Published September 13, 1999 Warriors march on new battleground A half-time show spectacle greeted the football fans at Winnipeg Stadium on August 26. Fans there to see the Calgary Stampeders take on the home team saw Indigenous dancers escort First Nation veterans as they marched onto the field to be recognized by the Blue Bomber faithful. Later, as the veterans were leaving the playing surface after completing their march, the crowd in the nearest section rose to give them a standing ovation, a gesture that many of the old warriors said was greatly appreciated. Veterans from across Canada were in Winnipeg for a conference organized in part by the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations. Click here for the story. Photo Credit: Paul Barnsley Province's veterans reach out across the country by Paul Barnsley New party alleges widespread corruption by Dan Palmer What back to school really means by Christopher Tyrone Ross FSIN leader watching provincial election campaign by Stephen LaRose Healthy breakfasts put students on fast track to success by Pamela Sexsmith Green Back to school at Thunderchild by Denis Okanee Angus Here is a full list of additional stories featured in the September, 1999 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. New party alleges widespread corruption Chiefs honored at 34th powwow Twenty-fifth Indian Summer Games a huge success New lodge opened Graduate works to build a bridge Province's veterans reach out across the country By Paul Barnsley Sage Writer WINNIPEG The Saskatchewan First Nations Veterans' Association is hoping to use its legal action against the government of Canada as a rallying point for First Nations veterans all across the country. That was the intent of Keeping Our Strength, a three-day conference at Winnipeg's Best Western International Inn from August 25 to 27. Representatives from local veterans' associations in Nova Scotia, the Yukon and all points in between responded to the invitation to the conference. From the first hour onwards, it was apparent that many veterans feel under-served by their existing federally-funded national organization, the National Aboriginal Veterans Association or NAVA. Executive members of the Saskatchewan First Nations Veterans' Association, which filed suit against the federal government on behalf of its members last year, made no secret of the fact that they have little use for NAVA or its predecessor, the National Indian Veterans Association (NIVA). The conference was initiated by the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) who worked with the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) to organize the three days of meetings. Sixty-nine veterans were included in the crowd of close to 200 people who attended. Perry Bellgarde, grand chief of the FSIN and Assembly of First Nations (AFN) vice-chief for Saskatchewan, holds the AFN's veterans' portfolio. He urged the veterans to get organized on a national level and join his province's veterans' association in putting intense pressure on the federal government. Bellegarde explained the legal strategy behind the lawsuit for the visitors from other regions. He said that non-Native veterans who returned from overseas were entitled to a quarter-section of land, which they owned outright with fee simple title. Native veterans received a certificate of possession to occupy Crown land on their own reserve. The non-Native veterans could use their land as collateral for loans to buy more land. Native veterans didn't receive that benefit. Returning Second World War veterans received $6,000 in 1946, a sizable amount of money in those days. "Indians received maybe $2,200," said Bellegarde. "Some received less. In the statement of claim we ask the government of Canada, 'Why was there a difference?' That was a large amount of money at that time." Spousal benefits for survivors of Native servicemen are substantially lower than for non-Natives and access to grants and other benefits was blocked or hidden, the lawsuit alleges. AFN vice-chief for Manitoba, Dennis White Bird, noted that many Native soldiers also lost their treaty status when they enlisted. He said that Native soldiers were not required to enlist for action because treaties stipulated that they not be forced to serve in the armed forces of the colonial powers. But he noted that Native people enlisted in numbers far higher per capita than those of the general population. "We want you to know we're proud of you," he told the veterans. "Not because you fought in the war but because you fought for what you believed in." "You were equals when you were fighting over there," said Bellegarde, "but when you came home, you became Indians again. It's sad that even today - 1999 - you have to fight again." One important factor that has fueled, and added a sense of urgency to the fight, is that the veterans are aging. "We continue to say time is of the essence," Bellegarde said. "This room should be full - there should be two rooms full of our veterans - but the sad part is that many are passing on. It's time for action." Three lawyers who have worked closely on many similar fights are representing the Saskatchewan veterans in this matter. Delia Opekokew, Murray Klippenstein and Andrew Orkin have teamed up to attempt to force the Ontario government to hold an inquiry into the shooting of Dudley George at Ipperwash Provincial Park in 1995; Orkin and Klippenstein have led the legal fight for compensation for exposure of the Deline Dene to uranium they mined for the atomic bomb which ended the Second World War. Opekokew, originally from a Saskatchewan First Nation, returned home to become the general legal counsel for the FSIN. She and Klippenstein were on hand on the opening day of the conference to answer questions about the lawsuit. Opekokew said there were 818 individuals - living and deceased - named as plaintiffs in the class action suit. She later added that others could be added to that list or could file their own statement of claim. "There are three ways, if you wish to become a party," she said. "One: you can add yourself to our list. Two: you can have the group representing you become a party. Three: you can file your own action." Klippenstein said that if more groups joined the action, the FSIN would be relieved of some of the burden of paying the legal bills. He warned those contemplating joining the action that if they lost, they'd be on the hook for their share of the cost. He noted that Dennis Wallace, associate deputy minister of Indian and Northern Affairs, had already written a letter proposing that the veterans' claims could be negotiated on an individual basis. Klippenstein and others believe that is part of a government divide and conquer strategy. He advised unity and one lawsuit. The Toronto-based lawyer said there are three strategies that must be employed simultaneously in such matters. The threat of a lawsuit can force the government to participate in meaningful negotiations, he said. Making sure that the issue gets in front of the general public at the same time will also put pressure on the politicians and bureaucrats. "I have this deep feeling that the Canadian public knows your cause is just," he told the veterans. "You were wrongfully treated and that must be undone. Canadians know they benefited from your service and they know in their hearts, this injustice must be undone." The legal team believes they can prove that Indian Affairs intentionally tried to keep Native soldiers from reaping the full benefits of their service. "The Indian agent only had to say, 'Why not go to Veterans' Affairs and explore your options?'," Klippenstein said of how Native vets were served by the government upon their return. "That may have happened, but we've never heard of it and we've listened to the stories of many, many veterans. The government was negligent. They were clearly wrong." On the final day of the conference, Chief Bellegarde tried to close the deal. He informed the audience that the AFN's director of social development, Art Dedam, was now going to take on the task of being the national co-ordinator of veterans' issues and those issues would be looked after through Dedam's Ottawa office. He then asked the representatives from the various regions if there was any consensus on expanding the lawsuit. Many speakers from many regions spoke of being impressed with the Saskatchewan initiative, but none were prepared to commit that morning. Plans were made to use the AFN as a contact point so that an organized approach could be developed over the next several months. Many of the veterans signed a declaration to adopt the Saskatchewan approach in principle. The declaration also "recommends and requests that the Assembly of First Nations, provincial and territorial First Nations organizations and First Nations governments, including chiefs and councils, adopt and provide necessary resources to this common effort in support of their respective First Nations veterans." The original copy of the declaration was presented to National Chief Phil Fontaine who arrived for the final hour of the conference. Fontaine commended the Saskatchewan veterans for their persistence and stated "the AFN stands firmly with you." New party alleges widespread corruption By Dan Palmer Sage Writer PRINCE ALBERT A new challenger stepped into the Aboriginal political arena this summer, vowing to stamp out corruption in Saskatchewan's Métis government and become the opposition. "We would like to be the monitoring system," said John Melenchuk, a spokesman and member of the New Métis Party of Saskatchewan. Melenchuk said the party wants to serve as a watchdog to the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan (MNS) - which is the umbrella organization for several Métis regions and locals in the province. With federal government funding, these locals provide services for Métis people such as educational and job-training programs. But Melenchuk said he has seen first-hand the corruption and nepotism in current Métis government institutions, having worked from January to March on contract as an economic development officer for Western Region II's Métis Employment and Training Centre (METSI) in Prince Albert. A computer training program launched this spring costing about $450,000 could have been done for half the cost, said Melenchuk, since a lot of the money for the program wasn't accounted for. In other instances, he alleged METSI personnel would invent programs days before budgets were due, in order to get full federal funding for the next year. The federal and provincial government were contacted by Melenchuk earlier this year. He told both levels of government some of the problems he was seeing at METSI. But in a letter to Melenchuk, Bernie Wiens, Saskatchewan Minister of Inter-governmental and Aboriginal Affairs, said to take his concerns to Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC). "HRDC is responsible for policies related to the Métis Employment and Training Centre Corporation in Prince Albert, as well as those related to the provincial office of Métis Employment and Training of Saskatchewan Inc.," reads the minister's letter. HRDC said in turn the problem was to be dealt with internally by Métis government, said Melenchuk. "The government is saying look after yourself. We can't even look after ourselves - it's corrupt," said Melenchuk. "The only alternative is another party." But HRDC recently informed METSI it would take a greater role in looking after some of the training and education programs through Métis regional offices, in light of a fraud investigation by the Saskatoon Police Service of the Métis Employment and Training Centre of Saskatoon. Melenchuk said Prince Albert's training offices for Métis people should also be investigated like their Saskatoon counterparts. "They (the police) should go right through everything," he said. Melenchuk alleges the Prince Albert regional office is pocketing some of the money it receives for itself, based on documents received from a former METSI employee. Morley Norton - who isn't a New Métis Party member - worked from November 1998 to August 1999 in Saskatoon for METSI. Norton said his job was to keep track of money spent on youth programs in such METSI regional offices as Saskatoon, Regina, North Battleford and Prince Albert. "I was one of the monitors," said Norton, who was laid off in August. "When I did an analysis of Prince Albert books, I found a lot of discrepancies." In an invoice Norton copied during his time at METSI, the Prince Albert Métis Women received $1,600 from a Métis Elders' care project for equipment rentals such as a snow blower, a steam cleaner, a large shovel, picks and paint rollers. The program is designed for youth to help Elders with such things as shovelling walks, washing walls and taking seniors to appointments. John Hanikenne, former co-ordinator for the Prince Albert Métis Elders' home care project and now a member of the New Métis Party, said he never saw or used the equipment written on the invoice. The document was written after Hanikenne was laid off in May, 1999. But Hanikenne said the invoice was for 16 weeks, which started in January while he was still working for the program. "This stuff we never had," said Hanikenne. "All I was given was one shovel." Another invoice Norton copied shows the Elders' project paying $200 to the Métis Local No. 7 general account in June, 1999 for storage of equipment in a shed. Not only did Hanikenne never see the equipment, he never saw the shed either. Hanikenne said he wasn't aware of the accounting discrepancies until Norton phoned to ask about the books. "This is just what we picked out of my program," said Hanikenne, adding he wonders what happened with other youth programs. The two cheque vouchers for the invoices are also missing approval signatures from some Métis Local presidents. Darlene McKay, Métis Local No. 7 president, signed both vouchers. But Lois Fiddler, Métis Local No. 109 president, and Barry Robertson, Métis Local No. 269 president, didn't sign the documents. Norton said the other two signatures are necessary to approve funding. Norton said he sent a memo to Perry Chaboyer, METSI's chief executive officer, explaining the three signatures were necessary as a result of a motion passed by the Prince Albert Métis Urban Council in January, 1999. "Any disbursements from any of these accounts must be authorized by the three local presidents," reads the memo. No action was taken after the memo was received, said Norton. When contacted by Sage and faxed the cheque vouchers, invoices and memo, Chaboyer said he couldn't comment on the matter. Chaboyer said all media comments have to go through Philip Chartier, METIS chairman. Chartier couldn't be reached for comment. Melenchuk said the party also wants to make sure the administrators are as clean as the books. Earlier this year, Prince Albert's Métis Urban Council co-ordinator Merril Fiddler was sentenced to 15 months' probation for drug-related charges. "We want to make sure that doesn't happen again," Melenchuk said. Merril's mother, Lois Fiddler, is president of Prince Albert's Métis local No. 109 and a member of the Prince Albert Métis Council board, which hired Merril knowing his criminal record. Melenchuk said the new party won't be corrupt, since it's starting from the grassroots. "We want everything to be open," he said. The party's working committee plans to hold public meetings throughout Saskatchewan over the next few weeks to see what other Métis people have to say. Party funding will come from memberships, along with selling T-shirts and hats. In 2001, the party plans to hold elections for president to coincide with MNS elections. Melenchuk hasn't ruled out running politically either. "I don't really want to run for president, but if it comes to that I will," he said. MNS president Clem Chartier and vice-president Murray Hamilton couldn't be reached for comment.

What back to school really means By Chris Tyrone Ross Sage youth columnist SASKATOON As September and the start of the new school year approaches, many students are very excited to return to class and tell their stories of summer to all their friends. It's the time of the year when stores like Wal-Mart and Staples cash in on the big back-to-school shopping spree. It could be just the start of yet another school year, except this time it's the end of the century. Which leaves us with some questions. Will there even be a class of 2000? What will happen when Y2K hits? What schools will be affected? Will your school shut down because of its old 1980 computers? At Sage, we are Y2K compliant. I'm not afraid of Y2K, I'm just happy that all these teenage rebels are going back to school. I'm happy that I graduated from Grade 12, and I'm doing something positive with my life like running my own magazine, Generation X. I won't bore you any longer with my life story and the things that make me happy. Besides I wouldn't want you sleeping through the most exciting column in Sage. So let's talk about the history of going back to school, from the time Native people first walked on this earth to the time gangsters started the new trend of drive by shootings in south central L.A. Here is what back to school was like from the birth of Wesuhkechahk (Indian legend) to the coming of Y2K. When Native people first started roaming the prairies there really was no school to go to, except for cooking class with Kohkom. There was no concept of school, but there were teachings from the Elders about traditional ways, and special courses on how to hunt buffalo and fry duck over the bonfire. Native people taught each other about the way of life, so going back to school was more like an everyday thing. When the missionaries came, they made the term "back-to-school" sound like a call for uncivilized Indians who needed to be taught the white man's way. That's one reason why many Native people (back then) were afraid to go back to school. And I can understand why. I mean who would want to go back to school and face the hardships of being abused on a daily basis if you decided to implement a new Cree class? For Native people back then it was more like - Back to residential school savings at the Hudson Bay. Save 20 per cent on pencils (from trees chopped down on Native land). Back to residential school was a scary thought for many Native people. It didn't mean returning to class and telling all your friends how big of a buffalo you hunted this summer, because at this time there were no buffalo. All the missionaries killed them off. It was also a very sad time for Native people, so you can picture how terrible the residential schools were. When reserves first came into place, and Native people began to have their own governments with band councils, money was available to make new schools and hire teachers on reserves. This would change the school system dramatically. It was a new era that brought significant change to Native education. Back to school meant welcome to our new school, I hope you like the $2 million gymnasium. That really made students feel comfortable, going to their own school and being taught by their own teachers and learning their own culture. Then again, we haven't even touched base on urban high schools. What does it mean going back to school at a ghetto school? It means don't bring a gun to school, the police will easily detect it. And also don't carry a knife, there are kids more trained than you are. However, that's what the attitude is like in L.A. or New York. In a place like Saskatoon, back to school means having fun and meeting new friends and trying to fit in with the jocks, even though all you can do is play golf. So enjoy this school year and don't let the bullies bother you. Until next time, this is Chris Ross signing off saying keep it real. FSIN leader watching provincial election campaign By Stephen LaRose Sage Writer FORT QU'APPELLE Whoever wins the provincial election, the next Saskatchewan government has a lot of work to do on relations with First Nations, said Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations Grand Chief Perry Bellegarde. Issues such as health care, education, justice and taxation issues will be important to First Nations people in this election, Bellegrade said. "We always have to watch what's going on at the provincial level because any changes on policies or programs impact on our people," said the FSIN leader. Meanwhile there's very little being discussed in the election that will directly affect First Nations people, he said. And what little he has heard has left the FSIN leader confused. The Saskatchewan Party says that, if elected, they will apply the six per cent provincial sales tax to status Indians. Aboriginal leaders say this imposition is a violation of treaty rights. "We've always maintained as treaty Indians that we have an inherent right to tax immunity, based on the fact that we are sharing this land and we've already prepaid for all our services and programs," Bellegrade said. "There's billions of dollars in gross domestic product in resources that have been extracted from this territory we're sharing." In addition, the Saskatchewan Party is trying to make a lot of political mileage out of something which, if applied, would net the province only $9 million a year, Bellegarde added. Meanwhile, other political parties have made spending promises that the FSIN says should also apply to First Nations people. "We want to get clarification on some of the things that have been announced in party platforms," Bellegrade said. "The NDP have promised that first-year tuition for university and technical school students will be covered. We believe that should also apply to status Indians as well." Earlier in the election the NDP promised that if re-elected they will pay all tuition for students enrolled in their first year of courses in Saskatchewan universities, colleges, and technical institutes. The provincial Liberals also promised $1,000 scholarships to first- and second-year university and technical school students. The federal government, through third-party transfer payments, pays a portion of university and technical school operation, Bellegrade said. The federal government includes the number of Aboriginal students enrolled when determining the amount of dollars provided to provinces. "There's a lot of money that comes from the federal government to the province that include our numbers," he added. A member of the Little Black Bear First Nation, Bellegrade was in Fort Qu'Appelle on August 20 for the official opening of the File Hills Health and Social Development Complex. Saskatchewan residents go to the polls Sept. 16. Healthy breakfasts put students on fast track to success By Pamela Sexsmith Green Sage Writer LLOYDMINSTER No child should have to go to school running on empty. Even if they just have time to grab a chunk of bannock with milk before catching the school bus, or a quick piece of pizza with fruit juice before they strap on the rollerblades and hit the sidewalks. "For the nursery school set at the Aboriginal Headstart Program in Lloydminster, an early bird breakfast really does gets kids on track for a good day at school. It helps to make them more alert and able to pay attention," said cook and special care aid at the school, Della Buchta. "Best of all, it's colorful, tasty and fun, especially when the kids have a hand in putting it together. It's a really positive part of our program. And they are more apt to eat it if they help to make it, something creative like apple smiles with marshmallow teeth or celery wagons loaded with cream cheese, peanut butter and carrot slice wheels." Making breakfast fun is a great way to get kids into the healthy eating habit. "Children at this age really do seem to go for variety, color and small portions," explained Buchta. "Fruit slices, veggies, dips, cheese sticks, muffins and toast are not just good solutions for an early morning snack attack. They also set the stage for good eating habits, focusing on natural healthy food. The children also enjoy the hands-on approach in our 'Kinder Cooking' program. Having a chance to put together a 'rabbit food' salad. Making snack trays full of traditional taste treats like bannock, smoked salmon and fresh berries and sharing it with the rest of the class. And they think that it's really cool that boys can learn to cook." It's all part of a lifelong learning package, focusing on the overall health of the children as well as promoting good dental habits. Fruit instead of candies, muffins instead of sugary cookies. And with an Aboriginal student population of 50 per cent Native and 50 per cent Métis in the Headstart program, diabetes is always a concern, said Buchta. "One of the ways that the school addresses the concern of diabetes among three-, four- and five-year-olds is a continued strong focus on natural healthy foods served at breakfast, lunch, mid-morning and mid-afternoon snack," Lisa Zackowski, executive director of Headstart explained. "Diabetes is something that is a very important health issue among parents and teachers of Aboriginal children. The real need is to address a genetic predisposition to diabetes with healthy dietary habits formed early on in life. The goal being to help keep borderline diabetes from turning into full blown diabetes later on in life. Healthy food served in small portions at regular intervals to keep kids alert, healthy and happy," she said. Zackowski was adamant about every child's right to enjoy good nutrition in Canada. "Child hunger is an issue that Canadians should never have to address. No child in this country should be without good nourishing food. Kids who steal at a very early age are probably running on empty as far as good food goes. It's a justifiable motive to steal when you are just a kid. When you see that other kids have a good lunch packed for them at home while you are left out in the cold. Right and wrong doesn't mean much when you are hungry," said Zackowski. "An important part of developing good moral behavior is in the hands of both parents and teachers. Parents sending the kids to school ready, willing and able to learn. Teachers making sure that all the bases are covered, including essentials like breakfasts and hot lunches for kids who really need it. "A healthy breakfast is so important, because breakfast feeds your brain. Without some energy first thing in the morning, your body just doesn't move," Zackowski added. "Kids who are hungry all day just can't focus. They get tired and grouchy when their tummies are growling and they can't think about much else. That's why we're here at Headstart. To give our Aboriginal kids a real edge, a better chance to succeed in the mainstream. Back to school at Thunderchild By Denis Okanee Angus Sage Columnist Well, the kids are back to school at Thunderchild. And most parents are sighing at least a small sigh of relief. Our youngest child, Jack, born in January, is just a few days past the deadline to start school this year. He's not very happy about his four brothers and sisters going back to school and leaving him home alone. On his first day, home alone, Jack mastered riding a two wheel bike. He was so very proud of himself pedaling around the driveway, huge smile (dimple showing) cruising around the driveway. He waited and waited all day for the kids to come home so he could show them what he had learned. I guess it's pretty obvious that I am pretty proud of my son. I am also impressed with some of the education decisions that have been made at Thunderchild over the summer. The community is no longer providing buses to the local border town where a number of our community residents have gone to school. I think some parents think their kids will get a better education at the "town" school. (Read that "if they are educated by white people.") I don't buy that kind of thinking. I went to that town school. My son went there for a while (and filed a human rights complaint about the individual and systemic discrimination he alleges he experienced there). What if you did learn better math and English at the town school (and I am not saying you will)? What good are those skills going to do you if you have no identity and sense of self-worth as an Indian person? So despite the controversy, I am glad that the buses have been stopped. I don't think I have a big problem with the idea that some parents are stubbornly choosing to drive their children to the town. That's their choice as parents and I can respect that. But by offering busing services to the town, the entire community was responsible for choosing to educate some of our citizens in the town school. That's a responsibility I do not wish to carry. In my view, stopping the buses is one of the clearest acts of self governance that this community has made since I returned here a little more than five years ago. You know, self government is not an easy thing. When we hear Indian politicians talking about self government it sounds really beautiful. That leads us to believe that self government is going to be an easy thing. It's not. We have all suffered the consequences of colonialism (from the taking of our lands and children through to jail and residential schools). The first steps toward self government are going to be difficult. It's going to hurt and there will be divisions in the community. We need to have faith and believe that when we stand on those good Indian values that are the basis of self government, the good "stuff" is going to follow for us all. I really believe that change is coming to the education system at Thunderchild. For two years now we have had a high school program. We have a new principal who believes in the Indian ways. Welcome, Winston Walking Bear. Winston and his wife have returned to the community to do this work and, as we are related, it is important for me to note that it is so good to have family back home. I believe that the education people here at Thunderchild have a vision for our future that puts our children first. And to put our children first, we as parents must live up to our responsibilities to be involved in their education.