Stoney to get investigation and audit by Rob McKinley
Tribal show and tell another success by Rob McKinley
Samson sit-in by Rob McKinley
Traditional and scientific tests of big burn by Rob McKinley
Human blood is clean, according to Swan Hills test by Rob McKinley
Controversy over Cheviot mine gains strength by Lynn Redl
Here is a full list of additional stories featured in the September, 1997 issue of Alberta Sweetgrass. If you are not receiving your own copy of Alberta Sweetgrass, then you have missed all this information.
Click here for Alberta Sweetgrass subscription information.
Native team shows spirit at Brick tourneyGun control discussion source of frustration for Dene
Third place for Team Alberta
Fund-Raiser Honors Slain Woman
Street level poetry with up-town appeal
Fists were flying in High Prairie
by Robe McKinley
Sweetgrass Writer
SWAN HILLS
The results are out on the province's health study on randomly selected people living near the Swan Hills Waste Treatment Centre.
The findings of the tests, released late in Aug., show that samples of blood taken from a randomly sampled group do contain PCB's, dioxins and furans, but of a level no higher than a sample group in Edmonton, and lower on average than blood samples from people around the world.
"There was no one in our sample who was outside the normally expected range," said Alberta Health's provincial health officer John Waters.
In all, he said blood tests were made from 65 people living within a 100 km. radius of the treatment plant. Of the 65, Waters said that six were Aboriginal people. Though the number of Natives studied was low, he said it was proportional to the area's population.
"The Aboriginal people were represented in the sample to the extent they are represented from the population of the area."
Despite the low test findings, Walters said the province still urges people to restrict their intake of wild meat taken from near the plant.
He cautioned that "there is potential for some human health impact."
Concentrations of the dangerous chemicals are still present and at higher levels in wildlife near the treatment plant, provincial tests have shown.
Waters said Alberta Health will not conduct anymore tests on people, but focus further testing on the animal populations to monitor the amount of contaminants in their blood streams.
Lesser Slave Lake Indian Regional Council Grand Chief Jim Badger said he was pleased that the tests came back negative. He still believes, however, that if there is contamination in the animals, there is a danger to humans.
"It's excellent that there was little contamination. I don't think that it is high, but it's probably still there because it's in the animals.
The provincial study, he said, although positive, was not specific enough and it seemed to contradict itself.
"I don't know if I'd put that much credence in it, but it is good for them to say that there is no high contamination, but then they say not to eat the meat, so there's still some problems," he said.
He will feel better once the more comprehensive Health Canada study is completed. That study is starting up this month and should be finalized by next April.
That study will test upward of 300 people from Aboriginal communities near the plant.
Despite the provincial tests, Badger is still convinced the Swan Hill site is a cause for concern and said study or not, the Aboriginal community will continue to fight.
"To me it's the same thing. We will still be circling the wagons..."
by Lynn Redl
Sweetgrass Writer
HINTON
Opposition against the proposed Cheviot coal mine, just outside of Jasper National Park, continues to escalate in spite of the recent approval of the project by the Alberta government.
Environmental groups and concerned citizens fear the coal development will pose a serious threat to endangered animals, including the grizzly bear. The area is also home to the Smallboy Camp, whose 160 members have lived near the proposed site for 29 years. They recently filed a land claim to prevent mining in the Red Cap area, where Aboriginal people have had a presence for over 1,200 years.
A public meeting in July resulted in a citizen-driven ten day march from Edmonton to the east gate of Jasper National Park. The march was kicked off with a rally at the Alberta Legislature in Edmonton on August 15. Organizers estimate the rally attracted as many as 135 supporters.
"There is a strong desire and a lot of energy directed at stopping the Cheviot mine," said Colin Saby, a co-organizer of the event. "There is another protest campaign in the works. We will continue with a strong campaign of petitions and letters to the right officials in Ottawa to ensure that the voices of Albertans are heard."
March organizers had hoped to attract the attention of the federal government to withhold approval for the project, which passed a federal-provincial review panel in June and received the approval of the province in August.
"We did manage to raise awareness both through the media and the presence of the marchers themselves," explains Elena Cecchetto, Associate Director of the Western Canada Wilderness Committee. "We have shown that there are people in opposition."
The $250-million, open pit coal mine is expected to create approximately 450 full-time positions once the mine is fully operational and up to 900 construction jobs in the Hinton area. The new mine will replace the nearby Luscar mine, which will be depleted within the next two to three years.
Buff Parry, a spokesman for the Smallboy Camp believes the frustrations over the proposed mine was also behind the recent assault of the Smallboy Chief Wayne Roan.
Parry said the attack had to do with the proposed coal mine and said he was compiling information to send to the RCMP.
Hinton RCMP, however, have no new evidence in the attack and are so far considering it to be the result of a family dipute.
Smallboy Camp lawyer Julie Lloyd, said the fight against the mine site is still under way, but has slowed down after the beating of the Chief.
She said the camp has already filed a statement of claim to the federal courts on the basis that the land in question needs to be protected. The claim is also looking for an injuntcion into the development of the coal mine.
She expects the government to bring up the point of band status, since the Smallboy Camp is actually a sattelite community from the Ermineskin Frist Nation in Hobbema. In 1968, a group of Earminskin members left Hobbema to be closer to nature. They became the members of Smallboy.
"We fully expect the feds to bring up the issue of standing," she said. "But in law we are confident that we have the proper standing."
In the eyes of Indian Affairs, the Smallboy Camp has no official status. Indian Affairs considers them to be living on Crown land with the agreement of the province, but they have no rightful claim to the land.
There was no time line given on when the Small Boy statement of claim or the injunction would be heard in court.
Roan said the fight isn't over for the camp. Despite being thrown into a corner and having to come out and fight both the mining company and the government, he is fully supporting the under-dog.
"It's like David and Goliath. In the end Goliath falls. I don't want to see David fall," he said.
1. Elena Cecchetto, Western Canada Wilderness Committee 403-420-1001
2. Colin Saby, organizer 403-433-5446
3. Thom MacDonnell, organizer 403-487-0415
by Rob McKinley
Sweetgrass Writer
SEEBE
"This is the way it should be. It should be friendly to everyone."
That's how Siksika Blackfoot Elder and Anglican minister Arthur Ayoungman summed up Tribal Day `97.
The Aboriginal showcase of culture, song and dance was held again this year at the Rafter 6 Lodge in the heart of Alberta' Kananaskis Country, on Sunday, Aug. 24.
Gate counts put the number of people attending the all-day event at about 700.
This was the fifth time the event has been held, and featured a very close up glimpse into Native life.
The majority of the people at the event were non-Native, and Ayoungman said it is important for people to better understand Indian culture.
"To me, all of this is very good," he said. "People need to know."
Several Aboriginal communities from across the province were on hand to pose for photographs and explain their culture to inquiring visitors.
The Red Thunder Dancers impressed the crowds with several different forms of traditional dance and music, while fashion shows, wagon rides and musical entertainment kept everyone, young or old, entertained. On the main stage, the audience was treated to performances from Native recording artists Amy Ward, Laura Langstaff, and Wendy Oti Walker.
Walker, who sings many songs about building bridges between people, said the number of non-Native people coming to Tribal day was very positive.
"I see that as an incredible sign. It offers me a great deal of hope.," she said.
All proceeds from the Tribal Day will go toward the upkeep of the Luxton
Museum of the Plains Indian in Banff.
The Stoney Tribal Council, Indian Affairs and a third party accounting firm will be holding their own investigation and conducting a forensic audit into allegations surrounding the Stoney reserve near Morley.
Provincial court Judge John Reilly ordered the provincial crown prosecutor to investigate the band's operations two months ago during a spousal assault trial at the Cochrane court house. Reilly said he wanted to see if reduced social programming and low rates of employment and income were creating serious problems like the ones he was seeing in court.
The order has lead to accusations of financial mismanagement, poor leadership and dismal social programs on the reserve.
The judge's order itself is also in question. A hearing was held in Calgary earlier in Sept. to examine if the it holds any weight. That hearing was postponed until Sept. 26.
Continued tension on the reserve has lead the tribal council to suggest their own investigation.
The three chiefs and 12 councilors of the Wesley, Chiniki and Bearspaw nations of the Stoney Tribal Council are intent on getting to the bottom of concerns arising in their communities, said tribal spokesman Rick Butler.
The tribal task force and Indian Affairs has already started to tackle the band's biggest financial hurdle.
Indian Affairs has recently appointed a private company to handle the day-to-day financial operations of the reserve and help to eliminate the band's six million dollar budget.
Butler said the budget cutting process is vital to the Stoneys.
"We've got a budget balancing effort . . . and it's a work in progress. With the six million dollar deficit by the end of the year we hope to have it down to zero," he said.
Butler admitted that balancing the budget while trying to keep the social service programs up to par is going to be difficult.
By the same token, Butler said the people can't rely solely on the programs to help them.
"The programs don't fix it all. It's up to the people to help themselves,' he said.
Butler said to the outside world, it seems that the Stoneys have a lot of problems, but things aren't that bad. There are problems, he admitted, but they can be worked out.
"A lot of people have the perception that it's a powder-keg blowing up everywhere and that's just not it. It's business as usual."
Butler described the atmosphere as a "healthy tension," and there's always going to be that."
The forensic audit and the task force should make sure the tensions don't get out of hand, he said.
Greg Twoyoungman, a member of the reserve, said he won't be happy until the answers are found in the audit.
He said things are bad on the reserve and it's not going to get any better.
"I've experienced it and I'm experiencing it right now," he said.
The recent deaths of several young band members stems back to the way the First Nation is run, he said.
"All of the people, the youth and adults feel a sense of helplessness and hopelessness," he said.
Twoyoungman, who worked for the previous band and council at Stoney, said he doesn't have much faith in this council's assurances of an audit and investigation.
"They don't want the audit, but the people do. The grassroots people want it."
Back at the administration office, Butler said the chiefs and councilors want to get on with running the band and away from all the speculations.
"The chief and council are saying they want to get to the real issues," Butler said. "There have been a lot of things said and it would be nice to get this behind them."
Indian Affairs reports that an accounting firm has been selected for the audit and it will begin immediately. Financial records from 1994 to the present will be examined in the audit. Public consultation and input was specifically noted in the terms of reference for the audit.
Time lines for the task force were not given by Indian Affairs, but the terms of reference for the investigating unit are currently being developed.
The task force, reported Indian Affairs, will be made up of representatives from federal departments, the Stoney Band and other levels of government.
The administration of social services will be the first area to be addressed by the task force.
By Rob McKinley
Sweetgrass Writer
HOBBEMA
A sit-in at the Samson First Nation band office in Hobbema by 20 protesters triggered week long meetings at the band's bingo hall, resulting in Chief Florence Buffalo taking a three month leave of absence.
Buffalo is reported to have said the time off is to take care of her ailing husband.
The sit-in leading to the chief's announcement started when protesters entered the band office Wednesday, Aug. 27, citing discontent with the way the band council and chief were running things.
A Samson man who didn't want his name used said he took part in the demonstration because he doesn't think the council is operating in the best interests of the people they represent.
"We have no idea what's happening on our own land. There should be people [in office] for us," he said.
The man said the protesters were questioning financial issues stemming from a forensic audit 10 years ago.
"There were some recommendation called for, but never followed up."
He said Chief Buffalo needs to be more accountable.
The man said the protesters were prepared to stay in the band office until they met with Indian Affairs representatives, Reform MP and Aboriginal Affairs critic Mike Scott, Indian Affairs Minister Jane Stewart, and newly elected Assembly of First Nations Grand Chief Phil Fontaine.
The sit-in ended on Sunday, Aug. 31, when the protesters left the building peacefully, just before the deadline of a court injunction requested by Buffalo and her council that would have forced the local police to remove the protesters.
The man said the protesters didn't want to turn it into a violent protest and said that force wouldn't have been needed to get them out.
Ellroy Strawberry Rain was also part of the protest, but remained outside the band office.
He said band members want to see changes in how things are run.
If the temporary departure of Chief Buffalo will result in any changes was not known by publication time.
Chief Buffalo could not be reached for comment and the Samson band administration was making no comment on how Buffalo's leave of absence will affect the operations of the band.
The Hobbema RCMP report that the situation has continued to be peaceful and see no reason why that should change.
Cst. Jack Poitras said the police will continue to monitor the situation, but recognize that it is a band matter.
Police members attended some of the bingo hall meetings and reported no incidents.
"We are basically remaining neutral," said Poitras.
Indian Affairs has a hands-off role in the situation.
The Samson reserve handles its election issues, including leaves of absence,
at a community level, without the input of Indian Affairs.
By Rob McKinley
Sweetgrass Writer
LUTSEL K'E, NWT
Three years ago, Judith Catholique watched as two moose were cooked in the boiling waters of Great Slave Lake as a forest fire ravaged an area where her community traditionally hunted.
"We saw two moose cooking in the lake," Catholique said, remembering that day in the summer of 1994.
Last month, Catholique and her husband, Lutsel K'E Elder Pierre, were part of a 14-member group examining the affects of that fire.
The massive fire destroyed a 26 sq. km forest area on the Lahochella Peninsula, on the northern shores of Great Slave Lake, almost 300 km north of Fort Smith in the Northwest Territories. The camp was set up on Magic Finger Island, a small jut-out of land located a few kilometres away from the fire-ravaged peninsula.
Research into the burn was conducted by a group, including youth from the Lutsel K'E Dene Band staff of the Territorial department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development. This is the third year that the research camp has been held.
The research program was initiated by the Lutsel K'E Band in December of 1994, following the big fire season that torched much of the landscape in the Northwest Territories. Elders from the community approached the resources department with concerns about caribou migration, plants, and other wildlife. The government agreed it was a good idea to study the affects of the fire, and created the fire effects monitoring program in the summer of 1995.
The program is unique in that it combines traditional and scientific techniques to monitor the impact of the forest fire.
Catholique said the study is very worthwhile because, "the fire was not good for our people. All that burning - now we can't go and hunt. . . It's all sticks. There used to be a lot of moose around here, now there is nothing."
The study group not only examined the loss of the animals, but also the loss and re-growth of vegetation in the burn area, possible water contamination from the ash, and any changes in temperature and winds.
The Catholiques were at the camp to teach the youth about the traditional use of the plants and herbs they were finding in the burned area. The couple also recounted the history of the area where the fire occured. With teachings of the Elders and the technical instruction received from the government researchers, it was hoped the youth got a wide range of information about the affects of fires on the environment..
Shandel Kisell, a fire resources technician with Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, said the assistance of the Elders at the camp makes the learning more enjoyable for the youth.
"It keeps them involved," she said. "It's not just collecting facts, it's getting the whole community involved," she said.
Kisell said participants were taught that fires aren't always a bad thing.
"The only way an area can regenerate is through a burn," she said, noting that pine cones need tremendous amounts of heat to crack open and release their seeds.
Roping off 10-metre square plots of the burned area, the group recorded plant re-growth and looked for any tracks in the dirt that would indicate wildlife. They then examined similar sized plots in unburned areas as a comparison.
At the end of the 10-day camp, a lot of data was collected, but no wildlife was spotted.
Kisell said the animals will come back, but the area needs to grow some more vegetation first.
Poor weather for the duration of the camp made collecting some data difficult, but the near constant rain should be good for the continued growth of the burned area.
Rita Antoniak, with the Fort Smith Territorial Forest Fire Centre, and an assistant at the camp, said the rains are just part of nature.
"In the life of the North, that's all part of it. The water just flows along with everything else," she said with a smile, despite being one of a dozen people at the camp flooded out of a tent the night before.
The rain didn't dampen the spirits of the Lutsel K'E youth at the camp, either.
Lorna Catholique, one of the young researchers, said it was fun and interesting to learn the different techniques of collecting data. She said the group learned quickly.
"It took us a little while, but then we caught on and it was good. After we caught on we started working faster and it didn't take so long."
Delores Michel liked the fact that they all worked as a team to get the data.
"It's interesting and plus it's a bunch of students doing it all together, so its more fun."
Each of the Lutsel K'E youth were paid $10 per hour for their work. Camp organizers said they earned their wages, especially because of the dreary weather.
Despite the rains, Kisell said several plots were examined and documented. The information will be passed back to the community for comparison with the data collected at the previous two camps.
Information collected that could be read immediately was the water quality study. The fire has not affected the oxygen or acidity levels of the pristine northern lake. Another experiment with immediate results was Lorna Catholique's measurements of the relative humidity and the chance of rain.
"We've got a 91 per cent chance of rain," she said after reading the numbers on the barometer, and standing in the middle of the soaked and soggy campsite.
The Lutsel K'E camp is one of two held each year. At the end of July, the program sets up at Powder Lake, just outside of Fort Smith. Another burn area was examined, this time using young people from the Fort Smith area as junior researchers.
The success of the program and the community involvement is expected to keep the camp going for a number of years.
So far this year, the Fort Smith area has had a lot of precipitation, which has brought the decrease fire hazard. In late July, however, they had record high temperatures of over 30 degrees Celsius which could easily increase the fire hazard.
The importance of the data collected at these research camps could be
useful in examining future forest fires and the effects they have on surrounding
communities and the environment.
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