Memorandum

28 Jul 2011, Posted in Artist Projects, 0 Comments

Excerpted from Memorandum, an artist’s project by Greg Staats from 2001 reprinted in “Performing Politics”:

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TO ALL REGIONAL DIRECTORS

July 30, 1975

Circular W-17

It has been brought to our attention that the number of dogs on Indian Reserves has been increasing at a rate far beyond the capacity of this Department or the Indians to administer them.

The Indian Reserve Dog Regulations are optional in nature and though the last revision of these was on June 10, 1954, few reserves have put them into effect. It has therefore been found desirable, in concurrence with our general review of the Department’s policies through the publication of program and policy guidelines, to establish a definitive statement of our position on this question.

[…]

It can be explained to the Bands in your districts that the department’s intention is not to do away with dogs all together, but merely to ensure that they are properly administered…

[…]

 INDIAN BAND DOG GUIDELINES

 2.2 Reserve dogs shall not chase automobiles or other vehicles registered in the name of Her Majesty in right of Canada or to the department of Indian and Northern Affairs.

 […]

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Image: Greg Staats, Memorandum, 2001.