Six Nations Public library - Digital Archive

"Chief of the Eagles brings warnings to education board's destination", p. 2

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Chief of the Eagles brings warnings ..... Continued from front page "I find I have to ask myself what is motivating these peo- pk," Chief Hill said referring to the board. "ff you are only get- ting funding for five years is that what you refer to as the future?" Chief Hill told the board that they were negotiating some- thing they had an inherited right to and were "letting the govern- ment off easy in its responsibili- ties." Several members of the Six Nations board of Education reacted strongly to Chief Hill's comments. "I think you've really underesti- mated us in our negotiations," Chairperson Michelle Hill said. -We all realize what's at stake here. We want our kids a 100 years from now to maintain our education system." Board member Amos Key said the board had gone to the Confederacy to start a treaty based negotiation and "the process f.ell through" when one chief disagreed. "There is a weakness when one man doesn't listen to his clan or clan mother and says 'I' don't like it, I can stop it," said Key. the board has to have the feder- al government money for edu- cation so the board "has to deal with them on their terms." "lbe government sits on the Key then asked Chief Hill if he table ·with all the cards," said wanted to worlc with the board Chief Hill. to solve the situation. "I'm not here to work with you," Chief Hill said. "You peo- ple have to do these things." "Then, whoever writes this his- tory and it will be our history .. .in our eyes the Confederacy let us down," said Key. Chief Hill said that he could not work with the Six Nations Board of Education as long as the board is affiliated with the elected council. "We are not tied to elected council," said board member Minnie Henhawk. "We are not a political pawn. We are all here for the future of our children." Henhawk told Chief Hill that "No they don't," Hcnhawk responded. Chief Hill said the board should not negotiate with Canada and that the Confederacy has no treaties with Canada, only Great Britain." Chief Hill was then asked by some board members about his clan mother, Sylvia Sandy, when he was condoled and his clan- ship. "I have been in this position for 20 years and I have reacted when I felt it necessary. What I said is in your lap, some of the Mohawk people have spoken and I hope have made an impact," said Chief Hill. In an interview after the April 13 meeting, Mohawk wolf clan mother Sylvia Sandy said Chief Hill was condoled in 1961 and he has been ratified and regis- tered in that position. "All my chiefs are proper," she said. Brian Doolittle asked if the board had to stay within the Indian Act "is that the only way our people can survive?" he asked. "I don't believe in holding hands with our oppressor, I believe in progressing along so we can get out from under our oppressor," said Chief Hill. Chief Hill told the board to look to where the monies came from and to ask for what the Six Nations people were rightly entitled too. Marion Martin said the board tried to work together with vari- ous groups of people and then people began to start fighting. Martin added that the "govern- ment isn't providing a sufficient education for our people now." Chief Hill said the important thing the board should consider is that something is wrong in the community for there to be this disharmony. When he was young, Chief Hill said the government spent $6 mill.ion to operate the reserve. "It takes $28 million to run the reserve now. Your generation has gotten used to having some- thing dropped in your hands," said Chief Hill. "Now the gov- ernment doesn't have the money and has to cut back and you are reacting." Chief Hill warned the board that the government wants to control or to force Six Nations people to give up their inherent rights. "This situation is serious enough, are you sure you arc thinking in the proper direc- tion?" asked Chief Hill.

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