Caroline Zentner
lethbridge herald (With CP FILES)
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Blood Tribe chief and council will be watching what happens in the wake of Samson Cree band members passing a bylaw that gives council the right to evict troublemakers.
Under the bylaw, which still requires approval from the federal government, any 25 residents could apply to have another resident evicted. The bylaw was designed to give the First Nation the ability to evict people who have been convicted of a serious crime against another reserve resident or two property crimes in two years and those considered a danger to the community.
"Definitely we are on the lookout for the Samson Cree band bylaw and how effective that is going to be. If this is the way that is needed to address that, then I can almost assure you that our chief and council will be taking a look at a similar approach," said Blood Tribe Chief Charles Weaselhead.
Councillor Sheldon Day Chief also applauded the Samson Cree band's leadership in caring for the welfare of its residents and the principle behind the bylaw.
"In effect, they are implementing the banishment principle which was traditionally part of first Nations' culture," he said in a written statement. "Their efforts should be commended because they are taking a stand, taking responsibility for their people."
To date, the Blood Tribe hasn't considered such a bylaw and has focused its efforts on establishing programs to tackle issues like gang activities, school truancy, addictions to alcohol and drugs, bootleggers and drug dealers, Weaselhead said. The problem is bigger than chief and council, he added, and a community approach is needed.
"It's been an ongoing task for Blood Tribe chief and council. We've really been searching and digging hard and deep to find the best mechanism to curb and minimize and hopefully even terminate all of the above," he said. "We have put in special projects and chief and council have been deliberating. We've called upon community members to organize themselves and police themselves. It is in some ways a losing battle," he said.
While various programs have been established, getting membership to participate can be difficult. In particular, youth face constant peer pressure and that can lead them astray. The Blood Tribe government wants to provide a safe environment for its residents and protection for children and youth and would consider any option that would help them achieve a healthy community, Weaselhead said.
"It's a precedent-setting bylaw that's been established and set by the Samson Cree band and, on behalf of chief and council, we really have to applaud and commend them for their tough stance with that. We feel they are taking action to take back control of their community," he said.
Piikani Nation Chief Gayle Strikes With A Gun could not be reached for comment.
The concept isn't a new one.
A Saskatchewan First Nation says it has found banishment an effective way of keeping criminals out of their community.
Mistawasis First Nation Chief Norma Johnstone said two people - a man and a woman - have been banished from the community since 2005.
He said they were coming out on days that band members received their cheques and were blatantly selling drugs.