The Caveat Case

An Interview with Patricia Anderson

Q. How did you become a reporter?

My friend and I wanted to see the Northwest Territories so we moved to Yellowknife. She was experienced with newspaper layout, so she got a job with the Native Press. I hung around and eventually they said I could write some stories.

In those days, the early 1970s, the Indian Brotherhood of the Northwest Territories was very active, trying to set out Indigenous rights for the first time. The big story that I covered was the Paulette case, also known as the caveat case.

Photo: Patricia Anderson

Q. Why was this case important?

The Dene put together a claim to the lands over most of the Western Arctic - 1,000,000 square kilometres.

The Indian Brotherhood of the NWT had hired a lawyer, Gerry Sutton, to document the Dene claim. The caveat case was to hear whether they had any justification for their claim. It was heard by Justice William Morrow and I was to sit in the courtroom and document what was happening.

Photo: Patricia Anderson

Q. How did the court gather evidence?

This was the first time that elderly Dene people gave testimony about their memories of the negotiation of Treaty 8 in 1899 and Treaty 11 in 1921.

Judge Morrow took the time to hear witnesses. He went to their communities to interview them if they were too feeble to come into Yellowknife. I was able to go out on those trips.

Photo: NWT Archives

Q. Tell us about the hearings…?

Justice Morrow showed a lot of respect for the witnesses. In those days, some courts didn't give credence to oral evidence, but he certainly did. He showed a lot of quiet respect for the people who came before him to testify.

The Elders testified that the treaties represented a shared understanding of respect between Canada and the Dene, but it was not any ceding of land

Photo: Patricia Anderson

Q. What is your best memory?

The hearing I remember best was in Snowdrift, Lutselk'e as it is known now. The witness was over 100 years old, and he was sick, so Judge Morrow and the lawyers went to his home to do the interview.

After we were finished, the Court proceeded to go out fishing, which gave a true northern flavour to the events.

Q. How did you print the paper?

This was a long time before newspaper reporters began using computers. The articles were typed. Then they were cut and pasted into the paper. The photographers processed the photographs in a darkroom. We worked until three in the morning each week to get the edition out.

We'd send it off in a plane to Edmonton, I think, in the morning and we'd be excited to see the finished newspaper come back.

Photo: NWT Archives

Q. Did you feel positive about the outcome?

There was optimism in the Indian Brotherhood offices because everyone knew we were involved in something very important. People knew we were challenging the status quo, taking a whole new position.

There was an air of excitement to be in the forefront of that issue.

Photo: NWT Archives

Tip#1

Before you begin writing, narrow down the reason your story is important. Why does it need to be told? Why will your readers be interested?

At the same time, be aware of how much space you have to tell the story. If you write too many words, an editor may cut out parts of the story you think are important.

Tip#2

These days, readers have many options for reading: in addition to newspapers and magazines there is a wealth of content on-line. So it is important to write an opening sentence that sparks the interest of the reader.

The story should answer these questions: Who? Where? What? Where? When? and Why? Then, as you write, check your facts.

Tip#3

Remember that you have readers with different reading skills, so write clearly. Avoid complex sentences and difficult words. That way, all of your readers will follow your argument.

When you finish your article, read it over as if you are a reader. Is it interesting? Is it clear? Is it fair?