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Meech Lake accord protested by leaders

The Meech Lake accord betrays Aboriginal people and jeopardizes treaty rights say Indian Association of Alberta leaders.

About 100 demonstrators demonstrated against the accord at the Alberta legislature Monday Nov. 23 and called upon the government to change it to allow for treaty protection. Protestors also called upon the government to settle the Lubicon Lake band's land claim.

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EDITORIAL

This week the Alberta government dismissed a call to halt the construction of the Oldman River dam despite pleas from local environment groups and Peigan Indian band members who say the flooding will destroy rare archeological sites.

This beautiful Oldman River that curls around the northern slopes of the Peigan reserve is rich in the history of the Native people who have lived and hunted in that area for thousands of years.

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Indians seek more clout for water problems

A Native task force on the environment would give northern Alberta Native people a louder voice in protecting their interests on water issue, a water management conference was told Nov. 6.

General discussion on the problems Natives face in getting adequate water supplies resulted in the task force idea. It's aimed at giving them more clout when negotiating with industry and government.

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Sucker Creek's gas utility had its grand opening, Nov. 6, with a dedication that featured a buffalo steak dinner.

While the start-up of the gas utility is an important occasion to residents of the reserve, what seemed to appeal most to guests and visitors was the buffalo meat ? raised right at Sucker Creek.

The system that will serve over 100 reserve residences was completed between Aug. 24 and early November at a cost of some $800,000.

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The newly-formed Metis Settlement Members Coalition headed by Buffalo Lake member Joe Blyan is inviting members from all eight Metis settlements to a meeting to be held in Edmonton Nov. 27.

"We have sent invitations to the Federation (of Metis Settlements), the Metis Association and the councils of the settlements," he said.

The meeting will be held at the Eastwood Community Hall located at 11803 ? 86 Street and will run from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. followed by a dance.

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Native groups and supporters of the Lubicon Lake Indian band are trying to snuff out the Winter Olympic spirit as the torch relay wends it way across Canada.

A small crowd of protestors was on hand Tuesday in St. John's Nfld., as the Olympic flame began its cross-Canada trip.

"Most people have heard about the Lubicon case but may not know much about it," said Adrian Tanner, who demonstrated on behalf of the Native Peoples' Support Group of Newfoundland and Labrador.

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The Indian Association of Alberta (IAA) is concerned that Native hunters may be receiving unfair treatment from game wardens.

Ester Big John told association officials earlier this month that she and her husband Daniel Desjarlais allegedly had their Treaty hunting rights violated when Alberta Fish and Wildlife officers seized three quarters of a moose from the couple on Oct. 31 near the Hobbema reserve.

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Kapown Centre, the alcohol treatment institution run by the Grouard Indian band, has shut down because of lack of funding.

A statement from chairman of the board (and Grouard band chief) Frank Halcrow and chief executive officer Barry C. Nisbet notes that the closure of the 30-bed facility is only "a temporary interruption," but that is likely to be a little comfort to the 16 people suffering of alcoholism related ailments who will have to leave, nor to the 23 who were turned away from Kapown this month.

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The tuberculosis epidemic among the people of Lubicon Lake is a "national disgrace," says the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations.

Erasmus agrees with the Auditor General's report released last month which highlights deficiencies in the decision-making process within the Department of Health and Welfare Canada.

"This government has instituted a comprehensive Indian spending policy of reducing expenditures and essential services at any cost," said Erasmus.

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A Winnipeg cab company accused of harassing and cheating Natives may lose a federal government contract worth about $500,000 a year.

The Manitoba medical services branch has called for tenders to carry natives to and from medical facilities in Winnipeg.

Unicity Taxi has had an arrangement with the department for 17 years.