For many years I have looked forward to heading north to teach our Tsimshian youth some of what I have learned

in my 30 plus years of practicing our traditional Tsimshian artforms, feeling that I could at least influence a few of the

young creative kids to find the true enjoyment of the traditional artform and creative processes, or even just to open

up some channels for illustrating our old stories. In the past I was asked by the present band manager about coming

north to teach at the school but was turned down, without any reply, and they hired a non Tsimshian artist with not

much experience in his tribal art experience or teaching skills. This inquirey was made earlier on in my career as well

but it seemed to be like they were wanting me to do it for free and that I wanted too much money for such a meaning-

less task. Sad as it is it is more of a shame than anything because you know that the majority want it but the power

is in the background politically and in a big way, deep rooted in the anamosity of those who don`t respect the band

members who live off reserve, or who are not full blooded.

   I am focusing on these invitations for a reason, mainly because somewhere along the line in all of our lives we are

invited to functions or to be a part of a business venture or opportunity that will change our lives or at least our

opinion or attitude about these kinds of temptations. My greatest mistakes were, firstly believing the ones who were

opening up the invitation and secondly for a business opportunity, not getting paid either in advance, or at least a

deposit to cover my travel expenses. Last spring when I was visiting PR to support one of my cousins in his quest to

launch one of his latest books, I went to visit the make shift carving facitlites that the Gitsees Tribal carvers were using

to work in, another unfortunate situation, mainly because it was so far away from the downtown and also because it

wasn`t in the very Tsimshian facilities run by the museum on our Gitsees tribal land. Back to invitation which was

made by one of my other cousins at the carving place, he was excited about having me come up and work with them

and he would teach me all the Tsimshian Gitsees things that I didn`t know about, and that we would work on some

great projects for our tribe and OUR people. Unfortunately this never materialised when I did come back and actually

it was totally the opposite when I did come back to start some projects together. Both he and the so called `Master

Carver`totally rejected and avoided me. These were my so called Tribal brothers and the community reps for our

tribe and our creative pride. I didn`t think I had so much intimidational power. I even created a wonderful story video

for and about them and their works and challenges, which I launched on YOUTUBE and unfortunately removed after

all this took place.

   Now with all that behind me, somewhat, I was approached by another cousin about a project that he was putting

together with our band and the other allied tribes, which was to be funded by the Ridley Island Coal Terminal, which

located on our Gitsees territory just east of PR. I was very reluctant to be a part of this invitation, which relates to my

Fathers past experiences working for our band, and many others including other relatives and business people who have

dealt with our band. So my cousin was very insistant and assured me of the intentions of the Ridley Island CT, and that

they were ready to spend some big money on a new art piece for their office and an entrance sign, all telling the story

about our tribes and our territory. My first meeting was with my cousin, a representative from the Metlaketla band four reps

from Ridley Island Coal Terminal, five including the president George Whoever via conference call, where we all discussed

the project and the budget. There seemed to be no dilusions about this project going ahead, with George the Boss

reassuring us that the budget was secure and that all I had to do was put together the costs, including my travel

expenses, and they would cut a cheque to move ahead. Six witnesses and no money to this very day.

HOAX NUMBER TWO

     Yes I have no problem with calling this project a hoax along with the first. As much as our northern Al(LIED) Tribes

would love to see this other project take off it is a shame to realize that it probably wont. When I was waiting in PR for

the Coal Terminal to live up to their word, another project was stirring from the waterfront, this was the concept of

building a Tsimshian Cultural Centre next to the PR Cruise Ship Terminal. A dear friend from New Zealand was asked

and hired by the 9 Allied tribes and the Port Authorities to spearhead the concept development, based on his extensive

experience with the Cultural Centre in New Zealand. My apologies for being fairly vague but I really dont want to waste

too much painful time in sharing everything that took place, plus I dont want to expose my family and friends for their

involvement. I dont blame any of them for my misfortune and waste of 6 weeks of my precious life. Mainly I want to use

my poor judgement as a lesson to anyone else, especially Tsimshian people from our communities. I admit I should

have flown up to scope the project for a week only, just to see if it would happen, but unfortunately my councillor

cousin assured me that I would be paid and reimbursed for my travel and expenses. Still hasn`t happened.

   I trailed off the original topic a bit, which is the Cultural Centre idea. Great idea and location but the biggest

stumbling block has been the leaders of the communities, tribal that is, and the Port Authorities not following

through and committing the monies needed. I can`t blame the Port because they just don`t trust the Aboriginal

Tribes, mainly because of past track records of failed projects and inter tribal fighting. Very common amongst

the traibes and nations in all provinces of Canada. They all seem to fight eachother to fail rather than unite

for the great glory of a successful community building venture, which would bring opportunities for everyone,

of all ages and create a redirection from the Governmental dependancy addiction and curse. My cousin

Calvin Helin has written a couple books detailing the sad state of how the governments have created this

dependancy or welfare trap. So deep is the trap that the political leaders of the aboriginal communities have

taken on the sheepherder role to maintain their own greedy lifestyles without caring about any cultural and

tribal issues for standing on their own feet without relying on welfare checks and transfer payments.

   So far the cultural centre hasn`t been built and the process is very slow and very difficult, as far as my

observance and conversations shared with my dear Moari friend. He agreed with me that even if the project

got funded and built that it would be very difficult to even train the Tsimshian tribes to operate it properly

mainly because of the challenge training the right people to run it full time and to be able to unify as one

to present a high end venue.

   My viewpoint from my own experience in the arts and culture business and just good truthful human

relations, I really don`t see how they can pull it off successfully, especially when they don`t support

their own Tsimshian artists, who trditionally and creatively have the key marketing ingrediants required to

bring the traditional storytelling experiences to life. I learned alot about what my own father, grandfather

and other relatives have gone through in the past, trying to help the tribes become independant and

strong. I was fortunate to just to salvage my liver and escape the rath of other artists from my own tribe,

and in a more scary reality, leave my fathers tribal family before I dealt with the numerous pedophiles

that freely roam the villages without any restrictions. They are all still damaging some of the innocent

children, who aren`t protected by even their parents. The demons have no fear of anyone because no one

wants to embarrass their close knit family tribal members. There was talk by a few tribal leaders who just

don`t know what to do about the problem. The root of it stems mainly from the damage done at the

residential schools many years ago. Something that no amount of tax payers money will ever cure, another

governmental joke. They don`t care if their are pedophiles on the reserves, but off rez the police here

and the USA are cracking down on these perverts who pray on innocent young boys and girls. Yes I will get

foul mothed about this but who cares? Look at what they have done to me and many others who wanted to

protect our childrens futures. Look at who they all trust. They vote for Chiefs like the Americans did when

they brought in George Bush Jr. and then hire a non aboriginal band manager to live in fear of him.

   My mind and spirit have been horrified by the archaic world and the vicious people who set these examples

for their kids and grandchildren. Life is about being drunk, getting drunk and fighting verbal wars with

eachother like it was the blood sport for a prize of...I`m not sure there is a prize. I guess it`s just the habitual

lifestyle without hope, so it was a dark spiritual battle for me. Lot`s of sadness when I see that all I learned

was that I was going to become an alcoholic and do a warriors deed on some of the demons that paraded

around like some cocky gang partying on the streets of Vancouver after the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

   I may add more details to this journey but for now I will say that I am thankful for my life and lifestyle here

on Vancouver Island, plus I am thankful that I went through challenging journey and came home to paradise

alive. It was so much scarrier than I ever imagined, not all bad of course because I do have some great friends and

family members that are very generous and hospitable and they kept my spirits up enough to try to make

something happen that would make it possible for me to teach the young people some of what I have learned

in the over 30 years of my creative career. There are a few talented young people that I would loved to have

mentored for a traditional Tsimshian art career, bringing pride and economic success that all their tribal members,

even those venomous jealous ones. It`s our beautiful tsimshian culture that has the success for tourism and

economy for the future families of our Tsimshian Tribes. Unfortunately the curse is very powerful.

TO BE CONTINUED AFTER A THERAPUTIC SPIRITUAL HEALING BREAK.