\ Natives Demand Justice We, the United Native Nations have witnessed prob- lems for Indians with the RCMP, the criminal justice system, the Department of Human Resources, the De- partment of Indian Affairs, the educational system, and the Fish and Game Branch everywhere in the Province of British Columbia. We have seen abominable living condi- tions, discrimination, lack of job opportunities and gen- eral abuse of Native Indian Peoples. - However, each community only displays two or three of the above mentioned conditions. The Cassiar-Good Hope Lake Region displays all of the conditions. Bigoted RCMP Officers, abuse of the criminal justice system, in- competent Human Resources Workers, Department of Indian Affairs’ ignorance, Fish and Game Branch abuses, squalor, discrimination, unemployment and general abuse of Indian people are all disgustingly displayed in Good Hope Lake. The original inhabitants of Good Hope Lake were self- reliant people living in harmony with their environment. The land provided them with all the resources necessary to live a fruitful and comfortable life. But, “civilization” brought a rapid end to all this. Self-reliance has now been replaced by welfare dependence. These original inhabitants of Good Hope Lake have become the slaves of a system that cares nothing about them. It all sounds so familiar, Indeed, Good Hope Lake is simply a micro- cosmic example of the general condition of all Indians in British Columbia, if not Canada. What are we going to do about it? We, the United Native Nations, will do everything in our power. But, what will the Federal and Provincial Government Agen- cies involyed do?.If past experience is. any. indication, then the Indian people will receive more tokenism in the form of used trailers from the Government and used clothes from the “‘concerned” citizens. These sops to our governmental or personal consciences will result in no meaningful change. The Indian people of Good Hope Lake demand the chance to bring’ about the necessary changes, We, the United Native Nations, demand: 1) That the Attorney-General of B.C. make a full inves- _ tigation of the RCMP detachment in the Cassiar Region in cooperation with the Indian people in that Region; 2) That the Attorney-General of B.C. make a full inves- tigation of the criminal justice system as it involves Na- tive Indians in the Cassiar-Good Hope Lake Region; 3) That the Attorney-General of B.C. order a re-trial of recent “Indian” cases, like that of Newton Carlick, which have taken place in that Region; The Courier welcomes five new members to their staff: Jack Harley, Roberta Hollings, Janna Palmer, Reggie Duke and Dee Elllis............... ... .Welcome Aboard! Ottawa, Montreal Field Trip Group = Cassiar Courier the Voice of Cassiar Country - VOL 1 NO6 4) That the Minister of Human Resources, the Honour- able William Vander Zalm, personally travel to Good Hope Lake and view the situation his employees have allowed to continue; 5) That Minister Vander Zalm not hide behind the Fed- - eral-Provincial jurisdictional excuse; 6) That the Department of Indian Affairs stop ignoring the Indians at Good Hope Lake who being “Status” qualify for their assistance; 7) That transportation be provided for the Indian chil- dren to and from Cassiar in order that they do not have to suffer the trauma of living in a residential school (simply releasing the van to the Indian people would be a solution); : 8) That the Provincial Fish and Game Branch fully in- vestigate the trapping and hunting rights of the Good Hope Lake Region and order an end to the harrassment of Indian people who take, and must take, game for food; 9) That all efforts made in the Good Hope Lake area be designed not to cover-up an “embarrassing” situation but to result in meaningful long-term change. This last “idealistic” demand we belive to be possible provided governments, departments, agencies, organiza- tions, and individuals will concern themselves not with their particular image but will devote themselves to the cause of improving the conditions of the Indian people in Good Hope Lake. The United Native Nations devotes itself to the cause for all Indians, and, in fact, for all peoples. -From a news release by the United Native Nations. Any queries or comments regarding this article may be directed to: Mr. Bill Wilson United Native Nations 1451 W. Broadway, Ste. 203 Vancouver, B.C. V6H 1H6 : : : . MANY THANKS The Montreal Field Trip Students and teachers wish to extend a hearty thank you to each and every person who so willingly offered us assistance and supported us in our fund raising projects. The list would go on end- lessly. if we were to include every persons name but we do feel that a special thank you should go out to Mr. _Jack Grant for all his patience and suggestions along the way. We wish to extend thanks also to the Construction workers of Cassiar whose added financial assistance was greatly appreciated. We are scheduled to leave on Friday March 25, and will arrive back on April 9. Watch for the report on our exciting trip in a future Cassiar Courier. BON VOYAGE! Fromall the Cassiar Courier staff APRIL 1977 | 10 cents 2 Fish & Wildlife Deny Charge The United Native Nations have charged that Brock Bailey, local official of the Fish and Wild Life Branch, was negligent in fulfilling the duties of that office, by refusing to serve an official document. The document in question was a paper signed by Charlie Chief, denying Mr. Ar- nold Campbell the right to trap on his trapline. When asked if Arnold Campbell was indeed still trapping Mr. Chief's line, Mr, Bailey replied, “Yes, he has been trapping since the beginning of trapping season, which started October 15. In reply to the question of what was being done, as far as the Fish and Wildlife Branch was con- cerned, about Mr. Campbell trapping on Charlie Chief's line without his consent, Brock answered simply, ‘‘Charlie Chief, Joe Chief and Jack Chief gave him their verbal authority to trap until the end of March. There is nothing | can do further in an official position”. C ediacs First School Parent Advisory Council Elected On March 14, 1977, Cassiar residents were given the opportunity to elect six persons to the first Parent Advisory Council for the school. Eighty-four persons took advantage of this opportunity and chose the six from a list of thirty candidates. Comments on the turn- out by the Steering Committee ranged from “ a good showing” to “‘a bit disappointing”. | Members elected to the Council are Lee Coran, Heather Fugere, Kinky Borsato, John. Wright, Rose Ebbinghoff and Judy Fitzsimmons. The Steering Committee would like to take the op- portunity to thank those persons who let their name stand for election. It was very encouraging to’ have that many interested in the Council. The newly elected council will hold its first meeting during the week following school spring break. A heavy — schedule of work lies ahead for the council as the ini- tial organizing has to be done. CASSIAR TOWN COUNCIL NEWS As Reported by Karen Clark, Councillor In response to a heavy public outcry over the _ deg situation in Cassiar, the Town Councii passed the following fines for dogs caught loose: lst offense $20 2nd offense $50 3rd offense $100 Ath offense Dog destroyed Any dogs that are not picked up within 3 days will be destroyed. ; The Town Council urges everyone to cooper- ate and keep your dogs leashed up. Dog licenses can be purchased at the Townsite Administra- ' tion office for $8 for unspayed dogs and $3 for all others. ~ The Town Council will increase its council- lors from 6 to 12. Nominations for the position of councillor are now open and. can be made through the Townsite Administration office or by phoning Karen Clark at 778-7319. The position of Chairman will be left open until the completion of the Elections which will be held sometime in April. WATCH FOR ~------------- PHOTO TIPS A monthly column devoted to photography. — vs ose