Top News - October - 2003 Published October 13, 2003 Siksika land claim "Mistake" corrected War veterans remembered Artist to explore social issues This is only a partial listing of the stories featured in the October 2003 issue of Alberta Sweetgrass. If you are not receiving your own copy of Sweetgrass, then you have missed out on a lot. Click here for Alberta Sweetgrass subscription information. Siksika land claim "Mistake" corrected Paul Barnsley, Sweetgrass Writer, Siksika First Nation What all the parties involved politely referred to as an historical "mistake" was corrected on Sept. 10 when the Siksika Nation celebrated the settlement of a land claim that dates back to 1910. Chief Adrian Stimson and Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development Robert Nault were present at a ceremony at the band's new business centre to mark the settlement of the 5,067 hectares (12,522 acres) claim. The settlement for the surface rights of the lands provided Siksika with approximately $82 million in compensation for the damages and losses suffered as a result of a faulty land surrender. The money will be held in trust as an investment. Interest from that trust fund will be used to finance community projects. In a background document prepared by Siksika, it is reported that Inspector of Indian Agencies J.A. Markle arranged a surrender meeting on June 15, 1910-33 years after Treaty 7 was signed and 31 years after the Siksika reserve was established. At that meeting, Markle failed to inform the Native partners to the agreement that the acreage covered by the claim was included in the surrender. Siksika has filed suit that the entire surrender was invalidated, but agreed to work out a compensation arrangement on the "acreage discrepancy" on a without prejudice-basis to the lawsuit, which has still yet to be settled. The agreement was ratified by the community members in a series of votes conducted at public meetings in January and February. "This settlement represents the culmination of many years of hard work and persistence by the leadership of Siksika, the Elders, the Siksika Claims Commission and our legal and technical team of advisors," said Stimson. "We have closed another important chapter in our history by concluding a settlement of the Acreage Discrepancy (Surface) Claim. There was a high turnout of eligible voters and over 85 per cent voted for this settlement that is fair and lasting and will ensure economic certainty for future generations." The Indian Affairs minister commended the officials on both sides who worked together to come to an agreement. "The Siksika Nation and Canada have successfully reached a final settlement that not only honors Canada's lawful obligation, but will also provide the nation with enhanced opportunities for economic development now and in the future," said Nault. "To manage the compensation, the Siksika Nation has established the Acreage Discrepancy Claim Trust Account which will ensure a stable economic foundation for future generations, while providing a better quality of life for members today. The settlement shows what can be achieved when Canada and First Nations work together to address the grievances of the past through good faith negotiations." Siksika councillor Eldon Weasel Child holds the land claim portfolio. "This was a very unique process," Weasel Child told Sweetgrass. "The federal government came to the table and actually helped us get creative on settling this." Weasel Child said the band first submitted the claim in 1958. It was caught up in the system until 2000. Chief Stimson said Nault was helpful in motivating departmental officials to speed things up. Senior Indian Affairs specific claims negotiator Sharman Glynn, who attended the ceremony, confirmed that fact. "This was done in record-breaking time," Glynn said. Top

War veterans remembered Yvonne Irene Gladue, Sweetgrass Writer, Fishing Lake On a clear day with a gentle breeze blowing through the air more than 200 guests gathered at the new Fishing Lake Métis Settlement Memorial Park. They were there to commemorate the Métis men and women who served in the First and Second World Wars and the Korean war. The Sept. 26 ceremony included the unveiling of a six-foot bronze statue. Representatives from the Métis settlements of Elizabeth, Kikino, Buffalo Lake, Gift Lake, Paddle Prairie, East Prairie and Peavine attended. As did representatives from the Canadian Armed Forces and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The service, sacrifice, courage and strength that Métis men and women showed during the wars was something that is often forgotten, said Garry Parentau, chairperson of Fishing Lake Métis Settlement. "I think that this is an historic event in our community, because the Métis people have been known for years as the forgotten people, and unfortunately our veterans were forgotten twice. They were forgotten when they came home from the wars and when Veteran Affairs handed out lands. This idea [to erect a monument] was actually talked about for probably more than a decade, on and off, a number of times. Unfortunately, today we do not have any veterans in our community. They've all passed on, so this is a memorial to them. "When we first started this, we decided to do something for one of our veterans in our community who was alive three years ago. We wanted to do something as a commemoration for him before he passed on, but unfortunately he passed on before we were able to honor him. His name was Gabe Cardinal. He passed away last year, and he was our last veteran from the community." Parenteau said this celebration means something to him because his colleagues in the community have parents who are still living who are the spouses of veterans. "This is a way so that our Métis war veterans are never forgotten. This is the whole concept behind it. We do not want them forgotten. Our community has to recognize what these veterans did because the grandchildren are getting older and they really do not know what their grandparents did and the sacrifices they made and they have to appreciate that. It is a memorial to the past veterans in recognizing the respect we need to give the men and women who fought in the wars. Because of what they did, we are now able to enjoy our freedom," he said. Métis Nation of Alberta President Audrey Poitras said the veterans are "our heroes" for putting their lives on the line with no thought of their own personal safety or well-being. "Instead, they served knowing that the sacrifices will ensure that Canada would remain a free country. As you unveil this monument your community has done something that the government of Canada has refused to do, which is to recognize the Métis war veterans. I want to especially recognize and commend the people of this community for the part they played in building the memorial. They can be proud of the acknowledgement," she said. Gerald Cunningham, the vice-president of the Métis Settlements General Council, said that it was a great day for him. "I was watching a tribute to Johnny Cash the other day and one of the things he believed in was to gain recognition for an Aboriginal soldier whose name was Ira Hayes. Back then when they did their memorials to the men and women of the United States who fought in the wars they forgot Ira Hayes. This is what this monument reminds me of. We are now starting to recognize our own and it is good that we are able to do that." Top Artist to explore social issues Yvonne Irene Gladue, Sweetgrass Writer, Legal For Keith Nolan, coming in fourth in the Peace Hills Trust National Native Art Competition this year is just fine with him. For two consecutive years, Nolan has taken home first place. He said that this just means it gives other people a chance and it makes him happy to see other people win. This year's winner is Chris Lynch-Aquart of Calgary. He will be officially crowned winner at a celebration in Edmonton in late October. (Look for a story in next month's Sweetgrass.) In August 2003, Nolan received best of show from the Lac La Biche Agricultural Art Show, where he submitted an oil and canvas print called 'Cree Women Sowing'. Not bad for a guy who only began to paint six years ago. Nolan is a pipefitter by trade but works on his art an average of 30 hours a week. He hopes to eventually make painting a full-time career. He purchased a house in 2002 and has converted it into an art studio and gallery. Nolan says the best part of painting is the process; he prefers to paint at night, while listening to all types of music or a talk show on the radio. "It is creating an image out of nothing, out of a plain white piece of canvas. It is very therapeutic for me. It is very healthy and relaxing. I work right until two to three in the morning, most of the time. I always say that I might be working alone, but I'm not lonely," he said. Nolan is Cree and Ojibway from northern Ontario, but has called Alberta home for more than 20 years. He is the father of two boys and two girls and says that he is proud of all of them for finding their own paths. "Never ask people for approval for what you are doing; never go outside yourself for approval. Do what your heart tells you to do and you will be happy," Nolan advises. The 54-year-old artist is still working on a series of paintings he started in 2001, which depict modern Native culture. Next he would like to start a series on homeless people. "I would like to travel across Canada and meet different homeless people in different cities and make a statement with my art, and I would like to eventually work on different features, mostly on social issues. From the beginning of time, the art world has made a statement, and I believe that we also need a visual statement and not just a verbal statement," he said. Warren Hannay, president and chief executive officer of Peace Hills Trust said that he is excited about their up and coming art show at the Wingate Hotel on Oct. 25. " Last year's show was just phenomenal. This year we are certainly going have a good representation of artists." Top