Lonefighter sentenced to 16 months

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Family and friends of activist Milton Born With A Tooth called it a moral victory as he was sentenced on weapons charges recently.

The leader of the Peigan Lonefighter Society was handed a 16-month term on five weapons charges related to the group's stand against RCMP at the Oldman River dam in September 1990.

"For us it's been a victory," said his sister Lorna Born With A Tooth, who fought back tears outside the courthouse.

"We've brought the eyes of the world watching what's happening to the Oldman River Dam."

Wearing blue jeans and a sleeveless red T-shirt with an environmental message on the front, Born With A Tooth, 36, showed no emotion as he was led off by court guards after his sentence was passed by Justice Willis O'Leary in Court of Queen's Bench in Fort MacLeod, about 50 km. west of Lethbridge.

A small group of friends and family showed their support and solidarity by extending their rights arms, fists clenched.

The confrontation between the Lonefighters and RCMP erupted when Environment Department crews tried to repair a river diversion dug by the warriors to protest the construction of the dam in southwestern Alberta.

The Peigans have opposed the dam, arguing that the river is part of their spiritual heritage and should be left alone.

During the standoff, Born With A Tooth fired two shots into the air with a hunting rifle and RCMP and environmental crews backed off.

O'Leary sentenced him to four months for possession of a firearm, three months for pointing a firearm, three months each on two counts of obstructing an officer, all to run concurrently. He was also sentenced to one year for using a firearm to commit an indictable offence and handed a 10-year firearm prohibition.

Before being sentenced, Born With A Tooth spoke critically of the Alberta government.

"Why do I have to go to jail when Ralph Klein is the real criminal?" he asked, wearing a Resign Klein button.

"Who administers the policies like the ones that govern the Oldman River dam?"

"The government of Alberta still has a one-sided agenda and that's not just me saying that, that's society," he said. "I wasn't in it to win or lose. I've taken the responsibility and I have to take what comes with it.?

Like his sister, Born With A Tooth believes the fight for Native rights and rights to self-justice are not over.

"For Milton Born With A Tooth I'm going to jail today. I've been used as a scapegoat. Who are they going to use after I'm gone?"

He also felt the whole court process could have been avoided if things had been different Sept. 7, 1990 along the diversion ditch when he pointed a hunting rifle at an RCMP officer.

"They should have sent a couple RCMP officers down to the camp that day, instead they sent an army," he said.