Poundmaker Signs Protocol With Allies From Past
Tuesday, June 29, 2010 at 14:17
First Nations in southern Alberta and central Idaho forged stronger ties with the Poundmaker First Nation yesterday by signing a socio-economic protocol.
Chief Duane Antoine signed the deal on behalf of the Poundmaker First Nation.
Representatives of the Blackfoot Confederacy, the T’suu T’ina First Nation and the Nez Perce tribe in central Idaho also signed it.
The agreement stipulates that the First Nations involved all agree to strengthen historical, economic, cultural, and social relationships between themselves.
Treffery Deerfoot of the Siksika Nation says the document is very significant, because it reflects the history of the Siksika and Poundmaker First Nations.
He notes Chief Crowfoot was a kind of mentor to Chief Poundmaker.
After the 1885 Northwest Resistance, Poundmaker stayed with Crowfoot and eventually died on the Siksika First Nation.
In 1967, his body was exhumed and brought back to the Poundmaker reserve.
Brooklyn Baptiste of the Nez Perce tribe says his band also has a strong history with Poundmaker.
Baptiste notes two warriors from the Nez Perce band came up to the Poundmaker reserve to help in the 1885 resistance.
One was killed, and is buried on the reserve.
Yesterday’s signing was witnessed by Lieutenant Governor Gordon Barnhart and Treaty Commissioner Bill McKnight.
Meanwhile, health — how to preserve it, how to enhance it, and how to pay for it — are big topics on the Poundmaker First Nation today.
That’s because today is the first day of the three-day Medicine Chest gathering on the reserve.
A Poundmaker band councillor says it’s time to perform drastic surgery on the health care system for Aboriginal people.
Bryan Tootoosis says health care costs for Aboriginal people continue to rise, but the money doled out from Ottawa is not nearly enough to cover those costs.
He says that’s why his band is hosting this week’s gathering to discuss those issues, and hopefully find solutions to them.
Tootoosis says they expect to emerge with a plan.
The gathering is just one of many events going on at the Poundmaker First Nation this week.
Other activities include the re-enactment of the famous Battle of Poundmaker.
It will be staged this Friday, as part of activities across the province marking the 125th anniversary of the 1885 Northwest Resistance.