The Aboriginal Newspaper of Saskatchewan
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Christmas Shines on the rez Photo Credit: Jane Brown |
Hosts learn on the fly for cable program by Linda Ungar
Taking prejudice out of the classroom by Sage Staff
Big Win by Randy Palmer
Light shed on hunting by Clem Chartier
Christmas shines on the rez by Jane Brown
Year in Review by Sage Staff
Here is a full list of additional stories featured in the January, 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.
Province warned to tread lightly on rights
First Nations children celebrate language, kinship
Welcome New YearOne voice, one song, one heartbeat
Reserve-based team leads
Need school cash? See our web site
January
More than 200 people attended the sentencing of two men found guilty in the beating death of Pamela George, a mother of two from the Sakimay First Nation. Steven Tyler Kummerfield and Alexander Dennis Ternowetsky were sentenced to less than 10 years each for their part in the brutal slaying. This means they could be eligible for parole in just three-and-a-half years. The family was outraged.
"There are two justice systems - one for the whites and one for the Natives. Once again justice has been denied," said one concerned Native man.
February
The United Church presbytery of northern Saskatchewan met with Aboriginal people to ask for their suggestions as to how a healing fund, set up after a 1986 apology from the church regarding its part in the ill treatment of Aboriginal people in the residential school system in Canada, could be distributed. The United Church is living up to what it sees as atonement for past wrongs. Through the establishment of a healing fund, the church hopes to ease some of the hurt caused by the residential school experience.
April
The Saskatchewan Indian Winter Games, hosted by the Prince Albert Grand Council, was a big success. "The winter games is a wonderful opportunity to share with one another our culture and our accomplishments," said Grand Chief Alphonse Bird. There were about 2,400 competitors and coaches, and about 5,000 additional visitors expected to attend the games, but that proved to be low estimation.
May
Ground was broken for the new Saskatchewan Indian Federated College building in Regina. Phase one of the long awaited new facility would bring the college's programs and students, now spread out over seven locations, under one roof for the first time.
June
Saskatchewan Indian and Métis Affairs and the East Central Health District Board announced that an agreement had been reached to develop Aboriginal employment programs within the health sector. The partnership will assist in identifying future human resource needs and available job opportunities within the health sector.
July
Even though the weather was touch and go, the 1997 Saskatchewan Indian Summer Games were a hit. The small community of Whitecap Dakota-Souix First Nation accommodated more than 2,000 athletes and coaches for four days of activity. It was the biggest games to date.
August
The Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission announced the settlement of a human rights complaint that paid $1,200 to an Aboriginal man. He complained that his co-workers at General Recorders Ltd. in Regina had made numerous comments of a racial nature.
The man said the comments, which perpetuated negative stereotypes about Indian people, poisoned the workplace for him.
September
The First Nations Bank of Canada was officially opened in Saskatoon on Sept. 24. "My heart is full," said Blaine Favel, chief of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations, as the first branch opened. The bank is a partnership involving the Toronto-Dominion Bank and the FSIN.
October
One of Canada's largest corporations, Federated Co-operatives Ltd., announced plans to increase the number of Aboriginal employees in its workforce. "We're not satisfied because we don't have enough Aboriginal representation in our employee base," said Peter Zakreski, senior vice-president of human resources for Federated Co-operatives. "We're currently sitting at 4.2 per cent and before that it was 3.9. I think we could do better."
November
Minister of Indian Affairs Jane Stewart announced the signing of a five-year Financial Transfer Agreement on Nov. 17 with the Standing Buffalo First Nation. Under the agreement, Standing Buffalo First Nation will manage about $17 million over five years. Programs and services in such things as education, road and sewer maintenance, and social assistance, will be provided by the community to its members.
Sage Staff
REGINA
It is expected that by the year 2006, approximately 30 per cent of students in Saskatchewan schools will be of Aboriginal ancestry.
This is one of many reasons why the province's Department of Education, along with the Human Rights Commission, the Saskatchewan School Trustees Association, the Saskatchewan Teacher's Federation and the League of Education Administrators, Directors and Superintendents who make up the Equity in Education Forum, penned a policy that would take discrimination and prejudice out of the province's education system.
"Racism, sexism, and other forms of discrimination are not only a problem for the education community, said Education Minister Pat Atkinson. "Discrimination permeates all sectors of society. In education we have a unique opportunity. [In] Saskatchewan's education system, our school's are a natural setting in which to work to nurture understanding and the value of diversity."
The policy document entitled the Our Children, Our Communities and Our Future, Equity in Education: A Policy Framework, hopes to encourage respect and value of the province's diverse cultures which will lead to a better quality of life of all citizens.
"Nurturing diversity broadens the scope of input and understanding, bringing a rich and comprehensive range of perspectives and solutions to the challenges of the day," reads the preamble.
The objectives in this document are to foster a commitment to a shared vision and policy for equity throughout Saskatchewan's education system;
to develop and implement an inclusive, collaborative and community-based process for change that is valued, sustainable in the long-term and focuses on personal and organizational commitment. This includes engaging people at a personal level about their values and aspirations for children and community;
to define, secure and focus resources to support actions toward equity, building on existing foundations, structures and events. This includes developing supports and resources for educators, boards, students and community members;
to nurture leadership at the local and organizational levels, identifying and supporting local champions, and building the capacity for continuing commitment and action. This includes facilitating dialogue and expanding ownership and responsibility to parents, community groups and others;
to develop indicators of success to monitor progress, including assessing the gaps between policy and actions and between actions and outcomes. This includes communicating successes and results;
and to sustain commitment to equity at all levels of the education system and among all people within the education system. This includes making a conscious effort to focus on and integrate equity principles and strategies into every policy, program and action undertaken.
The Saskatchewan Human Rights Code provides each person in the province with the right to equal benefit from the education system, regardless of race, color, ancestry, nationality, place of origin, sex, disability, marital or family status, religion, creed, sexual orientation, or receipt of public assistance, reads the document. But equal treatment does not mean the same treatment.
"The concept of equity goes beyond equality of opportunity where everyone is treated the same, to fostering a barrier-free environment where individuals benefit equally. It recognizes that some people require additional and specialized supports in order to achieve equal benefit."
By Jane Brown
Sage Writer
MUSKODAY
Nothing conveys the spirit of the holidays better than brightly decorated homes in the country. A warm message of welcome is imparted by families who care enough to plan their lights for the enjoyment of passing neighbours and strangers.
Motorists driving between Birch Hills and Prince Albert were treated to several feasts for the eyes as they passed through Muskoday First Nation. The competition was fierce at Muskoday First Nation's Christmas Decorating Contest, said band office staff, but people on the roads at night turned out to be the real winners.
The reserve was split into two sections to make it easier on the judges. Winner of the south side competition was the home decorated by Linda Pederson. Second prize was won by Hazel Lariviere and third went to Viola Williamson. On the north side, Julia Bear's home won first place, Margaret Bear was second and Elizabeth Parenteau won third.
On the west side of the highway, an especially impressive decorating job was done by Ruby Charles and her son. The house was outlined in blue lights with red ones spelling out Merry Christmas on the side facing the highway. Up close, it was nothing out of the ordinary, but from the road, it was a sight to remember.
"I've had people from Birch Hills stop by and tell me how much they like my lights," Charles said. "Last year we had red, but the blue really seems to show up."
Each of the winning entries had a star high above the roof. These shining examples of community spirit gladdened the hearts of travellers and the winners are to be congratulated on a job well done.
By Clem Chartier
Sage Guest Columnist
A lot has been written about the recent court decisions where Métis persons charged with offences under provincial and federal hunting and fishing legislation have been acquitted based on statutory interpretation in the case of John Grumbo (Grandbois) and on the Aboriginal right to fish for food in the case of Bruce Morin and Dennis Daigneault. Most of this has been addressed to the issue of night hunting. However, the issue should not be hunting at night with the use of lights, it should be about the Aboriginal rights of the Métis to feed their families through the practices of hunting, fishing and trapping.
The Métis are part of the Aboriginal peoples and the term "Indian" when used in Canadian Constitutional provisions prior to 1982 and is synonymous with "Aboriginal peoples." By this interpretation, which was accepted in Grumbo, Métis are "Indians" in the Constitutional sense and therefore fall within paragraph 12 of the Natural Resources Transfer Agreement (NRTA) 1930, which was ratified by the Constitution Act 1930.
Métis also have existing Aboriginal rights to hunt and fish which are protected by Section 35 of the Constitution Act 1982. The Court of Queen's Bench sitting in Battleford in September 1997 ruled in Morin and Daigneault that the Métis of northwest Saskatchewan have an existing Aboriginal right to fish for food, which is protected by Section 35.
However, even before these Queen's Bench decisions, the Métis of Saskatchewan embarked on a Métis rights agenda. That agenda included the declaration of self government through the adoption of the MNS Constitution in December 1993, the filing of a Statement of Claim in the Court of Queen's Bench on March 1, 1994 claiming Aboriginal title to the lands of northwest Saskatchewan, the Aboriginal right to hunt, trap and fish, and the inherent right of self government and finally, by passing a Métis Wildlife and Conservation Act and Regulations in the Métis Nation Legislative Assembly sitting at Batoche in July 1994.
More importantly, the 1994 Métis Wildlife and Conservation Act and Regulations prohibits hunting at night with artificial lights, bans the sale of wildlife, and contains a licensing, management, and enforcement scheme. While this Métis legislation is still in effect, it has been superceded by the Grumbo decision which we warned the government would happen if they didn't recognize our legislation and continued to prosecute our people.
The solution to the current manifestations surrounding night hunting with lights lies within the Métis Wildlife and Conservation Act, and the provincial government should sit down with the Métis and arrive at a mutually acceptable solution.
Further, the Métis leadership of northwest Saskatchewan, composed of the Métis Nation Local Presidents and Mayors of the municipalities, on Dec. 22, 1997 adopted a resolution calling on the province and MNS leadership to deal with the issue of hunting at night with lights, which they oppose, and that this negotiated solution must be based on the Métis Wildlife and Conservation Act.
It must also be kept in mind that Aboriginal rights under Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982 and the Indian hunting provisions under paragraph 12 of the NRTA 1930 are not "absolute" according to the Supreme Court of Canada. Those Aboriginal rights provisions are subject to infringement based on justifiable grounds, one of which is conservation. It is strongly suggested that the courts would uphold the Métis Wildlife and Conservation Act based on conservation. This proposition was also shared with the Court of Appeal in the Grumbo appeal, as we believe this is the approach to take.
Finally, as Métis people, we must insist that we return to a Métis
rights agenda and strongly push forward with the steps taken in 1993-94
by the previous leadership, including the exercise and enforcement of our
own wildlife and conservation legislation. This is important to our development
as an Aboriginal people with inherent rights. It is also important in conserving
wildlife through sustainable harvesting and shared use of resources with
other residents within the province.
By Linda Ungar
Sage Writer
REGINA
Let the programming reflect the audience. That's the secret behind the success of the Aboriginal Journal on Channel 7, Cable Regina. This summer, producer Brian Cottrell put a plan into action for a 28-minute, in-studio, interview-style television program, which in true cable tradition would help mentor those interested in working the television industry.
A call to Shannon Avison, co-ordinator of Indian Communication Arts at the Saskatchewan Indian Federated College in Regina, helped identify more than half-a-dozen students who were interested in being involved with the budding program.
"The seed grew to a plant quickly," said Avison. "There was no time for philosophizing. Brian wanted to start shooting at the end of August. We just jumped in with both feet. It was invigorating and empowering. We got the people in place, got psyched up and as we got rolling, we made the adjustments accordingly.
Avison said the INCA program is basically two years of pre-journalism, with a summer training session and an internship.
"The students who walked onto the set to tape the Aboriginal Journal had maybe done four or five interviews before, in school, with their peers and teachers. I don't think anyone realizes how little training they had," said Avison.
"Brian is very good at empowering people. He tells them what they are doing really well and makes suggestions for how to modify things to be more comfortable. The studio is a supportive, encouraging environment in which to learn."
Mervin Brass showed up on the set thinking he would be doing a little camera work, maybe some floor directing.
"When I got there, they told me I was one of the hosts," said Brass. "Just the other day when I was downtown, I held the door open for this non-Aboriginal woman; she looked up at me and said, 'Wow, you are the guy from the Aboriginal Journal.' It surprised me when I realized I was not only helping to give First Nations people a voice, but that non-Aboriginals were watching the show too. That might help dispel some of the myths about our people."
Brass said the student producers-hosts are the ones who make the decisions about who to invite as guests on the program. He is always looking for people with interesting stories to tell.
"I tell them about the benefits of coming on the show. Some are reluctant. They are concerned that the media might distort the message. I'm not looking for the controversy, the politics. I like to interview people who know about our Aboriginal ancestry - the grassroots people who are doing something positive for the community," said Brass.
Stephanie McArthur is also an INCA student who jumped at the opportunity to co-host the program. Her career goals are in cultural relations with the police force. Being visible on the Aboriginal Journal is a great way to gain the confidence and the public relations skills needed for her future.
"I have a lot of personal issues I like to tackle on the show," said McArthur. "My goal on the program is to create a greater awareness of Aboriginal issues. . . to accent the positive in the guests we bring to the show. I am a Human Justice major, so I try to tackle major social and health issues. One interview leads to another and my list of contacts and role models grows."
Brian Cottrell takes the praise for his mentorship role in stride. He's been in the television business for years. He freelanced in video and photography and worked on air as a reporter and anchor. In 1991, Brian accepted the position of producer at Cable Regina.
"We are just finishing up 10 episodes of the first series of Aboriginal Journal," he said as he cues the hosts on the other side of a glass partition. He speaks through his microphone to the volunteer camera person and punches up the images on cameras one, two and three on the switching board in front of him. He and McArthur have just discussed the next guest and whether there will need to be a wardrobe change for this segment. They are shooting two shows at once. McArthur has some ideas about the interview and how to get the best angle on the questioning. Cottrell gives a few helpful hints and goes back to putting Brass' interview segment on tape.
Cottrell's chair rolls back and forth as he punches keys and rewinds tape. There's an atmosphere of camaraderie. Two guests wait in the control room, watching the action.
Before their turn in front of the cameras, they will spend a few minutes with hosts McArthur and Brass to talk about their issues; how they would like to see their interview go; how the question line-up will proceed. The hosts put them at ease. The taping stops if someone gets nervous or loses their train of thought, then rolls again.
Each segment is six to seven minutes long.
Cottrell hopes to make the cable experience part of the curriculum at INCA. Discussions are underway. The show itself is expected to continue. Avison, Brass, Cottrell and McArthur all agree that Aboriginal Journal is serving a purpose in the community.
"It is an important vehicle for Aboriginal people to use to get their message out," said Brass. "I would like to see us do more on-location shooting to complement the interview segments so people can really see what is happening around Regina. It's important to view Aboriginal role models in their own environment, not just in a studio.
By Randy Palmer
Sage Writer
ONION LAKE
You knew right from the minute you walked through the door it was more than just another hockey game.
Just by the feel in the air, the electric atmosphere, and the 1,000 people that packed into the Onion Lake arena (it sits about 500 or so), one could tell this game meant more to the players and fans than any game they would see this season. And so the young men representing the First Nations went out and did themselves and their people proud.
The All-Stars, led by National Hockey League coach of the year Ted Nolan, pulled off a 4-3 upset over the Slovakian National under-19 Selects on Dec. 19 night, the Selects first loss in their pre-Viking Cup international tournament tour of Saskatchewan and Alberta.
Morris Elderskin of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League's Beardy's Rage scored his second goal of the game with four minutes remaining in the third period to secure the victory.
Considering the scope of the Slovakian team, the best under-19 players from across that country, the All-Stars success had to be considered surprising.
"I'll tell you what. To go just around the area and grab kids for a team like this, play against a National team and beat them is amazing," said Nolan.
"We're not talking about the best Native kids from across the country. These kids were just from this area, so this shows just how strong First Nations hockey is and what can be accomplished.
"I'm a firm believer there is a lot of untapped talent in First Nations communities right across the country, and this is just one example. It'll be great for people to hear about this, how they beat Team Slovakia with a bunch of local kids." Nolan said.
The opportunity to play in a game of this calibre and learn from a hockey personality like Nolan was a golden opportunity for the First Nations players.
"I watched Ted practice with the guys twice, once [Thursday] and once [Friday morning], and just by watching the guys, you could see they were out there to play for him and their people," said Grant Whitestone, event organizer.
"Every second of every shift you could tell they wanted to show their talent and what they were capable of, and they sure did tonight."
The game was just the latest in a series of events that have given a world of promotion to Onion Lake and First Nations hockey in general. In addition to the international exhibition games, Onion Lake annually runs an Aboriginal hockey camp, attracting the likes of National Hockey League players Gino Odjick and Wade Redden.
"They say Detroit is Hockeytown, but in Saskatchewan, Onion Lake is Hockeytown," Whitestone laughed.
"For me, something like this means a lot for the community, a lot for our young people, Whitestone said. "Many of our young hockey players, our young future stars, are going to play at this level someday. Hopefully this will lead them in the right direction and maybe open a door for them."
Nolan couldn't agree more. Even though the game was an exhibition affair, he couldn't help but recognize the potential in such a contest.
"This is something people might not believe, but I was as excited about this game as when I walk into the Montreal Forum and coach in the National Hockey League," Nolan said.
"To come here tonight and see how the community supported this team and how much it meant to them, I couldn't help but be excited to be part of it.
"You never know, but some of the players who played in this game tonight, on both teams, could be playing in the National Hockey League in the future. Games like this can create a lot of opportunities for young people, and maybe this one will."
For Whitestone and his fellow First Nations hockey supporters, that would be the icing on the cake.
"We want to show the players they can make it, just like everyone else. They just have to work hard and earn their opportunity," Whitestone said. "That's one of the biggest reasons Ted came here, to act as an inspiration for these young players and the players in the crowd tonight. We all have to support one another if we're going to be successful, and having people like Ted give their time for something like this is the best way to do that."
Whitestone expects there will be many more events like this for Onion Lake in the future. In addition to the hockey school, which it is hoped will have Nolan as a guest instructor this year, other exhibition games may follow. And the sport of hockey for First Nations people is sure to improve as a result.
(Team Slovakia went on to finish third in the Viking Cup International
hockey tournament in Camrose, Alta., losing out to the eventual champion
Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League Selects in the semi-finals.)
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