Forum discussions taxing of Indian lands

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TREATY SIX FORUMS

BEAVER LAKE RESERVE - Several presentations at the Treaty Six Forum here focused on Indian government powers and on land claims.

Chief Clarence Jewels of the Kamloops Indian Band reported on his band's recent action to tax non-Indian use of conditionally surrendered Indian land. The Kamloops Band has surrendered some of their land in 1939. About 400 acres is occupied by the city of Kamloops.

"The courts recognize that surrendered lands are still Indian lands under the Indian Act," said Jewels. He said section 87b of the Indian Act distinguishes between reserve and surrendered lands.

Section 83 of the same Act allows Indians to collect taxes, but does not allow the Band to spend the tax money on services, according to Jewels.

This is in no way jeopardizes the Treaty bilateral relationship with the federal government, since B.C. lands are not covered by Treaty, explained Jewels.

The Kamloops band is trying to get the government to amend the Indian Act so his band can begin collecting taxes this year.

Percy Potts, Treaty Six vice-president of the Indian Association of Alberta, called for unity to circumvent the isolated Band policies and tactics.

"Hugh Faulkner had said that the 1969 White Paper is dead; Bill C-31 is proof it is not. The government is trying to extinguish our title to the land," said Potts.

"All those items we identified here are included in the White Paper," said Potts. He asked for Band support to help IAA study the White Paper and other government documents that directly involve Indian governments.

Chief Melvin Potts of the Montana Indian Band delivered a talk on the study of the Rupertsland Claim he is involved in. He challenged unfulfilled federal obligations resulting from the Rupertsland transfer in 1871.

Potts feels that it is necessary to know what the Rupertsland transfer means to Indians living today.

"We should try to find out more about "promises" and how we can benefit from them," said Potts.

Potts feels that Treaty Six is a good place to start challenging unfulfilled obligations, "but we also need the support of other Treaty nations."