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OTTAWA REPORT

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An Indian massacre that took place in the jungles of South America 200 years ago is the subject of a new movie that's getting a lot of attention. It's called The Mission and it stars Robert DeNiro. It's already won some major awards in France and England and it's sure to be in the running for an Oscar this spring.

Dangers of pesticide spraying revealed

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"It is government policy not to let Indian know what is going on around them. We've been kicked around for many, many years now."

These are the words of Ken Steinhauer, President of the Blackpowder Association of Alberta.

"This time though, it's not only Natives, but non-Natives as well."

Mr. Steinhauer was referring to the pesticide spraying incidents involving the Fort McKay Band, Meander River and Calling Lake, late last year. Mr. Steinhauer said the public did not receive ample notification of any spraying before or after the incidents occurred.

Cree Band to distribute $3.5 million this month

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FORT CHIPEWYAN - The Cree Indian Band will make its first historical distribution of part of its recent settlement with both the federal and provincial governments.

Of its $26.6 million received for compensation, the band will distribute $3,529,000 on February 15, 1987.

At its recent meeting with band members, an eight member working committee was selected to work with the chief and council and its already established Elders committee. The 21-member team will work together to discuss ways of putting their money to use.

Inmate tells it like it is

OPINION

BEING IN PRISON

Over the past five years of my recent imprisonment, I've been in a number of Canadian federal penitentiaries, right across the country, everywhere from the Millhaven Special Handling Unit in Ontario, to the Prince Albert Special Handling Unit in Saskatchewan, and now, the Edmonton Institution.

Natives had judicial system based on truth

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EDITORIAL

To swear on the bible is viewed as a gesture that you are telling the truth. However, one wonders why so much turmoil persists even though various individuals have gone through this noble symbolic ritual ranging from the ordinary citizen to the various cabinet ministers who at this point continue to display hypocrisy.

I, being a Native person, often wondered why actions of this nature continue day in and day out. To me this book (Bible) is usually black in colour and according some to some media experts black was usually depicted as being evil.

NVCC invests in Native business ventures

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"Current economic conditions probably affect us more than other companies," states Milt Pahl, president of Edmonton-based Native Venture Capital Co. Ltd.

Pahl is a former MLA and Alberta minister responsible for Native Affairs.

"Our management team is still in the learning stage in what is a unique Canadian venture, and we could be affected more because we haven't yet had the benefit of years

of experience from which to learn."

'King of the Woods' dies at 85

Funeral services held for Dan Willier

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DRIFTPILE - Most of the population of Driftpile gathered at the Roman Catholic Church on this frosty winter morning to say farewell to one of the patriarches of the community.

Daniel Willier died in High Prairie hospital on Sunday, January 27, 1987.

Mourners travelled from British Columbia and Edmonton to pay respects to the Native naturalist known as "King of the Woods"...Big Dan Willier.

Edmonton courtroom allows pipe swearing ceremony

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History was made in an Edmonton Courtroom when two Native witnesses were allowed to take the oath traditionally using the Sacred Pipe.

James Dean Agecoutay and Wayne Bruce received their swearing in from an

Elder prior to giving testimony at a preliminary hearing into murder charges against Phillip Bearshirt and Robert Pelltier. Pelltier and Bearshirt are charged with the August 25, 1986 murder of Richard Roche.

OTTAWA REPORT

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The Ontario Human Rights Commission has decided that the price of racial discrimination, in one recent rent case, is $2,600. That's how much it'll cost a motel owner in Sault Ste. Marie to settle a complaint. It seems that he made racist remarks

to a group of Native people staying at his motel and one of them complained.

That person was Gene Rheaume. He's a Metis and he just happens to be a member of the Human Rights Commission. He's also a former Member of Parliament and he's no slouch when it comes to speaking his mind and sticking up for his rights.