The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

---- -_r "A Family Tradition for 126 Years" PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, June 2, 1992 - 5 Gary Edgar believes native community will bounce back from 125 years of adversity | By Scott Anderson _ Port Perry Star Despite the fact that 1992 is a year of celebration for Canadi- ans, the native Canadian popu- lation has nothing to celebrate, says a member of the Mississau- gas of Scugog Island First Na- tion. "I believe we can and will bounce back from 125 years of adversity," Gary Edgar, eco- nomic development officer for the First Nation, told members of the Scugog Historical Society. "We can't celebrate it, I'm sorry tosay." Mr. Edgar said native Cana- dians including the local band, have nothing to be proud of over the past 125 years. He said they feel cheated by the way they have given up their lands. Mr. Edgar noted that the Scu- gog Island First Nation nego- tiated through the Williams Treaty in 1923 to get their lands back, but "very little that was agreed upon in the treaty has happened." Eventually the band bought back its land which it currently lives on. "I don't know of any other In- dian Nation that has bought its land back," he said. The band was to begin negoti- ations on May 1 with the provin- cial government to get even more of its land back at the north end of Scugog Island, but talks were put on hold. "Our land claim is not an ef- fort to take our land back," he said. "We only want what would be fair compensation." Both the provincial and feder- al governments have promised available crown lands, other lands, protection of treaty rights and monetary compensa- tion, but Mr. Edgar says little has been seen to date. The blatant denial of the rights of the natives throughout history has caused much grief to them. "We have always approached other groups with trust and re- spect, but this has been denied inreturn." It is due to this lack of respect that the life of a native Canadi- an has been a troubling experi- ence. "We must retrieve what we can of our culture and for some of us it may mean eking out a living," he said. Although Mr. Edgar has en- joyed a successful life in the Durham area where he taught as a physical education teacher for more than 20 years, he has led a less than satisfying per- sonal life. In fact his life has been spentin confusion. While growing up Mr. Edgar's parents did not allow him to learn the native ways, forcing him instead to live like a white person. "My parents believed that to make it in a white society you had to live the white way," he said. "At the time they felt they were doing the right thing, but to take away your culture was a very disturbing thing todo." As a result of this, Mr. Edgar said his life was spent in confu- sion. "These are lonely and confus- ing feelings I have had all my life," he said. But since leaving the teach- ing profession to work full-time with his people, Mr. Edgar feels more at peace. He says he gets much satisfaction in working with his people. The hurt still exists and the healing process will be painstakingly slow, but he knows he will win in the end. The healing process is much the same for the Scugog Island First Nation. Mr. Edgar says the band is making incredible progress in rebuilding their community. Three full-time employees have been hired to work under the direction of the council. A tew businesses have also been set up in their community as well. There are also plans for the expansion of existing buildings, including a community centre. In the five months since he be- came economic development of- ficer, Mr. Edgar says he is sur- prised by the progress which the First Nation has made. "The future looks bright for our people," he says. smn v AD. wu [~HE] PHOTOGRAPHY ° Video Rentals ¢ Video Transfers ne Hour Service ¢ Custom Framing I Ra SELEY Buy 1 8x10 photo enlargement Get 1 FREE 180 Mary St. Port Perry (416) 985-1415 Same Day Service At No Extra Charge! Passports e Enlarging Applies to Colour Negative sizes: 110, 126, Full Frame 35mm (excluding Strech 35 & Disc) Otter Valid June 3 - June 27, 1992 GIFT SHOP 2» THE PERSONAL TOUCH FLORAL & Oo Mary &t., Dort Perry 9859360 . Wedding Specials ' BOOK YOUR WEDDING NOW & SAVE! 15% ofl' Wedding Flowers, Rentals, Invitation Orders, Wedding Accessories § It's our business to please you! Gary Edgar, economic development officer for the Mississau- gas of Scugog Island First Nation, was the guest speaker at the final meeting of the Scugog Historical Society on May 28. > THE BRIDAL TOUCH fia se = . tJ . Wedding Specials 15% off ALL in store stock and orders ] BOOK YOUR WEDDING NOW & SAVE! Nf Your one stop Bridal Shop for bridal gowns, mothers & flowergirl dresses..headpicces) \ shoes, a full range of THE ONLY WAY TOCELEERATE 2) TR aCCESSOrics. >" so) A) 7 Sn RAG Snr wr GAA = 0 i _E-- FIR a hd) 3 . RE nna ined | Naturally Aged Boneless SIRLION STEAK " ef un > CC un = P <> 7 7 a LT oo FILA % HE 99 Ib . OKTOBERFEST Soup & Sandwich (of the Day) or Salad & Sandwich 3 bs a SE = : 3 66) 8 Sk WN Fe S 3 2 NM 180 QUEEN ST. 3 § ¥ 0 SRE a RE a a & =, N A A T-- 5 nh . or Soup & Salad SRE PORT PERRY 2, 7 4 2 2 7 i SN RR . = [COFFEE & WOO . IMUFFIN jor ITALIAN {| BREAD doz./& Naturally Aged Boneless NEW YORK 99 : STRIP LOIN ™ Ry . VEEL E Ate tl a e 985-2818 A --------------------