Aboriginal Affairs

ALBERTA FIRST NATION VOTES TO GIVE BAND POWER TO EVICT GANG MEMBERS

On Mistawasis First Nation, west of Prince Albert, Sask., a
particularly troublesome resident who persisted in selling drugs was
the first - and only - band member to be exiled under a new banishment law.

That move in 2006 served as a wakeup call to other potential
miscreants and has not been invoked since.

"It set a precedent," said Chief Norma Johnstone, "They know the ban
means business."

Banishment is an old way of dealing with modern problems and it has
become the latest tool being used by aboriginal communities plagued
by scourges such as drugs, crime and gang violence. Samson Cree
Nation, a band in Hobbema, Alta. that became etched in the national
consciousness as a place where children have been shot while simply
being at homes, voted into the evening on Wednesday about whether it
too should also adopt the ancient practice.

"Tell them to take that step," urged Ms. Johnstone.

And Samson members did just that, but turnout was low and the support
was not overwhelmingly in favour.

The results showed 479 people supported the new eviction regulation
while 370 voted against it.

The bylaw still needs to be approved by Ottawa to come into force.
Neighbouring band councils were watching to vote closely and could
well follow suit, according to some Samson Cree officials.

Samson, which is one of four reserves that make up Hobbema, south of
Edmonton, is rich with energy resources. It has about 7,500 members,
many of them young, and once they turn 18, they can tap into trust
funds stuffed with oil royalties. It is home to more people who are
not working than those who are. Substance abuse and crime is a
fixture of life.

Band officials have been talking about holding such a vote for years,
but it was only in October that a resolution was passed to go ahead
with a referendum that would oust those who "present a danger to the
health or safety of the community."

The impetus truly came after Chief Marvin Yellowbird's five-year-old
grandson, Ethan Yellowbird, died as he slept in his bed after a stray
bullet blasted through the wall in July, 2011. The boy's next door
neighbour, 23-year-old Chelsea Yellowbird, who was at a known gang
house, was shot to death two months later. In 2008, 23-month-old Asia
Saddleback was eating dinner at her grandfather's house when she was
hit by a bullet that remains lodged in her spine. An 18-year-old gang
member, who told the court he used his $40,000 royalty cheque on
drugs and booze, was later sentenced to 13 years in prison related to
Asia's shooting and other offences.

About 2,500 people were eligible to vote as polling stations were set
up on the reserve and also for far-flung members in Edmonton and
Calgary. Officials are optimistic the vote will have an impact.

"It's going to hold people accountable for their actions," said
Councillor Kirk Buffalo, who speaks on behalf of the band.

The "residency" bylaw would allow any 25 residents to apply to have a
troublemaker evicted. The RCMP would have the authority to help
remove that person. And anyone who harbours someone who is banished
could themselves be kicked out.

"We don't expect that it will be a be all and end all," said RCMP
Staff Sergeant Robin Alexander, who is one of 42 officers based at
Hobbema, "It's just a small part of what the community is trying to
do to enhance the safety of people living here."

New lighting has been installed, brush has been cleared away and
derelict buildings have been closed. A community task force has been set up.

Carmen Saddleback, whose older sister was killed on the reserve,
worries the bylaw will be used by some to claim newly-vacated houses
and argues it doesn't force parents to do a better job.

"It's kind of iffy," the 25-year-old said, "I kind of agree with it
and I kind of don't."