Actually, I am not a Chief, but I am an Elder in the newly formed Qalipu Mi'kmaq First Nation Band. Mi'kmaq Elder not to be confused with Elder in paleface, door knocking, Mormons.
My great grandfather, Peter John, was a Chief and I could be one some day, but would only want it if it involved smoking a peace pipe and saying, "How." Nevertheless, if I were Chief, I might get letters seeking my words of wisdom.
Dear Chief
What did you think of Aerosmith?
Signed: Clapping-in-the-woods
Dear Clapping-in-the-woods
I know mostly about Aero bars and very little about Aerosmith.
However, brother-in-law and I wandered down Squires Lane when Aerosmith was on stage and were surprised by big crowd clapping-in-the-woods enjoying free concert. Big stage, lights, screens, sound system and buzz roar from crowd - all impressive. Looks good for White Council unless big hole in concert purse. Drummer solo stirred inner First Nation passion to powwow dance. Hope young whites have no regrets about fire water, magic potions and other stuff at Red Cliff camping site.
Dear Chief
What do you think of the farmers market on High Street?
Signed: Longing for a store
Dear Longing for a store
Too busy Saturday working in my own garden. But to tear down the Co-op, a year-round food store, and set up a farmers market to sell stuff for a few months of the year seems to be a funny way for White Council to do business. Farmers markets good idea, but like the idea of a store on High Street that sells food all the time - a store like Colemans in Corner Brook - a wow store.
Dear Chief
What do think of Kentucky Fried Chicken outlets outside of St.
John's closing down?
Signed: Hungry-for-a-bucket
Dear Hungry-for-a-bucket
Too bad for you - no loss for me. No doubt other KFCs will set up moons from now. Fond memory of KFC in Toronto as a single man out late and too much brewed hops. Nearby KCF outlet had 2 for 1 special. Pig out on chicken! Best KFC ever - Antigonish - took a bucket with us to our cottage at Cribbons Beach. Nowadays, rarely eat KFC, but fan of Mary Brown's taters. But taters no match for Chief's favourite health foods - beaver and seal. Thank Great Spirit for Corduroy Brook beavers and B&W Meat Market for seal!
Dear Chief
What do you think is the greatest gift the white man has given Indians?
Signed: Curious white man
Dear Curious white man
Easy answer - hotels! Indians live for generations in tents made of hides and trees. When on holidays Chief always stay in hotels - beds, toilets and all comforts under one roof. White people sucked-in by call back to nature and stay in tents. Some funny!
Dear Chief
Is it true in Western Canada that Indians have a native name for the RCMP?
Signed: Wondering about police
Dear Wondering about police
Very true, Indians on reserve say RCMP never out of car so Indian name for them means, half body - no legs. Chief wonders about using same name here as police never seen out of cars ticketing people who litter or park in fire lanes. Maybe police need to be on horseback or bicycle to get some leg action.
Dear Chief
What are some of the white man words that seem silly to you? Signed: Silly names
Dear Silly names
Labrador added to provincial name not just a mouthful, but real silly. Mi'kmag nation in Cape Breton know they are in Cape Breton, but province still just Nova Scotia. Sillier new name now used is - harvesters - to describe people who fish for a living. Maybe moratorium made all fishermen move to Alberta.
Dear Chief
Qalipu are called Landless Indians. Do you think that might change?
Signed: Oxymoron
Dear Oxymoron
As your name says, oxymoron to describe Indians as landless. For me, my backyard to TCH would make a fine reserve as I would be able to set up shop near TCH and sell Indian ancestral crop - tobacco. Kill stereotype image of Indians too lazy to work and make a fortune from crazy white smokers.
Last letter for now, maybe more letters-to-the-Chief some time down the road. Perhaps when Chief back home from holiday stay in comfortable hotels and seaside cottage.
Andy Barker at abdp9@hotmail.com
