Remember when…

TSINIKSSINI JUNE 2014
Published by Blood Tribe
Administration
COMMUNICATIONS Department
The Blood Tribe Council 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 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.
We would like to acknowledge Darlene
Plume, Senior Executive Officer, the Blood
Tribe Chief & Council and the people of the
Blood Tribe for your support.
3.
AFN CHIEFS TO MEET IN OTTAWA
4.
STATE OF EMERGENCY ON RESERVE
5.
BLOOD TRIBE EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM
6.
TRANSCANADA DONATES FOOD & SUPPLIES
7.
RED CROW COLLEGE AWARDS
8.
ABORIGINAL DAY
9.
KAINAI DAY
10. RUFUS GOODSTRIKER
11. KAINAI CADETS
12. ST MARTHAS POW WOW
Darlene Plume: Blood Tribe
Senior Executive Officer
Rick Tailfeathers: Communications
Director
Tom Russell: Communications
Writer
Myron Fox: Layout
Graphic Design
13. MANY BEARS TRAVELS TO LAS VEGAS
14. OPOKAASIN GRAD
15. RETURNING HOME AFTER THE FLOOD
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
16. UPCOMING EVENTS
Red Crow College President Roy Weasel Fat and University of Lethbridge President Mike
Mahon sign a Memorandum of Understanding in promoting education for Blood Tribe
and First Nation students.
Full story on page 7.
Photo Credit: Sarah Sweet Grass, Blood Tribe Communications.
2
TSINIKSSINI JUNE 2014
Kainai Launches Court Action Against
Canada Over Deplorable Water on Reserve
The Blood Tribe has joined three other
Alberta First Nations in a lawsuit accusing
Canada over what they call the deplorable
state of their drinking water. The court
action was filed on June 16 because
“something must be done,” say the First
Nations. They are asking the courts to
order the federal government to develop a
plan to ensure that First Nations have safe
drinking water, “just like everybody else in
this country, and to monitor whether that
plan is being implemented.”
The statement of claim — filed by the
Kainai, Tsuu T’ina, Ermineskin and Sucker
Creek — asks the Federal Court to force
Ottawa to upgrade their water systems,
provide continuing support to keep them
operating safely and to refund money the
bands say the government has saved over
the years by not doing so.
The most recent estimate of the cost of
bringing water treatment on reserves up
to federal standards is about $1.2 billion,
with another $470 million a year for
maintenance.
In May 2012, Chief Charles Weaselhead
told a Senate Standing Committee
Hearing on First Nations Safe Drinking
Water that First Nations drinking water
has had a history of infamy in Canada.
“In comparison to drinking water off
reserve, the quality of on reserve water is
unacceptable. After decades of neglecting
critical issues, Canada said it would finally
take real steps to address this national
embarrassment with the safe drinking
water legislation.”
The lawsuit argues that Ottawa built
substandard water treatment facilities on
the four reserves and then didn’t maintain
them.
“As you can appreciate, it is our duty to
protect the security and safety of First
Nations’ water supplies and to guard
against infringements of our treaty and
inherent rights,” said Weaselhead. “The
safety of First Nations’ drinking water
will require a collaborative approach and
must carry over into the development of a
regulatory regime under the legislation and,
most critically, to address the decades long
chronic underfunding for First Nations’
drinking water systems.”
Safe drinking water on reserves has been
a public issue since before 2003, when a
government report found three-quarters of
all water systems on reserves were at high
or medium risk of failure. Two years later,
the auditor general found higher standards
needed to be backed up with sufficient
resources. That conclusion was echoed the
following year by a panel convened by then
aboriginal affairs minister Jim Prentice. A
third study in 2011 found little had changed
since 2003.
The Harper government has said it’s
spent about $3 billion since 2006 on First
Nations water systems. Clayton Leonard,
general counsel for the group, said the
Safe Drinking Water for First Nations
Act, passed last year, is a toothless piece
of legislation. The act merely enables
the government to set requirements for
on-reserve water improvements without
allocating any money to the cause, he said,
while multiple provisions serve to insulate
the government from legal responsibility
for water-related health concerns.
Ideally, the lawsuit will force the
government to come to the table with
concrete plans to rectify the situation —
and the money to pay for it, he said. “We
keep being told there’s no money in the
federal budget, and we think there is if
they just look hard enough at some of their
priorities. How about you do something
that makes some real sense and spend it
on making sure people have safe drinking
water?”
Leonard says most of the money announced
by the Harper government was spent prior
to the 2011 assessment. “How many times
do you get to re-announce the same amount
of money? If you spent $2 billion, and then
you find that 73 per cent of First Nations
still face serious drinking water issues, it’s
a pretty clear indication it’s not enough.”
3
The government legislated tougher
standards last fall that made bands
responsible for operation of their water
treatment facilities. First Nations say it’s not
fair to give them the responsibility without
the resources to back it up. The claim
alleges that the transfer of responsibility
for water didn’t come with the resources to
do the job.
Some Alberta reserves have been under
boil-water advisories for 30 years — long
enough for a generation of children to
grow up knowing nothing about turning
on a tap and having clean water flow out.
Conditions vary widely on reserves. A
federal assessment of 571 First Nations
communities done three years ago found
39 per cent of water systems had “major
deficiencies” affecting water quality and
health.
In all, about 73 per cent of First Nations
communities live with serious health risks
from their water. At the same time, the
2011 auditor general’s report stated that
Health Canada and Aboriginal Affairs “do
not ensure that drinking water is tested on
a regular basis.” Decaying and inadequate
infrastructure is part of the problem, as is
some residents’ inability to pay to have
their homes connected. The technology for
treating and testing water may also be out
of date.
Chief Charles Weasel Head
TSINIKSSINI JUNE 2014
BLOODS DECLARE STATE OF EMERGENCY
AS A MAJOR RAINFALL CAUSES FLOODING
The scene of the flood at lower Standoff, many roads on the reserve were impassable.
It was a particular menacing report that
came from Environment Canada on June
16, 2014: a heavy rainfall warning for
Southern Alberta with a predicted rainfall
of 100mm -120mm possible overnight.
With calculated accuracy, the rain came
late that night and continued for 3 days,
often pouring like buckets of water falling
from the sky. The Blood reserve was once
again faced with an emergency situation
with the rivers filling up fast and roads and
ditches breaching their bounds.
The state of emergency was called Tuesday
night June 16, 2014, by Oscar Cotton, Blood
Tribe Director of Emergency Management.
This was not the first flood the Blood Tribe
has faced, there have been similar flood
situations in recent years and the tribe
has developed an emergency response
strategy which they follow. It calls for
procedures in dealing with the impact of a
disaster on families and individuals living
on the Blood reserve. The most immediate
concern was the safety and well-being of
residents. The emergency response team
consists of various departments within
the Blood Tribe community and agencies
providing services. There are also outside
groups such as Red Cross and Alberta
Government, Disaster Services. The team
gathers immediately when the state of
emergency is called.
When the calls started coming in at the
Housing office and Public Works, roofs
were leaking and basements began flooding.
When the roads started overflowing, an
evacuation notice was called for the Fish
Creek, Little Chicago, Lower Standoff,
areas of the North End and the Fort
Whoop-Up areas of the reserve. The Red
Cross was engaged to come and assist; a
disaster centre was established at the Blood
Tribe Multi-purpose Centre. The Blood
Tribe Police and BT Public Works were
also engaged to execute the evacuation
notices to residents of those communities.
The disaster centre soon started getting
flood victims in need of shelter where
they provided food and a bed. There were
approximately 240 registered evacuees
who sought shelter at the disaster centre.
Four days of heavy rain took its toll on
the Blood reserve community as many
of the homeowners were reporting flood
damages. Approximately 260 homes were
damaged by the flood, either from flooding
basements or leaking roofs. There were
a number of sewer back-ups and cistern
contaminations. Blood Tribe Housing
continues to assist homeowners in pumping
flooded basements and doing roof repairs.
The roads had become impassable in many
areas of the reserve and unsafe to drive on.
Road closures were initiated by the Blood
Tribe Public Works. The situation became
more critical when the Belly River started
rising at increased rates than predicted as
there was already critical levels of rainfall.
The reserve is bounded by 3 rivers, two of
them are controlled by dams. The Belly is
uncontrolled and its levels unpredictable
where its effects impact the Little Chicago
and Lower Standoff areas most.
Finally, on the fourth day of rain on June
4
20, the rains started breaking and there was
hope for drier days. The stress had also
taken its toll on the residents of the reserve,
especially the evacuees who were anxious
to go back home. The Provincial Minister
of Aboriginal relations, Frank Oberle made
a tour of the affected areas on the reserve as
part of his assessment of the disaster caused
by the rainfall. A request for disaster relief
by the Blood Tribe is in the works, but, a
final tally of the costs of the flood is not yet
determined.
In the aftermath of the flood, the evacuees
continued to need assistance, Blood Tribe
Family & Community Support Services
provided food hampers and water. They
are also distributing clean-up kits for those
who require them. “Many roads on the
reserve have washed over, many basements
have flooded, many roofs started leaking
– a lot of people very quickly wound up
being displaced,” said Oscar Cotton, the
tribe’s fire chief and director of emergency
management, adding evacuations were
necessary in the reserve’s Fort Whoop-Up,
Fish Creek and lower Standoff areas.
“We are still assisting Blood Tribe
community members; we do still have
community members who are displaced.
But we are moving into the recovery phase
of this event. We’re going to continue to
work throughout the recovery and cleanup.”
Provincial Minister Frank Oberle, tours flooded areas
story by Rick Tailfeathers
TSINIKSSINI JUNE 2014
BLOOD TRIBE’S EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM
WORKING TOWARD EASING FLOOD TENSIONS
--media conference shares current information--
Oscar Cotton, Emergency Management Director, shares information with media.
A Media Conference inviting news agencies
to the Blood Tribe on June 24, 2014, were
given information from the emergency
management team who have been dealing
non-stop in addressing the damages and
aftermath of the flood.
The Blood Tribe and the Southern Alberta
region recently experienced a flood which
mobilized the Emergency Management
team into action in meeting the needs of
people affected by the rain and from rivers
overflowing their banks in low-lying areas.
Oscar Cotton, Emergency Management
director, who has been coordinating
disaster relief efforts on the Blood reserve
for a number of years, said the group effort
in offering expertise and relief to those
affected by the heavy rainfall and flooding
was a commitment the group continues to
fulfill.
“We called a state of emergency on Tuesday
(June 17, 2014); many roads on the reserve
have washed over, many basements
flooded, many roofs started leaking, so a
lot of people wound up being displaced,”
he said. “I really want to commend our
disaster committee. It’s a cohesive unit,
everyone worked together.”
Heavy rainfall which began on Monday,
June 16, lasted for four days, but was
enough of a downpour for the Blood Tribe
to issue a state of emergency. One week
later, the state of emergency was lifted.
A number of Blood Tribe Administration
departments offering vital services during
times of extreme emergency responded
to the floods as Cotton deployed the
emergency measures established from
past disasters. In 2010, the Blood Tribe
experienced a situation where two states
of emergency were called after a snow
storm blitzed through the reserve. This
was followed three months later by severe
flooding that caused millions of dollars in
damage.
Cotton, led discussions from each of
the department and service providers
and spokespersons from Chief &
Council, Public Works, Housing, Social
Development, Health, Red Cross, Food
Bank and the Blood Tribe Police during the
media conference, who gave updates and
shared information on affected areas and
what actions were still required to be taken.
Since the rain has subsided, the Emergency
Management team is now responding to the
aftermath in meeting the needs of the elders
and families still experiencing the effects
caused by the flood.
The Blood Tribe Communications
department will keep tribal members
informed on any current activities with
regard to disaster relief efforts.
Major flooding affected many homes on the Blood reserve.
5
story by Tom Russell
TSINIKSSINI JUNE 2014
TRANSCANADA
PLEDGES TO HELP AND COMMITS TO BLOOD TRIBE
FLOOD RELIEF
Mike Oka, Tribal Government, is pictured here with TransCanada representatives who rallied to support the Kainai Food Bank.
Immediately following the declaration
of the state of emergency, TransCanada’s
Energy East Pipeline project’s Aboriginal
relations team of Karen Gardner and Dean
Louis contacted Mike Oka, Consultation
Coordinator for the Blood Tribe, to offer
assistance. Within hours, the team was on
the ground in the community providing
water pumps, pump hosing, industrial
drying fans and offering to help in any way
they could to support the local residents.
On June 23, 2014, TransCanada employees
were back in the community to provide
additional necessities to the Blood Tribe
Food Bank and Relief Centre. Donations
included bottled water, cleaning supplies
such as bleach, soap and garbage bags
and an assortment of non-perishable food
items.
TransCanada’s Energy East Aboriginal
relations team understands the immediate
need for support, and has pledged to the community that it will continue to provide as
much support as possible in both the short and long-term to help the community clean up
and rebuild.
To learn more about TransCanada’s Energy East Pipeline Project, visit www.
energyeastpipeline.com
Submitted by Laila Adam, Senior Advisor, Capacity Development & Community
Investment, Aboriginal Relations – Energy East
Food items and other supplies provide welcome relief for tribal members.
6
story by Tom Russell
TSINIKSSINI JUNE 2014
RED CROW COLLEGE AWARDS CEREMONY
A SPECIAL DAY FOR STUDENTS AND TRIBE
Group photo of dignitaries who attended the MOU signing at the Red Crow College Campus.
The Red Crow Community College
and Satellite Campus in Lethbridge
recently celebrated their awards and
acknowledgements on June 11, 2014, at
the Red Crow College campus. The day
was especially rewarding for the Blood
Tribe as a Memorandum of Understanding
was signed between the Red Crow
Community College and the University of
Lethbridge.
The MOU, signed by U of L president
Mike Mahon and RCCC President Roy
Weasel Fat, involves a commitment
to further establish and strengthen
educational pursuits and research, sharing
of institutional facilities and to create
student housing opportunities for tribal
members enrolling at the university.
In a statement to the University of
Lethbridge’s UNews publication, both
Mahon and Weasel Fat shared their
comments:
“The University of Lethbridge is very
proud to enter into this agreement with
Red Crow Community College – a longstanding partner of our institution,”
says Mahon. “By working more closely
together, we can strengthen our mutual
commitments to Blackfoot and other First
Nations, Métis and Inuit students.”
Weasel Fat says past collaborative
programs have been extremely beneficial
to Blackfoot students and provide a strong
foundation for future collaboration.
“These programs have allowed our
students to come back to strengthen this
community and other communities,” says
Weasel Fat. “We want to continue to
deepen our collaboration, not only because
it enhances self determination for our
students, but also because it provides an
important opportunity for cross cultural
education for everyone involved. All
participants benefit from the sharing of
Blackfoot knowledge and the validation of
this by our Elders.”
Following are the award categories and
recipients:
ADULT EDUCATION
STUDENTS AWARDS
Darren Roper Awards
Raymond Weasel Moccasin
Randy Many Fingers
Jennifer Chief Moon
Ada Big Swallow
John Chief Calf Awards
Jeff Tallow
Sandra Standing Alone
Chris A Young Man
Lisa Day Rider
Trina Eagle Tailfeathers Awards
Ethel Chief Moon
Josie Many Bears
Ada Big Swallow
Jeff Tallow
Sabrina Spear Chief
Jody Harker Award
Tara Day Chief
7
Ethel Chief Moon
Candace Day Rider
Orlando Big Throat
Jared Crow Eagle
Ethel Chief Moon
Sherrie First Rider
Satellite Campus Lethbridge
Cody Black Forehead
Sarah Brass
Justin Bruised Head
Amanda Chief Body
Buddy Chief Calf
Tater Chief Calf
Kashtin Eagle Bear
Jessica Eagle Speaker
Kevin Frank
Anastasia Plume
Kasey Shouting
Savanah Genereaux
Quincy ‘Boss’ Twigg
Cody Wright
Brianna Black Plume
Jaylena Black Plume
Jason Compton
Buddy Day Chief
Blake Healy
Tannis Goodstriker
Marissa Shot Both Sides
Jonathan Bastien
Lenny Weasel Head
Incentive Awards
Attendance Awards
Melissa Shouting
Karsen Healy
Bonita Eagle Child
Highest Achievement
Melissa Shouting
story by Tom Russell
TSINIKSSINI JUNE 2014
NATIONAL ABORIGINAL DAY IN LETHBRIDGE
SHARES CULTURE AND ACHIEVEMENTS
Drum is the heartbeat of pow-wow.
National Aboriginal Day is an annual event
to celebrate the unique heritage, diverse
cultures and outstanding achievements
of First Nations people across Canada.
On a more local level, Lethbridge’s own
aboriginal community shared its culture at
a powwow in Galt Gardens on Saturday,
June 21, 2014.
Residents from the city, as well as
participants from the neighboring Piikan si
and Kainai reserves, along with the Metis,
had an opportunity to come downtown
to get a taste of Aboriginal culture in
the city where they celebrated this day
and recognized contributions made by
First Nations peoples. The highlight of
the afternoon was the mini-powwow at
the Gardens plaza. Participants watched
dancers from of all ages demonstrate various
powwow dances common on the powwow
trail. The drummers are an important part
of the powwow and they too seemed to be
in peak form. The event captivated passersby on the busy downtown street.
First celebrated in 1996, National
Aboriginal Day recognizes the cultures and
contributions of Canada’s First Nations,
Inuit and Metis — together referred to
Aboriginal Peoples. It came after years of
lobbying by the Assembly of First Nations,
which had been calling for such a national
holiday since 1982.
The day of recognition came about after a
series of calls for such a celebration. In 1982,
the National Indian Brotherhood (now the
Assembly of First Nations) called for the
creation of a National Aboriginal Solidarity
Day to be celebrated on June 21. Slightly
Tiny Dancer enjoys pow-wow.
more than a decade later in 1995, the
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples
recommended that a National First Peoples
Day be designated. Also in that same year,
a national conference of Aboriginal and
non-Aboriginal people, chaired by Elijah
Harper, entitled The Sacred Assembly,
called for a national holiday to celebrate
the contributions of Aboriginal peoples to
Canada. June 21 often coincides with the
summer solstice.
The summer solstice is particularly
important to many Native tribes in a spiritual
nature, because the sun is at its closest to
us and believed to be at its strongest. This
belief is shared by aboriginals in North
America.
There were a number of events all over the
City during the week’s celebrations, put on
by the Aboriginal Council of Lethbridge.
Although some were cancelled due to the
rain, the weather broke to allow a sunny
day for the powwow in which the dancers
were happy to participate.
Round Dance National Aboriginal Day 2014, Galt Garden.
8
story by Rick Tailfeathers
TSINIKSSINI JUNE 2014
BLOOD TRIBE CELEBRATES KAINAI DAY
TO HONOR OUR OWN PLACE IN HISTORY
Blood Councilor Dexter Bruised Head and Kainai Chieftain Bob Tarleck enjoy festivities.
The Blood Tribe Community Development
and its committee hosted the first ever
Kainai Day celebrations near the old
Saipoyi School on June 20, 2014. The
first annual festivity replaces the National
Aboriginal Day event as Community
Development Coordinator Charlie Fox said
this is a move toward celebrating this day
on our own terms.
“We have been coordinating the National
Aboriginal Day since 2004,” he explained
of the decision to rename the day of
celebration. “The Federal Government
categorizes the First Nations, Inuit and
Metis people together, so, at this year’s
planning meeting, some of the committee
members felt that National Aboriginal Day
was kind of just to patronize us. But, here,
in our own community, we know who we
are, we’re Blackfoot. We have our own
clan systems and our spirituality to guide
us in life.”
The decision was made to change the
celebration to Kainai Day and to host it a
day before the National Aboriginal Day
event. Fox said the Kainai Day went on
despite the turmoil caused by the heavy
rainfall. Many families who were directly
involved in the flood came out share in the
fun, food and games. Fox said this showed
our resilience to move forward despite
hardships we may face on a daily basis.
“We need to celebrate our way of life
and recognize our way of life and our
culture,” he said. “I think people will feel
more comfortable coming out to enjoy the
afternoon to visit. This is a social gathering
to honor our elders, our youth and to the
people who contribute to our community.”
The Kainai Day activity was emcee’d
by Travis Plaited Hair, Chief & Council
Liaison, who kept the people entertained
throughout the afternoon. Former Mayor of
Lethbridge Bob Tarleck and Pat Killoran,
both members of the Kainai Chieftainship,
and Dexter Bruised Head and Lance
Tailfeathers, Blood Tribe Council, were in
attendance.
The children and adults were kept busy
playing and laughing as they participated in
a number of games. These games included
the big foot and sack races while a handful
of traditional dancers shared their talents
to the beat of the drum from local singers
including Julius and Troy Delaney. The
people watched many exhibition dances
and joined in a few round-dances.
The result to celebrate Kainai Day opens
the possibility to move the festivity to any
one of the communities on the reserve. Fox
said that the day of celebration will begin
to be a time when the people can identify
with this as our day to have fun and to visit
with family and friends.
“I felt really good at the turnout. The people
really had a good time. This is a time to
celebrate our achievements and give
recognition to our people who are directly
involved in creating those achievements.”
Fox acknowledges the Community
Development
Committee,
Victim’s
Services and the Blood Tribe Police and
to the many departments and people who
donated their time in making this day fun
for the people. These departments and
services fed the people in the afternoon and
ended the event with a barbeque.
Tribal members enjoying feast.
Charlie Fox, Community Development, and Lance Tailfeathers, Councilor, in honor dance.
story by Tom Russell
9
TSINIKSSINI JUNE 2014
Remember when…
THE SYNONYM FOR TRAILBLAZER
IN THE KAINAI NATION WAS RUFUS
GOODSTRIKER — IN RODEO, POLITICS,
BOXING, CHUCKWAGON RACING, HORSE
RACING AND SPIRITUAL HEALING.
Rufus was born July 26, 1924 to Frank
Goodstriker Sr. and Marion Weasel Fat,
and was one of the foremost Kainai athletes
ever produced, at a time when Indian
cowboys and horse race owners were not
treated with respect.
To quote another trailblazing Kainai
cowboy, two-time Canadian calf roping
champion Fred Gladstone: “Many white
cowboys used to complain about their
treatment in towns and hotels… just
imagine how we Indians felt!”
Rufus was a standout in many sports. He
is still the only First Nations athlete to
win the J.B. McDonald high-point award
twice in a row (1957 – 1958) at the Calgary
Stampede, an award going to the top
aboriginal money-winner at the big show.
In 1960 at Foremost, a week before
Willie Little Bear died at Calgary in the
novice bronc riding, Rufus won the steer
decorating in 2.7 seconds. “The next day
I won the Raymond Businessmen’s Derby
on the race track, and would you believe
I was also in the last section of the steer
decorating in the rodeo,” he told me as
we sat in the old wooden grandstand at
Whoop-Up Downs three decades ago.
“When I backed into the chute I realized
it was the same steer I had the day before
in Foremost and I was on the same horse,
Big Red, with the same hazer, Tom Duce.
I nodded my head and put the ribbon on in
2.9 seconds.”
For many years Rufus was a top race horse
breeder and trainer, really making his mark
at the Raymond Businessman’s Derby, a
B-track event of great distinction. During
his era Rufus was driving chuckwagons
in Calgary, the Cheyenne Frontier Days,
Lethbridge and on other major tracks. It was
a sport he took to with great enthusiasm and
success. The Rufus Goodstriker Memorial
Horse Race is run each fall at WhoopUp Downs in Lethbridge to honour the
accomplishments of this family patriarch
and horseman.
Another of the early horsemen, Angus
MacDonald — the colourful, story-telling
Angus was 87 in 2009 when he died — ran
into Rufus in Calgary.
RUFUS GOODSTRIKER
The late Rufus Goodstriker Sr. was a highly respected Blood Tribe member.
During World War II, the two soldiers
crossed paths, and fists. “Rufus was in
the military the same time I was and we
were both fighters. I used to spar with him,
despite the fact he was a light heavyweight
and I was a welterweight. We sparred a lot
and he was a good boxer, very scientific.
A few years after the war, I was training
horses in Calgary and one day, along came
Rufus. We got to BS’ing about the old
times and before long he asked me to train
some of his horses.”
One of the Goodstriker horses Angus
remembered was More Moolah, a stud
Rufus had purchased in the United States
and brought to the Kainai. Sweep Up,
also a Goodstriker horse, won the vaunted
Raymond Businessmen’s Derby in 1960,
with Herman Eagle Plume aboard. In 1975,
Rufus ran second, and then in 1978 Rufus
brought Whistling Fred to Raymond and
took the Derby again, with Alfred Blood
aboard.
“I didn’t have the money for the good
horses like the big time guys had,” Rufus
said. “I mainly had three-legged horses we
doctored up to run.”
As a boxer Rufus fought 34 times, 12 as an
amateur. His only loss came as an amateur,
to Laurie McLean of Lethbridge, later an
Alberta judge. “Boxing was not a business
for me, it was just a way to pass through the
winter,’” Rufus said with a grin. He also
10
played goal in hockey for St. Mary’s. “I
had never skated before, so they put me in
goal.” Fast hands and sharp eyes kept him
in the game for years.
Rufus was first married to Christina and
they had four children before her death, he
then married Celina, with whom he had six
more children.
Among his none-sporting accomplishments,
Rufus spent 20 years as director of the Cross
Bell Youth Camp and Dude Ranch and
served with many tribal spiritual societies.
Son Leon has completed a DVD about
his father, Sacred Journey, documenting
Rufus’ journey through life, centering on
the Youth Camp.
It is said when Rufus was, in effect, the
truant officer for the early residential
schools, no one ran away on his watch — his
horses were just too fast.
When Rufus retired from sports, he became
a herbalist and a respected healer. He
received several commemorative medals
from the Governor General of Canada and
also served as an RCMP Special Constable.
His stoic features were ideal for Hollywood
and he was a member of the Kainai Council.
Rufus became the first elected head chief of
the Kainai Nation in 1964.
Rufus Goodstriker died June 30, 2003. He
is buried in the Blood Band Cemetery on
the reserve near Standoff, Alberta.
story by Tom Russell
TSINIKSSINI JUNE 2014
KAINAI CADETS PERFORM ITS ANNUAL CEREMONIAL REVIEW
IN FRONT OF DISTINGUISHED GUESTS AND FAMILY MEMBERS
The Kainai Cadets proudly paraded before family and friends at their final meeting. They will resume in the Fall.
The Blood Tribe’s Royal Canadian Cadet
Corp #2384 Kainai celebrated another
successful year as they performed their
annual ceremonial review on June 24,
2014, before several high-ranking cadet
dignitaries and family and relatives. Lt.
Susan Weasel Moccasin was pleased at the
way the cadets have improved during the
year and the review is to showcase what the
cadets have learned.
Blood elder Patrick Black Plume offered
a prayer for all the people while Olivia
Tailfeathers sang O’ Canada. Troy Delaney
and Alex Shade sang the flag song while the
people acknowledged the young warriors.
Weasel Moccasin, in an earlier interview,
said the review is to show the parents and
guests what the cadets can do as part of
their teachings.
“The ceremonial review is to show the
parents what our cadets do. It is a lot of
hard work,” she said. “Even for our platoon
commanders, they have to memorize all
the commands and the practice drills so
that our drills are performed as smooth as
possible.”
This year, Lethbridge City Police Chief
Tom Mackenzie, a 37-year veteran of the
police service and an officer of the Order of
Merit, was named the Ceremonial Review
Officer as he went from cadet to cadet,
inspecting their outfits and offering words
of encouragement and praise.
“It’s my pleasure and honor to be here
tonight to talk to the cadets and to address
the whole community and congratulate you
on the success of being one of the three
All First Nations cadets in Canada,” said
Mackenzie, who is also a member of the
Kainai Headdress Society. “Your role is not
very much different in the early days when
there was camp and everyone had a duty.
When there was a society and everyone had
a role to play. And the protectors were there
to be strong influences in your community.
Each one of you showed a lot of courage to
join to make a difference in working with
your community to take care of each other.”
McKenzie was presented with several gifts
including a mini-traditional headdress.
Ed Lakadis, chairman of the southern
Alberta league, presented Warrant Officer
Jeremy Oka with a service medal for his
dedication to the cadets.
Commanding Officer, Lt. Susan Weasel
Moccasin addressed the people in
attendance:
“I would like to thank you all for coming out
tonight. It’s a really big night for our cadets
as it is our last night of parade,” she said.
“We did have a really successful training
year. I want to thank Tom Mackenzie and
11
the other members here tonight for helping
us celebrate this night.”
Sergeant and OCdt. Jim Bennett of the
Blood Tribe Police, who has been a strong
supporter of the cadets was in attendance,
as well as Dexter Bruised Head, Blood
Tribe Council.
The family members and supporters were
treated to a supper and refreshments.
Following is a list of the cadets who
received awards:
Top Green Star award: LCpl Dalen Big
Swallow
Top Red Star award: LCpl Selena Medicine
Shield
Top Silver Star award: MCpl. Anesia
Young Pine
Top Gold Star award: WO Jeremy Oka
Most Improved: LCpl Tianna Weasel
Moccasin
Dress & Deportment award: LCpl. Kendra
Janvier
Best Attendance award:
Sgt. Marla Medicine Shield
LCpl Marty Bruised Head
Lcpl Dalen Big Swallow
LCpl. Kendra Janvier
LCpl Mackenzie Plain Woman
story by Tom Russell
TSINIKSSINI JUNE 2014
CHILDREN OF ST. MARTHA’S SCHOOL HOST
ANNUAL POWWOW TO PROMOTE CULTURE
The students and staff of the Children of
St. Martha School were host to their annual
community powwow on May 21, 2014,
which promoted the sharing of the many
cultures and values during the month of
May. Christina Fox, FNMI support worker
at Children of St. Martha, was pleased at the
support and enthusiasm from the leaders
and community members who came to the
school to commemorate their annual event
in bringing people together in celebration.
“What a wonderful way to get families and
the community together,” she said. “Our
annual powwow is just another way of
giving our children more opportunities to
our circle of learning.”
With Blood Tribe Chief & Council Liaison
Travis Plaited Hair as the emcee, the
people in attendance were entertained
with laughter and goodwill as well-known
powwow singer Julius Delaney and his
drum group kept the beat for the traditional
Blackfoot dancers from the Blackfoot
Confederacy.
Blood Chief Charles Weasel Head
acknowledged the efforts of Christina Fox
and the children and staff of St. Martha’s
School and the Holy Spirit Catholic School
Division. Chris Smeaton, Superintendent,
thankedthe parents for sending their
children to the schools in the city.
Organizer Christina Fox and dancer.
It was especially memorable for Smeaton
as he was presented with a headdress from
Piikani elder and former chief Peter Strikes
With a Gun. He was also given a Blackfoot
name: Natoo’minni which translates to
Sacred Wings.
“I feel extremely blessed to be provided the
honor of a Blackfoot name. It is one of the
greatest honors that I have received in my
educational career and I am most grateful
to those who have bestowed it upon me.”
Fox, who has promoted the annual cultural
event for many years, said the FNMI
children who attend the schools are made
to feel welcome as future contributing
members of society.
“Our children learn a number of important
life lessons during the event,” she said.
“They are reminded of the importance of
the circle of learning, knowing they can feel
they belong in the schools and community,
that they can set goals and achieve goals
and be responsible in their journey.”
Morris
Many
Fingers,
Deputy
Superintendant, Kainai Board of Education,
presented gifts to Smeaton and other guests.
Other guests in attendance were Blood
councilors Dexter Bruised Head and Al
Black Water, LSD Deputy Superintendant
Brian McCauly, Joan Bartley, Principal Mr.
Kobza, Mrs. Yearous and elders from the
various FNMI First Nations.
Stephanie Brave Rock-Hunt in top form.
Blood Tribe and Lethbridge dignitaries show support.
12
story by Tom Russell
TSINIKSSINI JUNE 2014
MANY BEARS SATISFIES HER LIFE-LONG DREAMS
TO FINALLY SEE THE NEON LIGHTS OF LAS VEGAS
Wilomena Many Bears and husband Delroy Oka pose at Nevada state line.
During our lifetime, we have many
dreams; some we fulfill, while others we
simply let go. For one tribal member who
is facing life’s challenges with dignity and
determination, her dream was to one day
walk under the bright lights of Sin City—
Las Vegas, Nevada. Wilomena Many
Bears, who is hospitalized with a serious
illness, always had aspirations to visit the
place of her dreams. On June 4, 2014, she
finally had the opportunity to satisfy her
life-long desire.
After a series of fund-raising activities
from family, relatives and close friends,
Wilomena and her husband, along with
their driver Jennifer No Runner, packed
their bags and made the trip to Las Vegas.
“I gathered my family together to tell
them the sad news of my illness, and it
was my sister, Debbie Weasel Fat, who
said: ‘We’ve got to get you to Vegas right
away,’” she said. “We were planning to go
with my aunty for the past three years, but
being in-and-out of the hospital, we had to
13
put our trip on hold.”
Weasel Fat, Becky Old Shoes and Candace
Shade were among many others who
organized bingos, raffles and other fundraising functions in their race to raise
enough to keep the dream going. Their
persistence paid off—Wilomena was
heading south.
For a woman who dedicated her life to
raising her family, and who has never
travelled further than Calgary, AB., the trip
was filled with excitement and wonderment.
They, of course, did the tourist thing by
taking pictures at every sign welcoming
them as they entered into a new state. After
a brief night’s stay in Butte, Mont., they
reached their destination and, at long last,
cruised down the Las Vegas strip.
“It was really something,” she said, viewing
the city for the very first time. “We stayed
at the Excaliber and it was really nice. I
really enjoyed it.”
For someone who wanted to see the sights,
she was more concerned with buying gifts
and souvenirs for everyone. They visited
many stores and shops to ensure that others
would share in her excitement. To make the
trip even more memorable, she celebrated
her birthday on June 7, in a place she could
only dream about.
The desire to make a person’s dream come
true is testament to the caring and devotion
of the human spirit the Blackfoot carry
within themselves -- to give freely of one’s
self for the benefit of others. One woman’s
journey to a place she can finally say ‘I
was there,’ completes a lifelong desire to
satisfy one of her goals. Just like her will
to live, she is planning one more trip to Las
Vegas—this time, she wants to bring her
children and grandchildren with her.
Wilomena Many Bears continues to devote
her life to her family and friends. Her loved
ones will be forever grateful she was able
to have at least one of her dreams come
true.
story by Tom Russell
TSINIKSSINI JUNE 2014
OPOKAA’SIN YEAR END FIELD TRIP AND GRADUATION
The 2013 – 2014 School Year was a banner
year for Opokaa’sin Early Intervention
Society. Opokaa’sin successfully operated
a Kindergarten program in partnership
with Kainai Board of Education. The
Kindergarten Teachers are Ms. Arlene Ward
and Ms. Norma Jean Russell. Opokaa’sin
also offers a Day Care program, a Headstart
program for children aged 3 and 4, and
an After School Program for Elementary
School age children that attend school in
Lethbridge.
All of these programs celebrated the end
of the school year with a field trip to Telus
Spark Science Centre in Calgary, Alberta
on June 18th, 2014. This year end activity
was possible due to many fundraising
efforts and volunteer hours by parents and
staff.
On June 20th, 2014 Opokaa’sin also
celebrated a Headstart graduation and a
Kindergarten graduation. The event was
a success with many parents and family
members in attendance to celebrate the
achievements of their children over the past
year. Opokaa’sin Early Intervention Society
continues to excel in providing exceptional
educational and cultural programs for our
children.
The first steps of learning technology.
Graduating class of 2014 pose for group photo.
Child fascinated with display.
Chaperones Doris Sweet Grass, Connie Sweet Grass and Velma Eagle Bear.
14
story by Sarah Sweet Grass
TSINIKSSINI JUNE 2014
15