Treaty 8 chiefs from the west combine forces

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Northern Alberta Indian chiefs have combined forces with their brothers from Western Canada to protect the rights of Treaty 8 bands.

One of their first moves was to throw support behind the Lubicon Lake Indian Band.

The Grand Council of Treaty 8 Nations was struck during a Treaty 8 conference held in Edmonton March 8.

More than 40 bands including bands from British Columbia, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories, are uniting to fight for recognition and to demand better treatment from the Crown as called for in the Treaty of 1899.

In its very first resolution the council attacked the federal government for attempting to undermine the Lubicon struggle by recognizing the Woodland Cree Band.

"This oppressive action on the part of the Government of Canada contravenes the spirit and intent of Treaty 8 entered into in 1899 by the British Crown and the sovereign nations of Treaty 8," the resolution read.

The organization was established to give Indian people, who face a wide range of issues, a stronger footing in dealing with the government.

Lubicon Lake Chief Bernard Ominayak, whose band has been fighting for land and treaty rights for more than 50 years, said the chiefs of northern Alberta are now going to place a special emphasis on strengthening their own treaty, instead of depending on larger Native organizations to fight their battles.

The Lubicon Band, while not part of Treaty 8, was accepted as a member of the new group by a formal vote of the other chiefs. Ominayak said in an interview he hopes to play a crucial role in the new Treaty 8 organization.

"We all understand we've got to work a lot closer together," he said.

Bigstone Cree Chief Charles Beaver will be heading up a committee to analyze Treaty 8 as it applies to current Native rights. He could not be reached for comment.