OTTAWA—It’s the kind of story that could never happen today. The outrage at even suggesting such a plan would be enough to frighten any aspiring public servant or elected official into silence.
Not so 50 years ago.
That was when the Canadian federal government, in agreement with the Hudson Bay Company, miscalculated the cause of declining caribou herds and decided the Sayisi Dene Native tribe had to leave its traditional home around Duck Lake, Manitoba, and be dropped off 310 miles northeast in the town of Churchill, on the unforgiving shores of Hudson Bay.
The community was forced to give up their traditional life of hunting caribou and take up permanent residence in the relatively “urban” town setting.
What followed was the sad tale of a broken people. Many died from causes ranging from tuberculosis to house fires, including the parents of Maria A. Duck, an elder who came to the Canadian Parliament on Tuesday with other tribe members to call on the government to apologize and make amends.
“The Sayisi Dene, who were a self-sufficient, caribou-hunting nation who lived off the land, endured immeasurable hardships and persistent social challenges as a result of the forced relocation,” said New Democratic Party member for Churchill Niki Ashton, during the press conference.
She said the government needed to make a formal apology and a plan for compensation.
Not so 50 years ago.
That was when the Canadian federal government, in agreement with the Hudson Bay Company, miscalculated the cause of declining caribou herds and decided the Sayisi Dene Native tribe had to leave its traditional home around Duck Lake, Manitoba, and be dropped off 310 miles northeast in the town of Churchill, on the unforgiving shores of Hudson Bay.
The community was forced to give up their traditional life of hunting caribou and take up permanent residence in the relatively “urban” town setting.
What followed was the sad tale of a broken people. Many died from causes ranging from tuberculosis to house fires, including the parents of Maria A. Duck, an elder who came to the Canadian Parliament on Tuesday with other tribe members to call on the government to apologize and make amends.
“The Sayisi Dene, who were a self-sufficient, caribou-hunting nation who lived off the land, endured immeasurable hardships and persistent social challenges as a result of the forced relocation,” said New Democratic Party member for Churchill Niki Ashton, during the press conference.
She said the government needed to make a formal apology and a plan for compensation.
Soft-spoken Chief Jimmy Thorassie told reporters he wanted the Indian Affairs minister responsible to make progress on the claim the Sayisi Dene filed 14 years ago.
“If something would be done immediately, it would [be] appreciated by the people, beneficial to the people to move forward,” he said.
Ashton also called on the government to release the recommendation of Dr. Jeremiah Bartram’s report on the issue. Responding to a question from Ashton in Parliament that day, Indian Affairs Minister John Duncan said he was working on it.
“Dr. Bartram has submitted his final report, and it is currently under review to determine the best way forward.
“We recognize the Sayisi Dene First Nation’s difficult history. Addressing historical grievances is a complex process that requires significant time and care in order to ensure they are resolved in a manner that will satisfy all parties and stand the test of time,” said Duncan.
Sayisi Dene author Ila Bussidor says time has a cost for her people.
“The people and the government of Ottawa have to understand that the relocation of Sayisi Dene First Nation [Native people] is not passed, it is very alive today. You can go into our community and you can see the damage that has been left there as the result of the relocation, which took place over 50 years ago.”
“The community today is still in poverty. There is [a] high rate of suicide, addiction—you name it, it is a third world community.”
She said her “proud, strong, dignified” people were reduced to nothing, and what remains are the survivors who must regain their independence and strength.
“They always say tomorrow,” said elder Thomas Duck, with Bussidor translating. “When are they going to come and give us respect and answer our questions.”
The complete loss of their traditional lifestyle took its toll on the people, reporters heard. There was difficulty even finding firewood to forbear the -58 Fahrenheit cold of their new home and over one-third died of unnatural causes.
“If something would be done immediately, it would [be] appreciated by the people, beneficial to the people to move forward,” he said.
Ashton also called on the government to release the recommendation of Dr. Jeremiah Bartram’s report on the issue. Responding to a question from Ashton in Parliament that day, Indian Affairs Minister John Duncan said he was working on it.
“Dr. Bartram has submitted his final report, and it is currently under review to determine the best way forward.
“We recognize the Sayisi Dene First Nation’s difficult history. Addressing historical grievances is a complex process that requires significant time and care in order to ensure they are resolved in a manner that will satisfy all parties and stand the test of time,” said Duncan.
Sayisi Dene author Ila Bussidor says time has a cost for her people.
“The people and the government of Ottawa have to understand that the relocation of Sayisi Dene First Nation [Native people] is not passed, it is very alive today. You can go into our community and you can see the damage that has been left there as the result of the relocation, which took place over 50 years ago.”
“The community today is still in poverty. There is [a] high rate of suicide, addiction—you name it, it is a third world community.”
She said her “proud, strong, dignified” people were reduced to nothing, and what remains are the survivors who must regain their independence and strength.
“They always say tomorrow,” said elder Thomas Duck, with Bussidor translating. “When are they going to come and give us respect and answer our questions.”
The complete loss of their traditional lifestyle took its toll on the people, reporters heard. There was difficulty even finding firewood to forbear the -58 Fahrenheit cold of their new home and over one-third died of unnatural causes.
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