Want end to welfare

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In the fall of 1983, I did an article regarding the band manager for the Dene Tha of northern Alberta, Fred Didzena. At the time he had emphasized to me that it was his dream to fight to and get people off welfare.

Today Didzema's dream remains the same and it is now starting to materialize - starting to, but it seems without the full support of Indian Affairs.

In early September, 1985, a social development program was established under the banner "Dene Tha Ehts Ande," meaning "People helping People."

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Canada has a new land claims policy - finally- but Native people don't have much to celebrate.

Thirteen years ago, the Government of Canada decided to negotiate with Native groups to settle major land claims. Only two have been settled since then - one in James Bay and one in the western Arctic. The problem was obvious. So In July, 1985, David Crombie appointed a task force to review the federal land claims policy. Murray Coolican, a Halifax consultant, was named to head the task force.

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Are you looking for an alternative way to learn more about the world? Would you like to experience life in another part of your country as well as in another part of the world?

If so, then the Canada World Youth exchange program may be for you. Canada World Youth is a seven-month program in which the first half of the program is spent in Canada and the second half is spent in a country in Asia, Africa or Latin America. The program is open to youths between the ages of 17 and 20, and you don't have to be a student to apply.

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OTTAWA - The Native women's Association of Canada (NWAC) will receive $387,000 in support of programs to make Canadians more aware of the problems facing Aboriginal women.

"The Native Women's Association of Canada have been very instrumental in addressing many of the issues of importance to Aboriginal women and in helping to make Canadians more aware of their uniquely disadvantaged position in this country," said Secretary of State David Crombie in announcing the grant.

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OTTAWA - The federal government's modifications to the existing comprehensive land claims policy are a grave disappointment and an insult to the first nations, says the national chief of the Assembly of first Nations (AFN).

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Only the beginning

For a few years now, the community of Fort McKay has sought to obtain modern water and sewer facilities for its residents. Now because of people like former chief Dorothy McDonald, this quest will become a reality.

On December 16 at Fort McMurray the present chief of the Fort McKay Band,

Jim Boucher, signed an agreement with the federal and provincial government for the installation of a $4 million water, sewer and utilities project.

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Today, January 14, the funeral of a young man was held at Assumption. His death was due to alcohol.

On this same day, the band manager for the Dena Tha Administration, Fred Didzena, along with his co-ordinator, Bill Pelech, met with the National Native Alcohol and Abuse Program (NNADAP) representative to inquire why approximately $122,000 funded annually through this organization to the band, since 1981, is now being held back.

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Ahneen, hello and howdy. Well, here we are into another icy January headed for a frosty February. This weather is exactly right for hockey or hibernating. For those of us who can't sleep for more than two days in a row there are hockey tournaments almost every weekend of the winter, fortunately.

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I have been silent too long: I can be silent no longer. I am referring to those who assault the livelihood of trappers and who charge that "inhumane" trapping methods are practiced by Canada's 100,000 trappers of which at least 50 per cent are Native people.

Lately, the daily newspapers have carried numerous articles and letters to the editor from bleeding hearts who purport that trapping is cruel and unnecessary activity.

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Treaty Indian rights to health care will be carefully scrutinized during his term of office, said Henry Quinney, the new chairman of the Alberta Indian Health Care Commission.

"Indians should get the same level of health services as any other citizens, a former chief of the Saddle Lake Indian Band of northeastern Alberta.

Quinney was appointed last July to head the commission which ""oversees the policy of the Medical Services Branch (of the National Health and Welfare ministry of Canada) regarding Treaty Indian access to health care."