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"A Family Tradition for 126 Years" Joel Aldred raises questions about Scugog Island reserve By J. Peter Hvidsten Port Perry Star Long-time Scugog Island res- ident Joel Aldred said he was "extremely "appalled and upset" after reading articles in Port Perry's two newspapers last week. Mr. Aldred's statement was directed at comments made by Gary Edgar, the economic development officer for the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation, during an address to the Scugog Historical Society on May 28. While Mr. Aldred said he has nothing personal against Mr. Edgar, he disagrees with many of the comments reported, in particular that the Indians had to "buy back" their lands. He said that prior to the Crown setting aside 800 acres of reserve land for the band in 1843, to the best of his knowl- edge, no Indian band had ever inhabited Scugog Island. When the land was designat- ed as a reserve, 400 acres bet- ween concessions 12 and 13 were divided into 10 acre lots for the Indian families, and the remaining 400 acres south of concession 12 was designat- ed to be rented out as farm or ranch land. He said he had never known any of the Indians to have farmed the land, although some of the 10 acre lots had been planted with fruit trees. Mr. Aldred said that C.L. Fralick, who was Indian agent for many years, rented and farmed a large parcel of land from the reserve. In 1955, when the band decided to sell part of the reserve lands, Mr. Aldred was successful in purchasing 200 acres of the reserve through public tender, and has farmed the land ever since. "The remaining 200 acres south of the 12 concession is currently rented by the Frew family for their farming opera- tion," Mr. Aldred said. Mr. Aldred, who has many ties with former heads of gov- ernment, including John Diefenbaker and Lester B. Pearson said he felt Mr. Edgar was remiss in saying "the band had been hard done by." During the 1965 election campaign, when Mr. Aldred ran for Prime Minister against Lester Pearson, he suggested a ministry be established which he envisioned being called the "Ministry of Indian and Eskimo Affairs." After being narrowly defeat- ed in the election, the govern- ment of Lester Pearson estab- lished a "Ministry of Indian and Northern Affairs." In another area of conten- tion, Mr. Aldred says he feels Mr. Edgar and the First Nation is on the wrong track until they can define in "their terms" what they feel their relationship is to the rest of the population of Canada. "I have a great problem with the First Nation concept", Mr. Aldred said, concluding there never was a First Nation until about 1965. He said there were 11 main tribes and languages in Canada, along with about 40 sub-languages, but at no time were all of these tribes united. "Just how do we define an aboriginal?" he questions. He also feels the band's idea to build a community centre is an unnecessary cost to the taxpayers as there is already a community hall on the Island and it can be used by anyone. Mr. Aldred's comments were made during his address to the Rotary Club of Port Perry last Wednesday evening. Port Perry Rotary Club president Karl Herder is pictured above with guest speaker Joel Aldred of Scugog Island following their meeting last Wednesday evening. Mr. Aldred spoke on a number of topics including glaucoma. Mr. Aldred and Mr. Herder are seen displaying a poster showing how glaucoma can gradually impair vision until total blindness occurs. J. PETER HVIDSTEN / PORT PERRY STAR ~ po a b } ! tg a Be " = Bar No --- wy PRL rates. eH, / VAR af KIMBER de HAAS ®) All across iy Ontario,winning Shirley de Haas of RR #2, Seagrave, graduated May 29, 1992 with an Honours B.A. in English from Trent University. 1S hin on catching on. Each Ontario Lottery ticket you buy helps make good things happen. Since 1975, over $4.4 billion in lottery proceeds have been used to support worthwhile social services organizations through the Trillium Foundation, cultural and recreational programs and the operation of Ontario hospitals. So get into the act. Every time you play your favourite EMMERSON INSURANCE BROKERS LIMITED 193 QUEEN ST., PORT PERRY, ONT. L9L1B9 (416) 985-7306 : Ontario lottery game, it makes winners of us all. ALL LINES OF Here's where lottery profits are working | GENERAL in your fegion | INSURANCE your Teron. | East Central Ontario: NG NATIONAL Bobcaygeon - construct waterfront walkway TRUST Chippewas of Georgina Island - purchase recreation equipment | A Dijsien of Orillia - purchase computer | ad Cray i Whitby Curling Club - purchase equipment | N 6 " 2 5 0 1 YEAR ANNUAL INTEREST 8.25% - 5 Year Annual Rates Subject to Change without Notice. Together we're making good things happen. Ontario Lottery Corporation Société des loteries de I'Ontario