue. "The runners quickly came to care for and look out for each other and display a natural flow of co-operation and concern. It was as if they were running for all the people, especially those who can't run and who can't do the things that they can do. That was the special effort they made as they continued the ancient tradition of the Lance runners who carried messages from tribe to tribe." "Young people have a lot more respect and understanding that they are given credit for," says Gord Lerat. "They just have to be listened to." For two of the Lance runners, Sheldon Buffalo, 23, from Whitecap Dakota Sioux First Nation, and Ry Lerat, 17, carrying the Lance is a physical and emotional experience that they will carry with them always. As lead Lance carriers, Buffalo and Ry Lerat became friends, despite their age difference, and grew together in understanding and appreciating the world around them as a result of their journey. Buffalo, whose knee gave out en route, says Lerat gave him the power to go on. Buffalo was privileged to carry the Lance in last year's run to Whitecap and says the spirit of the Grandfather Lance will live in his soul and his heart even though it has been passed on to the Cowessess runners. "When I first held the Lance, I experienced all of the emotions of the human soul. Before, when I looked at a tree, I saw branches and leaves. After I held the Lance, I could see the colors and I knew the tree, as all things, has a spirit. I took the Lance as a person. I respected it and honored it. The Lance helped me to see things I had taken for granted." Ry Lerat says his personality changed in the seven days of the Lance run. It took some preparation to be ready for the experience. He went to sweats, maintained a good lifestyle without drugs and alcohol, and talked to elders for support, and when he returned home, there was a difference in how he felt towards others. "The Lance is a powerful spirit," he says. "It made me realize that life is a very sacred thing. Don't abuse it or take it for granted. The lance is a root, a grandfather of all roots. Everyone who touches the soul of the Lance is brought back to our old ways where there was little violence and abuse. For the youth of tomorrow, we need that root to take hold." And not only did the young people benefit. Gord Lerat says, "I know now what our culture can do to bring people together in a good way to create better understanding." As the Lance Run co-ordinator, he will care for the Lance until the 1999 Saskatchewan Indian Summer Games on Whitefish. "I have the honor to keep the Lance, and in turn, the Lance will be keeping me." Powwow season will be missed By Denis Okanee Angus Sage Columnist It's summer and powwow season is almost half over. By the time this column is printed, my family and I will be in New Zealand. We'll be gone for seven weeks. I know it will be a very interesting time and I look forward to the opportunity to take pictures "down under." As well, it's with a sadness for all the powwows that we will miss that get me thinking that my August column ought to be about powwow. I am not a really talkative guy. I see the world in pictures and maybe that's why I am comfortable about having a relationship with the world through the lens of a camera. Maybe it's because my first language is Cree that I see the world in pictures. It's a beautiful language and it is so descriptive. Even though, as a result of foster care, I have lost most of my Cree, maybe I am left with the gift of seeing the world in pictures and not words. I really like this picture. It's one of my all-time favorites. I took this picture at a powwow in the summer of 1994. We were at Poundmakers. Several years after it was taken, I ran into the young couple at the mall in North Battleford. North Battleford is one of the shopping stops for First Nations people in this neck of the woods. This young couple are still together and when I saw them in the mall they had just had a new baby. This baby turned four on July 14. The young man is Brandon Favel and the woman is Michelle Ramsay. Brandon is from Thunderchild First Nation. He's a bull rider and a saddle bronc rider. Last summer, he won four bull riding competitions. He won a champion buckle from Twin River Rodeo club. He's only been riding for a year and a half now. Isn't he just doing terrific? At powwow, lots of people take pictures of the dancers. The male dancers provide a powerful image for the camera. The women are so graceful. But these are the "easy" pictures. And I don't mean any disrespect. Dancers are very special people with very special responsibilities. It's just that powwow is so much more than the pageant and the dancing. On the powwow trail, as dancers and drummers know, it is very much being part of a family. Families talk about where they are going next and all the news and business of their families (and probably a few other relatives too!!). Sometimes, you don't see people for a long time and you are so happy to see them again. Powwow is about relationships. It's about sharing. For me, this is the really important about chasing powwow. It's a sad thing when powwow is over for the season. The memory of powwow is also very important to me. I remember being a kid and going to powwow. I would see all my cousins there. Many people in my family danced. But powwow is more than just memories. It's also history. I know now, that it was against the law for Indian people to dance or go to ceremony. Many people in this territory were charged and some even went to jail for following the ways the Creator gave to our people. I am grateful to our ancestors who protected our ways for us and hope that just a little my pictures help people think about why it's important to be who we are as Indian people.