KP341: Call Me Indian Notes PDF

KP341: Call Me Indian Authors Note: - Hines Lake also known as Sandy lake to the Authors peoples. Chapter 1: Ahtahkakoop Otaskiy - Ahtahkakoop born 1816 - Ahtahkakoop Had 4 brothers, one being Saskamoose, the authors great grandfather - Ahtahkakoop means Starblanket and Saskamoose mea...

KP341: Call Me Indian Authors Note: - Hines Lake also known as Sandy lake to the Authors peoples. Chapter 1: Ahtahkakoop Otaskiy - Ahtahkakoop born 1816 - Ahtahkakoop Had 4 brothers, one being Saskamoose, the authors great grandfather - Ahtahkakoop means Starblanket and Saskamoose means “one who adheres” - White men, some of the hudsons bay company hunted the buffalo for sport but the beasts were used by the Indians for medicine. This made food scarce for some. - Small pox and other diseases arrived with the traders and settlers wiping out Indians in the thousands - These settlers of the Hudsons bay and canadian government - Ahtahkakoop saw a near future for his people and understood that the freedom he had always known was disappearing. - White men offered was “given” not owned first. - Lonesome Pine Hill, past sandy lake, is where he could see a future in farming and agriculture as he was looking to relocate his people. - 1874: Cree Chiefs, Headmen and leaders gathered from Fort Carlton to negotiate land guarantees with the Queen. - Ahtahkakoop claimed all land he could see from Lonesome Pine Hill - In this meeting, not everything went well, Cree Leader Poundmaker tried to fight for what he deserved and what he thought was his. This did not go well and he and big Bear both refused to sign a treaty for many years. - This time time, their bands would starve due to shortage of buffalo, eventually they both were charged with treason and imprisoned. - Ahtahkakoop negotiated with Lieutenant Governor Alexander Morris for help in cases of famine and sickness and the provision of farming supplies. This agreement would be held up aslong as the sun shines. Grass is green and rivers flow. - Mistawis was first Chief signed treaty 6, Ahtahkakoop was second - Official Survey of Sandy lake was done, the government agent redrew boundaries reducing reserve in size. This caused a new configuration and meant that Ahtahkakoop’s people lay outside the reserve a full 7 miles separated the two nations of Ahtahkakoop and Mistawis’s peoples. - The promise was broken. - 1876 many new people settled including Sasakamoose on Sandy Lake.  - Hines and other police officers went home to home confiscating and burning holy bundles. - Saskamoose struggled greatly with this move to Hine’s Christianity - Saskamoose, He was a member of the mitewiwin, a secret and powerful spiritual society, and was considered a great Shaman. - Had 2 wives, a third left Sakasmoose with their 2 daughters and a son. - Hines insisted Saskamoose and his 2 remaining wives be not baptized until he only had one. But Saksmoose had children by both and loved both of his wives. - Hines agreed to baptize the older Wife as she was getting sick - Her name was Okeke Okima or Mary and was the first to be buried in the Anglican graveyard - Saskamoose eventually converted and was named Jacob. - His other wife: Aptistiskwesis took the name Marget or Maggie - At this time Anglican and Catholic was not a traditional way of marrying and furthermore the Catholic traditions of plains cree custom required mothers traditions and faith be taught to the children. This was a case of the author and his parents. - These traditions were a problem later on. - 1933 Author was born, Christmas Day. - Myrtle Duquette helped deliver the author. A traditional Cree practitioner. - Author name is Ayahkokopawiwiyin which describes a spirit of a young buffalo. - Baptized with the name Frederick Patrick George Joseph Sasakamoose. Chapter 2: Nikihk, home - 1930s is when author returned to Sandy lake - His father was athletic, tall and strong, a great soccer player - They both worked in the Timber Mills - Seneca root, which was traditional medicine to treat asthma and colds. - This reserve they lived in was a tight knit community despite there being quite some distance to school and church being mostly Anglican (mother was Catholic). Healers and such would travel no matter the distance. - Sharing was a way these people survived. - Stealing wasn’t a worry, it was rather encouraged and allowed to stop by and take things and then those things be returned at some level. - Authors mother and father lived in peace, often the father was mild and let the mother lead. - Sweat Lodge was a place to heal and worship - The mother of the Author and Alexan (believe to be the Grandpa) believed in this - Mother and her feet as an example  - “Moosum” is another word for Grandfather, and his name is Alexan - Shaken Tents: Used at night to call forth spirits to give guidance - To Find game and restore health - The Authors Moosum introduced him to skating and hockey in a place near the reserve, a french community, called Debden. - THe hockey stick made with a tree branch of some sort - 1941 - Author was 7, freedom and childhood stolen - 3 men get out of a cab infront of their house - 1 being a reserves indian agent, uniform RCMP officer, and another a black robed man - Bad news. Sounds of crying, from underneath this truck, then his brother Frank is taken and put into the truck aswell as he is too. Chapter 3: Kiskinwahamakewikamik, “The school” - Once off the truck that took these Natives away from their families, they were put into schools where nuns were prepared to cut off their braids. - Names were replaced with a number, on bedding, shoes, clothes etc. - Breakfast for kids: Lukewarm porridge - Breakfast for nuns and priests: Eggs, bacon, tea, and coffee - This “school” was called St Michaels and it wasn’t a school but rather a work colony as mentioned by the author - Lined with bobbed wire walls, had agriculture/gardens, slaughterhouses etc in which kids worked. - Catholic kids left Sandy lake but Anglican kids in Sandy Lake stayed… - Weren’t suppose to speak Cree at this school. - Punishments varied from no food and watching others eat to stripped naked and beaten. This was organized and official punishment, not taking into account pure assault and abuse from others in other areas of the school for “walking too slow or doing a job poorly” - If you were caught fighting, entertainment would be caused and they would take the older/bigger boy away into the playroom and create a boxing match in which the opponent was a larger man usually a priest or something - These schools were transformational and removed the native culture. It was looked at as sinful and most forms of education weren’t taught. Mostly music and english. - The time away from home caused a language barrier in these people and what they once spoke was draining - Bullying and rape were a combination at this school, priests let it happen.  - No deaths recorded appropriately, graves dug near school without any plaques. - Frank his brother aged out of the school and also had sickness/injury that kept him out a bit earlier than usual. Author was alone but he looked forward to hockey. Chapter 4: The St. Michael’s Sisipak (The St Michaels Ducks) - Eventually the school built a rink but only older boys would have access to proper skates, the rest just used their boots and scrap garbage for shinpads like using cardboard. - The author would trade food of value for access to the older boys skates, usually an apple, sometimes ice cream. - He was 12 when he got his own pair, thanks to the efforts of a new priest, Father Roussel who wanted to form a team for St Michaels. - Father Roussel was their coach, a strict and passionate coach that pushed them to their farthest. Some hated him, but the author didnt, he knew he was a good coach. - Mass training, even without ice. - Breakthrough point: The father noticed the author practicing shooting the puck with a bad stick, gave him a better stick with a blade and told him to practice with it. - Furthermore, the father was always alone with him, putting more and more effort into his game than anyone else it seemed. - Played other schools that were 15-17, but StMichaels didnt have enough so they played at lower ages. The author was forward. - During these games they noticed how teams had luxuries and better equipment, and often were called slurs with no fans (other than the priests). - During games they had at St Michaels, white team would eat with priests and nuns never with students. Segregated by “value”. - 1947-1948 season was peak, they entered the provincial championships as they beat everyone locally. - Lost to Weyburn but was a close game. 7-6 - Word spread about the skill of this team and they actually had some players play for another Indian team that was lacking players. - They played people in their 20s, the winning team was Ukranian and they offered beer to them as they “did good” according to their players. They loved beer. - 1948-1949 season was victorious as well, the author scoring 3 goals in each game but this team was short for Indians bcause of boys growing up so it had 2 white orphans. - Championship was against Regina Pats - He got a goal and was Father Roussel's main guy, they won 6-3.  - When returned to St Michaels, the hockey team was allowed to eat at the Raised priests table. - Christmas Celebration one of the kids got so drunk but priests didnt punish him because he was on the hockey team, they just laughed. Chapter 5: Kotak Nikihk , “A Second Home” - Father Roussel and George Vogan came to pick up Sasakamoose/Frederick to bring him to Moose Jaw, a place where the Moose Jaw Canucks Jr Hockey team had a roster spot for him. - NHL franchise B team essentially - Was a great opportunity his parents wanted him to take, 25 cents a day for all the time he was on the team. They offered him clothes to assist him in making this decision - Food was like the food he had only seen priests and nuns eat, overjoyed to eat at the Vogan home - 130 boys competing for 20 spots on Moose Jaw team - Discrimination during this time was no different, he experienced slurs when things got scrappy. - George Vogan believed in him a lot, told him to keep pushing despite him wanting to go home - Unfortunately he ended up leaving without saying goodbye.. - During this time of leaving and wandering back, George found him, gave him a ride, fed him when he was hungry. - George took him to a restaurant, a place he had never been, and told him that there was only 30 players left of the 130. He felt strongly about Fred making it on the team. - Reminded him of his grandfather/Moosum, because George was a dreamer. - Despite feeling different than the rest of the boys, George bought him clothes that made him fit in more. - His Mom was delighted at this because she hadn’t heard from him in 2 weeks, a time span he had told her to look for him if it hadn’t worked out, but she hadn’t seen him, so things were on the up! - There was a school ran by Father Murray who devoted his time to giving an education to anyone, including Indians. George believed in it and Frederick gave it a try as well, despite flinching when entering any form of school. - He made the team, George congratulated him. Then helped him find a job, milk man and local hardware store. - Steak was given to him when practice and game days occurred. Sometimes cow meat  - Dave Rusnell was one of his closest friends during this time apart of the team, singing songs together until he moved on to the international hockey team. - Ray Leacock, a black person, was a part of his team as well. He made friends with him easily. - The team was regular, no one had any problems with each other as they weren’t competing against each other anymore. Fred would share stories about his life as others were interested, but never oversharing about residential school. - George Vogan treated Fred like his own, it’s important to note that although there were many instances where he was verbally affirming, Fred said during christmas time there was “just as many presents under the tree for himself compared to Georges own kids”. - Ray looked out for Fred (author) physically, but couldn’t stop the name calling and discrimination. Fred got it worse than Ray. - Coal was thrown at him and Ray, candy and such food was expected but Coal was something you brought with intent during these times of conflict. Chapter 6 - George Hunchuk improved Freds game as a skater. Focused on balance. - Jimmy Chow was another player of color, native to Moose Canucks, brought diversity and welcoming to this town. The father, Mr. Chow even joked about marrying his daughter. - Hobbema nation made Fred a chief, named him Mekao Ru Apeseemose aka Chief Running Deer, a name for his speed on the ice - George, Dave and other teammates helped him learn that the term Indian wasn’t something to be thought of as negative, he disregarded the label, it was who he was. - Loretta Isbister - Exchange of letters during off season was encouraging as well as letters from his family. - He visited St Michaels and to his disbelief his youngest sister Clara was there at the age of 5 or 6. He had no choice but to work their for the summer to help her as the new principal told him she had to be there for 2 years before allowed to return home. - During his time working, some kids got their boots wet playing in the lagoon. Father Chevrier wanted him to punish the kids with a whooping, but he did not, and he left. - A visit home in Mid august he got a message from Bill Tobin, VP and GM of the Chicago Black Hawks wanting to speak. - He wanted him to join him and some other Canucks at a training camp in Pembroke, ON. Chapter 7: - George and Fred were called into Bill Tobins office, when entering there was 1 piece of paper on the table and he then slammed a 100 dollar bill onto the table. - $100 to sign, $500 if offered a pro contract, and $3000 if thety signed me to play in the Pacific Coast Hockey League or Quebec Hockey league. $3500 if they sent him to the American Hockey League. - NHL was 6k for Black Hawks themselves. - Note: Tobin didn’t want him telling anyone about the signing or financial terms. - Note that this encounter and contract signing had worrisome language like “property of Black Hawks” and such.. He was worried about this later in life, not at the time. - Most pros at this program didn’t talk to the rookies or “amateurs” but Bill Mosienko and more importantly the goalie Al Robbins took an interest in Fred. - Had indian heritage - Told him to keep shooting, “i’ll let a couple in so that people notice” - Gordie Howe - A special opponent Pro to fred is show he played against in an exhibition - Idolized him and his game - Hawks wanted him back for a game after the training camps, they called him BACK. - Black Hawks were having a bad year, franchise history bad. Fans attributed this to Tobin and Morris. - Tobin wanted him back in Chicago but he was faced with a difficult decision, if he went to Chicago he could no longer play Junior for the Canucks because you are considered professional after playing 3 games at the professional level. - He stayed with the Canucks as too much was to be lost if he played and wasnt invited back. - The senior team was interested in him and the Jr lost the playoffs, but then news came from George Voganm, accompanied by 6 women with suitcases that “The Black Hawks want you to report to them as soon as possible” Chapter 8: The Big Leagues - Before Fred knew it, he was in Toronto preparing for a game. The suitcases filled with suits, ties, dress shoes and such because it was a requirement for players. - He had sent his brand new gloves back home to his mother because they didn’t have the feel he was use to, she put deer hide in them and made them smell like wood smoke. - During warmup someone wanted to speak to him on the phone, Foster Hewitt the radio voice asking how to say his name.  - Full circle moment because he had listened to Foster’s voice throughout his time at the Residential school St Michaels - He lost his first game 4-2, but a thrill it was. - Won his second game, his first home game. - Jerry Topazzini was his unofficial chaperone - End of season they had lost almost every game, but won a game 7-0 against Bruins because a player was retiring that night. - Went on a trip to Los Angeles with his team as season ended - Helen, a Cherokee fashion model asked him out to breakfast - Only been talking for a month, she supported him with her luxuries of oil money - “Whats in our future” she asked but once again only knew each other for a month - He didn’t answer well but she didn’t care, her father would build them a house! - Problem: Mother of Fred S didn’t want any girlfriends brought home, only married WIFE - Problem 2: Embarrassed of his life back home. 1 Room Log house, no power, no water.. - When the trip ended, Lee didn’t want to stop or detour to Moose Jaw and Fred asked “we aren’t stopping to drop me off?” and Lee said it was too far.. This gave Fred differing opinions and thoughts as if he was accepted or not, all while waiting for his train alone trying to get back. Chapter 9: - Awarded Ed Brucht Trophy - Owned a 46’ Chevy Coupe - Lost his wallet while in Humboldt, someone found it and wanted to deliver it personally. - Guy saw the Black Hawks card and wanted to meet him. While this happened in a cafe, another person overheard and spoke to Saskamoose. - This new guy showed him a Silver-Grey DeSoto Car - Sold it to Saskamoose for $3,900. - This money was also used from his signing and he drove this car to his parents where he treated them with gifts and shopping. - First Indian in NHL according to Chief Allan Ahenakew - Enjoyed fame, went on dates, had families looking to marry him through his mother but none prevailed. One stood out on these dates - Christina Ledoux.  - Went out a month, but then his Mother put her foot down. “Too young to get serious, break up with her”, and so he did. - Indians weren’t legally allowed to be served alcohol, but this rule didnt apply to him. - On return to his NHL practices he had gained 5 pounds and wasn’t in shape. - All of the drinking, boasting had put a toll on him - He was traded to Buffalo Bisons but didn’t go, and actually went to a team in BC. - He dropped down 2 levels, AHL was below NHL but he was in the WHL. - He moved through a couple of different teams. - Was attacked by someone in a washroom, head was bleeding and called a “Sauvage” in French - Stopped him from attending bars, and drinking - He overcame his slump Chapter 10: property - Loretta Isbeter - A beautiful girl he had tried pursuing a bit, with cards and letters - “I think im going to marry that girl” - His Mom liked her - Anglican family - Had to ask for her hand in marriage from her Father - Mother died in Childbirth, Loretta took over as a care giver to the youngers. - Married in July of 1955 - Catholic Church - Dick Irvin a newly appointed black hawks coach said he needed Fred back. - Left behind his family and even Loretta to train in Niagara Falls ON where he had been asked to arrive at - On ice, he was happy in his efforts and success but Loretta told him she wouldn’t follow him around. She would move back with her father when he left. - Loretta didn’t write him - Buffalo bisons wanted to acquire Fred as Tommy Ivans told him - He was not happy about this, wanted to be on the Black hawks - In previous camps he wasn’t prepared, but this one he was, why was he not seeing results? Was it because he was Indian he thought to himself? - The property of the black hawks as Bill Tobin once said reminded him of residential schools trading him everywhere and anywhere they pleased..  - Stampeders said they would provide a house for him and Loretta but Loretta would stay put. - She didn't want to come. - He thought poorly of this, was scared for others looking to take his spot with Loretta. - With no car anymore, he hopped a ride with a taxi driver he had made friends with. Thought he could change Loretta’s mind. - 3k signing by Frank Curry - Loretta opened her home to her and her father had been improving his views of Fred, but Loretta did not leave, she threw an apple at him. His plan of diminishing her views didn’t work. - His Mom told him to play NHL, there are many girls out there. - Away game with Stampeders allowed for him to play and people from the reserve would visit, including Loretta as he was told - He looked for her during the game, couldn’t see her. - She didn’t come, his parents did. - He was going to leave until being reminded he was Chicago property and if he did, he would be suspended and to never play or get paid to play hockey. - He did so anyways, he left. Leaving behind his NHL career. Chapter 11: Out West - Since returning, it would be his first time spending Christmas and skating on his old rink that his Moosum introduced him to in 14 years. - When he got back, Loretta was cautiously optimistic about starting their new lives - He thought hockey was done with him, that he would only play for fun, however Debden Rockets wanted him to coach and manage local kids. - Couldn’t be paid and be on any significant leagues - These games made Debden more known and even people outside of Debden would come and support - His shots were so powerful during this time on Debden that he would hold back on shooting for fear of opposing players moving out of the way, or just not approaching him on the ice. - He only did so if they needed points. - Making sure not to run up the goals - Chalifour Trophy for 100 goals - Algin, his first born was birthed in 1956 - Aka “Chucky” - His Father accepted him quitting pro Hockey, his mother not so much. And for those in his daily life interactions, they asked him why too..  - During the summer when Hockey season was low and he wasn’t on Debden Rockets a man named kenny Mackenzie whom managed the new Westminster Royals had seen him and just recently bought a team called the Kamloop Chiefs. - He “needed” Fred for the team. - Amateur league BUT paid league. - Could have been recognized by NHL contract and requested not to play BUT Kenny offered to buy him out of his contract IF this happened. - Loretta didn’t say no, at least right away. - His Mom was happy. - His brother Peter won the Tom Longboat award. - Black Hawks actually didnt fuss over his participation but other teams in the league made a fuss. - January he was suspended, but Kenny fought for him but eventually benched him. Next season he was told to stay ready as Kenny would work out logistics and have him back. - 1957 he had his first girl, Phyllis - Kamloops welcomed him back and even had a house for them as kenny worked out his signing. - Gottfriedson family worked out logistics of the home in Kamloops for them and Loretta was happy about this because of the family, not so much about moving constantly. - Sales and attendance was low, using his name and making Fred a chief was the plan to draw attention - Chief Thunderstick - Kenny left the team after revenue was worrisome, community tried to keep team alive but it fell apart. He worked as a surveyor for a highway and kept money afloat. - Gave birth to Garth in 1959 - Financial institutions didn’t like lending to Indians because they couldn’t take the land in which reserve was on because of treaties. - Returned to Sandy Lake because Kamloops team ended, no money, no point Chapter 12: The Sixty-Mine Man - Glaslyn organization wanted him to play for them, paid. - Offered him a job at a local gas station and a house.. - Many teams within this league were interested in him. The most interesting was when he was in Kamloops, a British couple wanted him to play for their team in England - the 1960s is when “forceful” residential enrollment seemed to stop, many parents didn’t want to send and they didnt.  - For 10 years he jumped from league to league, team to team. Chasing money - Loretta had many of his kids, 8 - In 1954 he dated Christina Ledoux, had his child which he didn’t want to believe until he saw the child. He told Loretta, and she accepted Lester, the child. - Lot of pressure in these days to continue playing because his presence filled arenas. - Managers would say “you better put on a show” - They needed him desperately, even offering plane rides when weather and travel was difficult. - As he got older, teams would try taking him out, injuring him on purpose. Eventually he was disbarred for a year of playing for getting into fights. - His shoulder was separated after hunting Elk and then a moose that had attacked him in defense. - He got drunk and still performed after being forced to play and paid. Many cold showers trying to sober him up, they won a game with 6-8 goals from him and he was completely drunk. - Playing for Kinistino Tigers in Carrot River Valley League - A doctor owned this team, recognized he was getting tired - The doctor gave him enhancing pills. A blue and a pink one - A man approached him after wanting his son to have private lessons, Freddy admitted he had taken pills and apparently the man knew what they were, they were used to improve horses as well.. “Speed”. Chapter 13: Sandy Lake - Northern Indian Hockey League was created as he was the Meadow Lake Tribal Council member responsible for recreations - A seniors mens league - “NHL” Native Hockey league championship event - Indian Affairs saw the value in giving money to support recreations, they eventually gave money to provide for sports facilities - A sports arena was made and named after him, the Fred Sasakamoose Arena - 1974, Indigenous bantam all star team was invited internationally to Netherlands and Finland to play. This was the first time a Canadian Indigenous Hockey team of any age had made an international trip; - Christmas shopping they had left the kids home. Returned to their home being on fire. Kids were safe - Alcoholism engulfed his life - Into his kids lives as well as they got older - He had an anger problem  - Many people in the reserve had this issue as well, devastating effects from the Residential school trauma - Elected chief in 1970 - In 1983 he had been told his Daughter Phylis had been in a car accident and had died, Alcohol in her system. Chapter 14: A New Way of Life - Had to step down as Chief because a man he owed money to said he had assaulted him, and then even though not charged, pending charges made it evident he would have to step down. - Found support through the bible and his faith, didn’t cope with Alcohol. - He stopped hunting Bulls because he has seen that Bull cared for their children and stayed around even after death (from his hunt) - Drug use and alcoholism was a major problem in the reserve and in his people. HIV contracting in large numbers. - Many addicted had been kicked out of their homes/families. He gave these people help with a newly made cabin - Offered his boat and fishing supplies, this cabin was used as an AIRBNB or Hotel as he asked those who used it to leave it the way they found it - He found comfort in helping others, even speaking to youth about his regrets of drinking and his stories of when he was a hockey player. - He worked in the FSIN to deal with health clinics and drug abuse and also fought for fishing rights as cases dismissed once the treaty was mentioned. - “As long as grass is green, rivers flow and the sun shines” Chapter 15: Chief Thunderstick - Joined NHL Diversity task force with Black Player Willie O’Ree - Helped with picking out talented players, giving them opportunity - Created a Hockey Week named after him at a Hockey School for everyone - 2018 to receive the Order of Canada - Chucky, his son, was accused of shooting and killing a man. He was nowhere to be found, this happened when he was in Alberta for a Conference. - Chucky took his own life in his Teepee by the lake, not far from their home. Epilogue: - His story wasn’t one of great happiness, but one of major despair and eventually success. Not to ever forget his pain. - The terrible lows and beautiful highs - Truth and Reconciliation allowed him to speak his truths. - Many people thought Chicago didn’t nurture him enough but he could’ve been something special as a player. -