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NEWS ANALYSIS

Feelings of unity, of solidarity, among the Indians gathered along the shores of Cold Lake, run high. A certain electricity permeates the air. To the Indians of Cold Lake, this is one issue in which the sentiments and beliefs of the people are mutual.

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In conversation with Ray Makowecki, the regional director of the area for Fish and Wildlife, it was discovered that the department has been planning the closure of Cold Lake to all fishing as far back as two years ago.

When questioned by Cold Lake First Nations, Makowecki admitted others had been brought into the picture, had been consulted, but not the Indians of Cold Lake.

Not only did Makowecki know about the plan, he readily admitted to the Cold Lake Band Council that he was involved in the selection of which lakes were to be closed.

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GROUARD - Delegates at the land claims workshop April 11 were told a land claims could be pursued based on a legal obligation, a comprehensive claim based on Aboriginal title or a combination of both claims.

Last month a federal task force report on comprehensive land claims recommended that federal policy requiring all rights as Natives can be extinguished before concluding claims agreements should be abolished.

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Just recently the Alberta Indian Health Care Commission (AIHCC) moved from its old site on the boardwalk in Edmonton to its new location at 1390 First Edmonton Place, at 10665 and Jasper Avenue.

It is the desire of the AIHCC to let people know of its new location because of the many still visiting the old site.

The AIHCC is a regular board of health that deals with Treaty Indian people's issues in the province of Alberta and in regard to health and its regulations.

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According to Clifford Freeman, vice-president for Treaty 8 for the Indian Association of Alberta, the results of the Project Can 85 Survey may not be all bad news for members of visible minority groups living in the prairie provinces.

On April 9, at the Chinese Multi-Cultural Centre in Edmonton, a press conference was held reacting to the recently released survey by University of Lethbridge sociologist Dr. Reginald Bibby.

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GROUARD - Seven isolated communities took the first step in launching Native land claims by agreeing to establish a Native Land Claims Advisory Board, at the land claims workshop here on April 12.

The community delegates propose an organizational meeting in the near future and will put the new board in place, which will operate in a similar manner to the Isolated Communities Advisory Board that was formed in the late 1960s.

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The recent controversy over fishing rights at Cold Lake has proven itself to be a major scoop for "Windspeaker."

When the events began on April 10, "Windspeaker" was the only newspaper to be contacted and invited to cover the story. It was the only paper to get photographs on location.

Why? Because the band is sick and tired of "hostile media," said Allen Jacob, Band councillor.

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COLD LAKE - The whole issue of Treaty rights is at the forefront once again as the Cold Lake First Nations takes issue with provincial authorities over the right to fish.

Last week, things came to a head as the Cold Lake Band and others united in the common cause to protect what they call an "inviolable" and "non-negotiable" right.

"We intend to follow the spirit and letter of the Treaties," said Cold Lake Band Councillor Allen Jacob, who was the official spokesperson for the group.

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More on Being Poor

Guess what time it is? Springtime? Yes, 1986? That, too. Another month or so until five dollar and twelve dollar treaty days? Well okay, but besides all these things, it is also time to finish a column began last fall concerning being poor. You mean you'd forgotten we were going to get back to that? Well they say too much pressed wheat in a person's diet can plug up their memory like that.

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Wouldn't it be nice to travel across our prairie provinces in search of stories from days gone by: Recently, I had the opportunity to talk with an elderly man at Lloydminster and this is the story he told me.

Long before cars were ever introduced to the world market by Henry Ford, horses were the best means of travel. They were important to the owner and in those times a person caught for horse rustling could be strung up from the nearest tree.