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Elder recalls colorful past and sees sad changes from hospital bed

When I first met Elder Pierre Auger, late in the evening of Sept. 29 he was in a hospital bed at St. Theresa Hospital in Fort Vermilion. Through a friend, Roy Randolf, we had contacted an interpreter, Iola Ducharme, to accompany us because Pierre only spoke Cree.

Pierre tried to sit up when we entered his room and then, in a soft voice, he complained about a pain in his stomach. Eventually, sitting in that hospital bed, he began to recall his earlier years.

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EDITORIAL

This week Bill McKnight came to Calgary, apparently to announce a new negotiator for the Lubicon Lake claim, but in fact to deliver a long diatribe on the government's new western diversification scheme.

The minister spent approximately three to four minutes on the Lubicon announcement before regaling Calgary businessman with a long and laborious speech on if/maybe schemes based on his government's right-wing philosophy of "trade cures all."

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In a small wooden church, on Sept. 25, Robert and Philomen Aulotte were married in the autumn of 1936. Although they both lived in Fishing Lake, they drove a team and wagon to Onion Lake, Saskatchewan for the ceremony.

"There was no church here," said 68-year-old Philomen, from her home on the Fishing Lake Metis Settlement.

"We had just a little celebration with my family and Robert's family." The Catholic Sisters gave them a meal then they returned home to Fishing Lake and for 23 years the Aulottes lived "across the lake" in a log shack.

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A new film directed by Metis filmmaker Gil Cardinal premieres in Edmonton this week.

The premiere of 'Foster Child' will be held at the National Film Board Theatre Oct. 14 and launches a Canada-wide tour for Cardinal who will present screenings of his film in major centres across the country.

The 43-minute documentary tells Cardinal's story of his search for his natural family and the circumstances that led to his coming into care as a permanent ward of the Alberta Child Welfare system.

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AT his inauguration as new University of Alberta president on Oct. 3, 1987, Howard Tennant identified the university's Native component as one of three priorities. In particular, he acknowledged the achievements and important roles played by the Native American Studies Department, the BESS program (Business Enterprizes and Self-Governing Systems of Indian, Inuit, and Metis Peoples) and Native Educator's Four World's Project.

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It was a sad day for many who mourned the sudden death of Joseph Cardinal who passed away Sept. 16 at the age of 79. A funeral service was held at St. Bernard Mission, Grouard, Sept. 19 with Rev. Garry La Boucane presiding.

Elmer Cardinal was the cross bearer and the pallbearers were: Larry Cardinal, Melvin Cardinal, Mark Anderson, Larry L'Hirondelle, Charlie L'Hirondelle and Robert Chalifoux.

While those in attendance remembered Cardinal, organist Johnny Waniandy played the hymn, Amazing Grace. Joseph Cardinal was interned at the Grouard Mission Cemetary.

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Concern over the new proposed Metis Settlements Act coupled with claims of a lack of democratic procedures, financial mismanagement and poor leadership have forced a number of settlement members to consider an ad hoc committee to deal with these issues.

Approximately 40 disgruntled settlement members from the Buffalo Lake Metis Settlement met at the Friendship Centre in Edmonton Oct. 1 to discuss these and other issues occurring in the settlements.

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The Indian Resource Council (IRC) is making progress in assisting bands in resource management and ownership on their land.

But, the group must first persuade Department of Indian and Northern Affairs (DIAND) minister Bill McKnight that they are an authority on resource handling ? not just an advisory committee. If the council is to have a real influence on Indian resource management, a financial commitment by Indian Affairs and the resource bands of Canada is required.

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Canadian gov't not painting pretty picture at Meech Lake

What do the Conservatives, the Liberals and the NDP really think about Native people and the Constitution? The answer is in this week's report of the parliamentary committee that studied the Meech Lake Accord. It's not a pretty picture.

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Although it's only been open for a few weeks, members of the four Hobbema bands have beat a path to the door of the new Hobbema health centre, says its new assistant director.

"We are really getting a good response," said Linda Dumkee who added that the convenient location of the new centre has saved band members the long and often exhausting journey to Edmonton.

"We even have a kidney dialysis machine," said Dumkee adding that Hobbema residents with kidney problems used to travel to Edmonton University hospital for this treatment.