Latest news with #BloodTribe
Global News
2 days ago
- Sport
- Global News
Kainai rodeo pays tribute to Jon Wells and Mike White Quills
Two of the Blood Tribe's most respected rodeo cowboys were honoured in a heartfelt way at this year's Kainai Fair and Rodeo. Jon Wells and Mike White Quills, both known for their dedication to the sport and their communities, were commemorated with a special memorial jackpot in their names. The event brought out 38 bulldoggers and 42 calf ropers, many of whom personally knew Wells and White Quills. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'We lost them quite young,' said Clarence Black Water, a rodeo committee member. 'We want to keep their legacy going to encourage our younger competitors to follow suit.' Both men were seen as role models on and off the circuit. 'They were well respected and looked up to,' Black Water added. The rodeo announcer also noted the healing power of the event. Story continues below advertisement 'Seeing the people come out and supporting them, know how much they were loved — I think that really helps the family a lot.' While Wells and White Quills may be gone, their presence is still felt in the arena. Through this tribute, their legacy continues to inspire the next generation of Indigenous rodeo talent. Watch the video above for more.
CTV News
5 days ago
- CTV News
Former Blood Tribe police chief pleads guilty to assault of former constable in Quebec
Former Blood Tribe police chief Brice Iron Shirt has pleaded guilty to assault, after a former constable accused him of inappropriately touching her. Former Blood Tribe police chief Brice Iron Shirt has pleaded guilty to assault. This comes after a former Blood Tribe constable accused Iron Shirt of inappropriately touching her. Iron Shirt served as chief of the Blood Tribe Police Service for just nine months before abruptly resigning in September 2022. That came a month after a female constable filed a complaint with the police commission about Iron Shirt making unwanted sexual advances months earlier. The commission did nothing about her concerns, but prosecutors in Quebec did. Iron Shirt was charged with sexual assault in 2023 for an incident that occurred during the Aboriginal Police Chiefs Conference in Gatineau, Que., in May, 2022. This spring, he pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of assault and was given an absolute discharge. According to an agreed statement of facts, during a night out with colleagues, Iron Shirt made several unwanted physical advances toward the female officer. He also touched her without her consent when they were alone. The Quebec court ordered him to serve 20 hours of community service and make a $2,000 donation to the Native Women's Association of Canada. One expert questions the sentence. 'It'd be interesting to ask the Crown prosecutor why the Crown agreed to that. That's a sexual assault, right? And the accused admitted to it in the agreed statement of facts,' said Tom Engel, chair of the Criminal Trial Lawyers' Association's policing committee. In a statement to CTV News, Iron Shirt said, 'I am relieved that this matter has been resolved without a criminal record, which will allow me to move forward with my life.' In her impact statement to the court, the victim said, 'You were gifted the trust of your people. You were entrusted with sacred teachings, with institutional power and with the hope of change. And you betrayed it all.' She has also filed a human rights complaint against Iron Shirt, police, the commission and the First Nation. But Engel says how the initial complaint was handled shows a lack of transparency. 'One of the main roles of a police commission is in relation to disciplinary matters, supervision of the chief. And oftentimes there are complaints that police commissions are too cozy with chiefs,' said Engel. He also wonders whether there's enough oversight of the police commission. In a statement, the police commission says the service has reviewed and enhanced its training procedures, but it didn't provide examples of what has changed. In a statement, Blood Tribe Chief of Police Grant Buckskin says the 'service is committed to providing a safe, healthy and productive environment to all its staff. Conduct that is offensive, intimidates or physically harms others are not tolerated.'
Cision Canada
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Cision Canada
"If We Don't Have Water, We Don't Have Life" - Elders from Treaty 6, 7 and 8 Stand Together to Affirm Treaty and Protect Our Water
(TREATY 6 TERRITORY) EDMONTON, AB, June 20, 2025 /CNW/ - Following the 2 nd Chiefs Gathering on Water, a group of Elders in Treaty 6, 7, and 8 territories wish to issue a clear statement to First Nations Peoples and leaders, and to the Government of Canada. We speak together from a place of unity, with the wisdom of our ancestors, grounded in our ceremonies and guided by our Creation stories—stories that come from the land. In nearly every First Nation, we see and feel what has happened to our water, land, animals, and ways of being, knowing and doing. We see water that cannot be consumed, animals that cannot be eaten, and ceremony that is not honoured. Water is our relative. If we don't have water, we don't have life. "If we don't act now, it may be too late," says Dr. Charles Weaselhead, former Blood Tribe Chief and Treaty 7 Grand Chief. "As Chief, I witnessed the devolution of services and rights for our Peoples, issues that came up time and again with each government elected. We know how it plays out; transfer responsibility to Nations without the equal transfer of authority, adequate funding and control that recognizes our inherent sovereignty within these territories." First Nations Peoples have lived under colonial systems that undermine our inherent right to self-determination and the proper care of our Peoples for far too long. "We remind all governments that our Treaty rights are not granted but affirmed. This is a relationship with the Crown, and it endures to this day," says Mel Beaver from Bigstone Cree Nation in Treaty 8. Further reminding Chiefs, "When are we going to wake up and act like who we are, strong people of Treaty 6, 7 and 8? We think we don't have power, but we do." This is an important and critical time, and Treaty cannot be ignored any longer. "We came together to discuss the issues in our nations and to secure water protection for our Peoples," says Rose Crowshoe from Piikani Nation. "We are the keepers of this land, of our cultures, and the well-being of seven generations in the future—for our grandchildren's grandchildren. We are carriers of the water, and we must protect it, because water is life." As Elders, we are reclaiming who we are to show the world what we can do when we stand together. Now is the time. To all First Nations Peoples, our strength is with each other. About the 2 nd Chiefs Gathering on Water and Related Infrastructure The 2 nd Chiefs Gathering on Water brought together more than 70 Elders to speak about water, Treaty rights, and a path forward, now and for seven generations in the future. Grounded in pipe ceremony, the Gathering provided an important forum for Elders to share teachings and stories with Chiefs and technicians in Treaty 6, 7 and 8 to spark a call to action before it is too late. About the Chiefs Steering Committee The Chiefs Steering Committee on Technical Services (CSC) was established to provide oversight and direction to the First Nations Technical Services Advisory Group (TSAG). TSAG is a not-for-profit group to serve First Nations in Treaty 6, 7, and 8 across the Alberta region to support the interests and needs of First Nations, working together with Chiefs and technicians to address water, housing, health, education and infrastructure. CSC Elders and Youth Advisory Group As the carriers of ancestral wisdom and traditional teachings, Elders and Knowledge Holders provide the spiritual, cultural, and historical context necessary to understand the deep relationship between our people and water. Their role in supporting Chiefs in the fight to protect Treaty rights and water is foundational, as they offer a deep understanding of natural law, oral histories, and the sacred agreements between Treaty Nations and the Crown.
CBC
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Why did this outfit by a Blackfoot designer lead to controversy… and what does she think about it?
A Blackfoot designer says she was shocked when her latest collection received backlash online over sexualization of Indigenous women and inappropriate use of traditional medicines. Melrene Saloy-Eaglespeaker, a member of the Kainai (Blood Tribe) Nation in Alberta, said the collection, which was designed for Santa Fe's Native Fashion Week last month, was inspired by the healing she finds in design and creativity, as well as her respect for traditional medicines. "I just wanted to bring these two amazing elements together," she said. Saloy-Eaglespeaker, who grew up in Calgary, said she used sage, cedar and sweetgrass to create the collection. The clothes also featured leather, satin and black sheer elements — a fixture of her work. "I have always kind of used very out there, very contemporary [ways of] showcasing of the female form in many of my prior collections," she said, adding her work aims to reclaim Indigenous women's sexuality. Despite previous designs appearing at fashion shows in Milan and Paris, she said she's never experienced criticism like this before, although she knows that using traditional medicines "in a contemporary way can be shocking." Still, she said she was surprised that so much of the criticism said the model was sexualized due to the amount of skin that showed and that using sacred medicines in revealing clothing was wrong. Saloy-Eaglespeaker rejects that idea. "I would think that a woman's body would be the most sacred space to have these medicines," she said. Following Blackfoot teachings Before beginning her work, she said, she consulted with multiple family members and elders about the idea. She, along with other family members, harvested the medicines for the collection using protocols such as leaving tobacco and only taking what was needed. When negative reactions to the collection poured out online — commenters also accused her of vanity and behaving like an "unconnected" person — she was hurt. Saloy-Eaglespeaker said she believes the fact that she's biracial (her mother, who raised her, is Blackfoot and her father is Creole) and grew up in the city could be a factor in some people's reaction to her work. "Like because I am biracial, then I'm not Native enough to be able to use and do things with [medicines]," she said. Linda EagleSpeaker, Saloy-Eaglespeaker's maternal aunt, said she thought the idea was "amazing," and added that she's proud of all the work Saloy-Eaglespeaker has done in her career. "We never hold our children back to be creative, and to express themselves in a good way," said EagleSpeaker, who works as an elder involved with child welfare in Minnesota. "They don't know her, they don't know how she was raised, they don't know our family." She said that Saloy-Eaglespeaker consulted multiple elders and family members before beginning the collection in order to be respectful. She called criticism of her niece "pitiful" and said concerns over modesty and sexualization do not align with traditional values. "We didn't look upon ourselves as being naked from the waist up and we didn't look at ourselves as being sexualized… and we were honoured by our men, our people," EagleSpeaker said of past ways of dressing. The collection will not be for sale as Saloy-Eaglespeaker said she was taught that medicines are not to be sold. She said she took other steps to ensure she followed Blackfoot teachings throughout the entire process. "Prior to [fitting] each model, I made sure none were on their cycles because as Blackfoot women, we cannot smudge or be around medicines," Saloy-Eaglespeaker said. EagleSpeaker said she advised her niece to stand strong in the face of criticism and not respond to disrespect. "[Then] you make a circular motion and everything that they've said to you, you take it and you throw it over your back," she said. Collection well-received Amber-Dawn Bear Robe, a member of the Siksika Nation in southern Alberta who now lives in Santa Fe, organized Native Fashion Week where the medicine collection was first displayed. She said, as a Blackfoot woman herself, she never expected it to be controversial. "What I see is fear. What I see is uneducated, uninformed, knee jerk reactions," she said. Bear Robe said she thought the collection touched on the connection between the land and human bodies in a way that she found interesting. "From a curatorial perspective, I think that the pieces were brilliant," she said, adding the collection was well-received on the runway. She said she hopes the backlash doesn't lead designers away from taking risks, especially as Indigenous fashion theory is still in its infancy even if other art forms have been around, and appreciated, for decades. "I feel like we're going back 50 years when people are knocking Indigenous designers for celebrating women, men and non-binary people's bodies." Of the 30 designers at fashion week, this was not the collection Bear Robe expected to spark controversy. "I thought the one collection that was going to have a reaction was the blatant F--k Trump collection …. Instead it's sweetgrass? Give me a break," she said. Having worked in contemporary art for decades, Bear Robe said it's important for artists to be able to push boundaries. "Materials are used in different ways to explore artistic, creative expression, and that should not be dictated by others," she said. "It's an internalized racism and a white anthropological view on what Native art should be." Bear Robe added she hopes to be able to display the medicine collection again if Saloy-Eaglespeaker is willing.
CTV News
14-05-2025
- CTV News
2 men face multiple charges in relation to break-ins at southern Alta. small businesses
A Blood Tribe man and a Calgary man face multiple charges in relation to a series of break-ins at cannabis dispensaries, liquor stores, convenience stores and other businesses and homes in Banff and Chestermere. In April, the RCMP's Southern Alberta District crime reduction unit (SAD CRU) launched an investigation into a number of commercial break-and-enters. In addition to small businesses such as liquor stores and cannabis stores, the suspects started targeting houses with open garages and vehicles in towns like Banff and Chestermere, where they stole bikes using stolen vehicles. On May 2, the RCMP arrested a 36-year-old resident of the Blood Tribe and a 38-year-old Calgary man, who they say were in possession of two stolen vehicles. 'Using our analysts and a more intelligence-based approach we are able to identify and focus our enforcement efforts on these repeat offenders,' said Const. Katelyn Dagg of the SAD CRU in a media release. 'It is through this approach that we can have the largest impact on reducing crime.' The Blood Tribe man was charged with seven counts of break-and-enter, four counts of possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, three counts of possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000, five counts of failing to comply with a release order and wearing a disguise to commit an offence. The Calgary man was charged with two counts of break-and-enter, two counts of possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000, four counts of failing to comply with release orders, wearing a disguise to commit an offence and possession of break-in tools. Both men were remanded into custody. The Blood Tribe man is scheduled to appear in court in Calgary on May 16, while the Calgary man is scheduled to appear in court in Okotoks on May 30.
