Chief appeals to IAA for support

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Chief Bernard Ominayak, of the Lubicon Lake Band, has appealed to the leaders of all Alberta bands, to join him to his land claim fight which involves a boycott of the 1988 Winter Olympics.

Ominayak made the request at the All-Chiefs conference held on the Enoch Reserve, near Edmonton, Sept. 29, 30 and Oct. 1. About 35 chiefs from 42 Alberta bands attended the meeting. Chief Leo Youngman of the Blackfoot band, and Chief John Snow, of the Goodstoney Band ? two bands heavily involved in Native events to be presented during the Olympics, were absent from the meeting.

Chiefs present at the conference offered verbal support to Ominayak, and after much discussion, Indian Association of Alberta (IAA) president Gregg Smith, indicated his agreement with the suggestion that the federal government be approached by a group of chiefs to settle land claims before the Olympics.

Ominayak told the chiefs: "We've talked about unity before. We've got to stand together if we're going to get somewhere." Although he has the support of national Native organizations, Metis and European group "we are still weak when it comes to our own people in terms of support. Some bands think we're going on the wrong route, that we're being too hard on the government and the guys with OCO. But, we can't be nice. We have to hit them hard enough if we're going to get anything out of these guys."

Ominayak also explained that his band didn't have financial resources or political power to change the government's mind, adding that the boycott "is the only resource that we have."

Several of the chiefs immediately offered Ominayak their support.

Gordon Crowchild, a councillor for the Sarcee band, whose "people will be used in OCO events," gave verbal support to Ominayak.

Crowchild called Sykes Powderface, OCO Native liaison official to the microphone to address the non-support issue.

Powderface placed the blame on the federal government which is "creating an impasse. It will not be pressured into making a decision." He added that his job has not been easy.

"I am educating people from the inside ... as to what the Aboriginal claim is all about. I'm making sure we capitalize on the Olympics to present our culture. The Olympics is one of the world's biggest platforms anyone can get ? the biggest marketing platform, the biggest awareness platform," Powderface told the chiefs. "It gives greater global awareness to Indians ? who they are and what they are struggling for. It also gives access to marketing opportunities," he pointed out, adding the Olympics "puts the value of our culture" on the platform, as well.

Gilbert Eaglebear, who spoke on behalf of the Blood tribe chief, told the chiefs that although his band has an industry which could stand to make money by "co-operating with OCO ? we have asked to be left out of negotiations with Treaty 7 chiefs." This statement was met with applause from the audience.

In an interview after the meeting, Ominayak told Windspeaker he hoped the chiefs would eventually come to the decision to support him "without me trying to pressure them into it. Until we can stand together ? that's the only way we can accomplish anything."

"I'd also like to see the IAA executive talk to the prime minister. The ideal situation would be to see Alberta chiefs standing united on this," he said, indicating that his only wish is to see the land claim settled. "My only priority is my people," he concluded.

Last year Ominayak met with Treaty 7 chiefs in an appeal to support the band's land claim. After a closed door meeting, IAA Treaty 7 vice-president, Narcisse Blood announced that although the chiefs sympathized with the northern Cre band whose 47 year old land claim appears to be at an impasse, the chiefs chose not to support the cause at that time.

Several Treaty 7 bands are involved in the Olympic Games. The Blood band's Kainai Industries which fabricates temporary houses recently won a contract to build housesfor the media village located near Mount Royal College.

Blackfoot chief, Leo Youngman has been instrumental in organizing an international powwow. The powwow will be held on the Stoney reserve west of Calgary at the Chief Goodstoney arena in the city of Calgary. Sarcee band member Bruce Starlight has worked with OCO on a trade fair set to open in November. And Peigan band member, Norman Greer heads a Treaty 7 economic development steering committee for the trade show.