KHWE AKWATARU,

Following is a letter with news of the upcoming elections September 4, 1996 on the Huron Reserve, Wendake, Quebec.

Your comments are invited.

Ish

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The following is a list of actions taken by the Band Council leadership accomplished over the past terms of office without the consultation of the people they are suppose to represent.

1) The Band Council has passed a law against any public demonstration. The law states that : If someone wants to demonstrate, he has to tell them 1 month before any demonstration and specify the subject. According this law, 300 dollars must be deposited without any guarantee that the demonstration will be permitted.

2) The Band Council has just renewed the agreement concerning moose hunting season. But this year, instead of 7 days of hunting under the law of Quebec, they signed for 8 days; this "gift" is to replace the freedom granted by the Murray Treaty in our territories. This has been done without considering either the opposition of the traditional people or the hunting rights accorded them by the Murray Treaty.

3) The Band Council employed a linguist for three months from outside of the nation without considering the Huron members of the nation. They have renewed this contract for one year. They have already spent more than 150,000 dollars on this curriculum without any positive results. They issued a mandate to work on the language curriculum without considering the members of our nation who can do the work. This linguist is from Toronto and is not a Native American Indian, moreover, he is not able to speak the Huron language. The few works he has released into the public places were incorrect grammatically.

4) The Band Council has said to the town of Loretteville that they can demolish the longhouse if they want. The Band Council does not consider the longhouse to be on the Huron territory. This council, therefore, fails to recognize the treaty which includes this longhouse land as part of the Wendake territory. In spite of the fact it has been recognized in the Supreme Court of Canada by all 8 Judges.

5) The Band Council last fall, said that they would not defend their own people in court in the arrests resulting from hunting moose in the territory recognized by treaty as legitimate hunting grounds. The moose was seized by the government of Quebec during the traditional hunting season of the traditional people. This moose was supposed to be used in a sacred feast of the longhouse. The Government seized two canoes and the moose. Two fines are going to have to be defended against in the Court of Quebec. Quebec knows they will lose the case as the hunting rights are clearly outlined in the Murray Treaty and the arrest and confiscations illegal. Quebec, therefore, continues to delay the court case. Now according to the last letter they have postponed the case to this coming spring (1997).

6) The Band Council has signed an agreement with the Quebec justice system (Quebec de Surete) without any consultation with the people of Wendake. This agreement allows the Quebec police to come onto our territory at any time to enforce the Canadian laws.

7) The Band Council does not permit the members of the nation to go into the bush where our outfitting club is located. The outfitters club was acquired during the band council when Claude Sioui was Grand Chief. Claude Sioui was a Grand chief elected for two years in 1984. That council was formed mainly by people who believe in the Huron way. They remained for two years in the band council, long enough to defend in Court the Murray treaty, and to depose three land claims including the Quanrante Arpent.

8) The Band Council has passed municipal law ( the first one in all the history of the Huron people ) without consultation with the people. In doing so they ignored a petition of over 400 names against this municipal law. They said : Whether you like this law or not, we will do it. This said in front of 500 angry people gathered to protest the law in a public band council meeting. The Indian and Northern affairs Canada minister has now signed this new law made by the band council and has accepted this un-constitional law to be applied on the the Huron-Wendat territory.

Today, Monday, people are going to run for the Grand Chief and second chiefs positions. We will know the names at the public assembly held at the Kondiaronk hall. According to rumor Max Gros-Louis is going to retire. The leader of the opposing party is Jean Picard. More news on the next letter with all the promises each party has made to the people.

MODERATOR'S NOTE: The following is an ongoing discussion between the traditional leaders of the Wendat Longhouse in Wendake, Quebec and a member of the Wendat nation who represents an opposing viewpoint. You are invited to join this discussion. -ISH)

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Khwe

Gary Allen --->>>>

After all, these are the folks that have been >elected by their fellow Wendat to do this! >

Tarehta'deh-->>>>

comment: the band council does not represent all the Wendat people. The band council has been elected by only 40 % of the Wendat members because they do not allow members who live outside of the reserve to vote. According the white law, you have to stay on the reserve to have the right to vote. At least 45% of the Wendat reside outside of the reserve because the reserve is too small. The reserve is about one mile by half a mile.

Moreover, the traditional members of the longhouse do not vote because they do not recognize the band council system to be legal on their territory. The band council system was imposed on our people in 1880 by the Canadian government.

It is the same for all the First Nations in Canada. At one time, the Government of Canada put most of the traditional chiefs of the Huti'nonshiondi' ( iroquois) in jail, because they (traditional chiefs) did not recognize the Canadian form of Government (band council) on their territory.I think five of these traditional chiefs have died of an unknown cause.

The band council are passing all kinds of the strangers laws without consulting their elders, the clan mothers and most people of the Wendat nation.

They change the law of our nation without any consideration for our traditional Government as a distinct and sovereign nation as recognized by the Murray Treaty.

Tarehta'deh

Skennonh skwawe:ti'

MODERATOR'S NOTE: The following is an ongoing discussion between the traditional leaders of the Wendat Longhouse in Wendake, Quebec and a member of the Wendat nation who represents an opposing viewpoint, and others. You are invited to join this discussion. -ISH)

Tarehta'deh -->>>>

Khwe

Cousin, I like your answers you keep people in the right track. People think that the band council has the right to do what they want and often use their power to strangle their own people. We have our own laws according the longhouse council of the Wendat confederacy. Municipal law is a copy of the white system.

Skennonh

GORDON WRITES-=-=-=>>>>

Again, this is an outside view, and not directed toward the Huron or any other band in particular.

Having an amorphous mind, one thing my poor research has found over and over, the indiginous bands were governed by different systems prior to conquest, but there were several things in general that thread through all the traditional systems, and lacking in the Power Elite installed pupet regimes.

1: Indiginous bands adamently refused to "RULE" their people. The concent of the people, and that meant "All" the people was required by most tribes and bands.

2: Only when near unanimous acceptance of a course of action was agreed upon, was any move made. This was very frustrating to early Colonists, and can be read in many of their documents where dealing with NA people, it often took days of council and debate to do anything. The words of major Chiefs over and over was they were the leaders, but not the rulers of their people, and could not sign any paper that proclaimed that they would or could control all the people in their tribe or band.

3: Most councils refused to even debate any course of action that did not concern the welfare of the people. Arbitrary wishes to force all to conform to the wish or will of one person or one group was rejected. Any modern society, i.e. reserve or reservation needs laws to safeguard the people, but to adopt the white Imperial edit is contrary to NA traditions and beliefs. THERE IS NO NEED FOR THE VAST MAJORITY OF MODERN LEGISLATION, EXCEPT FOR THE PURPOSES OF CONTROL AND CORRUPTION OF THE WILL OF THE INDIVIDUAL. This is a Colonial concept.

4: Franklin and Jefferson both wrote of adopting the NA concept of balance of powers to frustrate Imperialism in the name of safeguarding the people. This seems to have been acomplished via many means, one I know of had only Men could vote to elect a Chief, but the women could vote to remove him at any time. Also, most councils were open to ALL band members, with rules of etiquet, but open to their words. Also, most tribes and bands allowed for those who did not agree, to leave with the permission to return, no repercussions.

GARY-=-=-=>>>>

You have pointed out, perhaps, a better way of governing for the benefit of the Many instead of the few, which I think has its merits, but unfortunately there comes a time when you may have to IMPOSE the will of the majority in order to get the job done.

It's not an easy task and you do have to draw the line somewhere, and granted, safeguards must be in place to protect the people as well, at all times.

I understand your statement but I am missing the point...what are you trying to say?.......that perhaps the First Nations should return to the old ways?

There is a definite distinction between governing and ruling!

There is no need to rule, because the concept is inherently foreign to First Nations Peoples............ that only leaves governing.....well unfortunatley this is perceived, in some minds, as ruling.

This is where the resistance begins and everything starts to get foggy...so what do you do?

You start all over!

The First Nations Governments have to have a game plan to develop an acceptable co-existance between the "tradionalists?" and the PRESENT day governing powers! (A little more postive dialog would also help!)

People have to comprehend that, in most cases, First Nations governments are INDEED acting in the best interest of the people it represents, after all, they're indigenous as well!

It's in EVERYONE's best interest to further the struggle of The First Nations as a UNITED people!

Which brings me back to my main point!

First Nations MUST UNITE! They all share the SAME problems!

The STRUGGLE is the same whether you're a Hopi or a Huron!

Until my next tirade!

Tia8enk

Gary

Ishgooda wrote:

Khwe,

It is my information that the treaty granting the land as reserve goes to the river. That this has had a change at that location somehow? Ish

The Reserve of Wendake is bordered on one edge by a swiftly flowing mountain stream with a cascading waterfall, Loretteville is on the other side of this river. The longhouse is located along side the river ON the Wendake side. A restaurant across the river in Loretteville faces the property where the longhouse is located.)

Not exactly, the river does in some places seperate physically Wendake from Loretteville but there exists all along the river little "pockets" of land that are in fact within the City of Loretteville. Such is the case with the longhouse in question!

Until next time!

Gary

Well, in fact, the park on the edge of the border of Wendake (where the falls are) is actually the City of Loretteville and includes the river. There are also parts of the village that actually surround (but do not include) parts of Loretteville. It's really funny but on the main drag here...Blvd. Bastien....there is a parking lot that belongs to the Village and the lot immediatley adjacent is in the City of Loretteville while directly across from it it is Wendake again! You really need a map to determine the boundaries! :-)

Cheers!

Gary

Ish says:

Okay, so the border IS irregular...WHAT does the TREATY say? Was the land sold? Has it always been this way?

Ish

As far as I can gather.......the land had either been sold, "occupied" or "compensated" (a popular term of the day which basically means EXPROPRIATED!). I'm not sure what the treaty actually says, but I'm pretty sure there was a LOT of Hanky Panky going on between 1863 and the early 1900s.

One of these instances that immediately comes to mind is the land that was "sold" to the Lake St. John Railway Company (now CNR) that runs directly through the middle of Wendake.

From letters dated between May 26, 1879 and Aug. 19, 1895

(correspondance between the Deputy Superintendant General of Indian Affairs in Ottawa, The "Indian Agent" of the day and the President of Lake St. John Railway) it seems that the Wendat were "compensated" for the right of way for the railroad for the princley sum of $100

DARREN-=-=->>>>

Part of our people's land was seized for non payment of taxes following the Civil War. The land was taxed at $5 an acre on allotments that consisted of 40-80 acres in 1867. Indian land that was not subject to taxation by the any foreign entity. Prior to the Civil War the Government paid some allotments due in CONFEDERATE script!! We can't take this back though. It wouldn't be right of us. It would also go against the romantic image of peace and tranquility that these people have built us up to be. Ya know, after Pocahontas, I'd hate to disapoint the little buggers by coming in and requesting that the African Methodist Church give their land back to the people it originally belonged to. I don't think that the city would appreciate it very much if one of our clan matron's demanded that her family be compensated for or relinquish ; City Hall, the Police Station, Municipal Auditorium, the entire downtown business district. In the 1930's the city wanted to settle with her aunt financially (the figure was in the millions). They said the offer wasn't enough.

BTW, this same family was alloted, guess what piece of land??????

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Darren Z. English / Chihoatenhwa

denglish@sfo.com

http://www.sfo.com/~denglish

Huron Indian Cemetery Preservation Site

"CURSED BE THE VILLIAN THAT MOLEST THEIR GRAVES"

Wyandot Nation of Kansas

DARREN SAYS:

Go ahead. Guess. Which one?

I'll give you a hint. It would be a grave error if a casino would be erected where?

If you guessed the Huron Indian Cemetery located in lovely downtown Kansas City Kansas you are CORRECT!!!

As well as all the land around it. Including the Masonic Temple (aka Shriner's Tract) which is the piece of 'real property' that was transfered from fee to trust status for the casino.

The man that dedicated these pieces of land to churches and I don't think he actually ever considered the cemetery to be 'real estate', but I know he felt guardianship. He dedicated much financially as well as personally to ensure the cemetery would be protected.

The punch line to this fiasco?? He was specifically voted out of the tribe by the traditionalists because he was a white man who married an indian woman.

------------------------------------->

Darren Z. English / Chihoatenhwa

MODERATOR'S NOTE: The following is an ongoing discussion between the traditional leaders of the Wendat Longhouse in Wendake, Quebec and a member of the Wendat nation who represents an opposing viewpoint, and others.ISH

GARY-=-=-=>>>>

You have pointed out, perhaps, a better way of governing for the benefit of the Many instead of the few, which I think has its merits, but unfortunately there comes a time when you may have to IMPOSE the will of the majority in order to get the job done.

It's not an easy task and you do have to draw the line somewhere, and granted, safeguards must be in place to protect the people as well, at all times.

I understand your statement but I am missing the point...what are you trying to say?.......that perhaps the First Nations should return to the old ways?

GORDON T. -=-=-=>>>>

In this modern social order, a "Return to the Old Ways" is not really possible, but a return to the ideals of the old ways is.

The corruptive influence of "Ruling" others is exactly like Heroin addiction. Once the taste of the power to rule has bee acquired, only the most drastic actions can curb it. Even the kindest and most progressive Ruler is a despot, and should be reviled, especially by the NA people.

One drastic restriction to curb such appetite is to constitutionally bind all resolutions to a referendums of ratification for them to become law, and require a 2/3rds or more majority. Another is to provide repeal or reconsideration upon presentation of opposition by any significant percentage of the members of the band.

An absolute interpretation to the "Necessity" of the legislation, not whim for consideration. Laws to guarantee conformity or to reproach those who simply walk to a different drum, but do no real harm to their brothers are against the heritage of the NA people in most areas of the countries, and this concept of arbitrary laws to Protect individuals against themselves, or the public against persons who just do not walk the line prescribed by 15% of the nation is a European "Control" exercise.

Infatuation with the power to "Rule" is a progressive disease, and it feeds upon the success of it's own potence. I like trimmed hedges, so all must grow hedges to make the Reserve more presentable, and on and on without end. Only the most urgent and most important "Public" areas of human occupation come within the purvue of a free state legislative body, Red or White.

All rule making, and decision making should be very hard, very slow and very deliberate, not like the US governing systems, where use of fear and pandering to whim allow wrongful power of all to the few.

Greed is not only for money, it also is for power over others. No man has any right to act against another unless it is absolutely necessary. The English, i.e. Canadian and US variations, is imperial rule for the sake of control and power over the masses, not the good of anyone but those who make the rules.

The greatest tradition of the NA people in general is that of loose associations of "Free Equals" and the aristocratic pomp or trappings of power over all "for the people" is European and should remain European. The American Declaration of Independence was dedicated to the and inspired by the founding fathers limited view of NA traditions and any tribial or other NA governing unit should be doubly aware of the words thereof.

Governing is a limited, very limited exercise of power, under the most strict conditions, and for the most limited purposes, and only with the undivided support of all. Once there begins a changing of rules or rights of members, it comes under the European models of Rule for control purposes, as has happened with the Central US and Canadian Governments./