TSINIKSSINI 2006
2018
Published by Blood Tribe Administration
COMMUNICATIONS Department
The Blood Tribe Administration Review entitled ‘TSINIKSSINI’ is dedicated to the sharing of information for the people of the Blood Tribe. The magazine format features news, stories, articles and an array of items as our way of sharing what is occurring on the Blood reserve and beyond. We hope you enjoy your magazine and invite any suggestions you may have in improving our coverage on any number of events and activities. The magazine will be printed on a monthly basis and will be distributed to various locations on-and-off the reserve. The magazine is free of charge. The magazine is published by the Blood Tribe Communications department.The collection of information, photographs and layout of the magazine is from the Blood Tribe Communications department. Reproduction of any story or use of photographs must be requested in writing and addressed to the Blood Tribe Communications department. Any unauthorized use of stories and photos of TSINIKSSINI or from the Blood Tribe Communications department may infringe on tribal copyright laws. We would like to acknowledge the Blood Tribe Chief & Council and the people of the Blood Tribe for your support. Rick Tailfeathers: Communications Director Tom Russell: Communications Writer Myron Fox: Layout Graphic Design Tracy Weasel Fat Photos/Stories Brent Scout Photos/Stories Mariah Blood Photos/Stories
Mar/April 2018
in this issue There is a killer among us; a deadly force manifesting itself in many forms as it leaves in its wake sadness, despair and a legacy of lives lost and destroyed. This killer comes in the form of Opiods, a deadly drug wreaking havoc in many rural and urban communities, in towns, cities and even in the wide-open plains we call home. Even though this killer drug was introduced to our people in an almost silent fashion, we are fortunate there were people here who were diligent enough to identify this deadly drug and to begin the process of gathering as many organizations and concerned individuals in an effort to reduce or minimize further chaos. Our doctors and medical and health technicians, police services and law enforcement agencies, frontline workers, emergency medical technicians, public works department, communications teams, concerned individuals and our leadership are all joining together, along with outside groups and agencies, to defeat this on-going battle. This is not to say that our people in each community can not be of assistance – you must, as with each and every one of us – do your part in helping in any way possible to defeat this battle against these drugs. Let the police know who the dealers are; pick up naloxone kits to help save lives, encourage those addicted to seek help. Together we can make a difference. Let us choose life over death. This season was harsh and tough for many people both on and off our land. The unusually cold weather and the blowing snow created havoc for our students, workers and people in general. We are very fortunate to have, among us, an extremely dedicated group of employees who, at times, work around the clock in ensuring our safety. The management and staff of the Public Works department are among those who do their best to provide the tribe with a safety net where saving lives and ensuring the medical, education, employment and general needs are met to the best of their abilities. In this issue, we feature profiles on community members who are a part of the fabric of life and our departments who are trying their utmost to instill positive changes in how we, as employees, accomplish daily tasks and duties and to create and establish efforts in serving the best interests of our tribe. We hope you enjoy your magazine and if you have any story ideas, you can send them to our new and streamlined e-mail account: news@bloodtribe.org. ‘Til next time… cover photo
Published by the authority of Blood Tribe Chief & Council Box 60 Standoff, AB T0L 1Y0 ph: (403) 737-3753 FAX: (403) 737-2785 visit our website for more... www.bloodtribe.org
A candle, burning despite the cold of a bitter winter breeze, is a symbol of hope for our people, for those suffering from addictions, and from those affected by overdoses and, sadly, death. Despite the burns from melting wax, this person was determined to keep the flame going, to keep that fire of hope strong as we work together to walk away from the deadly drugs that causing so much anguish and turmoil. FRONT PAGE PHOTO: Mariah Blood 2
TSINIKSSINI Mar/April 2018
BLOOD TRIBE TAKING NEW DIRECTION New Strategies Being Developed
Under the leadership of Makiinima (Chief Roy Fox) and Council, the Blood Tribe entities, departments and agencies have launched a new initiative to streamline tribal operations to save money and generate new revenues to better meet the needs of tribal members. This is being done in consultation with Indigena Capital, an advisory group working with Indigenous nations across Canada and the U.S. In recent months, the Blood Tribe leaders and administrators have been busy working toward a strategic plan that will save dollars for the tribe and generate more revenue and better meet the needs of the community. At the launch of this initiative, Chief Makiinima made these introductory remarks: “We agreed to redevelop our strategic and financial plans by having all our departments and entities provide us with results of their work over the past year including the financial and human resources that were involved.” And he continues, “We want to ensure that our annual plans are realistic and yet challenge all of us to provide successful and profitable results for those that rely on us.” The direction the Chief & Council want to take is a comprehensive plan that includes all the Tribal entities and departments revisiting their spending practices and developing a procurement system where purchases can be made with fewer suppliers and in many cases wholesale suppliers for all goods and services. This type of procurement has been adopted by many corporate groups as well as Federal and Provincial Governments and in most cases saves thousands of dollars for them. Procurement is a great beginning. There are other areas where money could be saved as well such as reducing the GST wherever possible and enhancing the benefits that the tribe may be eligible for.
Chief Roy Fox is looking out for the best interests of the Kainai in establishing a comprehensive plan in mobilizing progress.
The Chief and Council, in consultation with Indigena Capital, will look at all avenues in reducing the costs of essential goods and services to the Blood Tribe. Over a period of time, the savings will begin to add up and Tribal funds will be more efficiently spent, something all tribal members could benefit from. The comprehensive strategic plan will also seek initiatives that will generate new revenues through enhanced economic development opportunities such as wind generation projects, agri-business and enhanced small business. Other economic opportunities generated could include tourism, a mega industry yet untapped by the tribe. Essentially, the tribe’s strategy will seek more efficient spending of tribal dollars and maximizing resources to gain greater revenues through creation of new business. A previous leakage study indicated there was approximately $215 million leaving the reserve in goods and services costs, to nearby communities of Calgary, Lethbridge, Cardston and Fort Macleod. It is the goal of the Chief & Council and entities and departments to try and capture these leakages and retain some of those dollars being spent in these communities. The Blood Tribe contributes greatly to the economy of Southern Alberta.
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John Jurrius, Indigena Capital, are prepared to lend their expertise and advice in furthering the goals of the tribe. Story by Rick Tailfeathers
TSINIKSSINI Mar/April 2018
NITSITAPI REZILIENCY CONFERENCE BRINGS HOPE TO THE MANY PEOPLE AFFECTED BY OPIOD CRISIS The Nitsitapi Reziliency Conference from March 5-9, 2018 in Lethbridge and at Kainai gave the people an insight into the ongoing battle to defeat and overcome the deadly opiod crisis through a concerted effort from many service providers and concerned individuals. The five-day conference featured a combined promotion of thoughts, ideas and stories related to when this crisis came upon us and of how the tribe reacted and the solutions it is seeking in trying to overcome this crisis. On March 5th and 6th, it was the youth who organized in Lethbridge with well-known media specialist and filmmaker Cowboy Smithx and his technicians who had them perform a series of art interpretations reflecting their personal and communal struggles on a number of topics related to dysfunction – and of how to respond and react to them. Smithx was pleased at the involvement the youth displayed through their interactions with each other in sharing their messages with the people.
not being measured, not being constricted, not being diminished by what happens to you.” Mate’s lecture brought forth the notion of trauma. “The essence of trauma is losing connection. Trauma is not the terrible things that happen to you, it is what happens inside you. And what happens inside you, when you’re traumatized, is that you lose that connection to yourself. That can happen on the individual, cultural and spiritual level, and so when I talk about resilience, I’m talking about, not just survival, but the commitment to stay true to your culture and who you are.” He added: “Addiction is any behavior a person finds temporary pleasure or relief, and therefore craves in the short term, but suffers negative consequences in the long term. Addiction is an attempt to solve the problem. The prevention of addiction does not begin by telling people they are so bad, it begins by giving children a reason to live, to give children a life.” During the conference, the youth who attended the first two days had the opportunity to showcase their contributions and plans to the people. Cowboy Smithx shared a video from the youth perspective; Shayla Stonechild did a yoga and video presentation on addictions and Blaire Russell shared his photography skills with the students’ participation; Trevor Solway and Tonia Plain Eagle shared a short film and Billy Wadsworth contributed a traditional and musical performance of which involved student participation.
Noted filmmaker Cowboy Smithx brought the minds and creativity of the youth for two days to share their ideas and vision of how they perceived themselves in today’s society.
“We’re survivors of genocide, smallpox, the residential school, we just have to change our mindset from a fragile mindset that is very colonial influenced to valuing Nitsitapi,” he explained. “We’re all human beings, we have flaws, we’re not invincible, but at the same time, with the right mindset we can overcome anything and I believe that’s the message the young people delivered to the community.” During the conference, the audience listened to the thought-provoking insights into human behavior from specialist Gabor Mate` who is internationally known for his work on the mind/body unity in health and illness, on attention deficit disorder and other childhood developmental issues, and his breakthrough analysis of addiction as a psycho-physiological response to childhood trauma and emotional loss. “This conference is about resilience; so what is resilience?” he said. “If you think of a piece of rubber that you compress, and it becomes smaller than it was, and when you let it go and it comes back to its original size, that’s resilience. Resilience is 4
TSINIKSSINI Mar/April 2018
NITSITAPI REZILIENCY CONFERENCE On Thursday, March 7, after a presentation by Dr. Mate, he interviewed six-time Olympic medalist Clara Hughes who shared her trials understanding who she was growing up. “I’m here to learn with you. It makes sense the way you explain it. I need to get better, to heal,” she said after hearing Mate’s talk. “I’m trying to fill an insatiable ideal I’m trying to fulfill that is impossible because, what I’m trying to get is my dad. I was trying to get what I could never have and I thought that by winning I was going to be better: No.” Hughes spent her life trying to get love and attention from her father – it was fruitless. Dr. Nicole Sharren lectured on the brain and Annette Bruised Head, deputy superintendent, KBE, shared information related to a trauma informed community. Elder Wilton Goodstriker spoke of traditional and cultural values while Patsy English, Wendy English and Florence Weasel Bear spoke of issues they face in Piikani. Councilor Eldon Weasel Child shared information from Siksika and Blackfeet tribal member Cinda BurdMienke spoke of a program entitled Silent Warriors that was created to support individuals or families suffering from the effects of drug and alcohol abuse and the problems that come with it. Their main goal is to “Give help where help is needed.” Sometimes people just need someone to talk to or help with saving your family. Another objective of Silent Warriors is to inform community members of resources and events in the community that will help the addict or families of the addict. Their mission is to bring hope back to the Blackfeet people with prayers and public service.
Cinda Burd-Mienke, Blackfeet, pictured here with her very supportive mother and sister, shared her presentation as a way of bringing hope to all people.
The Reziliency Conference concluded with the gathered information to be compiled and shared with the community members.
Dr. Gabor Mate’s experience and life’s work offered thought-provoking answers in helping the people in attendance see addictions and trauma in a different light.
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Story by Tom Russell
TSINIKSSINI Mar/April 2018
SAFE CONSUMPTION SITE OPENS ITS DOORS
TO OFFER SAFE PLACE FOR THOSE ADDICTED A safe consumption site recently opened near the Blood Tribe Department of Health building where users and those addicted can go there to consume their drugs in a safe environment. In a previous interview, Kevin Cowen, CEO, BTDH, talked about the site and of how long it would remain in Stand Off. “It is a licensed site, so it’s supported by the federal government and the province,” he said. “It’s (here) on a trial. We’ve got it for a month, so we really encourage those who are going to use it in Stand Off that they utilize this site.” Cowen said the safe consumption site was meant to save lives. “We just need to let you know too that 29 of 30 overdoses occurred in Stand Off,” he commented on the alarming number of at risk habits. “We’ll evaluate it after two weeks and then after the month, if it stays longer, fine, we just don’t know yet. If no one comes in and utilizes it at all, I know a lot of good work is being done in other ways, the naloxone kits getting out, the physicians, police, EMS and all the staff,
but it is a trial. I just want to emphasize that it’s a trial, it could be something more enduring, it could last because we know people are going to use. We want people to do a safe thing, we want to save lives.” The NDP government is providing $200,000 for ARCHES in Lethbridge to operate the Stand-Off site. The services will be available from 2:00 pm to 10:00 pm daily. People can go to the site in StandOff to use their own substances under the medical supervision of staff who will intervene if they witness an overdose. The government is working closely with the Kainai First Nation to provide additional emergency services for people in Stand-Off and the surrounding communities.
The NDP government is also providing $200,000 for ARCHES to operate the Stand-Off site. ARCHES is a volunteerbased not-for-profit organization that provides leadership in building individual and community capacity to respond and reduces the harm associated with HIV and Hepatitis C in South-Western Alberta.
The trailer was previously used as the temporary supervised consumption site in Calgary. It’s equipped with four drugconsumption booths and can accommodate seven people at one time. Meanwhile, opioid dependency treatment is available at the Cardston AHS clinic. There are 118 patients receiving treatment at this clinic, with new patients being added weekly. 6
Story by Tom Russell
TSINIKSSINI Mar/April 2018
BLACKFOOT CONFEDERACY MEET IN BROWNING TO CONTINUE STRATEGIC PLANNING AND GOALS
The Blackfoot Confederacy technicians join their talent and experience in strengthening efforts to reaffirm and maintain unity.
The leaders, technicians, senior management, elders and community members who attended the Blackfoot Confederacy’s strategic planning session on March 15-16, 2018 in Browning, Mont., all contributed to a number of key issues pertaining to the development and progress of the eventual structure and direction each of the four Confederacy tribes are working toward. Jack Royal, CEO, Blackfoot Confederacy Tribal Council, said the working group is extremely busy in the planning stages toward a completed structure. “I seen a lot of commitment, passion and power of the people’s input these past two days and I was really impressed,” he shared. “We are going to use all the information and ideas generated and present them to the chiefs, councils and use it to continue to guide us. The people are telling us ‘this is what we think, these are our priorities, these are our thoughts on how we should continue to move as a collective’. Right now, our focus is to continue to build our foundation so that we can’t get rocked on anything we take on as we move forward.” During the two-day meeting, the people in attendance were separated into groups and
were presented with a series of questions designed to collect their feedback, thoughts and ideas. The information gathered will be used to enhance past discussions from the technical group including topics on Social, Land, Health, Housing, Economic Development, Culture, Language, Political, Legal, Communications and other related issues in a broader move toward establishing a First Nations services organization, a technical services advisory group, with the focus on the Blackfoot Confederacy.
The facilitator was Juanita Cole-Crasco, Blackfeet/Fort Belknap, who will also assist in compiling the two-day strategic master plan information. Blackfoot elders Wilton Goodstriker and Jim Swag opened each day with a prayer and each of the four confederacy chiefs welcomed the people in attendance. The Piikani Nation will host the Blackfoot Confederacy annual meeting in Red Deer in September.
There are three positions currently filled on the Blackfoot Confederacy Tribal Council including the hiring of Genevieve Fox, Education Coordinator, Arnold Jerry, Housing Coordinator, and Jack Royal, CEO. There are other positions that will eventually be occupied once they are posted within each confederacy nation. Blackfeet technician James McNeely shared his thoughts on the meeting. “The elders wanted us to move forward, to get our ideas together to bring forth this plan of where we want to be,” he said. “All this information gathered will be shared with the people.” 7
Kainai elder Wilton Goodstriker. Story by Tom Russell
TSINIKSSINI Mar/April 2018
DOCTOR TAILFEATHERS SHARES EMOTION AND FEELINGS LOOKING INTO OUR FUTURE WITH HOPE AND RESILIENCY On day two of our Niistitapi Reziliency Conference, my friend Tom asked me earlier today: “What are your feelings on what is happening here today”. Talking about feelings on what has happened and is happening to our Niistitapi people, I, being part of this, is a lot harder than I thought. It’s easier to talk about my thoughts than my feelings. Thoughts are based on learning from the western teachings on addictions and strategies for addressing addictions, evidence-based practice that says that harm reduction saves lives. Reducing the biggest barrier, stigma and people’s beliefs becomes the greatest challenge of our predicament. My feelings, last week were of total horror that we were being struck again by an incredible wave of chaos during a blizzard. My reactions to the reports from my colleagues in the ER, the paramedics and EMTs in the field, the police who responded to the weekend of overdoses to a more lethal drug than the fentanyl that we were prepared for, was utter and instant fear. In the days that followed, there were meeting after meeting and lots of voices and lots of discussions on what to do. I listened to familiar community voices, to voices from Alberta Health Services and Health Canada and to those voices of friends in the addictions fields. They reflected the urgency, the disbelief and the immediate necessity that we work together to address this crisis once more. I felt a grounding in the voices, the ideas from the broad number of individuals from every walk of life. We are not alone, this burden is not to be carried by a few people this time and it has spread to the outside nonIndigenous people. We are all not alone and it is a comfort to see the numbers of people rising to help. I feel pride after attending the first meeting that Chief & Council called to listen to all entities. I feel that our leadership is
taking an active part of this and that they will support the movement forward in an organized and timely manner, showing their support in the announcement of the state of emergency and then committing $750,000.00 from tribal sources to start this action. I feel hope after watching and listening to the creative and authentic voice of our youth, who worked diligently over the first two days to create and give their voice to the adults in Music, Dance, Film, Podcasts, and Art performances. These voices of our youth were strong and meaningful and gave us direction. Their work made my chest rise followed by tears and laughter. I felt extreme pride in Cowboy Smithx and the whole group of young facilitators who did a magnificent job in two days. The work of Gabor Mate in listening and answering to what our youth were bringing to us to support and assist with was grounding. To hear about the centuries of colonial policy and the incessant trauma, war, starvation, smallpox, residential school, prison and justice systems, child welfare -- all forms of assault on our communities, and yet, here we are, alive and growing, being resilient in the face of utter despair. We understand this but when a trauma expert explains and we understand, it is pure relief, it’s like searching for how does the word trauma come to do the damage it does to each of us and as a collective. It gives me hope that we can turn the force toward self-destruction and we can do this with our own ways of healing, in our own way, is a very engaging and loving way. I was brought to tears by the surprise visit of Clara Hughes, one of Canada’s most decorated Olympic champions who came to participate and was brought in by Tyler White from Siksika. First so honored to meet this amazing woman. Even more touched by her story of trying to be ‘enough’ for her father with an addiction. She pushed herself through a vigorous training schedule, almost impossible first in 8
Dr. Esther Tailfeathers.
speed skating then in cycling. She pushed herself through major injuries such as three fractured vertebrae and did races through pain like that, because she was so driven to win, to bring the win to her father who she dreamed would acknowledge her Olympic Medals and be proud. It wasn’t to happen, and even with those medals in her hands she felt empty when alone. That brought tears, because believe it or not, I suffer the same. Whatever I do is not enough and if I am not working towards solutions or working, then I am not enough. I suddenly got it and I had tears. Truly, the most wonderful day of sharing between tribes within our confederacy was touching. Our songs are healing; I felt that today. Three songs filled the room of people who witnessed the power of song, as if hearing the voice of our ancestors, telling us to keep going and honor our past and the strength of ancestors. The shared tears, laughs, hugs, space and recognition that we have all these ‘feelings’ and being human beings and allowed to be imperfect human beings with addictions, that those that suffer are taken into the arms and given warmth and hope in the arms of our people. This was truly the strength we have as a collective. What started out as a feeling of doom and great impending disaster had become a memory replaced by a true sense of hope and resiliency, by just being amongst the strength of my people, the Niitstitapi. My chest if full of hope and pride with the knowledge that we will find a way and it will be a shared burden.
Story by Tom Russell
TSINIKSSINI Mar/April 2018
CONCERNED COMMUNITY MEMBER DAY CHIEF ORGANIZES MEETING TO HELP FIND SOLUTIONS
Host Mike Day Chief, pictured here with Law Enforcement personnel, took his concerns to the community in seeking positive change for our people.
With the opiod crisis in our midst, there are many community members who are taking their concerns one step further from merely observing the deadly ravages of the drug abuses from the comfort of their own homes to becoming much more actively involved in helping those addicted overcome these struggles. Mike Day Chief, a former board member of the Department of Health, and his wife Chrystal, BTDH, decided to bring together a group of technicians, doctors, law enforcement agencies, frontline workers and community members to share what they are doing in the hope of establishing greater awareness in preventing more deaths, overdoses and dysfunction. “This epidemic is nation-wide,” began Day Chief. “It was quite a task to get all the caregivers and others here today and I thank you. We need an aftercare treatment centre for those addicted and we want to move forward together on this issue.” After an opening prayer from elder Sandra Singer-Day Chief, and welcoming comments from councilors Martin Heavy Head and Floyd Big Head, Day Chief called upon Travis Plaited Hair, Executive Director, Sik-Ooh-Kotoki Friendship Center, to share his thoughts and comments on the opiod crisis. “I heard this saying: ‘We’re the descendants of our strongest people’,” he began. “When the smallpox epidemic hit us, we lost
thousands of our people. To me, those who walked away from the sickness had what it took to survive; those same people are our ancestors. We can’t leave anyone out, there’s hope for everyone.”
a community, we need to join forces with the police and help out in any way possible to stop these drugs in our communities. We need to report who these drug dealers are to the police. We all need to be proactive.”
Lois Frank, Gladue Writer, Educator, said we all need to start talking the truth.
The Emergency Medical Technicians, Dr. Tailfeathers, Dr. Sue Christensen, Gayle Chase and several outside harm reduction agencies, including concerned community members all spoke of their involvement and intent to save lives.
“We don’t have the luxury of time. A lot of our people are dehumanized in prison,” she shared of her work in the justice system. “We live in a society where women were honored in our traditions, and that stopped. And now, with the murdered and missing women inquiry, the 1200-1500 women that have been murdered and missing, if that was murdered and missing in Canada, people would do something; but because they are Indigenous, it’s not given the importance it should. We’ve become so colonized. We need to take care of all the people in our communities.” Day Chief spoke on behalf of the law enforcement agencies and departments who all shared common goals of reducing the illegal and deadly drugs filtering into our communities. “It’s really great to have these law enforcement agencies who came here today, now it’s up to our community to work together,” he said. “I want to thank the Lethbridge, Fort Macleod, Cardston and Blood Tribe Police Services for being here tonight to share their concerns with us. As 9
Educator and Professor Lois Frank
Story by Tom Russell
TSINIKSSINI Mar/April 2018
PRAIRIE CHICKEN BRINGS TECHNICIANS TOGETHER SEEKING ANSWERS IN TRYING TO SAVE MORE LIVES One of a series of community meetings hosted by Roger Prairie Chicken, Crisis Coordinator, and the Kainai Wellness Centre brought many frontline workers together as a way to inform the people of the tremendous effort currently being taken to reduce the number of deaths and overdoses and to eliminate the illegal drugs on the reserve. “With the Blood Tribe Department of Health, I carry what are called the death statistics,” he explained. “In December (2017), we lost ten band members, In January we lost another ten and now, in February, we lost another ten. We need
to do something and we need to hear it from the community to help resolve the situation.” Emcee Lance Scout who began the meeting with a prayer then called upon Lindy Shade, Director, Wellness Centre, to share a few comments. “We as a team are trying to provide a service, people do want to help,” she said. “We are client-centered and we do have addiction counselors. The community wants to heal and we are looking at increasing mental health support, addictions counseling, providing clinical groups for the community and outreach support
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systems. Our focus is on children, youth and families, and I want to acknowledge the Alberta Health Services and the Siksika Crisis Team for their support.” Kyle Melting Tallow, Blood Tribe Chief of Police, said they are making every effort to identify and charge the drug dealers on the reserve and to continue working with everyone.` “Everyone involved was able to take charge of this matter and move it forward, otherwise, we would still be in a crisis,” he said of the community, health, medical, schools and law enforcement professionals’ involvement. “We’re going to out there to the drugs dealers and find them and make sure they held accountable.”
TSINIKSSINI Mar/April 2018
Dr. Esther Tailfeathers, who was one of the first to recognize the introduction of deadly opiods on the reserve, encouraged the people to continue with harm reduction. “We mobilized the naloxone kit which is one of the best things our tribe has ever done in terms of saving our peoples’ lives,” she said. “We had a discussion of enabling versus harm reduction versus abstinence. And, while we were talking about it, our people were dying. So, many of us who were pushing harm reduction said no, we have to save lives. So we did the naloxone training. We did a good thing.” During that time, an additional treatment was introduced – suboxone. This was because the abstinence method was used, according to Tailfeathers, where those addicted went to treatments centres and tried to quit cold turkey. But, when they returned home and resumed their drug
habit, many of them died because their tolerance level during their abstinence period couldn’t handle the amount of drugs they had consumed prior to going cold turkey. “The next thing we did was to mobilize the suboxone; Alberta Health Services helped by opening the suboxone clinic and Dr. Sue Christensen and I began prescribing it,” she said. “People can’t overdose on suboxone and it allows us to bring people in, it allows them to feel human the next morning. It’s a humane way of helping our people to stabilize and get the help they need. But, we have to be ready because it’s not over yet.” After a video presentation, Gerri Eagle Speaker gave an update on non-insured health benefits saying ‘the EMS will not make clients wait to be brought home,’ during and after their appointments at the clinic. Scout then called upon the people in attendance to sit in a circle to share what each are experiencing and to hopefully join together to finding answers in dealing with the drug crisis. One of the speakers, Annette Bruised Head, deputy superintendent, KBE, said it’s important to continue to include the youth in its planning. “Kainai is very much a leader in First Nations communities,” she began. “My work is to support the teachers and our young. We have to break down our barriers and join together as a community, to have that courage to move forward.” Both Scout and Prairie Chicken thanked the people who took the time from their routines to join in as part of the presentation to bring forth solutions and to hear stories meant to begin the process of healing and understanding.
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Story by Tom Russell
TSINIKSSINI Mar/April 2018
FRONT LINE CRISIS WORKER SHARES HIS VIEWS OF HOW PEOPLE AND THE TRIBE ARE AFFECTED Being a frontline worker in responding first in most situations to an overdose or fatality is an occupation many people do not fully understand or recognize. For Roger Prairie Chicken, Crisis Coordinator, Blood Tribe Department of Health, his duties bring him deep into the heart of, at times, some of the most traumatic instances of intense suffering and sorrow. Ever since his employment as a crisis worker began in early 2010, Prairie Chicken has experienced and witnessed many forms of trauma on the reserve. Many of the root causes, he believes, stem from a number of factors branching out and blossoming into crisis situations that extend beyond the traditional realities of who we are as Nitsitapi, the Blackfoot. “I can’t talk specifics about just one point, I have to talk about other matters to put this whole thing together,” he explained, speaking of post-traumatic stress disorder and other factors related crisis and dependencies. “For instance, the transfer of trauma we suffered, it goes back in history. That’s why I studied under the elders, why are we so dysfunctional? Why are we so dependent on alcohol and now, on opiods and painkillers and pills. Back in the 20s and 30s, it was Anacins 222’s and there were people who died from these prescriptions.”
Other stressors related to trauma, said Prairie Chicken, began over a century ago that have lingered and developed into an almost normalcy today. “If you go back to the smallpox days in 1837 to 1840, within those few years, over twothirds of the Blackfoot population died,” he said. “Today, since 2011, I started seeing an over-prescription of Tylonol 3s. People started dying in their sleep, overdosing, but nobody ever really paid any attention to that. I called a red-flag around 2012 and started talking to the police and other people and informed them the problem was coming from doctors over prescribing pills. I witnessed that.” With his teachings and research, he began to understand life on many levels. “To me, sobriety is black and white. As a Blackfoot elder, if sobriety is black and white, you have to be sober,” he said. “What I see is the poverty we are faced with. We tell our children to get educated, they come back, and there’s nothing here for them. In many cases, you learn how to survive and it’s unfortunate many people turn to other alternatives to survive because they have no where else to turn to.” As an elder and as a grandfather to many, Prairie Chicken still has hope for our people and our future. 12
Roger Prairie Chicken, a front-line crisis coordinator and Kainai elder, offers his thoughts on his experiences in working for his people.
“Sobriety. As an elder and teacher of our culture, we cannot tell our families, ‘Hey, you are a user, I don’t want you,’” he said. “If you are a true Blackfoot, you will love your child unconditionally whether they are users or not; hopefully a word, a seed a thought could empower that child to come back. But, the elders said, the user has to help themselves, however, as parents, we cannot tell them I don’t love you because you are using drugs. No, the parents created the children; we have to be mothers again, to become fathers again. It’s hard to lose a child.” He believes our leaders must take charge in leading our people. “An elder, the late Adam Delaney told me if you are going to be a true elder, it’s about mind, body and spirit. By keeping those three things, then you are a Blackfoot. I have to help people and pray for them, and when I’m hit with crisis, it’s the people who help me – it’s the people.”
Roger Prairie Chicken Story by Tom Russell
TSINIKSSINI Mar/April 2018
GLENBOW MUSEUM The Glenbow Museum in Calgary is offering a variety of programs designed to the preservation of the language, traditions and culture of the areas First Nations’ peoples. From a Blackfoot perspective, the museum has employed several members of the Kainai and four members from Siksika who share their knowledge with people seeking to learn more and better understand the people who occupied their traditional territory for thousands of years.
OFFERING MORE THAN ARTIFACTS IN PRESENTING LANGUAGE AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES
Sheldon First Rider, Kainai, Glenbow Indigenous Museum Educator, says over a thousand students each week gather at the museum where they participate in Blackfoot language based curriculum and related teachings. “Teachers are coming back here and are telling us the students want to come back here. They want to learn,” he says. “I’ve gone out to schools as part of my outreach program, with elementary, middle and high school students and have given them the Blackfoot introductory lessons. They say this program is just so awesome; I haven’t got one negative response. All the schools are very supportive of what we’re doing here. In the last five years, we’ve had about 30,000 to 40,000 students we’ve taught in the past five years.” First Rider adds: “The Blackfoot Stories and Language Workshop is a separate entity of Glenbow, although we are using their outreach programs,” he explains. “Our goals are to have representation from all of Blackfoot Confederacy which includes a data centre with access to elders and holders of knowledge in the introduction of curriculum of learning of the Blackfoot people.” Among the courses offered include Indigenous Studies, Truth and Reconciliation, Tipis, Tales and Teachings, Nitsitapiisinni: Our Way of Life, From Treaty to Reconciliation: Reclaiming a Culture, Open Minds, Archaeology, Petroglyphs, Protocol an Design and
Clarence Wolfleg Jr. and Sheldon First Rider are deeply involved in the preservation of the Blackfoot language and culture.
other topics related to the Blackfoot and Indigenous cultures. First Rider is also looking at the possibility of establishing another course entitled Blackfoot Language Stories and Workshops to be offered as blogs on twitter. He says the rational to offer the course through twitter is cost-efficient for those students situated in remote areas or students far beyond Calgary, but who want to learn more about the Blackfoot language and culture.
First Rider credits the late Floyd ‘Tiny Man’ Heavy Runner (Blackfeet) for his guidance and traditional teachings of the language, art, history and customs. Heavy Runner studied linguistics at the University of Texas and adapted the Syllabic alphabet. Also, another chance meeting with the late Gerald Conaty, who asked him if he was aware of the recordings from his grandfather, the late George First Rider, of stories and legends housed in the museum. “My grandfather always maintained the integrity of his stories; they were not legends, they were truths told of experience and teachings,” he says. “They are being translated by surviving siblings Mary, Rosabelle, Nora, Ervin and Rodney who will authenticate the stories to be used 13
as resource materials for the Blackfoot territory.” Other Kainai employees at the Glenbow include educator Blaire Russell, Adrian Wolf Leg, Clarence Wolf Leg Kr., Debra Black Kettle and Kenny Robertson. Curt Tailfeathers who is doing sculpture for animation and Terrill Tailfeathers who is promoting an early childhood presentation of our way of life are both involved in the Blackfoot Language Stories Workshop. “I tell our young, know your language, your history, your culture,” he says. “You can learn and be a part of a culture that has been here for thousands and thousands of years.”
If anyone is interested in learning more of what the Gelnbow Museum has to offer, you are encouraged to contact them on their website at: 403-268.4130 or email @ glenbow@glenbow.org Story by Tom Russell
TSINIKSSINI Mar/April 2018
PETER WEASEL MOCCASIN TO RECEIVE LETHBRIDGE COLLEGE HONORARY DEGREE
March 13, 2018 – Lethbridge College is pleased to announce that Peter Weasel Moccasin will receive an honorary degree at this year’s college convocation ceremony. Weasel Moccasin will receive a Bachelor of Applied Science – Ecosystem Management degree at the ceremony on April 27 at the Enmax Centre.
Weasel Moccasin has worked as the college’s Kainai Kaahsinnoonik (Grandparent) since 2013. His role is as a mentor, leader and advocate for students, employees and community members, Indigenous and nonIndigenous alike. He is described as kind, warm-hearted and humble, characteristics that allow him to earn the respect of those around him. “Peter has had an immeasurable effect on our campus, as a knowledgeable and empathetic leader,” says Dr. Paula Burns, Lethbridge College President and CEO. “He makes true connections with those he speaks with, providing guidance and support. He has also taken an active role in improving the lives of our Indigenous learners and has helped to connect the college with the local Indigenous community.” Raised on the Kainai Nation, Weasel Moccasin grew up listening to the stories of the Kaahsinnooniksi in his community. “They were always praying in their lodges, praying we can overcome the challenges we face, whether it was an emotional, mental, spiritual challenge or a sickness,” says Weasel Moccasin. “They were very serene and at peace with themselves. And that’s what I felt as a young boy.” Through these teachings, he gained a traditional way of knowing. While he never envisioned passing on those lessons, he now regularly provides guidance to a younger generation. “The message is to help people in the future through prayer and conversation,” says Weasel Moccasin. “I am not a leader, but maybe I can help in the college and in the community, to live in peace in and outside of the community, to help overcome barriers, to overcome prejudice and bigotry.”
In addition to his work with Lethbridge College, Weasel Moccasin regularly provides guidance and support to the Saipoyi Elementary School and Kainai High School within his local community, as well as the Opokaa’sin Early Intervention Society, and school districts across southern Alberta. He often speaks and bring opening prayers at educational and cultural conferences.
At Lethbridge College, Peter has been instrumental in making Indigenous education a priority. He currently sits on the President’s Indigenous Advisory Council and the internal Indigenous Committee. His leadership has helped to make recent events, such the raising of the Blackfoot Confederacy flag permanently on-campus, and Lethbridge College receiving its own Blackfoot name, Ohkotoki’aahkkoiyiiniimaan, which means Stone Pipe, a reality. He visits the Niitsitapi Gathering Place on a regular basis to provide advice and guidance to students and staff. He also presents to classrooms on topics such as learning from place, Blackfoot history and residential schools. Being a residential school survivor himself, he speaks about the past with an honesty and truth that is both humbling and eye-opening to the hard realities that have occurred. He uses humor as a tool of strength and resiliency. “He truly is a loving soul who so many feel instantly connected to and one who educates without the learners even knowing,” says Shanda Webber, Lethbridge College manager of Recruitment and Indigenous Services. “He has shared so much knowledge and wisdom with me and I am truly honored to have him in my life.” The knowledge and values of the Blackfoot ways that Weasel Moccasin shares and instills in Lethbridge College students gives them hope, strength and guidance on their pathway to success in striving for a post-secondary education and more. Weasel Moccasin will be the 18th person to receive an honorary degree from Lethbridge College since the award was first given in 1986. 14
Kainai elder Peter Weasel Moccasin to receive honorary degree.
Weasel Moccasin will also be recognized the evening before Convocation at the college’s annual Honoring Excellence event. He will be joined by alumni award recipients Kathy Veres Sassa, Barbara Duckworth Thompson, Chelsey De Groot and Cornelius Mans on April 26 in the Garden Court dining room. The community is invited to be a part of the annual event and enjoy a cocktail reception and a delicious meal prepared by the Culinary Careers students and staff of Lethbridge College. Tickets for the Honoring Excellence event are $75 for general admission, $65 for alumni and $50 for current students. Tickets and more information are available online or by contacting alumni@ lethbridgecollege.ca.
Submitted by Lethbridge Community College
TSINIKSSINI Mar/April 2018
SAIPOYI SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS AND STUDENTS ENJOY STUDYING IN FULLY MODERN ENVIRONMENT
The Saipoyi students giving their blessings with a prayer.
The Saipoyi Community School Expansion Project has completed Phase II of its infrastructure and hosted a grand opening on March 26, 2018 to showcase the beautiful work performed for the benefit of the students, teachers and the well-being of the community. The Saipoyi students began the ceremony with a prayer. Lionel Weasel Head, Chair, KBE, began the ceremony welcoming the guests and spoke of the planning and construction process. “This began about six years ago,” he said. “Our board came up with a plan and we followed through with it. I want to thank our board and staff for all the work they continue to do.” Richard Fox, KBE Superintendent, shared his pleasure of the completed building phase. “Since the official ground-breaking to now, phase II, everyone is more than welcome to use this facility.” Blood Councilor Robin Little Bear spoke on behalf of Chief Roy Fox and her fellow council members. “There was a time in our own history where we never had schools
Richard Fox, superintendent, KBE, shares words of encouragement.
like this,” she said. “We didn’t have dance troupes, we didn’t have prayer in Blackfoot and we certainly didn’t have a facility that represents who we are. Today is a wonderful day to celebrate these accomplishments.” Emcee Patrick Black Plume called on Gerard Fox, KBE project coordinator, for a few comments. “It’s been a long process, the design, the structure all designed towards the needs of the students,” he said. “We all tried our best for our community and our children.”
KBE Chair, Lionel Weasel Head.
Marie Shade, co-emcee, then called upon Robert Perreault who represented Shawn Follett, project officer, Department of Indigenous Services Canada, Joanne Wright, principal architect, and Mike Kelly, manager, Krawford Construction to share their contributions to the expansion project. Kainai elders Pat and Delia Twigg then performed an unveiling ceremony to conclude the day’s activities. The people then had the opportunity to tour the facility. 15
Story by Tom Russell
TSINIKSSINI Mar/April 2018
RECONCILIATION OVER RACISM WALK IN CARDSTON SERVES TO RESOLVE CONTINUING RACIAL TENSIONS
The peaceful march through downtown Cardston was meant to create awareness to racial attitudes
It is sad in this day and age when racial intolerance continues to fester in minds of people when it comes down to not treating one another as equals. In many of the towns surrounding the Kainai territory, there are many instances of negative actions, thoughts and behaviors directed toward the Blood people. Lori Brave Rock, organizer of the walk said they want to keep the momentum going in trying to firmly establish an environment positive for everyone. “This is something that’s not going away and that’s the bad thing about this whole situation,” she said. “How do we make things better? Because racism makes our lives so uncomfortable, when these things happen to us, we walk away thinking ‘what do we do with all this negativity that makes us so upset. We keep having these walks to show them that we’re not letting this go and to not sweep us under their rugs.”’
do the same with their own residents, to look at resolving these issues? We need to come to the table to work together on these issues.” Brave Rock said she only recently learned of the Alberta Hate Crimes Commission where people dealing with racial incidents can write a complaint and to hopefully hear from the office of their concerns. As for dealing with these complaints from tribal members concerning racist treatment, she feels there is no formal complaint mechanism where these complaints can be dealt with immediately. “Who deals with this?” wonders Brave Rock in questioning why a formal
complaint service is not established. “What service on the tribe deals with racism? If people are feeling like this, for instance, in Moses Lake, where do they go? These are the kinds of solutions I’d like to find answers for.” The group marched from the Carriage House and ended up at the Moccasin Flats Mall. A round dance concluded the day’s event. “Prevention is the key,” she said. “The town of Cardston should set an example and do something to create awareness. The city of Lethbridge is moving forward with the awareness promotions and campaigns and I don’t see why Cardston cannot do the same.”
Both Lori and her husband William organized the walk through the town of Cardston to create awareness in trying to bring about a change in attitudes regarding racial intolerance. “I feel there is no where to go in dealing with complaints. I mean, I don’t feel we have anywhere to go. If we can’t get justice on a national level, how can we expect anything to get done on a local level,” she explained. “How come Cardston cannot
A round dance is a symbol of unity and togetherness in bringing people together.
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Story by Tom Russell
TSINIKSSINI Mar/April 2018
ALBERTA HATE CRIMES COMMITTEE HOST TRAINING TO ADVOCATE FOR RESTORATIVE JUSTICE REFERRAL SYSTEM ACROSS ALBERTA TO PREVENT HATE CRIMES
Lenora Many Fingers, Blood Tribe Communications, is pictured here with Marco Lou, Caitlin Thompson and Renee Vaugeois
The AHCC began its work in southern Alberta in November 2017 after receiving a long list of hate crimes and hate incidents as reported by the Blood Tribe Communications. In response to these incidents, and with the support of the Alberta Restorative Justice Association, the AHCC hosted Restorative Justice training in partnership with the Kainai Peacemaking Program at Standoff, AB. Participants in the training included members from the Fetal Alcohol Adult Program in Lethbridge, McMann Housing, Lethbridge Police Service, John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights, Alberta Hate Crimes Committee, Kainai Board of Education, Crown Prosecutor’s Office in Lethbridge, City of Lethbridge, FCSS, Alberta Health Services, Addictions and Mental Health, Native Counselling Services of Alberta, City of Red Deer, and Calgary Police Service. The Kainai Peacemaking Program (KPP) is currently taught at the University of Lethbridge. AHCC came back to to host community training in Lethbridge and a community
gathering in Standoff on January 24th and January 25th respectively. The community training was hosted at the John Galt Museum on the evening of January 24th where participants learned about the role, history and work of the Alberta Hate Crimes Committee, the definition, causes, and impact of hate crimes and hate incidents, supporting legislation and the Criminal Code of Canada, and what can be done to support victims of hate crimes and hate incidents. The community gathering was hosted at White Calf Hall and included teachings from Elder Wilton Goodstriker Teaching and speeches from community members including Councillor Joanne Lemieux. Lenora Many Fingers from Blood Tribe Communications then led the participants in an educational activity and community discussion. Representatives from Idle No More were present to distribute resources and take part in the activities. On March 9th, members of the Alberta Hate Crimes Committee (AHCC) spent the day in Lethbridge delivering presentations 17
on understanding and responding to hate incidents and navigating the Alberta Human Rights Act. Cam Stewart from the Alberta Human Rights Commission discussed the role, history and work of the Alberta Human Rights Commission, the Alberta Human Rights Act, how discrimination is defined and what protections exist, and how to file a complaint. At the event were members of the general public, community services employees, and representatives from the Blood Tribe Nation. As a result of this work, the Alberta Hate Crimes Committee is now working on advocating for a province-wide restorative justice referral system. As it currently stands, there is no wide-spread official framework for restorative justice referrals which prevents hate crimes and hate incidents from being resolved through extra-judicial mediation. We believe that if restorative practises are used to address hate, we will contribute to real change and growth in understanding.
Submitted by Alberta Hate Crimes Commission
TSINIKSSINI Mar/April 2018
RAPPERS BLOOD REZ CREW FEATURES HOMEGROWN TALENT MARKING THEIR UNIQUE JOURNEY IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY
Hip-hop artists Carl Brave Rock and Jessie Black Water making their mark on the music scene.
Rappers Carl Brave Rock and Jessie Black Water, both from the Blood reserve, formed a Native hip-hop group in 2002 called the Blood Rez Crew. Since then, they’ve been recording songs about the every day realities of growing up in a community that is surrounded by poverty, alcoholism and violence. As a group, the two have been influenced by a variety of artists including: The Black Eyed Peas, The Fugees and Buffy St. Marie. This has lead the group toward a new kind of genre -- Native Hip-hop -- stemming from the Black culture. The following is a verbatim style interview: “Do you write your own songs?” Carl Brave Rock: “As MC’s, of course we write our own songs. A part of hip-hop, there’s a whole bunch of aspects about it. You got your b-boys and dancers, you have your beat makers, DJ Fema, who’s from Regina, SK. You got your producers and engineers that make you sound cool, that’s Sean Beaver, aka DJ Hooligan from Calgary. Then you have your MC’s, which are both Jessie and me. Jessie and I sit back, listen to the music and we decide where it should be in the music, how we feel about the music and what is it saying to us.”
“Do you have any songs you feel are influential and would like others to hear?” Both of the singers agreed on the song “Red Dresses.” Although Carl isn’t on the track, Jessie did the song with Heidi Mason.
Carl Brave Rock: “It’s about the missing and murdered indigenous women all across Canada. I purposely stepped aside, because I wanted the song to have female voices.” Jessie BW: “I had a vision for the song, so I asked Heidi Mason to show me a verse and I thought, “Wow, now I know what direction to take with the song.”
from. We get so caught up in mainstream culture we want to be like other people. We can’t forget our identity.” Carl Brave Rock: “Just keep going. Don’t listen to anybody, ‘cause people can be jerks. Just keep trying, keep working. Erase the crowd.” You can find their new album on Spotify and iTunes. The songs on the album are non-explicit, so it’s enjoyable for all ages. The next show they will be performing at will be April 20th, 2018 in Lethbridge as headliners. The show will be hosted by Lethbridge 420 in Galt Gardens.
“What have been your biggest struggles as a group?” Jessie Black Water: “When you’re in a group, it’s hard. Everyone has their own home life and struggles. It’s just trying to get everyone together when we have a show. That’s the struggle.” “Do you have any advice for aspiring artists?” Jessie Black Water: “Follow your dreams, believe yourself, be confident in who you are and don’t forget where you come 18
Story by Mariah Blood
TSINIKSSINI Mar/April 2018
CRISIS WALK BRINGS AWARENESS INTO COMMUNITY TRYING TO MAKE PEOPLE LIVE HEALTHY CLEAN LIVES Kailynn Mountain Horse, a local volunteer and member of the Blood Tribe, put together a crisis prayer walk on February 28th, 2018 through the community of Standoff. The community faced an epidemic of 21 overdoses within five days from the 23rd to the 25th of February. Two of the overdoses were death related. “Our reserve is supposed to be the biggest reserve in all of Canada, but a lot of our members are passing away from drug related deaths,” she said in response to creating community awareness in eliminating the deadly drugs on our reserve. “A lot of the drugs affected not only just myself, but my kids. It bothered us every time we heard of an overdose or someone passing away from drugs.”
Concerned community members are taking their messages out into the streets in the hopes of creating awareness in defeating the destruction created by the deadly drugs flowing within our communities. Story by Mariah Blood
BLOOD TRIBE COLLABORATES WITH ALBERTA HATE CRIME COMMITTEE TO ADDRESS INJUSTICE AND RACISM IN SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES In the Spring of 2016 Blood Tribe Communications employee Lenora Many Fingers was tasked to collect stories from community members that experienced racial, discrimination injustices within the surrounding communities. The collected stories were compiled and forwarded to Blood Tribe Administration’ senior management. In March of 2017, Many Fingers noticed Alberta Hate Crimes Committee (AHCC) launched their Facebook page and connected with them on March 3, 2018: “Hi, I work at Blood Tribe as Communications Assistant and have compiled some incidents that our people of the Blood Tribe submitted to me. I would like to share this info with your cause, in hopes that these people are heard and actions are taken to rectify these injustices to our people,” she wrote, requesting their email address and where to send these stories.
In the hopes of addressing and reducing hate and racism affecting First Nations people in Southern Alberta, the dialogue and collaboration began between Kainai and the AHCC. In August 2017 Many Fingers was invited to present the stories to the AHCC. In response to these incidents, and with the support of the Alberta Restorative Justice Association, the AHCC hosted a Restorative Justice training in partnership with the Kainai Peacemaking Program here in Standoff. The training was well attended by AHCC members, advocates from many professions and throughout Alberta learned about Kainai Culture and Restorative Justice. The AHCC researched complaints of this nature and found that Indigenous people do not file complaints. In the next step, Kainai and AHCC hosted a community gathering to hear from the people, their stories and to bring awareness, education and tools to assist Kainai in submitting their complaints. The Kainai and AHCC hosted an AHCC and Human Rights workshop at 19
the Lethbridge Friendship Center on March 9, 2018, resulting in more collaboration and interest within the City of Lethbridge and sister tribes. A meeting was convened on March 21, 2018 in Lethbridge to further discuss and strategize on how to tackle this issue. Today, Kainai is recruiting on-and-off reserve members to volunteer and to be trained on the Human Rights Act, Interview skills and filing complaints of this nature. This will prepare them for an open complaints clinic to be held in conjunction with Aboriginal Day week. The clinic will be open to First Nation, Metis, Inuit and any other people that have a complaint of this nature. The process is a trained volunteer will have a face-to-face interview with the complainant and assist in filing a formal complaint to the Human Rights Commission.
Story by Lenora Many Fingers