The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
My recent trip to Pelican Narrows to report on their graduation ceremony was my first time in their community in over 30 years and sadly, some of it has not changed much. As one resident said to me, "Welcome to the Third World in Canada!" He also went on to say, "It's funny how the Federal Government can, with a stroke of a pen, write out a check for millions of dollars to help some country who has suffered a flood or earthquake, but when it comes to our own people in Canada, nothing is done." In some homes in the community, there are as many as 20 people living in a two or three bedroom house with one bathroom! As the families grow, there is no where for them to go, so they all live together. According to Steve Ballantyne, the director of Social Development in Pelican: "This year eight new homes were built, where it should have been fifty-eight." He went on to say that even if 500 homes were built, this would just barely cover the need, especially since the population of Pelican Narrows is increasing by leaps and bounds. There is one woman, Josephine Ballantyne, who is living in a teepee outside the Band Council Offices in protest. She is an Elder and has been waiting for a home for more than a year. She said, "There are people living in houses that are not suitable for habitation. They are unsanitary, there is mold, the floor boards are coming up and the plumbing is inadequate." Ballantyne went on to say that one solution to the problem would be to build apartment complexes or look into the Habitat for Humanity program. She also wondered why there couldn't be a renovations program set up with some kind of a task force to supply labourers and materials for the jobs. She feels that doing such a project "would not only promote jobs, but give the people back their pride." Another young woman came up to me and started to cry. She has two young children and has to live with her sister. She stated, "It is awful, the stress, because our children aren't getting along." The woman said that she goes for long walks to help relieve the stress. She also said she has been waiting for over a year for a home. Another petition was handed to me by Gertie Dorion, which had many Elders signatures on it regarding the changing of the status of the Pelican Narrows Reserve from a 'dry' reserve to a 'wet' one. She said in her petition, that, "We the Elders of the community of Pelican Narrows are requesting that you reconsider and overturn (the decision hotel/lounge). The ratification voting day was announced two days prior to the date of the vote with no translator and no Elders present to oversee the process." See 'Young' P.# Con't from P.# The Elders who signed the petition are opposed to the going to a 'wet' reserve for the following reasons: -the high crime rate -violence caused by drinking -numerous alcohol related deaths -neglected children -teen gang violence -numerous suicide attempts -alcoholism -bootlegging -drug abuse -family breakdown. The petition went on to say that the Elders are very concerned for the well-being of the young people and children. They said, "We have encountered numerous tragedies over the years and the last thing we need in our community is a lounge. Our children and future children will suffer the consequences. We are asking for your support to overturn the results." This petition was addressed to the Chief and Council of PBCN, Roy Bird, INAC and Gary Merasty PAGC. One wonders why there aren't businesses established in Pelican Narrows to promote jobs and give the people something to do to better themselves. Such as a fish filleting plant, a saw mill or more tourism works such a guiding camps and things that the Natives excel at. Even open up a store selling Native Crafts. There are enough talented people who would do well in such an endeavour and thus encourage tourists to come to the area. This is such a beautiful area, surely there is something that can be done!8/7/
