lf Injustice-of Natives de Yet another report detailing the social injustices suffered by Native Indians in Canada has been releas- ed by the federal department of In- affairs — and immediately condemned by Native Indian spokesmen for its failure to make any new proposals to solve the so- ial problems of Indian people. _ The 150-page report released June 24 contains fresh statistical ' Material on the socio-economic sta- tus of the 300,000 status Indians in Canada, but the new figures tell an old story. If anything, the figures indicate that the social conditions of Native Indians are worsening: @ In 1964, one-third of status Indians were on welfare. Today be- tween 50 percent and 70 percent are TIM BUCK — NORMAN BETHUNE EDUCATIONAL CENTRE...as it would have looked after completion of the renovation project. Special appeal The fascist attack on the Tim Buck-Norman Beth- une Education Centre at 24 Cecil St., Toronto, is an attack against the whole labor and democratic movement. We are determined to raise $500,000 to rebuild this monument to two great Canadians. To make a_ personal donation or to make a pledge for a future dona- tion, please contact Betty Griffin, c/o 408 -193 E. Hastings, Vancouver, B.C. V6A 1N7, 684-4321. on welfare; ‘ @ Only 20 percent of Indian children complete high school; @ About 70 percent of male youths are jailed at least once by the time they reach 25 years of age. There are seven times as many In- dians as non-Indians in Canadian jails; : @ Suicide rates for Native youth under 24 years is three times the national average. Death rates for young and middle aged Natives is four times the national average. Native infants are three times less likely to survive the first year of life than are non-Native infants. The life expectancy of the Native pop- ulation is 20 years less than the na- tional average. The major cause of death for young Natives is violence. As startling as the statistics may be, they contain nothing which Na- tive groups have not already told the government, National Indian Brotherhood spokesman David Nahweganahbow charged. He pointed to a recommenda- tion in the report that 11,000 new homes be built, a proposal put to the government by the NIBin 1977. “This report alone cost $350,000. Think of the homes that could have been built for that,’”’ he said. While Native Indians have been tailed asking for the nght to participate in current constitutional talks — to press their demands for Indian rights to be included in a new con- stitution, including the right to self- government, settlement of land claims and control over resources on Indian land — federal minister of Indian affairs John Munro has told them to concentrate on pro- posing revisions to the Indian Act. A new Indian Act is not satis- factory, said Nahweganahbow. “We want self government. We have historically proven we are capable of it. We are still capable,”’ he said. Native Indians deserve seat at constitutional talks—CP © Native Indians must be seated as full participants in federal-provin- cial constitutional negotiations, with full power of decision making on all questions pertaining to their affairs, the Communist Party of Canada declared in a policy state- ment issued June 26. The major Communist Party policy statement was released by the party’s central executive com- mittee in Toronto. The full state- ment follows: The right to self-determination of nations and peoples is a funda- mental principle now accepted by the United Nations. The Indian, Metis and Inuit people are denied that right under the British North America Act. This injustice must be rectified in a mew.made-in-Canada constitu- tign. For this and other reasons the Native peoples should not be bar- red from the constitutional talks now being held between the federal and provincial governments. They must be seated as full participants in these talks with full power of de- cision-making on all questions per- taining to their affairs. The foremost right of the Native peoples is the recognition of their territorial rights which at bottom is the recognition of their land claims. It is only on this basis that their con- tinued existence as distinct people can be guaranteed. To deny this constitutional right is tantamount Introductory % Sale JULY 12- at The Lacquer Box 514 W. Broadway, Vancouver, B.C. Phone 872-1524 _ Formerly: Hand-to-Hand - Millie Hasz. and Vietnam Imports & Co. - Kay Inglis All Lacquer Gifts and Furniture, Oriental Carpets, ‘Silver and Gold Jewellery 15% -— 25% off _ALL SALES FINAL 26, 1980 to cultural genocide. Related to this basic right is prior settlement of compensation be- tween the Native Peoples and gov- ernment and the multinational ‘ corporations before oil, natural — gas, tar sands, mineral and other development is commenced. Alongside of such agreement noth- ing which is done by way of de- velopment should interfere with their hunting and fishing grounds ’ and rights, excepting in cases where prior agreement for modification by all parties concerned is reached. The second most important right to be recognized in a new constitu- tion is the right to self-government by the Indian, Metis and Inuit on their land as distinct peoples, while enjoying equal rights of citizenship with.all Canadians. A new constitution should give full recognition to the necessity of preferential treatment for the Na- tive peoples, as compensation in part, for the historic injustices in- flicted upon them by the British and French colonizers. Such pref- erential treatment should include housing, education, medical ser- vices, and training programs, meet- ing accepted Canadian standards. In addition their rights as distinct peoples should be recognized through meaningful compensation . for the natural wealth which was taken from them by the colonizers and the great monopolistic fur traders such as the Hudson Bay Company and the Northwest Trad- ing Company and by the multina- tional oil and resource corpora- tions. Preferential treatment includes guarantees of the development of their language and cultures, includ- ing adequate financial and other government assistance to ensure such development, revamping the whole educational system for Na- tive children, instruction in the Na- tive languages with courses relevant to their culture and job opportun- ities, staffed by Native people and operating with parent consent, re- moval of all church control over education, the revision of history texts and literatures which portray Natives as “‘savages.”’ Anew constitution should make it..a..criminal..offence..to..practice, open and covert racial discrimina- tion against Native peoples and provide for severe penalties against all forms of such discrimination in- cluding that of firms refusing to hire or provide housing and public facilities. It should stipulate that they receive priority on jobs avail- able and for which they qualify or are trained for. Finally, a new constitution should stipulate also that govern- ment establish joint government- Native industries on the Native ter- ritories to provide jobs at trade un- ion rates of pay to ensure meaning- ful work and a steadily rising stand- ard of life. GLOBE TOURS The complete travel service We will professionally look after all your travel needs. We specialize in tickets, tours, passports, permits and reservations. Call us today — for prompt personalized service. 2679 East Hastings St. Vancouver, B.C. V5K 1Z5 Phone 253-1221 CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING COMING EVENTS JULY 13 — WBA Annual Picnic, 1 p.m. All members & friends wel- come. Food, games & refresh- ments.. AUUC Hall, 805 E. Pender, Van. ; VICTORIA JULY 20 — Annual picnic and barbecue, Sunday, 1-7 p.m. at the Knotthole, 4810 Sooke Rd. Proceeds to Tim Buck-Norman Bethune Bidg. Fund. JULY 26 — Annual YCt Saimon Barbecue, 3310 Cardinal Dr., Burn- aby. Swimming, games, from 2 p.m. on. Supper from 4-6. $4 & $2 — children. All welcome. JULY 27 — Hold this date for an- nual Cuban Garden Party. JULY 27 — Burnaby Citizens’ As- sociation Annual Picnic, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Barnett Marine Park (North Burnaby). Salmon & hamburger bake. $3.50 per meal (children $1.75). Games, contests, musical entertainment, refreshments. Aill welcome. Bring your frisbees & soccer balls. AUG. 3 — You are invited to the annual Sunday picnic at the Bian- co’s, 1 p.m. Mushroom burgers, homemade pies, hampers & refreshments. Sports for all, horse- shoe tournament & much more. George Hewison, main speaker; en- tertainment & displays. . 10246-132nd St., Surrey. All wel- come. South Fraser Region, CPC. AUG. 17 — Annual East Fraser Val- ley Region CPC Picnic, Sampo Hall, Websters Corners. Proceeds to Buck-Bethune Bldg. Fund. Adm. $4; children under 10 — $2. From 1 p.m. on. Dinner, refreshments, games: theres Dietin esrb giss binode AUG. 17 — Keep this date open. COPE annual Garden Party, 2 p.m. Rankin’s place, 3570 Hull St., Van. Bazaar and handicrafts, music and food. Donations for bazaar needed. Phone Jonnie 872-2128. COMMERCIAL ELECTRICAL, plumbing, appli- ance repairs. Don Berg. 255-7287. ROOF REPAIRS — Reasonable. New roofs and alum. gutters, 277-1364 or 277-3352. RON SOSTAD. Writer, research- er. Will do: essays, letters, manu- scripts, labor and civic projects, la- bor journalism. 688-3709. WANTED TO RENT WOMAN and 9 mos. old baby need 1 or 2-bed. house or suite for July 31. Please call Joyce 324-8869 * (evenings). LEGAL SERVICES Rankin, Stone, McMurray, Bar- risters and Solicitors. 500 Ford Building, 193 East Hastings St., Vancouver 682-7471. CONNIE FOGAL, lawyer, #8 — Gaoler’s Mews, Vancouver (Gas- town), B.C. 687-0588. HALLS FOR RENT RUSSIAN PEOPLE’S HOME — Available for rentals. For reserva- tions phone 254-3430. WEBSTERS CORNERS HALL — Available for banquets, meetings, etc. For rates: Ozzie, 325-4171 or 685-5836. UKRAINIAN CANADIAN CUL- TURAL CENTRE — 805 East Pender St., Vancouver. Available for banquets, weddings, meetings. Ph. 254-3436. PACIFIC TRIBUNE—JULY 11, 1986—Page 7 mr pt renee