Native artists rejecting narrow label

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Too many Native artists are wasting time and energy proving they're Indians instead of trying to be good artists, says a member of a jury appointed by the Indian

Art Centre in Ottawa.

"It's ridiculous," said Alfred Youngman, who is professor of Native studies at

the University of Lethbridge.

"Hungarians don't spend time proving they're Hungarians, Germans don't try to prove they're Germans and so on."

But, he added, "we've had this Indian trip laid on us since Columbus. We have

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Ahneen, hello, tansi and howdy. By the time you read this, a million turkeys will be history. There will be widespread sorrow in the turkey community. Did you think bout that as you sat stuffed into a turkey shape yourself after that tasty meal? Nah, I won't either.

Did you know the turkey, which is a native of North America also, is like partridge in how they act. They can both be trusting and curious just when they shouldn't be. Our own history with the reason for Thanksgiving is sort of that way, also.

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Do you even wonder how a person can give a 100% effort at all times. Or is able to give unselfishly to others?

The Alberta Junior Citizens Award recognizes these traits in youth. George Poitras is a young Native man who received this award in 1980-81. Since then, it inspired him to strive for excellence in his work and life.

EDITORIAL

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The response to Gregg Smith's (president of the Indian Association of Alberta) declared war on drug and alcohol abuse has met with favorable response.

The problem is that no one knows exactly how to sign up for battle duty, what weapons will be used, or where the battles will be fought.

If those basic questions are not answered soon, the impact of Smith's initiative will be lost.

We can sympathize with Smith's dilemma.

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"I hire them, I fire them.." That's the way one Manitoba Indian chief describes the state of labour relations on his reserve.

You may remember the story. The chief fired a band employee two months ago for refusing to take part in a demonstration against the Department of Indian Affairs. The staff had been warned in writing that they would be fired if they didn't attend the three-day protest, the chief said. The 12 people on staff were office workers or health care workers and the chief said, by way of explanation, that they were hired to serve the band.

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It would appear that Indian rights to water is an inalienable one which neither the government nor the corporate or private sector has any business of exterminating or laying claim to without the sanction of the Indian people. Such was the message proffered by representatives at the Workshop on Native Water Rights at the University of Saskatoon last week.

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JANVIER - "A good atmosphere and good facilities help in the learning ability of a child," said Walter Janvier, chief of the Janvier Band at the official opening of the Father R. Perin School here October 10.

"When I was a young boy our school facilities were not as good. I'm grateful to see these kids have a good school. This is gonna be a big step for education for the kids and already I can see a brighter future for them," said Janvier.

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CALGARY - A public hearing called over an appeal by an Indian affairs employee who was fired after talking to the media earlier this year turned into a heated and bitter trial of government policy.

The three-day hearing held in Calgary October 7, 8 and 9 was called by Robert Laboucane, who is seeking reinstatement to his $40,000 a year position as district superintendent for employment and economic development in southern Alberta.

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SASKATOON - Roland Crowe is the new chief of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN). The former chief of the Piapot Reserve near Regina defeated his nearest rival, Alex Kennedy of Little Pine, after two lengthy rounds of voting that ended late the evening of October 7 at the Saskatoon Inn.

Of the 303 votes cast on that second ballot, Crowe collected 198 to Kennedy's 105. He will be replacing Sol Sanderson, who quit the chief's job earlier this summer and did not seek another term.

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Indian artist Maxine Noel will be in Edmonton on October 24 and 25 at the Bearclaw Gallery to promote her art and to be available to those from the public who may wish to meet and chat with her.

Recognized as one of Canada's foremost Native artists whose speciality falls in the category of linear art, Noel has been expanding her talents in the last few years to the point that she is now creating cast paper as well as limited edition bronze castings.