historic Media coverage

August 18, 2005
Teresa Bird, North Island Gazette

“Band wants to separate”

EVE RIVER - The Mumtagila are declaring their independence, says chief Basil Ambers

The small band was amalgamated with the Kwakiutl in the early 1900s, says Ambers

"The main reason for the amalgamation was because Turnour Island (home of the Mumtagila) was only given about 47 acres, so it could only support about 20 homes," explains Ambers.

"In the beginning it was good because we had relations on both sides," says Ambers. "The DIA (Department of Indian Affairs) promised us they would beautify Turnour Island and build homes for us, but they only built five houses.

Ambers says the band was prosperous thanks to fishing and logging and was preparing for the village they had been promised

"We had a logging camp and a seine boat," says Ambers. "We built two dams and had plumbing and electricity.

Despite that, the Indian Agent told the band there was no money for them or the development of Turnour Island

At that time, the band council decided to reject the amalgamation and the young Ambers was chosen to organize the split

"They told us everything would have to be split with the Kwakiutl," recalls Ambers. "The land would have to be split. We said, 'no way',", recalls Ambers

When Ambers' wife died he left the area, but he returned in 1971 and was again asked to try and split the Mumtagila from the Kwakiutl.

"They (DIA) did everything to stop us," says Ambers. "So we have decided to do something about it.

That something will be a feast at Adam River Aug. 26

"We will make a declaration there," promises Ambers. "We are reforming our band.

Ambers says all the infrastructure at Turnour Island has fallen apart and all the Mumtagila - about 200 people - are scattered.

"We have seen a lawyer and talked to DIA," says Ambers. "The department is now changing its tune about us. One of them is going through the records.

Ambers says he has no doubts about his homeland.

"We know where our lands are. My dad's smokehouse is still standing at Port Neville. My father's house is still at Adam River."

August 31, 2005
Teresa Bird, North Island Gazette

“Mumtagila declare independence at Eve River”

EVE RIVER - The Mumtagila are back and they want a place to call home.

"We now declare the re-beginning of our band," stated Mumtagila chief Basil Ambers during a ceremony at the Eve River rest stop Friday.

"We have come to declare this land is ours. It was ceded to us. We want everyone to know there will be nobody else doing land claims in our area. No one will do it for us.”

About 60 Mumtagila and supporting chiefs from other bands attended the event where the Mumtagila declared their independence. The Mumtagila, Ambers says, who traditionally inhabited lands in the Adam River and Port Neville areas, were amalgamated with the Tlowitsis (Turnour Island) band by the Department of Indian Affairs (DIA) about 100 years ago. At that time, the band was promised homes on Turnour Island, says Ambers

"At first we didn't mind (the amalgamation)," said Ambers. "We had relatives on both sides.”

The Mumtagila, a prosperous band, spent money to build two dams, install plumbing and electricity and purchase a generator at Turnour Island under an agreement with the DIA that the money would be reimbursed and homes built, says Ambers. When it came time to do the work, the DIA said there was no money to replenish the band's coffers or build houses, explains Ambers

"A whole bunch of us had to move to other bands," explained Ambers. "I was one who did that. Each of those who did were never really accepted. Only our own village will be our salvation.”

For more than 30 years, Ambers has been committed to splitting the band from the Tlowitsis and regaining the Mumtagila's independence and home

"We've had tons and tons of meetings over the years," explained Ambers. "We are now tired of trying to do it their way. Now we are taking the initiative." Ambers added that the decision to declare themselves came after some said the Mumtagila were dead, and the Tlowitsis would negotiate their land claims on about 1,000 acres.

"It is 100 percent ours. It never belonged to anyone else," stated Ambers. Ambers says he will not give up.

"The Mumtagila have always been a forward thinking people. It was the DIA that ruined us. It was the DIA who took our money. It cannot keep on," declared Ambers.

Ambers says the ceremony at Eve River is just the first step in the band's fight for recognition. The next step will be to garner support from others.