Poaching sting 'a setup', says Crowchild

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Alberta fish and wildlife went out of its way to "set up" Native people in a two-year undercover operation, says the president of the Indian Association of Alberta.

Regena Crowchild says undercover actions are an "abuse of treaty rights and I don't condone it. If they were concerned about illegal activities, they should have consulted with us first. It was a setup which will only cause dissension between Indians and non-Indians."

Crowchild is referring to a two-year provincial sting strategy in which an undercover Alberta fish and wildlife officer was used to infiltrate a poaching operation, which resulted in charges being laid against an IAA vice-president. Percy Potts, nine other people and a numbered Alberta company were charged with poaching Nov. 13. Crowchild says "hunting rights for Natives are not clear enough and dialogue is needed to define what our rights are."

In Alberta it is illegal to buy or sell game meat. Crowchild says she gives Percy the benefit of the doubt" even though the credibility of the IAA may be at stake. "We've received a lot of calls expressing concern."

Potts, who claims he is not guilty, says he is considering charges against the undercover agent. "Clearly there have been some violations by the undercover officer. I'm not worried about my charges because when my case is over, the shit and abuse my people take will continue. That has to be stopped." According to Craig Hockley, head of special operations at Alberta fish and wildlife, during the investigation the undercover officer witnessed the killing of 14 moose, four deer and two elk "but lot more are suspected. These are only the confirmed killings."

Those charged face a total of 65 charges including hunting for the purpose of trafficking wild game and possession of wild game for the purpose of trafficking, says Hockley.

Some of the charges carry penalties of up to $100,000 in fines and / or six months in jail.

Potts along with William Potts, Gilbert Potts, Howard Bruno, Joe Blyan, Joan Therrian, M