Kainai Industries involved: Olympic housing conflict reviewed

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CALGARY - The Department of Indian Affairs (DIA) is once again being criticized by one of its own after a recent "Windspeaker " story disclosed that Kainai Industries, a Blood band construction company, could be forced out of business by a DIA plan to sell Olympic housing to reserves.

Bob Dickson, district manager for southern Alberta, joined former Economic Development Co-ordinator Robert Laboucane's criticism of the DIA plan, saying that Kainai Industries "could find the months following the 1988 Olympic Games very difficult indeed."

Although Dickson said he couldn't go as far as saying the plan would being about the demise of Kainai Industries, as had been reported in other media outlets, he pointed out that the repercussions of the sale of 200 housing units made by Atco, a Calgary based construction company, to Indian reserves could adversely affect the Blood band industry.

However, Dickson disagreed with Laboucane's assertion, published in "Windspeaker" November 28, that DIA was deliberately trying to break Kainai Industries. Instead he placed the blame upon OCO (Olympiques Calgary Olympics.)

"Kainai Industries did not even have the opportunity to bid on the construction contract for the Olympics," he said.

The Blood chief and council met to discuss the issue Monday and in an interview Chief Roy Fox also blamed OCO and Ottawa for the problem.

"We feel let down by the department (DIA) head office, but not with the regional office. But most of all, we feel cheated by the fact that there was no public tender available for the Olympic housing, contract," said Fox.

Fox added that DIA was keeping the band informed of the housing deal and that he and the band had been aware of the DIA plans to sell the Atco units for more than a year.

Fox added that he and the band council are not yet ready to lodge an official complaint with DIA.

"We are watching the situation carefully," he said. "And we are watching the arrangements DIA are putting in place."

Fox also confirmed he had received letters from Lubicon Lake Chief Bernard Ominayak supporting the band and decrying the DIA plan to sell the Olympic housing.

In his letter, dated December 122, a copy of which has been obtained by "Windspeaker," Ominayak says he is "shocked" to find that the department is now "in the business of selling used Atco housing units" to reserves.

He adds he hopes "Indian people buy any such housing they might need from Kainai Industries, and reject the used Atco units for what they are, a modern day version of blankets invested with smallpox virus."

Fox says he appreciated Ominayak's letter and hopes to meet with the chief to thank him personally for his interest in the Blood band.

However, it appears that since the "Windspeaker" story appeared, no new DIA meetings with bands regarding the Atco units have taken place, nor have any units been sold, confirmed DIA co-ordinator Jerry Tighe in an earlier interview.

"A meeting was held September 24 between the department and the Blackfoot, Horse Lake, Sunchild, Sucker Creek, Bigstone and Beaver Lake bands, and although they expressed interest, there was no commitment," said Tighe.

Tighe pointed out that the federal government is committed to assist in the Olympic games and that they are further committed to the purchase of these units.

"But they are not necessarily for sale only to Indian bands in Alberta. The failure to take these units on the part of the bands just means they are going to be offered to other interested parties. For example, the Post Office has expressed an interest and a couple of tribal organizations in Manitoba have contacted us."

Tighe added that the September 6 DIA letter from Dennis Wallace, regional director general, promising transportation costs for the Atco units will also be available for Kainai Industries.

"Any benefits or any offer we give to Atco is also open to Kainai," he added.

Tighe wanted to emphasize that all DIA meetings between bands for discusions on the Atco units are also attended by representatives of Kainai Industries.

"If bands want to meet with Atco representatives, Kainai can also attend and present their package. In fact, we feel that the extra exposure Kainai is receiving will be in fact be beneficial in the long run."

Robert Laboucane is a former department (DIA) employee who was dismissed last year after holding a press conference criticizing the Department. A decision to reinstate Laboucane is expected within the next few weeks.

At press time, no OCO official was available for comment.