Calgary Briefs - March

Caption: Elder Vinnia Vanoverdyck (left) stands with Suzanne Dzus, ccordinator for the Memorial March for Missing and Murdered Women.

Annual Valentine’s march honours murdered, missing women

Beating ceremonial drums, singing a traditional west coast women’s warrior song and carrying banners, March organizers led over 100 participants from Scarboro United Church to the corner of 14 Street and 17 Avenue S.W. to honour loved ones that have disappeared or been murdered. The first annual Valentine’s March was held on Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside in 2008 to draw attention to the many Aboriginal women who had been murdered or gone missing. Similar marches now take place throughout the country, a day that focuses on relationships and loved ones. The event began with a traditional prayer and smudging ceremony. Susan Scott, author of All Our Sisters, spoke about invisibility and the wilful blindness of those who choose to disregard the missing women.

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Connect Family and Sexual Abuse Network Established

Fourteen community agencies have come together to provide a single access point for those experiencing domestic and sexual abuse. Connect co-chair Kevin McNichol of HomeFront told the Calgary Herald the 24-hour support line will connect those in unhealthy relationships with appropriate agencies, including health, police and community organizations. The aim of the network is to provide support before situations escalate. Justice Minister Alison Redford and Chief of Police Rick Hanson attended the launch of the network on Valentine’s Day.

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Traditional regalia seized in raid for eagle feathers

Following a two-year undercover investigation, Alberta Fish and Wildlife has charged two members of the Stoney Nakoda Nation with wildlife trafficking. After a raid on her home on Jan. 27, Terry Daniels was charged with two counts of trafficking and one count for the purpose of trafficking. Her brother Harlon Daniels faces one count of possession for the purpose of trafficking. Three other Albertans and a St. Paul business were also charged in an investigation that began when a man approached Terry Daniels at a pow-wow asking to buy eagle feathers. Fish and Wildlife officials seized several items including ceremonial headdresses and pow-wow regalia. “They took everything that had eagle feathers,” Terry Daniels told the Cochrane Eagle. Many of the seized items were sacred and had been passed down through the generations. Alberta Fish and Wildlife spokesman, Darcy Whiteside, said the items will be returned if unrelated to the trafficking charges. Legal possession of eagle parts is allowed, said Whiteside. Selling these parts, however, is illegal and there can also be illegal possession. Finding stray feathers is legal, but plucking a feather from a carcass is deemed illegal. Terry Daniels said the feathers are traded and rarely sold. The accused parties will appear in court on various dates in March in St. Paul, Cochrane and Red Deer. The maximum penalty for wildlife trafficking is a $100,000 fine and two years in jail.

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Negotiations for southwest ring road can be reopened

Tsuu T’ina Chief Sandford Big Plume is open to renewing discussions about construction of the southwest ring road through the Tsuu T’ina reserve. New Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi is attempting to improve relations with the Tsuu T’ina whose band members rejected a proposed deal with the province in 2009. Tsuu T’ina would have given up 400 hectares of land for $275 million and the possibility of an additional 2,000 hectares. Alberta Transportation Minister Luke Ouellette said the province is still considering the Tsuu T’ina First Nation as an option for the ring road.The province is considering five options, all are less than ideal. In one scenario, Lakeview residents would lose hundreds of homes if the road cut through their community. Another option would involve going through the Weaselhead, one of the most highly protected natural areas in the city, encompassing approximately 250 hectares, where the Elbow River meets the Glenmore Reservoir. Recently re-elected for his fifth consecutive term, Big Plume told the Calgary Herald, “This mayor has made a real effort to build bridges and get to work on issues of mutual concern.”

Compiled by Darlene Chrapko