Page 12
THE FISHERMAN
THE MYSTERIOUS LAST INDIAN WAR
British Columbia was a young country at the turn of the century. The Naas River was far away from Victoria. Communication and steamboat service to the north hardly existed. North of Queen Charlotte Sound the Native Indian population outnumbered settlers about ten to tone. A few salmon canneries gave employment for a few months, others trapped and some prospectors eked out a miserable existence. Two hundred dollars was a stake. Rum sold at three dollars a gallon lor thirty over proof.
Very few of the Indians could speak English so one had to speak the Native or Chinook dialects. Sail boats, row boats and Indian canoes were the means of transportation. The white man's coming into the country affected a great change in the Natives' exist-ance. The entire background of religion and philosophy differed fundamentally from the new Christian philosophy that the missionaries taught. Probably no misunderstanding has brought about more ill feeling and bloodshed between Indians and whites than the difference in concepts concerning the ownership of land. The land within the tribal boundary was regarded as belonging to the tribe. Each family was assigned what its members required for their own needs, so when an Indian tells you this is his country, his land, he speaks the literal truth. There has never been a treatv for the transfer to British Columbia of the lands that were the heritage of the Native population.
Against this background is the story of a young, ambitious Englishman who journeyed up to the Naas River Indian settlements and made known his plans to start a trading store out on the borders of the reservation. With the consent of the Chiefs he was permitted to use land for his store and they welcomed him to come and live there; also they would see that he had a wife to live with.
In due time the store buildings were complete and stocked with the usual goods of that time. Later a dispute over a fence built on his
SEASON'S GREETINGS from
ALLEN BOAT WORKS
property closed off one of the trails. A heated dispute soon developed over the ownership of the land. The store keeper brought out his records to show that he was in possession of so much land under the Homestead Act. They were to get off or he would throw them off. It was his land — 160 acres of it right here. The Indians knew nothing of any Homestead Act or about any government-owned land—it was their land.
As the argument got hot they decided to get him off and so heaved him into the river. His anger somewhat subsided, he pleaded for permission to get his personal things and leave the Naas. Humiliated and angry, he set out for Port Essington to place his troubles before the Provincial Police and asked the arrest of those responsible for'the attack on his person. To uphold the white man's prestige, the law moved swiftly. Up to the Naas went two brave men fully prepared to stage a show of firmness in dealing out law. It happened, however, and rather suddenly that the two policemen found themselves swimming in the river for. the other shore. A hostile band had gathered to see them heading back down the river.
What was said between these two on their way back to Port Essington is easy to surmise.  They were
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MA. 5535 Vancouver, B.C.
Hoping the Boys are all Home by the Fireside This Christmas Season and not bucking the tough weather
jack
McMillan
ft
Phone
1121
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1790 West Georgia Street
Vancouver, B.C.
By
CHARLES VALLEY
not beaten. The.long arm of the law included H.M. Army and Navy. A message was sent to the Superintendent of Police at Victoria. It is not known what the message contained. It is certain however that the Superintendent of Police took a serious view of the situation. There were not enough police so this matter was turned over to the military. H.M.S. "Egeria" loaded battle equipment and soldiers and set sail for the Naas,
On the way they were to pick up-one Robert Cunningham to act as their interpreter, since he spoke almost all the dialects of the North. Cunningham was a successful business man who did most of his trading on the Skeena River, owning an,d operating three good-sized river packets between "Spokeshoot" (Port Essington) and Hazelton. His prestige was counted on to appease and help restore good relations with the Indians on the Naas River. Soldiers and equipment went ashore at Mill Bay and the march up the Naas River got under way.
While this was going on the Indians were getting ready with ambushes and a battle line to stop the soldiers^ and find out what it was all about. The patrol was halted by the natives who asked first in Chinook, then in what little English they knew, who was their chief and what did they want.
The commander and Mr. Cunningham came up. The CO. explained to the native spokesman they had come to protect the rights of the
Nanaimo W.A. Social Evening En;oyed By All
Fishermen and their families of Nanaimo and district met recently at Harewood Community Hall for a social evening sponsored by the Women's Auxiliary of the Nanaimo UFAWU Local.
The hall was decorated with gay Christmas greenery and red trimmings. The party commenced with the showing of films.
An excellent, varied program fol-! lowed with many entertainers tak-! ing part. Bw>
Humorous readings were given by Neil McKenzie, junior member of Yellowpoint drama group, Shelley Spring, and Helen Pavey, another member of Yellowpoint Drama Group who won the Best Actress award in Mid-Island Drama Festival.
Members of Madge Grey School of Dancing performed various numbers, among them, Janice Russell, with a highland fling, Darryl Quist, a Russian dance. A skating dance was performed by Janiee Russell and Carol Eberts and a Spanish dance by Darryl Quist and Lynn Clease. Darryl Quist also did a tap dance.
Piano selections were given by Denis Stephenson, and Elaine Sch-ule played "High School Cadets March" on the cornet.
Yvonne Simon sang "Beautiful Brown Eyes."
Bingo and dancing followed the serving of refreshments, irfcluding ice cream and pop for the children.
Mrs. L. Stennes as convener, Mrs. M. Spring in charge of table decorations, Mrs. G. Carpenter, secretary and Mrs. C. Schule, W.A. president, were the committee that helped to make the Auxiliary's first social event in Nanaimo a success.
storekeeper whom the Indians had abused and the dignity of the law they had failed to recognize.. He outlined his conditions for a settlement. Here is what was said in good Indian language by the interpreter:
"You Naas people owe me money at my store. You do not pay, so I have come with King George's soldiers and a big fire canoe with big guns and big bullets and big noise. You come to my store and trade and pay your debts. If you say y"es we go back to big canoe and wait to hear what you will do. Do not buy from that store on Naas and pretty soon that man" you threw in the River will go awajk"
Turning to the CO. he said: "The. conditions are agreeable. If you go back to your ship they will give you their reply."
So ended the last Indian war on the B.C. Coast.
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Season's Greetings , From
ROSY'S
MEN'S WEAR 117 East Hastings Street Vancouver, B.C.
December 21, 1954
ia'^^iBaiBSKaBBvaiafaKf sawsva fatara vaasiaiww
a $
Thanks, fellows, for your help . . .
i
PARAGON ENGINE CO. and HARRY WALKER I
Calendars Sent on Request
«
Season's Greetings To All Members of the Fishermen's Union and Their Families From
Fort Langley loco/ of UFAWU
55 »5 «3 «s sasa    ss&t «s       ;ws «3 «3 sss «3 »s »s ®s sast ws ssa 333 jsss jb« y&.
i
The Season's Very Best From HARRY RANKIN
BARRISTER and SOLICITOR Income Tax
Mcdonald & co
Public Accountants     — Auditors
a
8
g OFFICES: 217-8 FORD BLDG. tg    PAc. 7756
193 EAST HASTINGS ST. VANCOUVER, B.C.
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J.  SWANN limited
3
MACHINISTS & ENGINEERS
1820 W. Georgia St. MArine 7043
Vancouver, B.C.
K 8
1 BEST WISHES FOR 1955
I from - 1
I NEW ZENITH CAFE 1
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g Just around the corner from g
$ Fishermen's Hall K
i t
% 105 E. HASTINGS VANCOUVER, B.C. |
•• CANADA tATOWS °* <*NAOA « *TON S «* t AN * D» t ATOn S at C ANAOA IATON S w C A*. A l A t A TON!Ijt Cj* MaijA t KTQ' J*JVJOT CANADArCATQNS '.I CANACA £A10N*«"V f ATQW if C*'*AOA rA'.NSf ( A JA..A rAT0>iSo*CA*aOA ,
ALONG WITH OUR SINCERE THANKS FOR THE BUSINESS WE HAVE ENJOYED DURING 1954 WE EXTEND TO ONE AND
ALL OUR BEST WISHES FOR A
*
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Health, Happiness, and Continued Prosperity in the YearsVo Come
"FIRST" VANCOUVER FISH NET & TWINE FACTORY
*
121 Main Street
Vancouver, B.C.
PA. 5614
MANUFACTURERS OF NYLON WEB AND NYLON TWINE