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"A Family Tradition for 126 Years" PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, June 16, 1992 - 15 Letters io the editor Aldred suggests talks on local native issue To the Editor: Since my address to the Port Perry Rotary Club on June 3, 1992 and the subsequent re- porting of it, I have had many requests for clarification of that part dealing with the proposed additional land claims of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island. It appears that Gary Edgar, the Economic Development Of- ficer of the Band, is using the so-called 1923 Williams Treaty to back his claims for more land and waterfront footage on Scu- gog Island, all at Canadian tax- payers' expense. The original nomadic band established their reserve in 1843, 800 acres in all, by pur- chase from landowners of suffi- cient acreage to satisfy their needs. Their purchase did not include lake frontage, nor did there seem to be a desire for it. If they, in their wisdom had needed it, they would have bought, likely with funds from the government of that day. With all due respect to Mr. Edgar, it is my belief that he 1s mixing apples and oranges. To say that this band has suf- fered from 125 years of adversi- ty, is not true. They pay no land taxes, they pay no school taxes, they are ex- empt from provincial sales tax, most homes have been built with federal funds, and most have worked off the reserva- tion. Several years ago there were only a handful living on the reservation. Heavily subsi- dized housing has brought some back in the past year. The 400 plus acres desired by the band at the north end of the island is owned by the Ontario government, and was pur- chased from the farm owners a number of years ago, meant originally to be a provincial park, it now is an access to the lake for all citizens who wish to use the boat launching ramp. It 1s also a wildlife sanctuary and tree nursery, and in my view, is not available for any other pur- pose. Other Indian bands may have some realistic claims in other more remote areas of Canada, where they have chosen to live, but not this band. It is my opinion, that the Mis- sissaugas of Scugog Island have been well served in the past, have worked or lived off the reservation as they so de- sired, have not been subject to poverty and are landowners which their forefathers wished them to be. In closing, I was heavily in- strumental in our Canadian na- tives getting their own federal ministry in 1966. Before that, all Indian business was han- dled by an assistant deputy minister in the Immigration Department. That was one re- sult of my 1965 Federal Elec- tion Campaign in Algoma Sask. against Prime Minister Pear- son. This debate may continue. Perhaps Mr. Edgar or Chief Yvonne Edgar can give us con- crete examples of where they have been hard done by on Scu- gog Island. Many of us thank Gary Ed- gar for bringing this situation into public view. Many of us also disagree with the views ex- pressed by him. Perhaps a pub- lic discussion would help clear the air. Respectfully, Joel. W. Aldred, D.F.C. e Stress Relief e Fitness e Concentration » Weight Loss Full Time * Day & Evening Classes Top Level Instruction Friendly Atmosphere 0985-0205 15258 Simcoe St., Port Perry R & i Retirees honored Photo by Richard Drew More than 50 Durham Board of Education retirees were honored at a dinner at the Holiday Inn in Oshawa on June 9. The event was hosted by the board. Each retiree was presented with a brass picture frame in appreciation for their years of service. Everyone was enter- tained by a remarkable group of Grade 7 and 8 students "J.G. Jazz" from Joseph Gould Senior Public School in Uxbridge. Pictured above from left to right: Joyce Kelly, trustee, Gerry West, teacher PPHS, Wilmer Hill, vice-principal PPHS 1976-84, Lloyd Short, custodian Cartwright High School, Bobbie Drew, trustee. Seated from left are: Jean Kennedy, teacher 'PPHS, Carol Edgar, teacher at R.H. Cornish Public School. C TEST YOUR MEMORY Enter Our Trivia Contest for Prizes, Giveaways & Specials Pick-up a June Calendar § : AVAILABLE THIS WEEK ZEHR'S W.VA. 852-5538