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Stoney tribal
administrator ousted
By Joan Black
Sweetgrass Writer
MORLEY
The furor over the exit of the Stoney Nation's tribal administrator
Rick Butler last month seems destined to die down and only a
few will know why he went. Sweetgrass didn't hear one voice raised
to condemn Butler. In fact there were indications from a couple
of sources that he was doing a good job. But he's gone, and will
get $65,000 in severance pay, according to one Stoney councillor,
Greg Twoyoungmen.
Twoyoungmen alleges Butler is merely the latest in a string of
wrongful dismissals that, not counting Butler's, has cost the
Stoney tribe $328,000 plus legal fees since December 1996.
Butler's departure was announced one day after the Sept.16 release
of provincial court Judge John Reilly's report to the minister
of justice and attorney general on the suicide of a 17-year-old
on the Stoney reserve at Morley last year. The 18-page report
hits the Stoney Nation's tribal government for "abuses of
power," gross mismanagement that includes misappropriation
of tribal funds, and blocking of education and economic development
initiatives. The judge blames Indian Affairs as much as the band
council. According to Twoyoungmen, the judge has got it right
and the reason Butler was let go was because he would not support
the corruption.
The Stoney Nation has more than 3,000 members and consists of
three bands, each with its own chief and four councillors. The
Bearspaw band's chief is Darcy Dixon, who according to Twoyoungmen
had no part in getting rid of Butler. Long-time Chief John Snow
Sr., whom Twoyoungmen blames for most of the nation's problems
since the late 1960s, was re-elected in 1996 as leader of the
Wesley band. Chief Paul Chiniquay heads the Chiniki band.
None of the chiefs, the band managers or the other 11 councillors
would talk to Sweetgrass. Likewise the man replacing Butler.
A former chief also did not return our telephone call.
It's widely known that the Stoney Nation has been under third-party
management, imposed by Indian Affairs in September 1997, and
that a subsequent forensic audit resulted in 43 matters being
turned over to the RCMP for investigation. Whether that investigation
is complete or not, like the Butler matter, is a matter of dispute.
The RCMP report the investigation remains ongoing. Twoyoungmen
said that's not true.
On Sept. 27, Butler was tight-lipped about his own situation,
but said "What you read in the paper is true," referring
to his ousting by two of the three Stoney chiefs, Snow and Chiniquay.
Indian Affairs would not address the judge's remarks about the
department, nor would it say whether the infamous Stoney saga
is connected to Butler's departure.
After a week of prodding Indian Affairs' communications department
to be allowed to talk to their staffer working with the Stoney
administration, we got no indication what sparked the controversy
around Butler.
Finally, on Sept. 28, Indian Affairs' senior manager Fred Jobin
responded to our request for information:
"Mr. Butler has a contract. . . . Mr. Butler has been advised
in writing he has not been terminated, so Mr. Butler knows that,
" said Jobin. "In fact, that's also the position of
the Stoney tribe, notwithstanding what you hear." He then
went on to say Butler was taking a holiday and Ian Getty was
"acting tribal administrator."
By Oct. 1, Butler said the terms of his severance were being
worked out and he was job hunting.
Jobin's not Indian Affairs' man in the field anymore - that's
Norm Brennand. But Jobin, now director for Treaty 8, has had
a long association with Stoney and is the senior man.
"I'm still responsible for the file," Jobin said. He
adds he works closely with Brennand, provides direction to the
third party manager, Price Waterhouse Cooper, and handles media
inquiries that have been screened by Indian Affairs' communications
department, "if they're significant." Sweetgrass was
asked to provide our questions to the department in writing.
Judge lays blame
By Joan Black
Sweetgrass Writer
MORLEY
The blame for the suicide of a Stoney Nation youth in 1998
falls squarely on inept and dishonest band leadership that gutted
programs that could have helped him, said a judge who directed
an inquiry into the death.
Sherman Laron Labelle was 17 when he hanged himself on the Morley
reserve May 21,1998.
Judge John Reilly of the Alberta provincial court spared no condemnation
of the federal Department of Indian Affairs either, which he
says "apparently did nothing about the lack of educational
opportunity, the lack of programs for mental health and alcohol
treatment and the abuses of power by [the] tribal government."
Reilly's report last month to the minister of justice and attorney
general calls for the disbanding of the department and a new
system for handling tribal money. The Stoney Nation is currently
under the third-party management of Price Waterhouse Cooper.
The judge examined Labelle's personal and community circumstances
and the circumstances of Aboriginal Canadians generally in assessing
the circumstances of the young man's death. His findings are
echoed by the remarks of the only Stoney member who would respond
to questions from the media, Greg Twoyoungmen.
Game makes Métis history fun to learn
By Debbie Faulkner
Sweetgrass Writer
CALGARY
A Calgary Métis historian and an Idaho artist turned
a Native history-telling tradition into a game for adults and
children.
The new game, called the Métis Winter Count Game, is based
on the tradition of recording significant historical events using
pictographs painted on animal hides.
"[The winter count] is like a time-line," said game
co-creator Geoff Burtonshaw of Calgary, referring to the artistic
history-keeping technique of various First Nations, such as the
Sioux and Blackfoot.
In the Métis Winter Count Game, players try to match symbols
and colors printed on two rabbit hides with the same symbols
and colors printed on a deck of cards.
The game's 64 pictographs span events from the landing of Viking
Leif Ericson on North American shores in 1004 A.D. to the Manitoba
Land Claims in 1998.
Ailene Wright, an artist and part-time horse trainer who lives
with her husband, Jack, near Sand Point, Idaho, designed pictographs
using Burtonshaw's simple drawings.
By being the first to match certain symbols on the rabbit skins
with the six cards in one's hand, a player wins one stone from
every other player. The player who captures all the other players'
stones wins the game. Up to six people can play at one time.
Unlike other games, the purpose of the Métis Winter Count
Game goes beyond fun.
"Geoff wanted an interesting way of talking with people
who were just finding out they were Métis," said
Wright.
For about 15 years, including six years as a volunteer Métis
genealogist at the Glenbow Museum in Calgary, Burtonshaw has
helped people piece together fragments of the Métis heritage
often hidden from them.
"It's often the 45 to 50 year olds who have some old grandma
tell them as she is dying, 'You have Indian blood.' They don't
have a clue about their background. Where do they go?"
If they are lucky, they will find out about Burtonshaw. Wright,
for example, a Canadian-born Métis who has spent most
of her life in the United States, only heard the slur 'half-breed'
before she visited Canada and has since heard a new word: "Metis."
About four years ago, after finding one of Burtonshaw's newsletters,
Neya Powagons in the Calgary Métis office, Wright contacted
the respected Métis genealogist.
Now, thanks to Burtonshaw, she is proud to spread out her own
Métis Pedigree Chart, one that reaches back to the 1700s.
Burtonshaw, originally from the Lake Dauphin and Lake Manitoba
area of Manitoba, is not Métis himself but has married
a Métis woman.
As for his genealogy work, "I've enjoyed every minute of
it," he said. The copyrighted Métis Winter Count
Game is intended to share the fun and knowledge with others.
Each game's burlap bag contains two rabbit skins, a deck of cards,
24 playing stones and a booklet of brief descriptions of the
game's historical events. Each game is still hand-made by Wright
and Burtonshaw.
For more information, please contact Geoff Burtonshaw at the
Glenbow Museum in Calgary.
Métis
bodybuilder competes at championships in Edmonton
By Yvonne Irene Gladue
Sweetgrass Writer
EDMONTON
While most people spent a leisurely Saturday morning sleeping
in, more than 500 people streamed into the Citadel Theatre in
Edmonton on Sept. 25 to watch the 1999 National Canadian Body
Building and Ms. Fitness Championships.
The competition saw 153 athletes competing in 15 categories,
including Heavy Weight - Men; Light Heavy Weight - Men; Middle
Weight - Men; Bantam Weight - Men; Heavy Weight - Women; Light
Weight - Women; Ms. Fitness; Masters - Women; Masters - Men;
Junior Weight - Men; Couples; Unknown Weight Class; Middle Weight
- Women; Light Weight - Men; and Middle Weight - Women.
The crowd that gathered before showtime milled about the 25 or
so booths that displayed nutritional products, sportswear, protein
drinks and supplement bars.
During the competition many of the fans in the audience whistled,
applauded or called out to competitors as they walked the stage
posing and flexing their muscles under bright floodlights. Bright,
neon-colored, barely there, bathing suits helped offset tanned
buffed bodies in front of television cameras, fans and 10 Canadian
Body Building Federation judges.
Among the competitors was 27-year-old Kevin Henry, a Métis
from Saskatoon.
Henry, whose father is Métis and whose mother is Swedish,
grew up in Prince Albert, Sask.
For Henry, body building has been a part of his life since he
was 13 years old. He attributes his success in the sport to his
family.
"When I first got into the sport I got into it for the health
aspect of it. You have to watch what you eat, no fries and gravy,
a lot of chicken and rice," he said. "I enjoy the sport.
It is a way of life. I'm not going to stop any time soon. You
get your ups and your downs, like anything else you try, but
you just have to keep on trying, " he said.
This is his fifth body building competition. Henry, who is a
truck driver, claims that the sport not only put muscle on his
175 lb. frame, it helped boost his self-confidence and helps
him to believe in himself.
"I get people coming up to me in the gym and asking me about
training tips, what weights they should use and what they should
do," said Henry. "I like working out. I like that it
keeps me in shape. I work out five days a week," he said.
Henry, who competed in the middle weight division; placed seventh.
"I know Kevin and he's come a long way," said Saskatchewan
body building president, Adam Dube.
Body builders may come in all shapes and sizes but one thing
that all body builders have in common is their commitment, months
of vigorous exercise and workouts.
"We were pleased to see the quality of the men and women
who entered the competition," said promoter Debbie Huneault.
"It was hard to pick the winners because everyone was in
quality shape," she said.
While the sport of body building has continued to pique the interest
of the public in Alberta, this is the first time in nine years
that western Canada has hosted the championships.
According to Huneault, the sport began to take hold of the public
when more and more people started to attend gyms to work out.
"At first people thought there was no way that they could
look like the people in the body building magazines," said
Huneault. "But now people are finding that after a few years
they are in competitions," she said.
Henry is starting to plan for his next competition which will
take place in Saskatchewan at the provincial finals in March
of next year.
It's how a foster family works
By Marie Burke
Sweetgrass Writer
EDMONTON
Pat and Ted Dellaire are foster parents, but the Dellaires
really believe they are just a part of an extended family and
are providing care for children that find themselves needing
care at this time in their lives.
"We are all related as Native people. We never identify
the kids as foster kids because it has such a negative connotation
to it. Within the circle, we are all the same," said Ted.
The Dellaires speak openly about their experiences with social
services and about the families of the young people in their
home. It all started in 1990. A comfortable northeast home in
Edmonton is where the Dellaire family lives and enjoys spending
time with their extended family.
Ted and Pat take a team approach to parenting, which comes across
when they speak about raising children. They continue to learn
about parenting skills which gives them a different perspective
and that makes it work for their family.
"Ted is the head of the house and I'm the heart of the house.
We have very clear roles," said Pat.
They attribute their success as foster parents to many factors,
like good training supports, an excellent working relationship
with Alberta Social Services, and, most importantly, a good relationship
with the Native community.
"As a Native family, we are very different. Everything we
are involved in in the Native community, the kids are involved
in too," said Ted.
The family takes part in ceremonies like the sweatlodge, round
dances and feasts. Most of those ceremonies will take place in
the home community of the child. And the Dellaires take pride
in being part of each child's family, said Pat.
"We have extended family that supports us too. We have a
Kookum who comes in to help out and teaches the kids some of
the things we need help with. She will come over if we need someone
to be here with the boys. She makes bannock for them and spends
time with them," said Pat.
The Dellaires talk about the standards that are set up by the
province that they need to follow as foster parents. Those standards
do not pose a problem for their family, because Ted and Pat have
relied on similar standards that are found in the Native community.
Ted points to the values behind the standards and the values
of a Native community as the reason for their success as foster
parents - values like kindness, sharing and respect for one another.
"We don't let long-term planning get in the way and we let
the present take care of itself," said Ted, as an example
of what the Dellaires' priorities are.
That doesn't mean there are no rules that need to be followed
in their home, but it's more about keeping those rules simple
enough for the children to be who they are, said Ted. Two of
the most important rules are to be home for supper because it
is considered a time for togetherness and to abide by a curfew
to ensure safety.
There is a lack of Native foster parents and the Dellaires believe
that might be because most Native people are afraid of being
scrutinized by social services, but Ted believes that fear comes
from the history most Native people have had with government
agencies.
"We live and work in our community and we are just like
everyone else. It is very rewarding to see a child become an
adult and take their rightful place in their community,"
said Ted, adding that most of the young people who have lived
with them rarely lose touch with the Dellaires.
"Foster parents should be honored and recognized. You have
a way to see and measure your success," said Ted.
Ted and Pat encourage Native people who are interested in becoming
foster parents to call the recruitment office for more information.
"Until we have enough Native people to care for the kids
then it is our responsibility to teach the non-Native people
about our culture," said Ted. He believes keeping the connection
to Native culture and people makes all the difference to the
young people needing a home where they can feel safe.
The Edmonton District Foster Family Association has more information
for those people who are interested in becoming foster parents.
They can be reached at (780) 496-3546.
Janette Fawcett-Weir is the program director in charge of community
awareness. She is more than happy to speak to anyone who wants
to know details about the application process.
National Foster Parent Week is Oct. 17 to 23.
 Hello again folks - I'm back!
Oki.
Gee, long time no hear from me. You probably thought I disappeared
again. Well, I did. I was in the big land of bingo. My focus
was on Radio Bingo. I missed you people, talking with all of
you. I was looking outside today and it's snowing. I cannot believe
it's snowing already. It saddens me because summer is gone. Gonegonegone.
I have to tell you a bit about my summer.
This year I did not attend too many powwows. In August, I went
to my own rez's powwow, Siksika fair. I haven't gone to that
powwow for years. I was too busy to really visit with my family
or my friends because I was visiting with some of my other friends
on the powwow circuit, which I haven't seen or heard from for
a long time.
I do have a story and I have to apologize to these guys for not
telling the world about their accomplishment. These guys are
from my rez and they are from the world of baseball - Men's fastball.
They had the good fortune of winning the Canadian Men's Fastball
Championship in early August. Yep, the Siksika Rebels will be
hosting next year's event in Calgary. This tournament was held
in Vancouver, and they beat out the best of the Canadian Indian
Country. Congratulations! I really did mean to write this story
and I didn't forget about you on my holiday.
I headed east on my holidays. First stop was Crooked Lake Agency
Powwow in southern Saskatchewan. My oh my, what a hoot! People
are so friendly down there in the south. I say this because my
friend Faye and I were going to Yorkton and the van we used started
to act up. Of course, both of us has no knowledge of vehicles
except about how to drive them. It finally died on us. We were
stranded! We had a total of five vehicles stop and try to help
us. Can you believe one of them was Faye's daughter and husband?
He knew what was wrong and fixed it.
It turned out to be a coincidental weekend for me. I was watching
the powwow and these ladies sat beside me and we eventually started
talking. Chee, here they are from my rez! Wah, out of the whole
space in the powwow they sit beside me.
I went to the city with my name. I had a different view of Winnipeg
before I went. But I loved it. The city, the people and the feel.
You never know, if I disappear again, you know where I'd be.
I went for a reason and it was the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs
Powwow. There's something I saw that I want share. They hosted
a men's grass dance special. A family picked four dancers that
they liked. These four men danced three songs and you know what
they did? They made the crowd choose the winner! I thought that
was brilliant! Hey, you families out there who are in the process
of having specials.
Terrying About -
Journalist honored by his people
By Terry Lusty
Tansi!
Well, after a busy summer, I had a nice little holiday in case
you didn't notice. Anyway, I'm back and raring to go. So let's
get it on, eh?
First off, I'd like to extend congratulations to that ever-so-great
artist, humorist and writer, Everett Soop, a Blood Indian who
labored long and lovingly with Kainai News, The Native People
and Windspeaker. Alva Weasel Moccasin informed me that the Kainai
Band paid tribute to this fine gentleman on Sept. 23 at Gladstone
Hall for his lifetime of achievements.
Chief Chris Shade honored him with a plaque and Elder Harold
Healey presented him with an eagle feather headdress. The proper
transfer of the headdress is planned for the near future, I am
told.
The evening consisted of a banquet with historian Hugh Dempsey
as guest speaker and about 200 people making up the crowd, which
included Gary Allison from the Lethbridge Herald, artist Joane
Cardinal-Schubert, longtime friend Jan Jessop, Sandy Greer from
Two Wheels Productions, Oliver Cardinal from the Canadian Paraplegic
Association, and numerous family members and friends. There was
a round dance and, appropriately so, an Honor Song for Soop.
Wish I could have been there but I was locked into a four-day
justice conference in Edmonton. I can imagine the superb time
everyone had.
Actually, there are a few more congrats in order.
Lawyer Tony Mandamin is closing shop at Enoch as he prepares
to take on a new job as a judge further south at Tsuu T'ina.
Fine choice. They had an emotional tribute for him at the friendship
centre in Edmonton where he devoted a lot of his time and effort
over the years.
At Hobbema, Willie Littlechild now proudly wears a little white
floral lapel pin - the symbol of his recent induction, as with
so many other great Canadians, into the ranks of the Order of
Canada. Way ta go Willie.
A great big Happy Birthday to the Sagitawa Friendship Centre
in Peace River - now the grand age of 35 and counting. Yeah!
They partied all weekend from Sept. 24 to 26 with a barbecue,
talent show (won by the Nils Band), pancake breakfast, fun golf
and bingo on the sly, a traditional feast, a mini powwow featuring
the Hawk Valley Dancers and joined by the Cadotte Lake and Dawson
Creek dancers, a country dance, and a round dance with Stan Isidore
sharing stories and drumming. Needless to say, that proverbial
good time was had by all, said friendship centre director Dixie
Kohut.
Sylvia Johnson is the new president for Zone 5 of the Métis
Nation and says communications will be one of her definite priorities.
She worked for five years as the zone office director and is
now serving her very first term as a politician. She's good people
and will likely make good things happen up Peace River way, as
well as Valleyview, Grand Prairie and High Level where she hopes
to get some meetings going soon.
Good thing I didn't hold my breath. I really was wishing Brent
Dodginghorse from Tsuu T'ina Reserve and our Métis friend
Rocky Thompson would make the Calgary Flames team this season
after being drafted by the team last spring. Both were recently
sent down to the minors in St. John's, Nfld. So, guess who's
on a fish diet now, instead of moose? Hey, hope they send you
back to Calgary soon Brent and Rocky.
Just a few quick items from Edmonton:
· Sacred Heart Church will be the scene sometime in early
November of a country and gospel music jamboree spearheaded by
that veteran singer/guitarist Ernie Gambler.
· Looks like the public and the Catholic school boards
are marrying for the sake of establishing a joint Native high
school in Edmonton.
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Published October 11, 1999