Peigan Lonefighter testifies at appeal

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Peigan Lonefighter Milton Born With A Tooth took the stand in his own defence last week during his appeal on five weapons charges.

Born With A Tooth, 36, testified that he fired a rifle during a standoff with police because he thought he was entitled to a warning shot while protecting his land.

The standoff on Sept. 7, 1990 between the Lonefighters and RCMP took place when crews moved in to halt work on a channel dug by the Peigan to divert southern Alberta's Oldman River.

The Peigan dug the channel as part of a protest of construction of the Oldman dam, arguing it would damage sacred lands on the Peigan Reserve.

The incident began when several Lonefighters went to meet police while Born With A Tooth and Devalon Small Legs talked about what they should do.

Born With A Tooth took a loaded rifle and went to head off police, firing twice in the air. Alberta Environment workers and police ran for cover.

Earlier in the trial., RCMP Sergeant Raymond Gaultier testified Born With A Tooth levelled a rifle directly at him during the altercation. Gaultier said he heard a shot go off, but didn't hear the bullet go by him or see it hit the ground.