Mediators: Welcome: Opening Prayer In Attendance: WILLIAMS LAKE INDIAN BAND MEETING JULY 29, 1996 SUGAR CANE GYMNASIUM Jeannette Armstrong and Marlow Sam Chief Willie Alphonse, Jr. Emie Archie Cecelia Michel Henry Michel Myron Burger Amie Jack Leo Michel Roxanne Stobie ‘Sharon Bob Denise Sellars Andrea Thomas. Willie Alphonse, Jr Missy Sellars Casey Lee Vern Michel Orenda Gil bert Helen Sandy ‘Anastasia Sandy Naney Sandy Joey Gilbert Joey Alphonse Ernie Archie Chris Wycotte Ray Moiese June Louie Yvonne Smith Frances Supernault Charlotte Gilbert Robin Gilbert Tom Alphonse Heather Thomas Lynne Gilbert Darrell Sellars ‘Amy Sandy Storme Sandy [***These are the written notes of Nancy Sandy. They are in draft form and are as close to comments made by community members as possible, Some comments were not recorded in fall or recorded at all due to the speed in which people spoke. These notes ‘can be cross-referenced with those of other Band staff and the list of issues recorded on the flip chart (which are also typed up and copied for community members information) Notes: - [remarks made in square brackets] means recorder summarized what she recalled was said, =. series of dots means recorder wasn’t able to record everything that was said]Marlow Sam (“MS”): Was told by Jeannette Armstrong that they were requested to come to the community and help with what problems their may be and was happy to do so. They were asked to come and help with the Liaison Group at Gustafsen Lake and agreed to do so without siding with any political agenda of the people in the community or the RCMP, “That was the only they could do it with a clear head and heart because they've seen that work before and besides they didn’t have the time to get caught up in the politics. So they will use the same approach here because either way you look at it and when issues to be resolved and looking at life, children and grandchildren, life and how decisions are going to affect them in the future, want to stay neutral; it will not be us who will be resolving the problems throughout the day. We are thankful to the people for showing trust in us for calling us in and hopefully we'll see some good things come out of this; I recall something said to me by Leonard Crowdog at a Sundance and he said “God gave you a mind use it” i., think about what you are doing; God gave you a good mind. Hopefully we can gather together with our feelings and resolve things. Jeannette Armstrong (“JA”): Greetings in Okanagan language. It sounds like you want to bring good things to the community so things could be good for the children. It is very important for us to take a facilitators role and not to agree or to disagree with one side We don’t have any business to do that, important for the community to do things together in harmonious way. “When we don’t solve problems they have a tendency to grow and by second generation hard to move them, some issues if we could we should say should stop here ‘and not to hurt our children. T would wish that for this community, my community and any community We will try not to be offensive to anyone pretending to know what problems are; history or what you're family is going through; we don't know your traditions. That puts at an advantage because we can see processes, history and obstacles that you can’t see; try to use a process to bring clarity to problems; we both work in our community in a spiritual capacity, we are pipe carriers in the traditional Okanagan style helping people individually, ‘with groups an community as with married couples because if two people can solve problem makes community healthier, a family and the whole community Itis a learned process the way you do things - road you use to get there; if process is non-threatening; if not used to put one side down then it is strengthening; it does work, ‘each of you in different ways have understanding of how it should work and see it work is more importantReally depend on one thing in the community and that is to know that people have feelings and care; you may not agree on things you care about but if you start from that premise then you have a lot to start with Ideas, politics etcetera are different, but thing that is dependable is that we care about our children, our community and future; we may not like each other but we do care and that is the basis we can depend on. Byeryone has something that drives them to care about - if you can depend on that you empower people to say things that need to be said, clarified, identified, 1 might not agree about [certain issues] but we know you care about [certain issues} Word in Okanagan - Anawcam (spelling incorrect) - which means a process for discussion; means no argument; no debate, nobody is right or wrong; presume everyone is right; different things count for different people; we ask “can you give me the most opposite view to mine and I’m asking you, begging you to give me that because if I don’t ‘understand your view I can never understand how maybe we can fix things together T listen carefully to feelings first what makes you hurt, angry .. usually things that bring together. Two things, one, we need to be able to hear you and two, you need to be able to hear me. If I can offer you the opportunity to hear me then you have to do opposite - without cutting each other down - good process if set down ground rules and if decide our priority is community and can work out together - if have already decided not going to work then it won't work. Can't bring resolution in one day but toward conciliatory process on these things to bring to resolution, commitment to work towards that, Use process to work together in positive way. If we can’t do that then need to know; we hope you're here to look at & facilitation process; if still dificult in terms of fear, trust, we need to know that now to plan the process. We don’t take this process lightly and we know how hard itis and how meaningful itis for everyone. T want to outline the process, rules, guidelines and see how sits with ‘everyone and for directions if been called here for something else. PROCESS First Part: Agree on a process which is acceptable to all, Recommending one which identifies what we each see as the main concern that brings you here today. If you can get toa summary doesn’t matter if for or against, if do in real honest way is okay a) Issves - just the statement of them ( not saying how or not laying blame) ~ not personal comments ~ no disagreement on any person's view of what they see as the issueEverybody's point is important (no attempt to resolve at this point) some ‘underlying things are hard to state. Move away from sides and look at what whole ‘community feels is the issue - can work in two groups and do list. List of all things we agree on and reasons to clarify them with opposite list - take them and clarify as much as possible Second Part: Priority of the two lists in terms of importance to people, then take the most important points and attempt a best scenario ic., positive vision, Once we can state how things should be we can state what keeps it from happening, what needs to happen to get to vision; List things not happening ice., lack of economics, organization *what are the things that are do-able in short term and in long term - have to get the commitments from ‘the people; requires understanding and trust from both sides to make do-able. Issues: - are the hardest part because you get emotional; if issues not understood and “why” is still there have to keep working until the “why” is not there anymore. Process is empowering each other and is a strong process. Usually when disagreements and high emotions means you care means healthier than other communities and sometimes can be disturbing. ‘What is disturbing is total complacency in communities; because no one even cares to show up or to call a meeting; might not fee! good or healthy but you ean turn that strength around toward a really strong unified community; ‘Nancy Sandy (“NS”); Is talking about how we feel about the process a part of it? Because I know that I would like to say something about that? JA: Yes. Amie Jack (“AP”) Ground rules; agree with process ; points of concerns and issues is reinventing the wheel because I’m not here to share feelings I'm here to talk about politics, international law, Chief and Council JA: Have to respectfully ask to see if everyone wants to do this process. AJ: [worry about this becoming an AA meeting where everyone cries etcetera, I called this meeting specifically about band polities. JA: So you're worried that feelings would get in the way. It is important to hear from everyone else Willie Alphonse, Jr. (*WA”): Has this worked in other communities?JA: Yes. You don’t need to pretend you're calm when you're not, Everything Amie has to say without anyone not knocking it down, you're not here to argue but listen to what everyone has to say. We can look at issues in terms of what is do-able just trusting this process because not something for people to be able to do; it is hard, defense go up but don’t let it close your ears to what needs to be change. Cecelia Michel (“CM”). I agree with the process. Henry Michel (“HM”), Good to be here sitting and doing this work because I live away from home; I don’t see myself as being far away. I can work with the process and will be asking questions. I don’t want to say you have to do this. Myron Burger ("MB"): 1 agree with the process if brings up feelings its on the way to healing Charlotte Gilbert (“CG”): With regard to Amie’s comment about reinventing the wheel I agree because we went through it during the community visioning but the issues still need to be resolved. Frances Supemault (“FS”): Tam hoping the process will work. I grew up with Joey and ‘Amie and its really hard to understand your points and I would really like to be able to ‘Tom Alphonse (“TA”), Iam standing on sidelines hearing lots of arguing, touching on lots of good things; know groups have lot to say and everyone else does, maybe we need to agree or disagree as long as everything is on the table. Glad to have people from the Okanagan helping our community to grow. Casey Lee (“CL”): [This man is the new Family Support Worker]. The thrust behind the process seems to be for each side to listen to each other and if we go with that it should be Okay, AJ: If I wanted to learn about myself I'd go back to treatment centre; if wanted to lean about spirituality I'd go to spiritual leaders, if T want to learn about politics T'd go to politicians. I'm fully respectful of what everyone has to say, come to band meetings and have your say, I'm just here to deal with band politics, I won’t mention names, 1 won't raise my voice; I would like to see some progress made; I don’t know if anyone of you have gone to Chief and Council and asked questions, none of you have ever come to me to ask what has gone on. Joey Alphonse (“J Alphonse”): This place, I don’t know where you guys are going, 1 don’t know why you're trying to throw me I jal; never done nothing wrong; don’t know where you are going,6 6 Emie Archie (“EA”); This process; lots of arguing, Gustafsen Lake - I wasn’t there for whole of the process; lot of anger. We asked each band, Chief and Council, asked for help ‘and most bands, my own people - they just shoved us away. We called a meeting at the Jonghouse about land claims, deed - there was none for the land; we never did start trouble - it was ranch hands; they came in and raid our camp, tore down our camp; took our stoves; lot of young kids harrassing us; they were the ones brought in the arms - they called us “red niggers”. Most of you sitting here don’t have the balls to stick up for what you're fighting for; the land that is being taken away for the generations, problem of the third parties. T ‘was the head leader of the Gustafsen Lake heading up the Sundance - we didn’t cause the violence that came, most of you don’t know the laws of the seven steps if you want your strength need to go back to hunting and fishing. Lots of calling down during that time, calling us renegades; learned how to stand up for our rights, could keep on talking here know there isa lots of problems going on, don’t like what happened at arbour where arbour burned down; burned seven piles, we don’t go to other reserves and burn down their church. ‘Have a lot of anger but don’t carry it ; lot of hate; had a hard time to build arbour, build for last two months; last Sundance; seven council fires; alliance coming from ‘Mohawk Nation; get four warnings if Queen choose wrong, choice will be lots of pain for four races and four colors. Christian people don’t hide they speak the truth ‘Vern Michel (“VM”): Pass for now. ‘Denise Sellars (“DS”): I think we should give the process a try because we have tried everything else this might be a fresh start ‘Andrea Thomas (“AT”); [agree with the process and go through it; I have a lot of concerns and even if nothing done about it at least get if off my chest. I'd like to thank ‘Amie to giving us an opportunity. I don’t know what is going to happen once we leave here; justin the last two years that I've been feeling this negative Missy Sellars (“MS”): Lagree with it. Heather MacKenzie (“HM”): Definitely step in the process - positive. June Louie (“JL”): 1 agree with the process where everyone gets there say. Lynne Gilbert (“LG”): I agree with Arnie lets just get on with it Robin Gilbert ("RG"), Agree 6‘Sharon Bob (“SB”); Tagree with the process, We do need rules and process to get to the issues, We can't shut off the loud voices, can’t be asking people not to show emotions; follow process, each issue, will have a good day. Yvonne Smith (“YS): Willing to work with the process and abide by what comes out of it ‘Anne Louie (“AL”): Thank the facilitators for coming to help us. Agree with the process. NS: Tagree with the process and we have to understand that this will take patience and understanding, Chris Wycotte (“CW”): L agree with the process and hope we're able to get through the process WA: Agree with the process. Leo Michel (“LM”); We have to all remember we're not as ready as Arnie is; with regard to sharing feelings; we're here to identify issues; everyone agree to start out with some form of issue to address; have to be willing to listen; not only political issues to deal with Many families are represented here and there are families not here to stand up for our issues, We have to try and listen and try and understand what we are concerned about; have to be willing to hear what someone else is saying; we can’t be lazy listeners, make yourself available to listen. Linda Mitchell/Narcisse (‘LM”): I would like to just get started JA: Real need to doa process, Amie want to discuss the politics and not the feelings. ‘One of the obstacles is that for one person this is about politics for another it might be something else. What is it I'm most concerned about? What is that that makes me really angry? If we can get to it where we can say it without talking about for two hours. GROUND RULES ‘The one important unstated rule is that you don’t interrupt. You have to say away from blaming. Don’t leave by way of saying “to heck with this” because what you’re doing is telling others they aren’t important and this isn’t important ‘AJ: Already have reinteerated issues ie., community visioning and my biggest concern then was “inventory”. [ve listed it all and it is formally documented JA: Okay that is the issue you put up there.‘AJ: Chief and Council don’t do these things - at a loss as to why they don’t do anything, Why do the Chief and Council have economic sanctions against us? 1 didn’t ask for membership to be here. I didn’t ask to talk about feelings, JA: So you don’t think the process will work? AJ: [will work with the process JA: What do you do. J Alphonse’ They failed me. I sold everything, my kids have nothing, Chief end Council failed to look after me; I don’t know why? Maybe they'll all end up in jail. I don’t have a criminal record; Crown Council came out and said drop charges and you just said no; end of my rope don’t have anything else, what are you guys hiding - you talk about looking, away people out here at Sugar Cane are stupid you don’t write none of your own papers L already stared down cops barrel | ain’t taking this and this is Joey Alphonse talking here you might want to send me somewhere else to work; is it because you don’t like me; what are my kids gonna have; | only carry the truth. Last year was just to get your attention, you're not going to be leaders all you have is the RCMP; Nancy Sandy came home doesn’t even know me; won't look at me; you've got me suckholing for $80.00, I've already sold everything, { don’t know what to do with you guys; looks like pretty well have a job now; all the people who give you a yes before I leave this earth - don’t care about you; I’m worried about the next generations. I know everybody wishes bad things on me, you guys fake it and lie you guys are sweeping me under the carpet you guys aren’t going to get out there no escapee. you guys better be ready no meeting like this is going to solve it what you [already did] reached the bottom now and sold everything I own, you have succeeded, pat yourself on the back; go have dinner somewhere; don’t care because I have the ancestors with me I'll go anywhere I'll do anything, I have been living with the ancestors for a long time on our territory. You can act any way you want; talk about patience they are still sitting up there; especially with our Elders probably come up there to smudge them, going to hurt to see them go in the ‘round they are real and they are here, they give you guys your looks and your blood and they must be apologizing for what their grandchildren are doing; got the ancestors backing ime all I got to say. I know everything what your guys are doing, You guys don’t look after me thats what it comes down to today, I never did anything wrong and if] did I'm sorry. ‘AJ. Ldon’t want people to think I don’t want the process, the way we talk; the wayoe 1 call it the “conspiracy to control the power” JA: Are you willing to write down what you see as the problem and vice versa? What it sounds like is that you want to have your issues on the table and they listen. AT: We've already stated our position. JA: Why won't you let Crown Counsel drop the charges? Why won't you reinstate me? ISSUES = There are feelings that there is problems that are not being listened to or not being addressed; ~ There are some things still happening that affect me from the past; ~ We don’t have access to money for lawyers to represent us but yet you have access to money to defend; ~ We done a wall by volunteer but now they are charging us for cutting it; = We cut down the wall down because they Chief and Council won't meet with us. - They say that these things should be dealt with by community but yet they call in RCMP, - They won't tell anybody why they are using funds to charge us; = Real issue is that there is no accountability from Chief and Council, - The real underlying issue is that council don’t take directions from membership and there is no accountability, = Is there a future charging of our own people? VM: How do you get a group with band money here and band members without band money here and how can only one group get the money? The band money -is it available only to some members or only to council? It isn’t right that only some have access to money for legal defense AT. ~ concerns are business ethics have affected myself and my husband; there have been arrangements and agreements and we kept our end and they won't meet with us, addressed concerns, we weren't given the respect to be heard, granted a meeting and sat in main office and I wasn’t admitted in, I was rudely handled and no reason for them to do10 10 that; because they could have dealt with it immediately not granted apology, treated rudely; people in community are scared to talk with us now, people afraid to talk with because affraid would get in trouble, aftaid because their _might get lumped in with them; People she want to address issues with treat it in a humourous way or avoid it altogether; no respect, no professionalism; once you do make statements there are repercussions, not allowed to have an opinion anymore, people take it personally; Q So I question if you are not allowed to have your opinion then who is? AT: It is like a leamed behavior, have to not have an opinion because like picking sides;, have enough respect, JA: How can you describe it?” AT: Body language, attitudes, sad look in peoples eyes; people don’t know how to fee! towards to you, makes you feel said inside; afraid to set beside you in meeting because ‘might be humped in with you, it’s what makes you grow - the negative and the positive, realistically what people want is to deal with one issue - can’t have any positive or negative; Not allowed to have negative or other opinion because it goes against the other opinion; it is an implied feeling; like if you don’t agree with them then you must be wrong or you feel belittled JAlphonse: Charges now in Crown Counsel's hands not in Chief and Council she lied because now she says Crown Counsel asked them to drop charges - is there anything you can do about this lie? [referring to Councillor Sharon Bob] ‘AJ. You come back to the community and not talk to anyone, Jalphonse: You're lying - Crown came out and asked drop charges. Al: Willie who burned down the arbour? What medicine man was consulted? EA: When I was on inside lots of collaborators try to ask for help but pushed aside try to ask for document for deed but these collaborators sell out underneath table of the children, Bands - Sundance grounds with Bad, Chief of Canoe Creek, Antoine Archie running meeting was supposed to be Elders meeting but set up by Chief and Council but when we {got there they called us down right down to the dirt, asked for deed papers, ranch hand came out had a deed,u u No meeting between Sugar Cane and other communities, still have papers to prove it all the time inside the arbour, know a lot of confusion between each reserve attempt to get along to be peaceful; minutes and documents lay __ books but disagreed they refuse to come to meeting - RCMP right in 100 Mile Invited all five bands but RCMP said don’t want to come; was all about land claims; phony documents not signed by hereditary chief, where all land makes of Gustafsen Lake burned down taken out goes back to 1864 all take place by Trutch; James Cattle Company about genocide. Five bands and RCMP meeting called after Sundance and only one showed up was Lyle James and RCMP - right around middle of August before the shooting started to attempt to make an agreement to solve problem of land claim quest; they than tried to get solved by all five band communities. AJ Was that a stand on law? Does jurisdiction fit into that? NS: Request that Amie allow Emie to finish talking and not to interrupt him. EA: Lot of people here don’t understand about spirituality or Sundance, people are afraid to face us, come to see us about land claims, water rights, Gustafsen Lake - was made by one of our people - goes back to 1864 when was built by one man; what we found out after looking at all documents paper by John Trutch, land being taken away by people; 200 square acres cut down to 134; lot of conflictions between government and Crown land; ‘our childrens rights of the land, of the unborn HS: (1) Did they consider that cutting down the fence is a wanton, illegal destruction of band property - once itis built itis band property and not for others to destroy whether you built it or not, (2) if you have prior knowledge - not within our system - but western system - how could you not expect to get in trouble? Pe also heard rumours about missing money. This community is made up of interrelated families, Alkali, Canoe Creek, non-natives - community should be put first - if community going to be put back by illegal action... ifeach of us want a voice I want to be heard and Towant others to hear - you may hear me but are unwilling to listen, all of us deserve to be heard to be listened to; people on different sides indicate dissension... a sit down point by point each one says what they have to say and dealt with if we are going to preserve our community for our children, Then we need to go through this kind of process, I respect everyone's rights in this community, somebody's rights is not being met and I want to know whose they are, ‘an accusation should only be made in person to the person’s face and not against people12 12 not hear to protect themselves; given circumstances something is going right, everything is. being documented - family fighting family people fighting each other, Destroying things is not the thing to do; do within a person, if you don’t listen to them you're destroying them; if you don’t hear them you’re destroying them - this can be used to better ourselves; lets not argue with our neighbors, our relatives. JL: For somebody to sit here and say I’m stupid is wrong; maybe because we don’t agree doesn’t mean we're stupid; before you call them stupid you should sit down and listen to them. LG: Concern is destruction of band property, accountable for your own actions, better be able to dish it out what comes, because some band members destroyed the wall other band ‘members have to build it back up, Chief and Council can’t be accountable for everything, little thing; for everytime that Chief and Council have to stop doing band business they are not doing job for the rest of the community; we have to trust their judgments, if really interested in whats going on at band go to the meetings, Chief and Council are not here to babysit you, I applaud their work. JA: How. AT: Suggest keep comments written down. JA: We didn’t come here with a process to agree or disagree with anyone. VM: Voting for ones out of town - at school - would like to come home and vote; if we get dollars for them and if can’t vote... what Helen had to say everybody's voice should be heard; it hasn’t been met all of our rights,, accountable for actions - agree that Chief and Council should be accountable - can’t be responsible for ours and theirs as well, can’t say he doesn’t vote for me so I shouldn’t help him; long time for boys to get out what have to say; leader doesn’t look at you, councillors may look at you and smile but they don’t mean it, got to give these guys leeway because they've been through lots of shit; 1 work over at the mill and I never thought I'd say this but them white boys over there treat me better than my own. DS: Could we stop putting issues on the wall and maybe have some answers? [At this point in the meeting Arnie got very angry and shouted many things this recorder did not record and left the meeting saying he was quite disappointed in the facilitation because he thought they were here to help us through this} JA. [Talked of being very disappointed that this may not be going to work because she ‘came with good intentions and felt good about being the community to help. She would defer to Marlow’s suggestion whether or not they will remain] 12B 13 MS: [Talked of himself taking it personally what Arnie had said because he too came here ‘with good intentions, with good feeling and desire to help; and his disappointment of seeing Arnie leave with all his papers, he talked of his experience with the Indian ‘Movement in the United States and Canada and the destruction he seen in some communities and said that is not what we want to see here. He recalled the words of a colleague of his who said “to be a leader you can’t put yourself above the people or even at the same level of the people BUT below the people”.] AT... lot of surface stuff coming up; changes are scary not only for Chief and Council but for membership as a whole, everytime you go to ask it seems the rules change; lot of this may be just steam and then we can get to root of problem all we ask for is alittle bit of respect to be heard; don’t take anger home, to bed, or to next meeting; were big volunteers - not allowed to be volunteers anymore, all we want to see is for the community to succeed; only want somebody to say to our face... we all need to know the rules; so we can to listen to whole train of thought; excitement and forget; we need to earn how to deal with each other ... don’t need to be told can’t be friends with whoever, HS: Thank everyone for being here because just by being here shows our commitment, ‘we are here and working; have system for choosing my friends - I like who I see; I invite them into my home; T live in Vancouver and I open up my home to people from here because I know what itis like to be in the city without help [pointed at someone] and said you are my nephew and Arnie I’ve always stood for you; I don’t want to stop now and 1 want to keep on with this and settle it, I hope everyone has the same feeling it’s blood it won't go away it’ll stay here. ‘AJ: [Came back to meeting and apologized for walking out and said it was all a part of his strategy to get the people talking. He said he heard a lot of questions but had not answers yet from Chief and Council. He wanted to know where we were in the process and still wanted to deal with band politics and get some solid recommendations ] [***Recorder had to leave the meeting for approximately 15 minutes and the following is ‘summary of comments made during absence: - listen without interruption = go around table for each ~ breakdown; concer that process is not working = trust in process ~ AJ does not trust Chief and Couneil will continue with process ~ commitment from all present] HS: Are all the recommendations going to be put in a package and everyone come back tomorrow for clarification? Are we going to go on with round table discussions? B14 14 'AL: For Amnie’s recommendations I responded and have had the written responses but I ‘waited until this meeting to present them. ‘These are my responses and not those of other Council, T was not on board when Council pursued charges but I support them in their pressing charges because they got those directions from the Elders to do that money missing; minutes Amie had requested is missing and we can’t give you what we don’t have; we are four council members but we are all individuals; we have intense discussions in Council meetings in which I may call other members to task but these aren’t made public. SB: appreciate Joey calling me a liar to my face because I like that when people who have something to say to me come to me and tell me to my face. I spoke to the RCMP on the morning the wall was destroyed and that was the last time; Crown Counsel has never talked with me, my only contact has been to tell them I am unavailable for the court date set because I am on holidays during that time, my holidays have been planned for a year now and I am not going to change them, I just found that charges were going ahead when {got the subpoena, I have answers for up to number 33 of Amnie’s recommendations, there were a lot of concems and a lot of answers, Thave been on Council for four years now and thought we were doing a good job; everybody has different opinions and I have learned to listen a long time ago CW: Ihave read recommendations and agree that some changes have to be made; when we got together as Council - there was no policy or procedures all there was was just a bunch of papers stapled together, the cost was $10,000.00 and not the $25,000.00 as previously claimed, we talked to DIA and that was paid for through them. We have to do something about the community because I remember a stage when we used to be able to visit door to door, I am prepared to say there is commitment and maybe at this point we can’t set down and discuss and solve problems with Amie so ‘maybe we should be sitting down with someone else We encourage everyone to attend band meetings, attendance is not as good sometimes and that was the reason for community visioning was to have the community input, not going to be on Council forever and want to be able to leave a process behind that is workable. WA: Lappreciate all the comments made. It has been my upbringing to listen to the Elders. Its pretty hard to have a Band meeting when only one side of the issue is presented. I have been on Council now for 8 years; I've never begged or campaigned for the position and never will, next month if majority of the leaders want a new leader T will stand behind that15 15 'As far as the Sundance and the destruction of the arbour goes - directions were given by John Stevens - an Elder from here, Mary Charlie, went over to speak with him. As for voting - college and university students are eligible to vote if they are going to ‘move back to the community. As for my salary - I did not make the decision as to what I ‘was going to be paid. I, 100, miss the close relationship I had with individuals, relatives, close friends and I've never turned away when I met them. This community is made up of many different members and as Council we have to listen to ALL concerns; maybe they have different ways of bringing up their concerns; there is a way to get majority of support and have them listen to you but you have to the same in return, T am concemed with where we are going as a community; all of us here have concerns we'll always have our differences and can’t see us agreeing 100% ; never happened with recreation events; 100% of the membership didn’t support the music festival; ball hockey, rodeo or baseball. [’'m hoping everyone’ issues here today can be addressed and I’m sure others have issues they'd like to air, AJ: [interrupts] JA: Could you wait until everyone speaks? ‘AJ. I can respect that but I'm the one who called the meeting - maybe if other band ‘members have concerns they should call a band meeting before the next election. I would like to have seek if my recommendations were considered and if we could have put done, done, done for every one that was followed through. Looking at some of these answers are that itis up to the membership but they've made decisions without membership, Two months since had last band meeting - my expectation is that this will be all shoved under the carpet again. Some answers are unexpected; intellectualization, side-stepping, JA: Are you saying you don’t want to hear from everyone? AJ: It’s just intellectualizing FS: On Friday the Band Manager told us there is going to be band meeting to resolve recommendations made by Arnie and that is what I expected - we should be going down the list, JA: No one gave us a list or told us there was @ list of recommendations, we came here without any information because we didn’t want to prejudice what is happening by not hearing those issues; MS: if we had we could have been at this point in one hour when the meeting started, 1516 16 (CG: Thave heard “ancestors” and what does it mean? There are some questions I have of Chief and Council - is there any means of reporting when you go on trips, clarity on the vehicle that Willie uses - is there a policy for that? 1 would like to see how things are going and to have respect that no interruptions happen when someone is speaking, HM: Every once in a while we get a chance to look inside the box and see how we're doing and sometimes we don’t like what we see, we don’t want to and we think is it really that bad? First step in a process is dealing with emotions, feelings are so hard and strong; its hard to see the disrespect that goes with the anger, jealousy and it really hurts especially for my Mom to be attacked; problems of band couneil - polities - aren’t about whether you Amie or Joey feel good about me, Question I have to answer is what do I put in place... because if all you want to do is have a god damn good fight than lets all have that and then at the end lets see who's left standing up. Where do we get to the emotional level where we can work together? CM: If we agree to do all the things on the band maybe we'll get somewhere. LMIN: All the emotions here today - always say storm before the calm - once you get the negative thoughts out of the way it will get better, once we fought together up on the highway; the ancestor is coming down from the hill, and anyone thats going to be in Council next month everyone here better be here to support them, this will make me stronger in the community where I live now and work in the health department; everyone here should be able to come here and listen even ifit takes a week; LMichel: One main concern - lots of opinions, anger, frustrations, browse through. listen ~ if we leave here without ‘no excuses LG: is this list all you want addressed today? MAIN POINTS MS: Arnie had offered to send us this material but refused him because we didn’t want to come here with a predetermined judgment of the people or the issues, the main thing that has to be real clear commitment from Chief and Council before we go on, start addressing some of the issues towards resolving, one main concern seems to be the ‘meeting called last year preceding Gustafsen Lake to get clear on that; one of the main things that needs to get clear on that - the aftermath - the destruction of the arbour i¢., aabut John Stevens being asked; Other issues - people in the community don’t have a voice Le , say one thing for or against and not being heard; accountability on business affairs, treaty process, employment, recreation, ancestors - just wanted everyone to know ancestors are watching: clear commitment from Chief and Council to working toward resolving some of 167 7 the issues and not just hearing opinions - ARE CHIEF AND COUNCIL WILLING TO DO THAT? WA: I don’t have a problem with resolving issues or concerns CW: Lagree. AL: I would like to see it resolved or at least the beginning of a resolution. SB: Lagree because this has been going long enough ‘AJ: Lwould like to make a recommendation that Chief and Council say how they re going to accomplish the changes; they are now getting toward the end of their mandate and its another deflection, Willie, you know about the adoption of rules and order you were chairing the meeting. even Pierro said Arnie asked for tis last year why didn’t he get it. JA: [Asked for clarification on “ancestors” that Joey keeps talking about]. AJ: There are eleven boxes of ancestral remain in Joey's basement, they were in the church and me and Joey took them out, we went down and asked for BCR and there was no response; Museum had told Chief and Council years before and they were laughed at, it didn’t look for Joey and Arnie to be dealing with it so they got the BCR; [Henry Saul had previously taken AJ and JA to Victoria at his expense] AT: A band memberfemployee was given direction to put the bones in the basement [of the firehall?] and didn’t like it and came to talk with me and she told him to do what he thought was right, MB put the bones in the church where it was quiet, AJ and JA went to the church when it was minus 30 and took it out; is now in JA’s basement and he smudges it everyday. FS. [just heard a comment from AJ that was very disrespectful of all the Elders on the reserve - I agree with CG that this is a priority and should be dealt with right away. HS: Recommendation to Chief and Council and as AJ that JA responsible agree on spiritual leaders to assist; final resting place for the bones, since you were asked ¢o come ‘and assist work with the two other leaders work with Chief and Council and JA and spiritual leaders to put ancestors to rest, recommend the two facilitators, MB and EA and ‘maybe Clothilde Thomas, EA: Asking for 11 hides; cooks, pipe ceremony, four days of potlatch; food offering, straight singing no PowWow. AT: Have everyone go and speak with relatives and meet with Council in morning, and then could decide 718 18 VM: Waited 10 to 20 years can at least wait to do right and with a clear mind. JA: Hearing that could have to this okay for EA and JA; if did in traditional way need four days and eleven hides, Recommend: safe removal of the bones - public place - than things would start to fall into place; safekeeping of the bones because once bones know they are safe than everything, will fall into place, LM: Today we've all found out that there has been a death in our family we have to start to treat it like that MS: Agree because if death everything is cancelled until proper burial - no hunting, no fishing; if nothing else resolved today we can feel the dynamic happening here; you got to remember that bones of the ancestors must have had some kind of ceremony when they died, JA: Has a big hide that she could send up with some food - dried berries, consensus to ‘move on this as soon as possible. get word out to neighboring communities EA: Ask Chief and Council could they use the ball diamond for the four days of singing, C&C: Yes. AL; Elders had requested that Elders not be buried in the main graveyard. EA: Thought of preparing them and burying them at Inspiration Point. Once ceremony all over request there be an offering - four stakes with six colors; you could prepare tobacco ties with your own colors to use for prayer and respect; can be done after this; would be a good place. C&C: Agreed and could have fence built around the grounds for protection. EA: Lam ready to take on responsibility to put away our ancestors so that if something is not done right nothing will happen to anyone else. We could send out some flyers to each of the Bands so they know how we do it in our traditional ways because they may want to know how it is done. We will have a tent down at the ball diamond so ancestors will have joy from the singers and there will be a pipe ceremony in the morning and at night - daybreak and sunset. MB: Need to set a day when to start because this has been pretty well sanctioned