MAR-APR - Blood Tribe

Transcription

TSINIKSSINI March-April 2016
Elders Gather in Australia Against Cancer
healing and dealing with colonization we
are in a constant state of crisis. It’s difficult
to transition from a crisis (sickness) model
to a wellness model of community health
planning. I think we truly need to focus on
prevention,” says Healy. “It’s really difficult
to deliver a First Nations health service
delivery model based on an outdated policy
and not a legislated act or the respect and
reconciliation of our treaty right to health.
The Moari, for example, demand an equity
based health indicator framework based on
their treaty relationship. We need to assert
our treaty right based on this concept.
Accepting a policy is not respectful of our
treaty relationship.
March/April 2016
Published by Blood Tribe
Administration
COMMUNICATIONS Department
The Blood Tribe Administration Review
entitled ‘TSINIKSSINI’ is dedicated to the
sharing of information for the people of the
Blood Tribe. The magazine format features
news, stories, articles and an array of items
as our way of sharing what is occurring on
the Blood reserve and beyond.
We hope you enjoy your magazine and
invite any suggestions you may have in
improving our coverage on any number of
events and activities. The magazine will
be printed on a monthly basis and will be
distributed to various locations on-and-off
the reserve.
The magazine is free of charge.
The magazine is published by the Blood
Tribe Communications department and
is printed by Graphcom Printers (2011) of
Lethbridge.
The collection of information, photographs
and layout of the magazine is from the
Blood Tribe Communications department.
Reproduction of any story or use of
photographs must be requested in
writing and addressed to the Blood
Tribe Communications department. Any
unauthorized use of stories and photos
of TSINIKSSINI or from the Blood Tribe
Communications department may infringe
on tribal copyright laws.
We would like to acknowledge the Blood
Tribe Chief & Council and the people of the
Blood Tribe for your support.
Rick Tailfeathers: Communications
Director
Tom Russell: Communications
Writer
Myron Fox: Layout
Graphic Design
Tracy Weasel Fat
Photos/Stories
Brent Scout
Contributing Writer
Page 7
Page 9
Elders from around the world gathered in Austrailia to discuss the issues of Cancer.
For the first time ever, Indigenous peoples
gathered from around the world to
Connect, Communicate and Collaborate at
the World Indigenous Cancer Conference
2016 (WICC 2016) in Brisbane, Australia
on April 12-14.
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cover photo
Published by the authority of Blood Tribe
Chief & Council
Box 60 Standoff, AB T0L 1Y0
ph: (403) 737-3753 FAX: (403) 737-2785
visit our website for more... www.bloodtribe.org
Blood actors Dallas Young Pine and Paul Young Pine pose for a
photo during a break in the filming of the movie “The Revenant”. The
Young Pine brothers are among a handfull of Blood Actors in the
movie industry.
Cover Photo: Courtesy of “The Revenant”
Additional phot credits: Bert Crowfoot, Harvey Locke and Sandra
Delaney
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This included an Alberta delegation led
by the Alberta First Nations Information
Governance Centre (AFNIGC) in Calgary,
who joined Elders, community members
and Indigenous peoples from around the
globe to gather in traditional Jagara and
Turrbal Nations for this inaugural cancer
conference hosted by Menzies School of
Health Research, and held in partnership
with the International Agency for Research
on Cancer (IARC).
Indigenous peoples constitute about 6%
of the world’s population and their poorer
health and social disadvantage has become
a global health issue. Cancer in indigenous
populations has largely been overlooked,
despite evidence that indigenous peoples
in some areas have significantly greater
mortality and lower cancer survival rates.
It was the first time a wide range of
researchers, public health practitioners,
clinicians, nurses, advocacy groups, allied
health and other related professionals and
Indigenous community groups and leaders
from around the world gathered to provide
a forum dedicated to cancer and indigenous
peoples. Indigenous cancer survivors, their
families, Indigenous community groups
and leaders from around the world attended
WICC 2016 under the theme: ‘Connecting,
Communicating and Collaborating across
the Globe.’
The conference featured presentations,
research findings and stories that
interlocked to form a platform to build on
and to strive to reduce cancer disparities for
Indigenous peoples and the global burden
of cancer affecting us around the world.
The AFNIGC, and the Canadian
Partnerships Against Cancer (CPAC),
worked together to secure funding to
sponsor five Elders from the respective
Treaty regions in Alberta, along with
delegates from Alberta Health Services.
Bonnie Healy, AFNIGC, says they shared
their stories and the work AFNIGC is
doing with CPAC and the Alberta Cancer
Prevention Legacy Fund on Indigenous
Cancer strategies. She said each country
shared their focus such as the Maori, who
are advancing on Equity Frameworks that
address the inequities in cancer prevention,
screening and treatment. The Aborigines
in Australia, for example, are focusing
on partnerships much like the AFNIGC
is doing here in Canada with CPAC and
Alberta Cancer Control.
“The high incidence rates in indigenous
populations of preventable cancers such
as lung and cervical cancers indicate that
cancer surveillance, targeted prevention,
early
detection,
and
vaccination
programmes could reduce the cancer
burden in indigenous communities around
the world.”
At the end of the conference, a traditional
elders
leadership
committee
was
established to work with indigenous global
researchers. Dr. Reg Crowshoe from the
Piikani Nation was one of the Blackfoot
delegates presenting and sharing stories
and culture. He says he learned a lot from
other elders and academics but also shared
a cultural understanding of cancer.
“We as Indigenous peoples need to follow
our cancer protocols and our cultural
understanding of cancer, which include
prevention, screening and treatment. But
more importantly, we need to establish a
relationship with cancer, with any disease.
We have to know what cancer is, what it
needs and what we need to survive and deal
with these challenges. Because, we (and
cancer), both want to live a long life. When
we establish a relationship with cancer and
respect it, we can come to acceptance and
healing.”
“Health service delivery has been largely
focused on crisis response program
delivery. Because our communities are still
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Story by Brent Scout
UPDATE ON BIG CLAIM
April 2016
Oki,
I would like to update you on developments
on the Big Claim, our largest and longest
outstanding land claim. As the membership
of the Blood Tribe is only too aware the
Blood Tribe’s Claim for the land “between
the two rivers and to the mountains” has
been outstanding for over one hundred and
twenty years.
The Blood Tribe claims the lands between
the St. Mary and Kootenay (Waterton)
Rivers to the mountains and to the
international boundary (the “Big Claim
lands”) as its reserve. It was never the
Blood Tribe’s understanding that the Blood
Tribe was to give up the Big Claim lands at
the time of Treaty 7.
The Blood Tribe understood Treaty 7 to be
a sacred peace agreement and the basis of a
relationship of mutual obligation between
the Blood Tribe and Canada, including an
agreement to share certain portions of their
traditional territory.
The Blood Tribe has also claimed that
the lands surveyed in 1882 by Nelson
established its reserve.
The Blood Tribe reserve was first surveyed
in 1882 by Nelson. Although this survey
purportedly established the Blood Tribe’s
reserve, the 650 square miles surveyed fell
far short of meeting the Crown’s obligations
pursuant to the Treaty or in the alternative,
through the exchange agreement, as the
lands did not reach the mountains and
stopped 9 miles north of the international
border.
In 1883, the Crown conducted a further
survey of the Blood Tribe’s reserve. That
survey moved the southern boundary five
miles further north of the international
boundary.
The written terms of Treaty 7 contain a
formula for minimum sizes of reserves
based on population. The Blood Tribe has
argued that if the lands set aside for the
Blood Tribe’s reserve were to be determined
according to the formula described in the
written provisions of Treaty 7, the Blood
Tribe did not receive sufficient land under
the formula and now have a Treaty Land
Entitlement claim.
The Blood Tribe first filed the Big Claim
Statement of Claim in Federal Court in
1979. It then submitted the Big Claim
to Indian Affairs (Specific Claims) in
July 1996 (with further submissions in
2000 and 2001) regarding the southern
boundary of the Blood Indian Reserve and
an outstanding Treaty Land Entitlement.
Canada rejected the entire claim in
November, 2001.
In January, 2003, the Blood Tribe
formally requested that the Indian
Claims Commission (“ICC”) conduct an
inquiry into the Big Claim and the ICC
subsequently agreed to conduct an inquiry.
The matter was heard by the Indian Claims
Commission in 2004 through community
sessions where Elders gave their evidence
and the Blood Tribe sent its written
submissions to the ICC on June 15, 2005
and the Blood Tribe and Canada made
oral submissions, based on their respective
written submissions, to the ICC in October
2005.
By correspondence dated August 7, 2007,
the ICC informed the Blood Tribe that
it found Canada should negotiate part
of the Big Claim. Specifically, the ICC
recommended that Canada accept the claim
that the Blood Indian Reserve was created
in 1882 and that a surrender was required
when it was reduced in size in 1883 with
the movement of the southern border. The
ICC also found that the date of first survey
for Treaty Land Entitlement purposes was
1882.
The ICC’s decision was not binding on
Canada and despite the Blood Tribe’s
continued requests for Canada to
reconsider, Canada has refused to negotiate
any aspect of the Big Claim.
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Blackfeet College Bound Enrichment Program
Preparing Students For Post-Secondary Living
The Federal Court action was held in
abeyance while the claim made its way
through the Specific Claim and ICC
processes and in November of 2009 Blood
Tribe Council found that the only option
currently available to the Blood Tribe was
to move forward with the litigation of the
Big Claim and steps are being taken to
expedite the Claim through this process.
The Federal Court Action is scheduled to
be held in three phases as follows:
1. Elder Hearing: Commencing on May
2, 2016 a Court room will be set up in the
Kainai Multipurpose Building in Standoff
and there will be Elder Evidence heard for
the month of May.
2. Trial on Substantive Issues: The date
for this phase has not yet been set but it
has been requested that it follow quickly
after Phase 1. This Phase will be held
in the Federal Court in Calgary and it is
anticipated that Blood Tribe witnesses will
include a member of the Blood Tribe and
various expert witnesses.
Canada will provide any expert or other
evidence during this Phase.
3. Hearing on Damages: This Phase of the
Trial will likely be held after a decision has
been issued on Phase 2 and will be legal
argument on damages as a result of the
findings in Phase 2.
The Elder Hearing is open to the Blood Tribe
and we are hoping many of you will come
out and support the Tribe and the Elders
who are part of the Hearing beginning May
2, 2016. For more information please call
Tribal Government at (403) 737-3753 or
(403) 894-8105.
Sincerely,
CHIEF CHARLES WEASEL HEAD
BLOOD TRIBE CHIEF AND COUNCIL
Submitted by Tribal Government
Students from The Blackfeet Community College.
A program designed to motivate students in
junior and senior high school to recognize
the importance of fiscal management,
mathematics, literacy and to become more
aware of their cultural identity, is currently
being shared with students residing in
the Blackfeet Boarding dormitory who
are attending school in the Blackfeet
educational system. Coordinator Joycelyn
Davis-Desrosier of the College Bound
Enrichment Plan, says the students will
learn a variety of topics each week.
“The College Bound Enrichment Plan
will provide several monthly academic
enrichment activities that will be held
either at the Boarding Dorm or at the
Blackfeet Community College,” she
explains. “Activities will be culturally
relevant and incorporate interventions and
evaluation metrics designed to improve
student performance and outcomes in math
and writing. Students will also participate
in activities that will expose them to the
college and to learn about financial literacy.
”The Blackfeet Community College,
located on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation
in Northwestern Montana, is partnering
with the Blackfeet Boarding Dorm located
about 8 miles northeast of Browning to
provide their students the opportunity to
participate in a College Bound Enrichment
experience. Desrosier says many details
needed to be performed in preparation for
the introduction of the program including
parental and guardian involvement.
“Several meetings have been held between
Blackfeet Community College and the
Blackfeet Boarding Dorm staff as this
project will focus on Middle School and
High School students,” she says. “Parents
will be involved with two activities planned
to involve them with their students as a part
of enriching them about college with one
activity just before Christmas and the other
in the spring.”
Davis-Desrosier says the students will
receive a stipend to participate in the
Enrichment activities and will learn how to
manage their money through the Financial
Literacy workshop. Students will also have
the opportunity to win either an Ipad or Ipod
depending on their attendance throughout
the program. Tyler Monroe, one of the
students participating in the program, says
he enjoys what he is learning.
“I plan to stay with the program until it
ends,” he says. “We’re learning a lot, get
to meet new people, I like it and I think it’s
pretty fun. The instructors and guests are
all pretty cool.”
During one of their sessions, Linda Sue
Racine, Blackfeet Community College
staff, shared financial literacy with the
students. Her session included an exercise
on budgets in which the students broke
down all the expenses they felt they would
encounter once they were in college. Many
were surprised at how much money they
had left once all their bills were paid off.
Racine also encouraged the students to
begin writing their letters in applying
for grants to help ease the financial costs
associated with attending college away
from their home communities.
Others who play a huge role in the success
of the program include Anne Racine,
Vice-President of Student Services, Renee
Tatsey, Director, Blackfeet Boarding Dorm
and their staff, along with two Blackfeet
Community College interns who will
assist Davis-Desrosier. Elders from the
communities will also be invited to share
their wealth of knowledge, stories and
experiences with the students. She will
attend the AIHEC spring meeting to discuss
the College Bound Enrichment Plan and
participate in conference calls, webinars
and site visits as organized by AIHEC.
Students from The Blackfeet Community College.
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Story by Tom Russell
Standing Alone Remembers Filmmaker
Who Shared The BLACKFOOT WAY OF LIFE
Looking out the window in a cramped
but comfortable office, Blood elder Pete
Standing Alone, who will be forever
immortalized in a trilogy of National Film
Board features based on his life, remembers
the man who took advantage of the passing
of time and was granted permission from
Chief & Council to film the Bloods’ way
of life. Colin Low, a famed filmmaker
and major contributor to the Canadian
documentary industry, wanted to produce a
more modern approach of life among the
Blackfoot.
In searching for a main character, he
eventually focused his lens on Standing
Alone.
“The National Film Board didn’t want to
much old, traditional life of the Bloods,” he
recalled. “They wanted to film something
more modern. Colin Low came up with the
idea of shooting someone on the drilling
rigs and he was told to contact me because
I worked on oilrigs in the United States.
It worked out good. After that, they asked
me to stay, that they could use me as an
interpreter and a guide and the pretty soon
they began to film me.”
Standing Alone’s foray into the world
of documentary film may never have
Elder Dr. Pete Standing Alone
occurred had another prominent tribal
member agreed to be the central figure in
the film. Standing Alone said the late Rufus
Goodstriker, who became an eventual actor
himself, turned down the opportunity to
play the lead role in the Circle of the Sun
films.
“Colin Low said he needs an all around
character, one who sings, dances
traditionally,” he said. “I immediately
thought of Rufus Goodstriker. I told them
that guy fits what you want. They then took
a picture of me on a horse and the next year
they came with their crew and started on
the film.”
Over the years, Standing Alone and Low
became good friends. Nearly two decades
after the completion of Circle of the Sun,
Low returned to film the second installment
of the trilogy entitled Standing Alone.
“Quite a few changes occurred in the past
twenty years. I had predicted that the Sun
Dance would be history, but it didn’t turn
out that way; I got involved,” he said.
The late Narcisse Blood and filmmaker
Doug
Cardinal
(Aisinaaki)
were
instrumental in the completion of the third
and final documentary. “Narcisse was
6
responsible for The Last Round-Up. He
convinced Colin Low to film it. I always
thank him for what he did,” he said. “That
completed my life from an ordinary Blood
Indian to where I stand now as an elder.”
During breaks in filming, Standing Alone
and Low would spend hours talking about
history and the changes they had seen as
time crawled on. Low, whose name was
Bull Horn, would later be inducted into the
Kainai Chieftainship.
Colin Low has left a lasting impression
on the Blood reserve; one that will be
forever etched in time in documenting a
way of life as it slowly transitioned into
an increasingly contemporary environment
while still retaining ties to our traditional
ways.
Sadly, Colin Low passed away on Feb 15,
2016, surrounded by family and friends.
Colin Low
Tatsikiisaapo’p Middle School
Disneyland Trip
30 children and 15 chaperones took a 10day road trip to Anaheim, California via
Las Vegas, during the Easter break. The
group stayed at Circus Circus Hotel in
Las Vegas both on their way to and from
California.
They took in some exciting attractions
and events. For example, the students and
principal, Ramona Big Head, swam in the
Pacific Ocean at Newport Beach. Some of
the group attended the NBA game: Boston
Celtics vs LA Clippers. They also cheered
on the Calgary Flames as they played
against the Anaheim Ducks. The group also
spent two fun-filled days at Disneyland and
one awesome day at Universal Studios.
TMS fund raised for two years to make this
dream trip come true. TMS staff, students
and parents would like to thank Kainai
Board of Education, Brighter Futures,
Danny McDougall and champion Bull
Rider, Chad Besplug and many others
who donated and worked at all of their
fundraising activities that included Bingo’s,
Raffles, and the Annual TMS Bull A Rama.
Tatsikiisaapo’p students pose in front of the famous sign at the Universal Studio in Los Angeles.
Visiting the popular destination Disneyland during Easter
Students standing next to a very tall Cleopatra.
Students had the opportunity to watch a official NBA basketball game. (Los Angeles Clippers).
7
Submitted by Ramona Big Head.
Blackfeet Bison Return Home To
Traditional Territory
Buffalo being loaded for a long trip.
The Blackfeet Nation celebrated the return
of an animal that once roamed freely
for centuries on traditional Blackfoot
Confederacy territory. On Monday, April 4,
2016, 88 bison yearlings made it to their
ancestral place on the plains in the heart of
the lands the Blackfoot have occupied for
thousands of years. It was a long awaited
moment celebrated with the traditional
songs that help bring the bison home.
Prior to the bison journey From Elk Island
to the Blackfeet Nation, Blood members
Duane Mistaken Chief and Paulette Fox
performed a Beaver Bundle ceremony as
an offering of blessings to mark this happy
return of the bison and for all the people
involved. Both Mistaken Chief and Fox
were part of the singers who sang at the
four designated stops along the trip south.
Keith Aune, Director of Bison Programs
for Wildlife Conservation Society, said
what they were interested in doing is to
restore bison to lands in North America.
“This is the culmination of five years of
work, discussion and dialogue, principally
with elders of the Blackfoot Confederacy,”
he said. “We formed a group called the Iinii
Initiative. It has been gradually putting
the pieces together to implement a bison
restoration to bring them home. We also
have external partnerships and this is a
beginning of a relationship with Elk Island
and will form the source herd for future
restoration efforts in Blackfeet country.”
Because of regulations importing bison
into the United States, Montana law only
allows the importation from Canada of
vaccination eligible calves which is the
reason why older bison cows were not
included in the negotiations. Irvin Carlson,
Buffalo Project Manager, Blackfeet, who
has been in the buffalo program since 1996,
said his involvement in the Iinii project
made him more aware of the enormity in
bringing the bison back.
“I had been involved with our buffalo
program for many years, but after we
started the Iinii project, it just started
hitting me with all our cultural and spiritual
connections with the buffalo,” he said.
“And now, we are bringing some of these
buffalo back home that originated from
there. It feels really good; you can feel their
energy.”
Carlson gives credit to members of the
Blackfeet Tribe who manage the herd on a
daily basis. “I would like to acknowledge
Sheldon Carlson, Jay Young Running
Crane and our interns who ensure the
program is operating smoothly, and that
the buffalo are well taken care of. These
boys are really becoming familiar with the
buffalo.”
Elk Island National Park, situated
approximately 35 kilometres from
Edmonton, has about 400 each of Plains and
Wood bison. Janelle Lane, Parks Canada,
said every two years they perform an
assessment of how many animals the park
can hold, and how healthy the rangeland
and vegetation is in deciding how many
bison they can give to those requesting to
replenish their herds. Lane said Elk Island
National Park is pleased to be a part of this
historic event.
“We’re the only fully fenced national park
in Canada, therefore there really aren’t very
many natural predators. So, for us, every
two years we have to send bison out of
the park,” she explained. “Parks Canada
recognizes the role of Indigenous peoples
in conserving, restoring and presenting
natural and cultural heritage and we’re
very honored to play a role in this special
initiative.”
The lineage of Elk Island’s bison,
according to specialists are free of cattle
genes, traces back to a small group of
animals captured by American Indians on
Blackfeet land just south of Canada. Those
bison were later sold to two men, Charles
Allard and Michel Pablo, who formed what
became known as the Pablo-Allard herd.
By the early 1900s, the Pablo-Allard herd
was said to be the largest collection of the
animals remaining in the U.S. After U.S.
officials rejected a sale offer from Pablo,
the Canadian government purchased most
of the bison, which were then shipped by
train from Ravalli, Montana, to Elk Island
National Park according to park officials
and Western historians.
Buffalo arrive at site near Choteau Montana Blackfeet Reservation
Dignitaries and representatives from the Blackfoot Confederacy stand with Parks Canada Officialsat Elk island National Park
Horseback riders await the arrival of Bison.
8
Healthy Bison are once again returned home.
Upon their arrival to the Blackfeet winter
pasture several miles east of Browning,
Mont., the bison were greeted with the
exuberance of a people who waited
patiently for the animals to return home.
After a delay at the Coutts border crossing,
the yearling bison herd was released into
the enclosed holding pens where they will
remain until after the 30-day quarantine
period is complete. Blackfeet Chairman
Harry Barnes shared in the enthusiasm of
the occasion.
“We’re really excited. This is really a good
thing for the Blackfoot Confederacy,”
he said. “It’s going to be good for our
children to get the essence of the bison
because it served us so well throughout
our history. The buffalo is in every one of
our ceremonies and this is one step in our
reenergizing the Blackfeet Confederacy;
9
one of many things we are doing.”
The Iinii Initiative which has been actively
involved in the return of the bison include
such members as Dr. Leroy Little Bear,
Paulette Fox and many more elders and
technicians from both sides of the border.
INDIAN RELAY RACES
GAINING IN POPULARITY
The Indian Relay races are proving to be agrowing attraction in Canada.
A sport hugely popular in the United States
is gradually making inroads in Canada with
the emergence of the Indian relay races.
Ever since the arrival of horses on North
American soil. The First Nations people
mastered the animals and used them to their
advantage in securing food or defending
their territory. And, during times of leisure,
meeting challenges of whose horses were
stronger or faster brought about contests
between horse owners and even from tribe
to tribe.
Today, rules and regulations including
safety of both man and animal are of
utmost regard as Indian relay races prove
to be major drawing attractions especially
among tribe in the United States. This year,
the world famous Calgary Stampede will
feature the Indian relay to an audience
who hungers for a taste of what life was
like before the arrival of the first European
settlers.
According to Dexter Bruised Head, Blood
Tribe council and coordinator of the 2016
Blood Indian Relay Race, there may be no
Blood participation in this year’s inaugural
event at the Calgary Stampede, but that
does not deter him from making the Blood
Tribe’s presence felt in future relay events.
“I attended the Indian Relay championships
in Billings, Mont., last year and the
announcer kept announcing ‘Representing
all of Canada, the Good Rider team from
Piikani,’” he said. “And we talk proudly of
our heritage and horseback riding skills and
I’m thinking ‘Why are we not here?’”
To draw interest from tribal members,
Bruised Head is initiating an Indian
Relay Clinic which will include the
following topics of instruction from
Carolyn Murray, Blackfeet: Sport Training,
Techniques Training, Horse Training,
JOB READY PROGRAM PREPARES PARTICIPANTS
FOR POTENTIAL CAREERS AND EMPLOYMENT
Materials Development, support from four
consultants and information from Murray
on judging.
For those interested in the Indian Relay
Clinic, there will be a $50 registration fee
and the horses will be supplied for actual
hands-on participation and techniquedriven instruction. Bruised Head hopes
those who attend the clinic will become
part of a team who will eventual bring
the Blood Tribe notoriety in following the
footsteps of our ancestors.
“I hear a number of stories going to the early
1900s of how great horsemen we were,” he
began. “We were such dominant riders and
feared, then the rodeo was introduced and
again we dominated in the sport. But, now
there is a downturn in rodeo competitors
and we probably will go full circle and go
back to Indian Relay and dominate that as
well. It could also be a huge family event
and I think that’s where we’re heading.”
Bruised Head is planning this year’s Indian
Relay Race during the Kainai Indian Days
& Rodeo and hopes the $20,000 plus
entry-fee monies will attract many of the
top teams in both Canada and the United
States.
(WHIMIS, First Aid, CPR and Occupational
Health & Safety), introductory to carpentry
and tools, Life Management and Life
Skills.
“We hope they can find employment once
they complete the three month course,” he
says. “We do a one month job experience
component and instruct them on many
useful projects designed to give them
additional knowledge in developing their
skill sets.”
While they are in the program the students
are taught skills including resume writing,
computer training, job shadowing, utilizing
their carpentry training to build garbage
bins, dog houses, picnic tables and other
smaller type projects they sell once they
are finished. Calf says the participants also
are involved in Life Management which
assists them to get items which helps them
their ability to find employment that much
easier.
“We teach them how to do budgets,
computer skills, obtaining their Social
Insurance Numbers, even their driver’s
licences,” he says. “They also taught about
the barriers they see in themselves and if
they want to pursue a possible career, then
we begin the referral process.”
The Job Ready program is situated in
the classroom behind the former Kainai
Community Corrections facility north of the
Multipurpose building. Calf says anyone
wanting to purchase one of the items built
by the participants can be viewed at the
KCCC building. The items sold will go
toward their year-end ceremonies.
Job Ready Program Supervisor Robert Calf.
A number of tribal members are currently
involved in a program which is training
them to develop skills to move forward
in seeking a potential career. Robert Calf,
supervisor, Job Ready Program, Kainai
Transition Centre Society, explains the
direction the participants are involved
in as they are introduced to a variety of
employment areas designed to create the
possibility of employment.
“What we do is train our people to prepare
them for employment,” he says. “We are
trying to get them off income support and
into the employment field.”
Calf says the participants access the
program on a referral basis from the social
agencies on-and-off the reserve.
“This is not a self-referral,” he explains.
“They have to get a referral from, for
example, Social Development, the
treatment centres or within the justice
system. From these referrals, if we feel
they are not quite ready to move on, we
continue to work with them.”
The Job Ready program offers four main
courses for the students. Among them
include securing their safety tickets
10
Students taking a timeout from their busy day to pose for a picture .
11
HEALING FROM THE
INDIAN RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL EXPERIENCE
The Indian residential school system
predates Confederation; and in part grew
out of Canada’s missionary experience
with various religious organizations. The
federal government began to play a role in
the development and administration of this
system as early as 1874, mainly to meet legal
obligations under the Indian Act, as well as
to assist with the integration of Aboriginal
people into the broader Canadian society.
The schools were located in every province
and territory, except Newfoundland, New
Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. Of
the 130 schools that existed over time,
it is estimated that up to 100 of these
schools could be involved in claims. The
Government of Canada operated nearly
every school as a “joint venture” with
various religious organizations.
On April 1st, 1969, the Government
assumed total responsibility for the school
system, although churches remained
involved for some years in many instances.
Most residential schools ceased to operate
by the mid-1970s; the last federally-run
residential school in Canada closed in
1996.
On May 10, 2006, Canada’s Government
announced the approval by all parties
of the Indian Residential Schools
Settlement Agreement. The Government’s
representative, the Honourable Frank
Iacobucci, concluded the Settlement
Agreement with legal representatives
of former students of Indian Residential
Schools, legal representatives of the
Churches involved in running those
schools, the Assembly of First Nations and
other Aboriginal organizations.
The Settlement Agreement was approved
by the courts across Canada, and the fivemonth opt-out period concluded. Since
fewer than 5,000 eligible former students
opted-out, the Settlement Agreement
came into effect on September 19, 2007.
The Settlement Agreement includes
the following individual and collective
measures to address the legacy of the
Indian Residential Schools system:
Common Experience Payment
Commissioners from Left to Right: Chief Wilton LittleChild, Marie Wilson, Honorable Justice Murray Sinclair (chair) and Blood Elders Dale Low Horn and
Camille Russell
Assembly of Students at Old St Paul Mission c 1920
Following the Implementation Date of the
Settlement Agreement on September 19,
2007 and upon application, a Common
Experience Payment was paid to every
eligible former student who resided at a
recognized Indian Residential School,
and was living on May 30, 2005, the
day the negotiations were initiated. The
Settlement Agreement stipulates that $1.9
Billion be set aside for the direct benefit of
former Indian Residential School students.
Subject to verification, each eligible former
student who applied was eligible to receive
$10,000 as well as an additional $3,000 for
each year of residence beyond the first year.
Independent Assessment Process
Following September 19, 2007 (the
Implementation Date of the Settlement
Agreement) for a period of five years, an
enhanced alternative dispute resolution
process called the Independent Assessment
Process (IAP) is the only way a former
student may pursue a sexual or serious
physical abuse claim, unless he or she
has formally opted out of the Settlement
Agreement.
Compensation through the IAP is paid
at 100% by the Government in all cases,
following validation of the claim by an
independent adjudicator.
Truth and Reconciliation
A Truth and Reconciliation Commission
was established with a budget of $60
12
Million over five years. It is mandated to
promote public education and awareness
about the Indian Residential School system
and its legacy, as well as provide former
students, their families and communities an
opportunity to share their Indian Residential
School experiences in a safe and culturally
appropriate environment. The Truth and
Reconciliation Commission will undertake
a series of national and community events
and will establish a research centre for
ongoing access to the records collected
throughout the work of the Commission.
Commemoration
The Settlement Agreement provides for
additional funding, for a total of $20
Million, to be made available for events and
memorials to commemorate the legacy of
Indian Residential Schools, to be managed
by the Government in conjunction with the
Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
Healing
The Settlement Agreement provides for
an additional endowment of $125 Million
to the Aboriginal Healing Foundation,
to support its healing programs and
initiatives for a period of an additional
five years. The Church entities involved
in the administration of Indian Residential
Schools will contribute up to a total of
$100 Million in cash and services toward
healing initiatives.
Indian Residential School Support Service
In response to the anticipated impact to the
Blood reserve Community, the Blood Tribe
Administration through Chief and Council
organized a strategic plan to help members
by providing a network of support services
to assist in accessing available services
from government and from some of
the Social Agencies both on and off the
reserve. Support services in the event of
crisis situations were also made available.
The Chief and Council and some elders of
the community were concerned about the
possible negative impacts of such a huge
injection of money into the community.
In June 2006, No Trespassing signs were
posted at all entrances to the reserve and
a permit system was launched by the
Lands Department where vendors and
unauthorized people entering the reserve
were deemed to be trespassing and are
being dealt with. There was a high risk for
exploitation by outsiders who target the
reserve. This process would help control
who enters the reserve to do business.
This did not affect the regular vendors and
businesses who have been on the reserve
over a period of time.
The objectives of the Indian Residential
School Support Service was to help
promote a healthy and safe community
by coordinating efforts and services of
departments and entities in respect to
the Indian residential School Settlement
Common Experience Payment and IAP
period. To inform the Blood Tribe public,
what support and intervention services were
available for their wellbeing during the
impact period of the CEP/IAP. To provide
some alternative means of spending their
money i.e. through investments that would
assist in their long-range plans, taking
advantage of opportunities that may not
be there otherwise and generally providing
financial counseling if necessary.
This initiative provided necessary
information to assist the members in
contacting individuals employed by the
Tribe or the various service agencies.
By most accounts, the anticipated crisis
because of the large payout of the Indian
Residential School claims did not occur,
and fortunately the reserve community
remained relatively unchanged. Much of
the money was spent on vehicles, furniture
and household essentials. There were some
capital investments into small business
projects made by some. Although the
money was a partial closure to some of the
residential school issues, the long-range
impacts continue in the form of substance
abuse and addictions.
More recently as Jan. 2015, It came to
the attention of medical service agencies
and physicians serving the Blood Tribe
community, there was a drug crisis
happening with drug overdoses occurring
3 or 4 times a week, some of these were
fatalities. In 2015, there were 24 deaths from
fentanyl overdoses on the Blood reserve,
province-wide, there were 120 deaths that
year. Clearly the Blood Tribe community
was in a crisis. The Oxy 80 pill, an artificial
13
oxycodone drug, which contains the deadly
fentanyl, was to blame. The impact to the
community was devastating.
In March 2015, The Blood Tribe Council
declared a Local State of Emergency on the
Blood reserve as a result of the danger to the
health, wellbeing and welfare of members
of the Blood Tribe. Council also directed
the Blood Tribe Police to take immediate
action and ensure that a priority was given
to combatting the growing unlawful drug
sales and the growing use of opiates in the
Blood Tribe community. The Blood Tribe
police continue to put a high priority on
these issues and there were some major
busts that occurred, several known drug
dealers were banished from the reserve.
The Core Group was established in response
to the call for a “Local State of Emergency”
consisted of concerned community
members, including members of Council,
Blood Tribe Administration departments
and entities and professionals within
the public service and health agencies.
This group continues to be vigilant in the
battle against drugs and assists individuals
in dealing with addictions through the
initiation of a strategic plan that will be
on-going. The Blood Tribe Chief Charles
Weasel Head stated: “We must continue
to deal with these drug issues and remain
vigilant,” and added, “We cannot let up, if
we do it will all go back to what it was.”
The Tribe continues to work with these
concerns on an ongoing basis.
Story by Rick Tailfeathers
Family Violence and Prevention of Domestic Violence
Community Awareness Workshop
Kainai Women’s Wellness Lodge Senior Manager Doris Sweet Grass.
Well over 150 men, women and youth
from the Blood Tribe and surrounding
communities showed their support for
the Family Violence and Prevention of
Domestic Violence Community Awareness
workshop at the Moses Lake Community
Hall on March 3, 2016, which was hosted
by the Kainai Women’s Wellness Lodge.
The event began with Blood elder Rose Fox
sharing the opening prayer followed by a
moment of silence. The candles burned
brightly on the tables as the moment of
silence was given in respect to the all
people who suffered or passed on as a
result of violence. This was an opportunity
to honor and acknowledge the survivors
and victims of abuse.
Doris Sweet Grass, senior manager,
Kainai Women’s Wellness Lodge, opened
the conference by sharing their Mission
Statement: ‘To guide and empower women
to create opportunities that allow them
to express or experience wholeness’.
Sweet Grass said the Kainai Women’s
Wellness Lodge provides a safe and secure
environment, crisis intervention and
support to women and children seven days
a week, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Tony Delaney from the Kainai Peace
Making Program emceed the conference
and spoke of the domestic violence
courses that the Peace Making Program
has to offer. Keynote Speaker Dr. Esther
Tail Feathers spoke about the Fentanyl
Oxy 80’s crisis and how it affects our
Indigenous community. She told a story
about the first time she came into contact
with someone who had overdosed on Oxy
80’s. She also gave statistics of how, at one
time, there would be up to 5 overdoses in
the emergency department. “We all need
to make a difference and the best place to
make a difference is at home,” she said.
Other speakers and presenters included Dr.
Betty Bastien, Cycle of Abuse; Camille
Russell, Identity; Pam Heavy Head, How
Violence Effects our Children; Constable
Williams-Freeman, Domestic Violence;
Candice Kurek, Donna Atwood and
Gloria Williams, Threading, Stitching
and Story Telling; Penny Fox and Trina
Shade, Laughter is Good Medicine, and
Blood Councilor Marcel Weasel Head who
represented Chief & Council.
Door prizes were given throughout the
day and lunch was provided. Closing
remarks by Dorothy Weasel Fat and Gerry
Young Pine, both from Kainai Women’s
Wellness Lodge, highlighted the need to
end all forms of domestic violence and
encouraged everyone to continue to offer
their support and prayers. The workshop
concluded with a feast and a round-dance
with entertainment provided by Robert
Calf and Linda Fox, Lester Low Horn,
Craig Day Chief, Cory Wadsworth and
dancers Jalen Twigg, Lacey Plume and
Kaylee Day Chief.
Kainai Women’s Wellness Lodge would
like to thank the community of Moses Lake,
the presenters and those who participated
into the day’s events. The following are the
sponsors of the event:
South Country Inn, UFA Cardston, Fort
Pharmacy, Empress Theatre, Meresky
Jewelry, Fort Macleod, Cardston Value
Drug Mart, Carriage Lane Market Cardston,
Cardston Home Hardware, Kainaiwa
Children’s Service Corporation, Blood
Tribe councilors Marcel Weasel Head,
Kyla Crow, Lance Tail Feathers, Nolan
Little Bear, Dale Low Horn Jr., Stand Off
Scotia Bank, Doug’s Sports Lethbridge.
Blood Tribe Member selected to
play in the ABC Border Bowls
Darion Black Water, a 16 year old offensive
and defensive football player who was
a member of the Cardston High School
Cougars, was recommended by his coach
to represent Southern Alberta in the ABC
Border Bowl on May 24, 2016, in Vernon,
B.C. The ABC Border Bowls are games
between Alberta and British Columbia.
They are all star teams from Alberta versus
BC. These games are hosted by the All
Canadian Gridiron and are exposure games
for college, university and juniors.
“It truly is an honour to be recommended
for a team and bypass the tryout process,”
said Black Water who received a call from
Coach Jeff Shaw on February 27, informing
him of his recommendation and his official
invite by email on Sunday March 08, 2016.
Ron Dias of All Canada-Gridiron is a wellconnected individual who has made football
his life. As a long time scout and publisher
of Canada’s Top Players, he is the founder
of these games and runs the ONQ (Ontario/
Quebec games) and the GHT games
Darion Black Water with his little brother Benjamin.
(Golden Horseshoe)
in Ontario. The All
Canadian Gridiron
and the man behind it
are the reason many
Canadian
football
players
get
the
opportunity to obtain
US
scholarships.
In a country where
there is a huge lack
of
involvement
between provinces
and major cities,
Ron Dias and All
Canadian Gridiron
offer a great site for
football enthusiasts
to get information
about athletes across
the country.
For Black Water, the
opportunity to strut
his stuff before a
televised audience
is not only done at
a physical level, but
also on a motivational
level as well.
“It’s not how hard
you hit, it’s how hard
you can get hit and
keep getting up,” he
said. “It’s about how
much you can take
and keep moving
forward.”
Editor and scout
Ron Dias is very
Darion Getting ready to score a touchdown.
A display of dolls made by the community members.
14
Story by Tracy Weasel Fat
committed to helping Canadian Football
players get noticed. The advice that is
given to athletes about using camps
and combines to their advantage to gain
exposure is the same advice that applies to
media. Media sources are a great way for
athletes to get their name out in the football
community. The long time scout and All
Pro camp organizer continues to help
athletes reach their goals. Though Canada
does not receive a large number of athletic
scholarships from the United States, each
scholarship a Canadian athlete receives
has, in one way or another, been passed
through Dias.
The game day broadcasts are viewed by
numerous universities and junior programs
and all games have a free online game day
show broadcasted on www.vbnsports.com.
15
CONSTRUCTION TO REPLACE WATER MAIN PIPES
WITH COMPLETION DATE SET FOR MIDDLE JUNE
Construction is well underway to replace
pipes supplying water to residents of the
Stand Off townsite and to other businesses
and entities in the area. The water main
replacement began on March 28 with
a completion date in June of this year.
Terrance Bottle, Utilities Coordinator,
Public Works, says townsite residents may
experience some inconveniences, however,
the Public Works department is working
hard in up-dating old water pipelines that
needed to be changed.
“Temporary water may be installed to your
residence, providing water supply as the
existing water main is being replaced,”
he informs the public through a notice.
“Any water stoppages during construction
will be temporary and resolved as quickly
as possible.” He adds that notices will be
posted for any scheduled temporary water
stoppages.
One of the main arteries to the townsite
is closed but the public can access their
homes through clearly marked detour
signs. Once construction is complete, the public will once again have access to water.
Bottle encourages everyone to be patient and to comply with the speed limits and detours
as safety measures.
Construction workers replacing the main water line to Standoff townsite.
Sioux Valley Chief Visits Kainai Multi-Purpose Building
Chief Vince Tacan from Sioux Valley Dakota First Nation, with Councilors an Assistants were recent visitors to The Blood Reserve,
Touring the Multipurpose Building in Standoff with the possibility of purchasing a similar building.
16
BLOOD ACTORS AMONG TWO WHOSE SKILL
CONTRIBUTED TO ACADEMY AWARD MOVIE
Dallas Young Pine on the set of “The Revenant”
The Blackfoot are still counting coup as
members of the Blood Tribe were among
those First Nation actors who contributed
to the major motion picture movie, ‘The
Revenant,’ in which famous Hollywood
actor Leonardo DiCaprio captured his
first Oscar as the Best Actor. Long-time
professional cowboy Dallas Young Pine
and his brother Paul played pivotal roles in
the movie that garnered two other Academy
Awards for Best Cinematography and Best
Director.
“It was very gratifying to be a part of the
production of the movie,” he said. “We
were treated with much respect and it
was awesome to rub shoulders with such
famous people.”
Over the years, both Young Pine and his
brother have shared their horsemanship
and talent in a number of major movies
and television series. Among these include
roles in Dream Keeper, Broken Trail, Bury
My Heart at Wounded Knee, Englishman’s
Boy and Into the West. Young Pine had
an opportunity to meet actors including
the late August Schellenberg and Robert
Duvall.
“It’s been quite a blessing to meet these
people,” he said. “I’m proud of my ability
to be able to contribute to these huge
productions. It’s quite an achievement.”
With the Blackfoot Confederacy well
represented in the making of ‘The
Revenant,’ Young Pine used his growing
experience to guide his fellow stuntmen
in portraying their roles as realistic as
possible.
“I was told in the production of ‘Bury My
Heart in Wounded Knee’ that you guys
(stuntmen) are making the movie, so make
it real,” he said. “I kind of coached the
younger guys along and I told them the
world is going to see you, so make it real;
and that’s what they did.”
The Revenant is an adventure movie shot
in various locations in Alberta, Montana
and Argentina. While on a danger-laden
journey through the American wilderness
in the early 1800s, frontiersman Hugh
Glass (DiCaprio) is badly mauled by
a grizzly and abandoned by his fellow
trappers. Barely surviving his wounds,
Glass is driven by thoughts of his family
and a desire for revenge as he endures the
frigid winter and pursues the men who
left him for dead. For his role, DiCaprio,
playing a 19th-century huntsman, endured
punishing sub-zero temperatures and ate
raw buffalo liver while shooting the film.
He’s already been rewarded for his efforts,
17
having scooped up Best Actor trophies
at this year’s Baftas and Golden Globes.
Young Pine had a chance to meet him while
on set.
“I called out his name the first time I seen
him, and we’re not supposed to do that,” he
remembered. “I went up to him, shook his
hand and introduced myself. After that, he
would wave at me and come over to shake
my hand. It was a special feeling to be that
close to someone so famous.”
Young Pine gives credit to cast members
including those from Blood, Piikani,
Siksika and around the area. He also
acknowledges John Scott, an individual
who is one of the main people called upon
when historic appropriate costumes and
gear is needed, who calls upon Young
Pine when auditions for up-coming movie
productions are sent out.
Holding an actual Oscar for playing a role
in ‘The Revenant,’ a movie seen around the
world, is something Young Pine is proud
of as he adds yet another film credit to his
growing acting resume.
When asked if he considers himself an
actor, he simply nodded his head and
smiled.
TRIBAL STUDENTS INVOLVED IN TINY HOUSE PROJECT
SHOW THAT DOWNSIZING HOMES ARE VERY LIVEABLE
In what may seem like a minor project to
seasoned carpenters is a major undertaking
for the students involved in the Mini
Homes project at the Kainai High School
on the Blood reserve. Ten students were
chosen to learn the construction of
building of a house from the blueprints to
the eventual finished product.
Matthew Prete, an instructor for the Mini
Homes initiative, speaks of the project
that is being offered to the students of the
Kainai High School. “We were looking
at alternative projects in terms of the
trades in Alberta and we wanted to offer a
program that enabled students to explore
as many of those trades as they could,” he
says.
The ten students were celebrated for their
efforts on April 19, 2016, at the Kainai
High School where Blood Tribe Chief
Charles Weasel Head expressed his pride
in their accomplishments.
“You are all excellent role models,” he
commented. “You are all very important
people right now.”
Instructors Matthew Prete and John Reed
discussed what would work best for the
students and enable them to gain hands
on experience and knowledge that would
best help them in a future trades career.
They looked at several different building
projects such as garages and sheds but
they did not offer a wide enough array of
trades in terms of their objectives.
The Mini Homes project idea allowed
them to teach the students a multitude of
trades such as flooring, framing, electrical
wiring, plumbing, installing windows,
doors, roofing, shingling and insulation.
“The students are doing a fantastic job,”
says Prete. “Most of the kids had never
had any building experience with almost
any of the tools, except for maybe a
hammer and nails.”
Today the students are building the homes
with confidence and knowledge of a
seasoned carpenter.
Ryan Fox, a grade 11 student from the
Kainai High School, says: “The project
has definitely broadened my future and
has begun to make me think about careers
after school.”
The homes are a complete living space
that includes a bedroom, bathroom, dining
room, kitchen and laundry area. The first
three homes will be completed in about
three weeks. They will be sold, providing
much needed housing on the reserve and
also generating money to build the next
Tiny Homes, and train more students.
The Mini Homes project is in partnership
with Merrick Contractors Association, a
province wide non-for profit made up of
nearly 14-hundred companies, Debbie
Vance, Calgary Board of Education and
the Kainai High School.
Mini Homes Project Instructor Matthew Prete.
Community Conversation on IITAIKAAKIAKYOP
Blood Tribe Timber Limits (Session Two)
With a gleam in their eyes elders and the
community members shared stories of
their childhood growing up at the Blood
Tribe Timber Limits. The members of the
community relived some of the fondest
and monumental moments in their lives
through experiences of their childhood in
the area.
When they and their family lived off
the land, hunting and fishing, gathering
medicine and timber, it was a day and
age when there was no such thing as
computers, internet, cell phones or social
media. What they remember as children is
that they had to travel to the Timber Limits
with their family to collect timber and other
necessities in order to survive.
In March 2016, the Kainai Ecosystem
Protection Agency and Blood Tribe
Land Management presented the 2nd
Community Conversation Session on
IITAIKAAKIAKYOP – Blood Tribe
Timber Limits at the Multipurpose Building
in Standoff.
The opening prayer was presented by Pat
Brewer with Travis Plaited Hair emceeing
the meeting.
The idea of today’s community session
was to focus on the historical value of
the Blood Tribe Timber Limits. Elders
and community members spoke of their
memories, also to give suggestions and
solutions to the help Timber Limits with its
beautification, ecology, historic value and
to state what kind of values they personally
have in protecting these lands.
Kansie Fox, Environmental Protection
Manager for the Blood Tribe Land
Management Department and the Kainai
Ecosystem Protection Agency stated,
“Kainai as a community should make the
Timber Limits a priority.” Fox also said:
“The timber limits is one of the most
ecologically intact areas in the world. It
contains fresh waters and species that are
not found anywhere else in the world.”
Community elder George Little Shields
recounted when he was growing up in the
1950s when his family would take the trip
to the Timber Limits. They would travel
with other families who would make the
trip in as many as five to seven wagons.
It would take them a day and a half to get
Kainai High School Students from the Mini Home Project.
18
Emcee Travis Plaited Hair.
to the Timber limits, camping halfway
through the journey. They would camp for
about a week.
Little Shields spoke of an area called
Ai’pai”toop where there was a cliff the
timber was dropped into the Belly River to
float down and then picked up and loaded
onto wagons. After the logs were loaded
up they would break camp. From the first
community conversations, it is now known
that the cut timber would be marked by
Treaty numbers in order to be identified
and collected by each family once the logs
had floated to the pickup point.
Next Meetings and Events:
• Land use and planning is the second topic
of discussion proposed for May 11, 2016;
• Data Collection is the third topic of
discussion proposed;
• June 1st - 3rd, 2016: The Kainai Ecosystem
Protection Agency Summit 2016 - Climate
Change Resilience & Adaptation.
Next Steps:
• Land Use & Planning meeting;
• Timber Limits Clean Up plan;
• Field Trip day.
For more information contact Kansie Fox,
Environmental Protection Manager, Blood
Tribe Land Management Department, at
403.737.8151.
Environmental Protection Manager for Blood Tribe Land Management and Kainai Ecosystem Protection
Agency Kansie Fox.
19
No Rebel Indians get off the reserve without a pass.
Nadine Tail Feathers of Blood Tribe
Administration Emceed the screening
of the documentary" The Pass System"
and Councilor Dorothy First Rider gave
a heartfelt welcoming to the elders and
students in attendance. The opening Prayer
was given by Blood Tribe Elder Andy
Black Water who was also in the film as a
translator.
The film documents a false policy in the
Indian Act., proposed by an Ambitious
Indian Agent by the name of Hater Reed
pens a document entitled "Memorandum
for the Honorable the Indian Commissioner
relative to the future management of
Indians in which Reed proposes : No Rebel
Indians get off the reserve without a pass."
The proposition was signed
off by John . A .McDonald
(however it was never
legislated in the House of
Commons, which made it
illegal)
Director/Producer
Alex
Williams
in association with the Blood Tribe
Administration presented a free screening
of the Documentary “The Pass System” to
the Blood Tribe Community at the Kainai
High School .
Human Resources Conference Gives Insight
To Employees In Meeting Needs Of The Public
‘Working Together for Success’
Picture of hand written note by Indian Agent Hater Reed that sparked the beginning of the Pass System.
Mr. Williams is a film maker from
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Treaty 6 area.
The powerful and thought invoking
documentary was made on a shoe string
budget and was researched for six years
with production and post production
included by Director Alex Williams as he
traveled to the different Treaty areas to
gather the stories of whom the Pass System
Affected.
"The Pass System itself was a Egregious
breach of Treaty and peoples fundamental
Human Rights." says Williams.
The System cut people from their children
at Residential School and slowed their
Economic Development it also forced
people to request a pass to go anywhere.
These were all things that Non Indigenous
people didn't have to deal with . "Non
Indigenous people's path's were supported
towards prosperity, where as Indigenous
people via Policies like the Pass System
and other Policies slowed their progress
and development, and that's a crime" said
Williams.
"Why did I make this film , for all of those
reasons " I believe the burden of emotional
understanding about what happened in
this country needs to come from Non
Indigenous people and they need to really
understand what happened here and they
don't YET, in part because they've been
told a selected part of history."
Williams hopes the film will help the world
in understanding what the elders and their
families went through during this oppressed
time that was conspired by the Government
an Indian Agents of Canada.
The pass system was a multi-generational
program.
The screening was finished off with
questions and answers. Scott Fox of the
Blood Tribe was in favor of the pass system
for the reason that it helped the Natives
preserve their Identity by being located
in one area to carry out their traditional
beliefs and not be influenced or separated
by the outside world.
“This year, we really wanted to promote
teamwork,” says Scout. “One of the main
factors in teamwork is respect and that’s
what we’re trying to accomplish. The
conference was designed with respect to
our employees. Our employees do so much
for community and sometimes what they
do is a thankless job. I want to thank our
employees for their dedication, because
without them, we wouldn’t have success,
good services we provide to the community.
Again, our employees are everything and
they are very valuable.”
Scout said the presenters shared useful
information in assisting the employees in
their daily tasks and routines. Among the
Director/Producer Alex Williams, Elder Andy Black Water, Councilor Dorothy First Rider, Elder Bruce Wolf Child, Elder Louis Soop.
20
The Blood Tribe Administration’s Human
Resource department hosted a conference
on April 7-8, 2016, in their on-going
effort to not only improve on the quality
of service for the employees and people,
but to provide employees with additional
skills and resources in working for the
best interests of the tribe. Frank Scout,
Director, Human Resources, says each year
the conference brings forth professionals
who present topics useful for the benefit of
employees.
presenters were Carrie-Lynn Paul, Four
Key Strategies for Working Together
for Success; Lowa Beebe, Traditional
Approach, and Team Works who used
colors to describe personalities and how
they can be used to identify employee
characteristics and traits.
“I had a lot of good feedback and we were
told by the employees that every year the
conference is getting better,” he said. “The
sessions were short, but very productive.
We got a lot out of the conference and if
each employee can take at least one concept
and implement it into their department or
entity, then it would be well worth it.”
Travis Plaited Hair was the emcee and
Blood elder Andy Black Water prayed and
gave encouragement to the employees for
the work they perform every day. Also, Four
Healings Elements Massage Therapy was
on hand to offer a few minutes of massage
for those employees who requested their
services.
“Our theme was ‘Working Together for
Success’,” he said. “When you have
teamwork, you have accountability. You’re
more accountable to your team and you have
a strong team atmosphere, so you do what
you can to contribute to the success of the
team. This leads to better communication,
productivity and leadership. We are
working for the best interests of the Blood
Tribe, and we hope these conferences work
toward the benefit of our people.”
Scout acknowledges and thanks the efforts
of the Human Resource staff who include:
Tammy Weasel Moccasin, Records Officer,
Marlene Blood, Recruitment, Rod White
Quills, Benefits & Pension, and Sharon
Spear Chief, Administrative Assistant.
The Human Resources staff is already
planning for next year’s conference in the
hopes of developing the skills and work
ethics for the employees.
Blood Tribe Administration staff partake in a team building exercise taught by Team Works Career Centre from Magrath.
21
BENNETT CONTINUES EFFORT TO ASSIST
PEOPLE AND FAMILES IN TIMES OF NEED
Constable Jim Bennett.
The motto for many police departments
anywhere: ‘To Serve and Protect,’ are words
that are adhered to in the protection of
individuals, property and the enforcement
of the law. There are individuals in these
jurisdictions within their own agencies,
however, who take their jobs and the
authority they are bound to just that much
further in a most positive way. Within the
Blood Tribe Police Service, Sergeant J.D.
(Jim) Bennett’s commitment to those he
serves and protects to help alleviate the
hardships faced by the most vulnerable in
our society is one way he feels he can give
his best to the people.
For a number of years, Bennett and
his family have been working with
communities surrounding the reserve to
assist in any way possible to lighten the
burden of people who are facing longterm or temporary difficulties in their lives.
He has established a growing network of
relationships in the various towns and
communities in Southern Alberta in moving
forward with his care and compassion.
“In early February of this year, I was
contacted by the Raymond Elementary
School principal, Marlin Hogg. He had
heard of my involvement with gathering
donations for the people of the Blood Tribe
over the last three years, and wanted to
assist me,” he said. “I was approached by
the Raymond Rotary Club before Christmas
last year, to give a presentation of what
volunteer activities I had been involved in
while working for the Blood Tribe. They
then told me that they would be donating
all non-perishable food items collected
at the Raymond Rotary Christmas Carol
festival to the Standoff Food Bank, which
at the time was closed for lack of food. This
event produced almost 600 pounds of food
to the food bank. The Raymond Elementary
School also donated 300 pounds of food
and gave the Stand Off Food Bank a cheque
in the amount of $677.”
Not only does Bennett and the group of
people and organizations donate food,
but other items including clothing, school
supplies, hygiene materials and even books.
“During the event (in Raymond) they
also collected books to be donated to the
Standoff Library. A large amount of books
were delivered,” he said. “This is my 3rd
year doing this project. This Winter I have
delivered over 100 bags of donations to the
Moses Lake homeless shelter, the Kainai
Women’s Wellness Lodge and the Blood
Tribe Police Services cell bay. I have
received food donations of water bottles,
cups of soup and granola bars given to all
released prisoners out of the Blood Tribe
Police Services cell bay.”
Bennett is utilizing the social media
network to make even more contributions
possible.
“I thought I would take things a little
farther. With the assistance of my family,
I have utilized social media to assist me
with my project,” he explained. “I have
received numerous clothing donations, for
men, women, children and infants. I have
also received blankets, household items,
various toiletries, children’s toys, shoes,
100 teeth hygienic kits from Able Dentistry
in Lethbridge, books and non-perishable
food items. The donations, at one time,
formed a pile in my garage over 4 feet high.
I have received these donations from the
good people of Raymond, Lethbridge and
as far away as Grassy Lake.”
Bennett said what he is doing comes from
his heart. He is making every effort to feel
he is part of the community he is assigned,
but, most importantly, continues to serve
and protect.
“It is an honor for me
to help in any way.”
The donations were very much appreciated.Much thanks to all the sponsors.
22
23

MAR-APR - Blood Tribe

Transcription

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