Residents continue work towards healing

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It's been almost a year since a community relations group was formed in the neighboring towns of Pincher Creek and Brocket in southwestern Alberta to combat racial tensions.

The groups wants to bridge a gap that was intensified when two Native men were charged in the beating death of an elderly non-Native Pincher Creek resident. The two communities are gaining a better understanding of each others' concerns.

In a move that is seen as a positive one, the last two meetings of the group were held on the Peigan First Nation. The previous meetings were held in Pincher Creek and, while Native people were represented, those in attendance seemed to be limited to residents of Pincher Creek.

But it might not be enough to hold joint meetings, said Roberta Yellowhorn, member of the Peigan Nation.

"We need to express the truth," said Yellowhorn at the last meeting, held on Jan. 14. "Some Natives feel more comfortable talking only to Natives."

There have already been many concerns raised by the Native people in the mixed meetings, in particular, at the first meeting held in Brocket, which was emotionally charged at some points.

Allegations of unfair practice were levied against the RCMP detachment in Pincher Creek and Brocket. Allegations were made that the the RCMP held back when Native people were being beaten by non-Natives, but were involved when non-Natives were being victimized, and that calls from the Peigan reserve saw the Pincher Creek detachment respond in an unusually long period of time. In one instance a Native man was thrown in jail simply because he had liquor on his breath.

Pincher Creek detachment commanding officer, Sgt. Gary Mills, responding by saying the concerns were never brought to the detachment as official complaints.

Peigan Nation members also referred to the "one way road" that saw their money travel west to Pincher Creek, but their contributions were not translated into employment or even respect.

With her voice breaking in anger and indignation, Wanda Plain Eagle told the group of her experience of being turned down for a rental property in Pincher Creek and being called a "dirty Indian" over the telephone. For Plain Eagle, the answer was to take her business and money 20 minutes further down the road to nearby Fort Macleod.

While exchanges between the two races are getting more honest, discussion has to be balanced by action, said Peigan Nation member Edward Baptiste.

Susan Nelson, who was hired in October as liaison for the community relations group, acknowledged that the general meetings were probably more of a forum for people to express their hurt and anger. Action steps will have to be discussed in workshop settings, she said.

People have been referred to a healing circle which already exists in Pincher Creek. And that's an important step, said Baptiste.

"You need to heal yourself before you can heal as a community," he said.

But to heal as a community it is important that some representatives from the band council be present, said some members of the Peigan Nation.

"The Peigan council has been invited," confirmed Ken Williams, for the coordinating committee of the community relations group. "I don't know why they're not coming."

To date, the Peigan council has yet to send representation. Pincher Creek has been represented, usually by the Mayor.

Nelson spoke to the Peigan band council during January in hopes of gaining endorsment of the efforts being made by the group.

The next step for the community relations group will be to hold separate meetings in Pincher Creek and Brocket. Representatives from each group are to bring concerns and possible solutions to the table in a joint meeting.

"What they don't understand, they fear. What they fear, it turns to hatred. Pincher Creek and Brocket have got to work together before it turns to hate," said one young participant.