January 29, 2001 For Immediate Release

The Lake Babine Nation dancers will be performing at UNBC on Tuesday, January 30th, during a book launch for the first book ever written about the Lake Babine Nation.

Authored by UNBC professor Jo-Anne Fiske and Lake Babine Nation chief Betty Patrick, the book documents the current laws of the Nation and their traditional roots. "The heart of the Lake Babine legal order is the potlatch," says Dr Fiske, who teaches in the First Nations Studies and Women's Studies programs at the University. "Although the feasting and exchange practices of the potlatch have attracted a lot of interest and research, little consideration has been given to understanding the legal practices embedded within the ceremonies, until now."

"By interviewing hereditary chiefs and elders and combing through archival materials, we've tried to document a legal system that's still misunderstood," says Ms Patrick. "Much of our material has never before been published and it provides important background information for people interested in the current era of treaty negotiations and why we require self-government."

The book launch ceremony will begin at 4pm in the UNBC Winter Garden. In addition to the dancing, presentations will be given by the authors and by community elders.
The Lake Babine Nation is located to the east of Smithers.