Blackbear

FROM: CANADA NEWS WIRE - TELBEC WEBSITE

http://www.canadanewswire.ca/en/rele.../03/c7673.html

Attention News Editors:

Respected Cree Leader Passes Away - First Nations Across Country Pay Tribute
On Saturday, June 4, 2005

EDMONTON, June 3 /CNW Telbec/ - One of Alberta's respected First Nations
leaders, Dr. Harold Cardinal, peacefully passed away early this morning with
his loved ones by his side. He will be honoured at a special tribute gathering
to be held at the Mayfield Inn & Suites, 16615-109 Ave, in Edmonton on June 4,
2005 at 6:30 pm. "The special gathering will take place as planned to respect
my father's wishes", said Jaret Cardinal, the family spokesperson.

From his hospital bed earlier this week, Dr. Cardinal quietly commented,
"Once we start something, we have to complete it. I was touched deeply by the
Native Women's Association of Canada, President Beverley Jacobs, (NWAC),
Assembly of First Nations, National Chief Phil Fontaine (AFN), Native Counselling
Service of Alberta, CEO Allen Benson, First Nations from
throughout Turtle Island, Elders, friends, colleagues and the corporate
community, whom all want to honour me."


In Honour of

Dr. Harold Cardinal
Dr. Harold Cardinal (Hon.)
Lifetime Achievement

Harold Cardinal's very presence introduced a profound change into the
political landscape of Canada by sweeping open the buckskin curtain between
Aboriginal people and mainstream society with force that was backed up with
knowledge, understanding, dignity and pride.

Harold's outstanding leadership qualities began to surface when he was
elected leader of the Indian Association of Alberta for an unprecedented nine
terms during which he was instrumental in the formation of the National
Indian Brotherhood (forerunner of the Assembly of First Nations).

Harold rose to national prominence in challenging the concept of then
Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau's "Just Society," and the White Paper
policy on Indian policy tabled by then Minister of Indian Affairs, the Hon.
Jean Chrétien. This policy amounted to an assimilation program to repeal the
Indian Act, transfer Indian Affairs to the provinces and advocated the
elimination of separate legal status for native people.

Harold Cardinal responded by authoring the historic book "The Unjust
Society" which became an immediate best-seller. The book was a well-
researched, thoughtful, factual, rational, and stinging rebuttal of Trudeau's
concept of a "Just Society." As a leader with the IAA, Harold played an
instrumental role in developing "Citizens Plus or the Red Paper." This
response was crucial in causing the Canadian government to abandon this
concept and approach.

Harold Cardinal steadfastly maintained his right to be "the red tile in
the Canadian mosaic". The "buckskin curtain" of indifference, ignorance and
bigotry still stands in the way of his people, sometimes the curtain opens
and sometimes it is closed, however, Harold Cardinal's fight for radical changes
in policy on Treaty rights, education, social programs and economic
development remain a beacon of hope for all of Canada' First Nations people.

Cardinal's work proved to be a watershed event that brought attention and
change to policies that would have eroded the integrity of First Nations
life. But his contributions didn't end there. He completed his LLM at Harvard
University and is presently working on his Doctorate in Law at the University of
British Columbia as well as acting as an advisor and consultant for First
Nations and First Nations organizations. In 1999, he received an Honorary Doctor of
Laws Degree from the University of Alberta. On June 2, 2005, he received
formal notification that he has earned his Doctorate of Laws Degree from the
University of British Columbia.

Dr. Harold Cardinal's very presence helped Canadians at large opt for
pluralism and tolerance during a very crucial time.



For further information: and ticket enquires: contact: Jaret Cardinal,
(780) 966-9514 or Lisa Hill, (780) 443-1000

__________________
Don't worry that it's not good enough for anyone else to hear... just sing, sing a song.