Trust. Integrity. Reputation.
September - 2000
Dazzling smiles!
Dancers Chantelle and Crystal Dustyhorn of Kawacatoose First Nation, Sask. keep the pearly-whites bright with a good brush before grand entry on Aug. 22 at the Nekaneet First Nation powwow in southern Saskatchewan. The powwow was part of the social activities included in the First Nations International Traditional Healing and Medicines Gathering 2000 held in the sacred Cypress Hills. The gathering was attended by hundreds of people on each of the four days from Aug. 21 to 24.Photo Credit: Bert Crowfoot
Feds resort to violence
New chief supports Burnt Church
National chief's religion cause for discussion
Manitoba government apologizes to Osbornes
APTN admits it misrepresented Ted Turner
Nault at fault?Who you calling Canadian? - Guest Column
Is real change coming? - Editorial
The above is only a partial list of all the stories featured in the September, 2000 issue of Windspeaker.
If you are not receiving your own copy of Windspeaker, then you have missed out on a great deal of news, information and humour.
By Paul Barnsley
With files from Trina Gobért
Windspeaker Staff Writers
BURNT CHURCH FIRST NATION, N.B.Amateur video showing a federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans boat ramming and sinking a much smaller boat carrying three Mi'kmaq fishermen on Aug. 29 leaves very little doubt that government employees are prepared to use violence to enforce federal fishing regulations.
Burnt Church First Nation spokesperson Karen Somerville said the chief and council are demanding that RCMP investigate and charge the DFO agents. She said the video is evidence of attempted murder.
"The DFO boat took two deliberate shots at the boat, completely submerging it, forcing the occupants to jump for their lives on the second attack," she said. "This gesture on the part of the DFO officers is a flagrant assault that can only be described as an attempt to murder. It is therefore the RCMP's duty to act on this and lay the appropriate charges."
Burnt Church Chief Wilbur Dedam said a failure by the RCMP to lay charges would be a very revealing development in an ongoing battle between First Nations fishermen and government over the interpretation of a Supreme Court decision on the Natives' fishing rights.
"Should the RCMP not proceed with laying charges, we will be left with definite proof that there are two levels of laws in Canada, one for First Nations, one for other Canadians. The DFO officers stated that rocks were being thrown. This is a different level of response to one where an offensive weapon, the boat, is used to attack people. The rocks were a reaction to a direct attack, a very legitimate yet much smaller means of self-defence to an unprovoked attack. Yet our First Nation members are charged for throwing rocks. We expect the DFO officers will be charged with attempted murder at the very least."
Former national chief Ovide Mercredi, a member of Assembly of First Nations Grand Chief Matthew Coon Come's transition team, has been assigned to serve as an advisor to the Burnt Church First Nation council. He is in Miramichi. He compared the DFO actions to those of the Ontario Provincial Police, which led to the death of protester Dudley George in 1995.
While the majority of the members of the Atlantic Policy Conference of First Nations (APC) have entered into short-term agreements with DFO, Burnt Church has not. Dedam, in a letter to DFO Minister Herb Dhaliwal, told the minister why not.
"Our community takes great exception to your suggestion that we have been 'avoiding' your repeated efforts to negotiate with us. We were determined not to be forced into a 'template' agreement that was not in our best interests, and your designated negotiator lacked a mandate to go beyond that template," Dedam wrote to the minister on Aug. 25. "We would not enter into inadequate negotiations - but it is not true that we refused to negotiate at all. We have always been open to genuine negotiations."
Later in the letter, the Burnt Church chief asked the Fisheries minister if there was any reason to discuss the issue further.
"You have suggested we resume negotiations with Jim McKenzie (the federal negotiator who was appointed after the Supreme Court of Canada ruled in Marshall that Mi'kmaq people had the treaty right to fish and make a moderate living in the region). Does this mean that he has a new and expanded mandate to deal with our issues?" Dedam wrote.
The impasse over the Mi'kmaq right to fish has escalated to the danger point even though that right is the subject of an ongoing political debate that revolves around the interpretation of a Supreme Court of Canada decision.
As was reported in this newspaper last October, the Native fishing presence in the region represents less than one per cent of the total fishery and is attracting an inordinate amount of attention from government officials and the mainstream press. Native leaders believe Dhaliwal is under political pressure to avoid angering non-Native people who feel threatened by the Supreme Court-sanctioned change to the status quo. Last Oct. 3, non-Native people participated in what some observers called a race riot off the Burnt Church pier. A spiritual site on the reserve was vandalized and violence sent one band member to hospital. More than a dozen criminal charges were laid as a result of that incident.
In this latest violent incident, the DFO boat sailed right over the top of the fishing boat from end to end. The three Native fishermen aboard were forced to dive into the water to avoid being seriously harmed.
Native activists on the Fraser River in British Columbia made similar charges against the DFO earlier this year, releasing video that appeared to show a DFO boat ramming a Cheam First Nation fishing boat. No charges were laid in that incident.
The day after the skiff was rammed in the Miramichi, Bill Namagoose, interim chief executive officer of the AFN, said the federal government's refusal to enter into a fair and equal discussion with Burnt Church is the root cause of the impasse and will be the main source of blame for any possible injuries.
"For us the issue is access to natural resources," he said. "When the Supreme Court rules there is a right to access natural resources and the federal government comes to the table to negotiate that issue there must be fairness and equity on the table. What we're seeing now is they're offering 40 traps to a community of 1,300 people. There's got to be fairness and equity. That's a policy I would like to work on for the AFN on these natural resource issues. There's going to be more rulings like this and there's got to be fairness and equity when the appropriate ministers negotiate access to these resources.
"The violence comes from the federal government. Clearly, it's been a show of force right from day one from the federal government, whereas the Burnt Church citizens merely wanted to practice their right as recognized by the Supreme Court and also wanted to make a proposal to the Department of Fisheries to have negotiations on a sort of co-management regime there," he said.
Burnt Church has played host to all the major figures in Native politics in the last few weeks. Coon Come visited the community and expressed his strong support for the people on Aug. 17. Nault visited on Aug. 28 but left abruptly when he discovered he was expected to discuss the issues in front of the press and public.
Namagoose said the people had the right to hear what Nault had to say and criticized the minister for leaving the community and not attending the public meeting.
"He was clearly abandoning his fiduciary obligation to protect Native people," he said. "That's a constitutional obligation that they have and they should deal with that. Clearly, it didn't show good judgment on his part not to address the members as they had expected him to do. He has a clear constitutional fiduciary obligation to do that. Under the Canadian constitution, that's what he's supposed to do. What other mandate does he need?"
The AFN is worried that the deadlock in New Brunswick could lead to injuries or worse. Namagoose said the AFN is trying to persuade the federal government to re-think its position.
"We're trying to make some effort to contact the prime minister's office and others. It has to be intervention on their side. They're the ones showing the force. They're the administrators of the violence we're seeing now," he said.
Indian Affairs Minister Robert Nault was interviewed by Windspeaker in Frog Lake, Alta. on Aug. 24.
"One of the things I have been doing for the last six to eight months is talking to the APC about the need to get into a negotiating process where we can talk about treaty implementation," he said. "Where we can talk about not just Marshall, but our whole relationship and how we can create First Nation economies. How we can define a moderate livelihood if that is a moderate starting point of our discussions. We have done a lot of work in the last number of months on those particular issues, and we are now getting to a point where we do think we will go to the table and start discussing this.
"My only concern at this point is that I don't have a commitment from the provincial governments. We hope to have a commitment shortly by the Nova Scotia government, but New Brunswick at this point is not ready to come to the table to start discussing with the First Nations, not just fisheries issues, but the whole issue of treaty benefits and what they mean in a more modern context. That is really what we have been doing in other parts of the country and it shouldn't be any different in the Atlantic. So am I going down there with the objective of suggesting more cool heads prevail? Everywhere I go I certainly have that intention of saying to people 'look we can't resolve these things by not talking, people having diverging views.' Even though we're changing laws, we need to change laws over a longer period of time. You can't change over 400 years of fishing regulations in one year. If I had the opportunity, certainly, with the chiefs I would advise them to be careful and not put ourselves in a position of hurting people."
Minister Dhaliwal has been accused by Native leaders of being inflexible and being more interested in using his power than in treating Native leaders with respect. Nault said he would prefer if Burnt Church didn't challenge the Fisheries minister's authority.
"That becomes very difficult when that starts to occur. When you think about the 29 First Nations that have signed the interim agreement, they are willing to follow the regulatory regime that exists today with the understanding that we will work these things out over a period of time," he said. "And when one community or two communities out of the whole group decide to go a very different direction, it is difficult for all of us. The First Nations that have signed on obviously aren't going to talk against the fact that they signed an agreement. They would be supportive of the direction they have taken in their own communities. And so have been, as you know, very quiet about the conflict on the water at Burnt Church. My only recommendation to Burnt Church is in the short term you sign an interim agreement without prejudice to your position. It gives us an opportunity to sit down at the table and see where we go."
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New chief supports Burnt Church
By Paul Barnsley
Windspeaker Staff Writer
OTTAWANewly elected Assembly of First Nations Chief Matthew Coon Come made a strong statement of support for the community of Burnt Church, embroiled in a battle of wills with the Department of Firsheries and Oceans over fishing rights. Speaking to the community and the press on Aug. 17, the new national chief stated that he was there to show his unequivocal support.
"I am here to support the people and leadership of Burnt Church," he began. "I am amazed that in Canada in the 21st century I am visiting a place where government agents are confronting Indigenous people, and where last year the flames of burning Native boats and lobster traps lit the night."
He challenged DFO Minister Herb Dhaliwal's blunt assertion that DFO officers were only enforcing the law.
"The federal minister of Fisheries says the events at Burnt Church are about the orderly regulation of fisheries versus Aboriginal illegality, greed and refusals to negotiate. The minister and others are saying that this situation is about the rule of law and about one law for all irrespective of race," he said. "First of all, the people who are saying this is about race-based standards need a basic lesson in Canadian law and their own Constitution. We have always been nations and peoples.
"This unique status has been recognized in Canadian law and, since 1982, has been entrenched in Canada's Constitution. One aspect of this status is that we enter into treaties with the Crown. Our distinct rights flow from this unique status. We insist that governments and fishermen's organizations deal with us on a foundation of our inherent Aboriginal and treaty rights."
With all the discussion about the fisheries issue, Coon Come said one telling detail is being left out.
"There is a fundamental question that is not being asked," he said. "How can the people of Burnt Church, and other First Nations people across Canada, survive and thrive?"
He noted that under DFO's template agreement Burnt Church would get 5,000 traps while the non-Native fishermen were allocated 240,000.
"Burnt Church sees this as a gross disparity between the Mi'kmaq and the non-Native fishers in the area and they seem to be right," he added.
The term "gross disparity" was lifted straight from the United Nations report issued in late 1998 that was critical of Canada for its treatment of Indigenous peoples. Coon Come also referred to another historical milestone in the study of problems facing Indigenous people in Canada.
"In 1996, the Royal Commission of Aboriginal Peoples called for a fundamental redistribution of natural wealth and resources in this country to end the cycle of poverty and dispossession faced by our people. In the Marshall case, the Supreme Court of Canada took a small step in the direction by affirming the Mi'kmaq treaty right to benefit from the Atlantic fishery," he said.
Reminding the crowd that claims by the federal government that it had to enforce its regulations in order to protect the fishery brought a stinging rebuke from the national chief.
"Let us not forget it was the federal government's mismanagement and non-Native fisheries that led to the devastation of the East and West Coast fisheries," he said. "First Nations peoples are the original conservationist on this continent. Our survival has always been tied to the health of the natural resources on which we depend."
He accused Dhaliwal of playing a cynical political game with this issue.
"The minister is now waging a sophisticated fight in favor of the status quo of inadequate First Nations access to resources, in this case the fishery. He is trying to divide First Nations from one another. He is trying to turn Canadian public opinion against us. He is misrepresenting the issues of law, particularly the extent of the federal government's authority in this context. And he is clothing the actions of his government in legitimacy when there is none," he said.
He ended by calling on the minister to re-think the strategy of employing force.
"Mr. Minister, call off your troops," he said. "I have always been opposed to the use of force for political ends, particularly when it is used by governments against Indians. I believe all Canadians want fair and equitable solutions that will enable our people to get off welfare, get to work, raise our families and build vibrant communities. For this to happen, we must regain access and jurisdiction over lands, waters and resources, for more than our people to just scrape by with the bare necessities of life - food, shelter if we are lucky, clothing and a few amenities."
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National chief's religion cause for discussionBy Paul Barnsley
Windspeaker Staff Writer
OTTAWAThere were whispers along the campaign trail about it, but debate started in earnest outside the Ottawa Civic Centre on July 12 when Treaty 3 Grand Chief Leon Jourdain, a Phil Fontaine supporter, slammed Matthew Coon Come for his Pentecostal Christian beliefs, and an alleged lack of respect for traditional spirituality.
It was a last ditch effort to sway support to Fontaine, who was trailing after the first ballot in the national chief's election. Campaign watchers had the religion issue in the cross hairs for weeks, but the Fontaine camp failed to pull the trigger.
During his concession speech, Fontaine said he'd instructed his campaign staff to "take the high road," and that may explain why the weapon wasn't used - until it was far too late.
As Jourdain, a follower of traditional spiritual practices, raised the issue with several chiefs, Coon Come waded into the middle of the gathering and challenged Jourdain head on, denying that he had ever been critical of traditional practices.
Cara Currie, then Coon Come's campaign manager and now his personal political attaché, said he never shied away from the issue.
"Let's get one thing straight right now," she told Windspeaker. "Matthew comes at spirituality from a position of strength, not weakness. He didn't shy away from it at all. He said, 'This is not what I said. This is what I said.' And he did say this: 'If you don't want to vote for me because of what I believe spiritually, that's OK, too."
Currie said Coon Come and Jourdain had heated words in Ottawa but walked away from the encounter after deciding to put any bitterness behind them.
"On the spot at the election, they made up," she said. "Matthew said, 'Come on now, let's agree,' and they shook hands and then they hugged and the people around them applauded."
But talk on the religion question was again provoked immediately after Coon Come was elected. Unlike Fontaine three years earlier in Vancouver, the former grand chief of the James Bay Crees failed to don a headdress and robe of office for his victory speech and people wondered why.
Coon Come dealt directly with the issue during his victory speech, saying he would fight to defend the rights of traditional people to practice traditional spirituality. He said he strongly believed in freedom of religion for all people.
By the time Windspeaker's reporter returned from covering the election in Ottawa, there was a phone message waiting from a resident of Coon Come's home territory, saying the people should be told the new national chief had little respect for traditional spirituality.
Newly elected politicians usually get a "honeymoon" period with the press. The hard questions wait until the new person has settled into the job. But the whispering campaign seemed to have the potential to become a real threat to his credibility.
Then came a press release from Jourdain that said that although he hadn't supported Coon Come during the campaign, he now offered his "tentative support." In the press release Jourdain again mentioned the issue of religion.
AFN political advisors saw Jourdain's press release as an attempt to mend some political fences.
Coon Come, in an exclusive interview with this paper on Ermineskin Cree Nation territory in Alberta on Aug. 6, stated simply that he was amused people would be willing to make political trouble for him on that front.
"I think that's always the case," he said. "There are people who are pushing their beliefs on other people and their own cultures on other people. We all come from different cultures, different spiritualities and I believe we should be allowed to take our own spiritual journey. That is the reality of the First Nations - we're diversified. We have our cultures, our own language, our own beliefs and our own customs."
His staff had arranged for the interview to take place while he awaited the start of the grand entry at the Ermineskin powwow, an event in which he was to participate. The interview took place inside a tipi while powwow dancers put the finishing touches on their regalia.
"We don't have powwows like this back home," he said, making his point that there isn't only one Indigenous culture. "So, for me, I respect that and I'm here to participate and it sends strong signals that I'm willing to respect the traditions, customs and cultures of other peoples and be able to help promote that, too."
Asked if he intentionally declined to wear the headdress and robe the night of the election, the national chief said no.
"No, it happened so fast," he said.
He said his nominator, Ermineskin Cree Chief Gerry Ermineskin, asked him to attend the powwow and participate in a Plains Cree ceremony.
"I had to go along with Gerry Ermineskin and how they wanted to do it. They were the ones who were spearheading it. I came here for the office and to work, you know? But these are things that come along with the territory."
In other words, since he doesn't have a background in a specific traditional spirituality, he could have selected any traditional culture for the ceremony that marked his elevation to national chief and he chose to show his respect for the people who nominated him for the office.
He said there's no reason he can't represent people of all cultures politically.
"You're bound to hit someone who's not satisfied or feels left out. The same with issues. I can talk about 17 issues and someone will say, 'What about my issue?'"
Coon Come received a headdress at Ermineskin, Alta. after a ceremony conducted by two traditional Elders as he sat on a buffalo robe. He spoke to the people after the ceremony.
"This is a good day," he said. "A time to celebrate and remember who we are. Today you can see our culture's alive and well."APTN admits it misrepresented Ted Turner
By Trina Gobért
Windspeaker Staff Writer
EDMONTON
The Aboriginal People's Television Network (APTN) will apologize to billionaire and media mogul Ted Turner for a story that aired on its national current affairs program InVision.
Comments by Ted Turner used in the story were taken out of context, portraying him as racially insensitive.
Turner is the owner of CNN, a bison rancher, and was a guest speaker at the International Bison Conference held from Aug. 1 to 4 in Edmonton. He took time during a press conference to answer questions about the bison industry, and APTN freelancer Niki Jenkins was there. Her story aired Aug. 6 and included a comment from Turner.
Jenkins reported in a voice-over that "the cost of bison meat places it out of reach for most Aboriginal consumers. But bison producer and billionaire Ted Turner says it can be affordable, if they would change their habits."
What's seen next is Turner saying, "If they drink less beer they can eat more bison. I don't drink any beer so I can afford it."
The reporter's voice is again heard. "That comment has this Native leader outraged." The camera then shows a woman reacting to Turner's comment.
Devalon Small Legs, a cultural advisor from the Peigan First Nation, heard about Turner's comment after he had transferred a buffalo robe to Turner at the closing ceremonies of the bison conference. The transfer was to encourage Turner to consider Aboriginal people and culture in relation to his work to replenish bison numbers.
"It's too bad we didn't know earlier," said Small Legs at the time. "Well, if he said that and meant it in a negative way. . . . We have grabbed him and wrapped him in the robe. The buffalo will hold him and guide him back to do right. If it comes out that he meant it that way, he will apologize. The buffalo will lead him."But Small Legs had the opportunity to review audio used in the story APTN aired, as well as the unedited, or raw, footage of the questions that the freelance reporter asked during the press conference. He believes Turner is owed the apology.
Windspeaker transcribed the raw footage.
Jenkins: "Does the bison producing industry in any way benefit Aboriginal people?"
Turner: "Absolutely. In fact, there are quite a few Aboriginals here. . . . The Native Americans are finding that it's real good for their culture and children and everything to be involved in bison, because it's historically a great part of their culture."
Jenkins: "Doesn't the high cost of bison, at least throughout Canada, it's very expensive."
Turner: "Compared to what? Not compared to lobster."
Jenkins: "Compared to beef."
Turner: "That's right, but beef is not good for you, because you'll have a heart attack. How much is your life worth? A few dollars more and bison meat is so rich that you only need about half a slice for a serving. It's pure meat."
Jenkins: "It seems like the average consumer cannot afford to eat bison on a regular basis?"
Turner: "Well that depends. It depends on what else they do. If they drink less beer, they could eat more bison. I don't drink any beer, so I can afford it."
Jenkins: "So are you saying Native Americans drink a lot of beer?"
Turner: "I'm not talking about Natives. I'm talking about all people. Oh, were you talking about Native Americans? Oh, I'm sorry. Well, I don't know what the Native Canadian Americans have, but, as far as money is concerned, but in the United States, believe it or not, government buys a lot of the food for the Indians. Last year the U.S. government bought bison meat for Native American reservations, which they were very happy about. The U.S. government has a large surplus, which they are trying to give back to the rich. I think it would be better if they bought some bison meat and gave it back to the Native Americans. It would be a better use of the surplus."
Small Legs' reaction was swift.
"I am satisfied with what I [heard] in the raw footage, that Mr. Turner did not and has not made derogatory comments respecting Aboriginal people. And as an Aboriginal person, the news agency that aired the story should think twice about what they are putting on the news."
Notice of APTN's retraction came just hours before Windspeaker was set to go to press. Until then, APTN was standing firm behind its report.
APTN's news director Dan David said on Aug. 30 that Turner's answers to Jenkin's questions fell within an Aboriginal context.
"I've taken a look at the whole story and I don't think that it was taken out of context. I think that it was a fair representation of a conversation of questions and answers and it's unfortunate sometimes when people say things where there is a reporter," said David. "The context of the conversation that I saw was by an Aboriginal reporter asking about the industry and how it affects Aboriginal people."
But by late afternoon on Aug. 31, David had changed his tune.
"The conclusion is that there is a very real possibility that the story took the, that particular clip was taken out of context. It gave the wrong impression and our conclusion is that the story was wrong."
David said he had been in touch with Mr. Turner's representatives and an apology would air.
"It was a very short clip and a fairly long exchange that began about Aboriginal people and how they could benefit and it turned into a Ted Turner little speech about how bison meat was better, more healthy for Aboriginal people than beef. He was having a nice time. He was joking and the next question came up and the question didn't mention Aboriginal people at all," David explained.
"We'll dissect the story and explain to the audience why it was wrong," he said.
The Turner Foundation gives financial support to several U.S. Native American organizations. In Canada, the foundation has provided thousands of dollars to the David Suzuki Foundation; EAGLE (of the Semiahmoo First Nation); Ecotrust Canada and the Nanakila Institute in relation to First Nations rights, forestry, fishing, and conservation economic development.
TBS (Turner Broadcasting Station) also developed the documentary The Native Americans and the movie Lakota Woman, as well as other Native American productions.
Devalon Small Legs performs a ceremony to transfer a buffalo robe to media mogul
Ted Turner during the International Bison Conference held in August in Edmonton.Photo Credit: Trina Gobért
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Manitoba government apologizes to Osbornes
By Joan Taillon
Windspeaker Staff Writer
THE PAS, Man.Twenty-nine years after the murder of high school student Helen Betty Osborne outside the town of The Pas, her family has received the Manitoba government's apology for bungling its investigation of the case. On July 14, Manitoba Justice Minister Gord Mackintosh admitted that his department's predecessors in the former Conservative government had mishandled the 1971 criminal investigation. As a result, no charges were laid for 16 years. Only one man was convicted of killing the girl from Norway House, although four were directly implicated.
Mackintosh directed his remarks to Cecilia Osborne, Helen Betty's sister.
"On behalf of the government of Manitoba, I wish to express my profound regret at the way the justice system as a whole responded to the death of Betty, and to apologize for the clear lack of justice in her case," he said.
Cecilia Osborne thanked the government for the apology and indicated she was ready to get on with her life.
The minister also announced the government would introduce legislation in the next session of the legislature to establish a $50,000 scholarship in Osborne's name. Money from the Victims Assistance Fund will provide bursaries to female Aboriginal students who want to work in the education field, starting with the 2001-2002 school year.
"My sister wanted to become a teacher. We are happy that her dreams will help others walk the path," Cecilia Osborne said.
Aboriginal and Northern Affairs Minister Eric Robinson, a long-time friend and advocate for the Osborne family, called on the RCMP and the federal Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development to contribute to the scholarship fund, but had not received a response by Aug. 22.
Robinson said the Osborne family was appreciative of the apology and it "went a long ways, because that's never really occurred. Nobody's ever really apologized to this family for the pain and suffering that they have gone through over these last number of years. Right from 1971 there was hardly any dialogue-I'm talking about any level of justice here-to this family."
Robinson added he believes the legal process, as a result of a 1999 review of the case that determined no more charges could be laid, is over, even though questions are left unanswered. He said the Osborne family wants privacy now.
He said he is involved with the family in documenting "the healing component" of the meeting between convicted murder Dwayne Johnston and the Osborne family. Robinson said he has gone into sweat lodges with Johnston since 1996 to help bring awareness to Johnston about what he has done and the effect of his actions on Aboriginal people. He said he will not document "a description of the prayers or anything like that." Nonetheless, Robinson thinks the healing initiative between Osborne and Johnston is "worthy of consideration and ought to be considered for other cases of a similar nature." He added that the Osborne family, although they have not embraced Johnston, appreciate his apology to them.
Asked if he thought the government's apology was adequate, Robinson said if the Osborne family is satisfied, nobody else's opinion matters.
On July 16, a celebration that included the Osborne family, Opaskwayak Cree Nation, area residents, Robinson (who delivered a message from The Pas' mayor Gary Hopper, who was in Edmonton) and Conservation Minister Oscar Lathlin, was hosted by Keewatin Community College's Mamawechetotan Centre. "A Celebration of Life" marked the occasion of Helen Betty Osborne's 48th birthday.
The highlight of the occasion was the unveiling of a $9,000 bronze plaque with Helen Betty's picture on it at the former site of the Guy Hill Residential School about 25 km out of town. About 80 people attended the ceremony in Guy Hill Park.
Lathlin, who is also MLA for The Pas, said the celebration was "a positive step" to help the Osborne family bring closure to the tragedy. He said he hoped it would contribute to the healing of the community.
The students who organized and helped pay for the feast could not be reached for comment.
Mayor Hopper said on Aug. 28 that it is regrettable it took the murder of Osborne and others since then to bring about a change in people's attitudes, but he said change has occurred over the past 10 years. He spoke optimistically about improvements in relations between Opaskwayak Cree Nation (OCN) and the town, which are separated by a bridge over the Saskatchewan River. He said both have done "a 180 degree turn" on attitudes.
From the town side, he said respect has grown for OCN as a result of seeing the economic development initiatives and quality schools they have established.
"A lot of people have changed their views from one culture to the other, looking from the outside in, and as a result of that I think there is a better understanding between our communities. . . . I think (the events surrounding Osborne's death) have just made us work harder to become one community," Hopper said.
For instance, he said there is a joint initiative to help street people. The town is partnering with OCN, the Regional Municipality of Kelsey and the local Anglican Church in hiring Anglican Church Army workers for a three-year pilot project to work with less fortunate community members. Each partner contributes up to $25,000 a year to the project. The church workers provide housing, clothing and food, and they provide support to people coming out of jails and detox centres.
"We're already seeing some positive results," said Hopper.
Today there is "a lot of interaction, inviting back and forth from one side to the other, and it's just a common theme that we're one community. The chief speaks that way, I speak that way, and we try to instill it into the young people."
In addition, an active race relations committee makes sure any incidents get dealt with right away, Hopper said.
Chief Frank Whitehead could not be reached for comment.
In 1971 Osborne was abducted by four men off a street in the logging town of 6,000, driven to an isolated location, sexually assaulted and stabbed to death with a screwdriver. The low priority of the case with law authorities and politicians resulted in years of racial tension in northern Manitoba.
That two men finally were tried in court is a credit to the diligence of RCMP constable Bob Urbanoski, said Minister Robinson. Urbanoski took over the Osborne file in 1982 after it had lain nearly dormant for11 years. Urbanoski is now a staff sergeant with the Winnipeg RCMP detachment.
The trial drew heavy media coverage and notoriety to The Pas, when it was revealed that local people withheld knowledge of the case from authorities.
Tensions were heightened further when a Winnipeg reporter wrote a book called Conspiracy of Silence, which was published in 1989. That was followed by a CBC movie of the same name a couple of years later.
Nault at fault?
By Trina Gobért
Windspeaker Staff Writer
Frog Lake First Nation, Alta.His name is Chief Eagle Feather. It's also Spiritual Walker, but he's better known to the Windspeaker readership as the Minister of Indian Affairs, Robert Nault.
Nault attended the Frog Lake Cree Nation Gathering on Aug. 24 and was issued new status as an honorary Cree chief. The minister received a headdress and acquired his Cree name, Spiritual Walker, in a sacred naming ceremony performed by Frog Lake Elders.
"Now if you ask me the question of what the Elders intended by the name, I think it would be unfair for me to say what exactly the Elders had in mind," said Nault. "You'll have to ask them directly what their definition of the rationale for the name. But it is a great honor for any minister or non-Native to be given a name."
Nault views the naming as an invitation from the First Nations to continue to work to resolve relationships and make them more conducive to success.
"We're hoping that by giving the minister a Cree name that he would feel a part of the Cree people since we have initiated him to be a part of the Cree people," said Frog Lake Chief Thomas Abraham. "This is why we are hoping that he would see the needs of the Treaty 6 people, that he could spend more time amongst our people and see for himself first hand the needs of our Native people."
But Minister Nault may have inadvertently wandered into a controversy. Department advisors had failed to mention that the minister, just the day before had received a Blackfoot name from the Blood First Nation.
"Oh, it was...ah...ah...Chief Eagle...Feather, yeah," said Nault.
Cree Elder, Pete Waskahat from the Frog Lake First Nation who was the head Elder in giving the minister his Cree name was disappointed when informed.
"They should have notified us right away, so they won't give him the name. It won't work," said Waskahat. "Suppose to have only one. That's not right. Should have only one name. They should tell us right away and we would have just done a pipe ceremony for them."
When Waskahat was asked if it was disrespectful, he said "it looks that way."
Chief Abraham was surprised when informed of the two names received by Nault, but disagreed with Waskahat.
"Oh, that's no problem. That's Blackfeet. This is Cree," said Abraham.
