New reserve sought for reinstated Indians

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For over a year now, Nancy Tingey, formerly of the Cold Lake First Nations Reserve, along with a group of professionals, has been developing a proposal for the forming of a new reserve that would become a home for Indian people unable to return to their former reserves.

Tingey is planning a visit to Ottawa, to approach Indian Affairs Minister David Crombie with her proposal that suggested the "Twin Rivers Reserve" be located 100 miles north of Edmonton near Flatbush, and bordered by the Athabasca and Pembina Rivers.

According to Tingey, it is beautiful country filled with steams, lakes and rivers, surrounded by miles of Crown land that would be an ideal location for the Indian people.

The land Tingey refers to, is private land said to be owned by doctors and lawyers and farmers. The land is up for sale and "we have talked with these people and they think it is a great idea. We are not out to fight with Indian people. We only want to develop a life for ourselves. There are a lot of Indian women who feel the same way I do," said Tingey.

The Twin Rivers Reserve would consist of four townships of land. Tingey has produced blueprints of the township and designs of buildings important for the reserve and its people.

The four-year project would see the building of an administration building, school, senior citizens' home, children's home and homes for residents.

The projected cost is estimated at $18 million and, according to Tingey, she doesn't expect the federal government to "dish out" all the expenses, but would like to see funding come from many departments within both levels of government.

Tingey has engaged the services of Ced-dar-log homes, an Alberta based log building construction firm which would provide the reserve with the buildings and materials for homes. It is Tingey's desire to have members of the Band do the building, thus providing employment for members.

"We want the cheapest yet sturdy homes, and Ced-dar-log homes can provide those. They are beautiful homes and buildings. The people on the reserve will build them and that will also make them proud of their reserve."

Ced-dar-log Homes have offered to provide instructors to train on the job, which would create employment immediately.

The land is deeded, therefore, roads are already in place, power is available, and the land is worked and ready to be self-supporting.

This land that Tingey hopes to be a home for many, is almost 5,000 acres in areas and has about eight residents on it at present.

Tingey believes with all earnestness that the Twin Rivers Reserve would provide housing, employment and education, and become a model as a self-supporting Indian community for approximately 250 families and 150 homeless children, with a special reverence for the Elders of the Indian nation.

"There would be no welfare on this reserve and also it could become home for children who have been abandoned and others who have no real home to go to. Some of the Treaty (Indians) do not want us because of our Metis children. I think it is felt by some of the Treaty, because of Bill C-31, we will invade the reservations and help government demolish treaties."

Tingey believes that Indian people all over are scared and may think that everything could be lost "because of women like us. We should help each other. We are human just like our brothers and sisters on the reservations."

"What we don't need is all the criticism that we are out to destroy everything Indian people stand for. There are enough people in the country already doing this," commented Tingey.

Other plans are for the construction of a manufacturing plant for furniture. Imperial Oil at Cold Lake has a stockpile of well dried logs that they would contribute to aid Twin Rivers and its band.

Tingey believes that it is important to realize that this would be a community of hope and progression, with a determination to teach, record, display and live the Indian way. Indian artists and crafts people woud be invited to attend Twin Rivers, to enrich the fabric of the reservation and also for the purpose of retail and display.

Regarding other reserves in Alberta, Tingey says in a letter to Crombie that "upon examination, we find that the reservations (their former reservations) are either too small, too poor, too rich, too resigned or too outright hostile for families regaining their rights, to think that their lives have in any way improved. Should they go home again: to remember the days of their childhood, to regain the confidence of the olds days; but at what cost: increased welfare, increased addictions, very limited career opportunities, limited recreation and social outlets, confused heritage patterns and almost no artistic contributions."

The letter further stated that Tingey would change this model to one of traditional living, the Indian way, combined with economic feasibility.

"We will be creating jobs, and therefore I will be asking the department of manpower for funding. Also the provincial department of welfare will be approached for funding because we are planning to take in children. There is funding available for sports, recreation and all kinds of other things, so I will be approaching each and every one of them," said Tingey.

Tingey says that she is not out to "get" treaty Indians, but moreso the opposite.

"After the four-year project is a success, we would be willing to help others establish projects such as Twin Rivers. What I am going is trying to show that I am not out to get Indian people. I don't envy them, we only want equal rights.

"I don't want to go back where there is nothing offered. There are people on reserves waiting for homes now for a long, long time. Where would they put us?"

Tingey referred to so-called leaders getting money from government and saying that they are helping Native people "when they have done nothing."

"I have been doing this for a year, along with lawyers, Ced-dar-log representatives and consultants, who ave offered their services for free, right now, because they believe in me. I have considered all the people wandering around homeless and it's sad, it hurts and someone has to do something, so why not now?"

Tingey says that any Indian person who received their rights back would be welcome on the Twin Rivers Reserve and says the new Band would offer them their dignity and pride back, along with a new beginning.

Start up of the Twin Rivers Reservation could begin as early as May 5, with completion tentatively set for May, 1990.

Tingey has already met with the Indian Affairs Department, but says she was bounced from department to department, along with her idea.

"I was pushed around and I don't go for that. We want action now, not in one year. I want this started by July of this year.":

Asked when she would be visiting Crombie in Ottawa, Tingey answered, "as soon as he (Crombie) sends me a round trip ticket, I will go. I have enough Indian people who want this reserve. They know this project would give their children a better life, one where they would learn to do things themselves..a better life for all of us," Tingey concluded.