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By MIKE GADSBY A fracas that started between a group of Indians and three trespassers on an Indian reserve, has erupted into a full-scale battle between the Central Saanich council and the Indian chiefs of Saanich. The trouble started last week when a men, his wife, and daughter got off the beaten track on Stelly’s Cross Road at Peden Lane in Central Saanich amd drove onto the Tsartlip Indian Reserve. WERE MENACED There, the man later charged, he and his family were men aced by a group of “hostile, Indians” who stole his car keys and “terrorized” his wife and daughter. The man reported the incident to the police, and it was taken up at last week's Central Saanich council meet ing. FEELINGS OF ALL “Reeve R. G. Lee,” reported the Sidney Review this week, “expressed the feelings of all the councillors or saying this was a very unsavory event.” The front page story in the paper carried a headline which stated “Menaced by Hostile Indians.” Two sub-headlines read “Saanich Visitors Run for Barety,” and “Council Calls for Action.” Yesterday a letter of protest, signed by Chiefs Edwin Under wood and Samuel Sam was sent to the Central Ssearich council. The letter attacked the council for handling a situation blond its jurisdiction and for its gen eral tone. BEEN MALIGNED “For one hundred years, ’ said the letter, “we have been maligned and misunderstood, and we find it extremely diffi cult to countenance your attack. We feel that we have tried to be the type of citizens this country needs, but aren’t you making it a lttle difficult? HAD COURTESY ?If only one of you would have had the courtesy to divorce the small group of Indians who may or may not have been guilty of the charges you levelled against them, from the Indian commun ity at large. ENOUGH TYRANNY “We have had enough of political tyranny,’ the letter went on. “We are developing personal initiative, and we re spectfully ask you as responsible public officials to remember that Her Majesty, the federal government and the provincial government recognize local In dian government. Why did you not think it proper to bring this “problem to its proper arena!”’ FREELY UBFD The letter also referred to a controversy over the access route to Cordova Spit, which is across Indian land and is freely used by whites. “We dislike and will always dislike fur trader tactics,” said the letter, “We expect you to set an example of ‘gentlemen.” The chief and councillor, on every reserve,our_ government —will expect to be dealt with personally by your government. TRUST AND HOPE “And the Indian people of this community trust and hope that problems arising between us will be dealt with In a manner that will always safeguard the good name of the responsible Indian citizens of this com munity.”
Newspaper Details
Victoria Daily Colonist
Victoria, British Columbia, CA
Sat, Oct 06, 1962
Page 5
Full Page
Clipped by
Samantha M.
CA 03 Jul 2026
Other Publications Near Victoria, British Columbia
Victoria General Conference Daily Bulletin
Victoria Evening Telegraph
Victoria New Westminster Times and Vancouver Island Guardian
Victoria New Westminster Times
Victoria Vancouver Daily Standard
