STONEY NAKODA – It started with a Chiniki band member emceeing a Wesley inauguration at the Bearspaw Youth Centre – a show of unity for the three bands of Stoney Nakoda.
“My personal vision is to work with Wesley and Chiniki and Bearspaw with unity and communication,” newly elected Wesley Chief Clifford Poucette said during his swearing-in speech.
Under the umbrella of Stoney Nakoda, the Nation is compromised of three bands, each with their own chief and council.
“Cooperation is the key to success – we are stronger when we work together,” Poucette said.
As the new Wesley chief and council were inaugurated, with the exception of returning councillor Hank Snow, unity and hope were some of the underlying themes during the four-hour ceremony last week.
“Thanks to the people for giving me the opportunity to express and put into action my compassion for my people,” newly elected councillor Krista Hunter said.
“I thank the Creator for the power and spirit of women.”
As the first female councillor to be elected in the past 18 years, following elder and first elected female for the Nation Valentina ‘Tina” Fox who left council in 2000, Hunter acknowledged Stoney Nakoda cannot go back to fully living traditional ways, but wants to start looking forward by practicing and celebrating their heritage.
“The challenges we see are the lack of stability. We need to give people hope, love and humbleness,” Hunter said.
The former Wesley councillor and elder also spoke to the benefit of having women in politics.
“I’m happy you elected a woman ... women are the strength of the community,” Fox said.
A Nation Full of Challenges
Speaking bluntly and honestly during her speech, Fox touched on issues facing the Nation including education, intergenerational trauma, band financials and the meth crisis.
“You are the people’s choice,” Fox said looking at the new chief and council.
“We need to break the cycle of lateral violence and money is short.”
It was reported last January, Stoney leaders’ expenses topped $1.4 million as the Nation was dealing with a $13 million deficit.
Individual band financials are unknown, as the numbers were not broken down per band and the 2018 financials have not been released, but last year was the fourth straight year the Nation as a whole has run a deficit.
“Council needs to think of new ways to generate revenue,” Fox said.
The elder also stressed the importance of obtaining an education so Wesley (and Nation members) can “always land on their feet,” but more importantly, to start utilizing Stoney people for Stoney jobs.
“There is a saying, ‘too many chiefs, not enough Indians’ but in Morley it is too many CEOs,” Fox said. “And in the throes of meth, as this crisis continues, we cannot ignore this crisis anymore.”
In 2016, Stoney Nakoda officials declared a state of emergency in response to drug abuse on the Nation, which was later dismissed as sensationalism by acting tribal CEO.
While the state of emergency was never reinstated, the Nation has hosted substance abuse awareness walks and events over the last couple of years with community members acknowledging high addiction rates.
Fox encouraged the new chief and council to work together.
Building bridges
In a Nation of approximately 5,000, governed by three bands and facing a variety of issues, the chiefs acknowledged that working together is best way to move forward.
“We face a lot of challenges. Not only financial but violence, drugs, policing, poverty, child welfare, and education – to name a few,” Bearspaw Chief Darcy Dixon said.
“Today’s ceremony is a major component to keep our heritage and culture alive … and unity is one of the words,” Chiniki Chief Aaron Young told the crowd.
Poucette said through unity he wants to “assist and help Wesley members achieve their goals.”
Neigbouring Town mayors were also in attendance, speaking of the importance of rebuilding relations with the Nation.
“In the days long ago, people understood the importance of good neighbours and then the town grew and people didn’t understand the importance of good relations,” Canmore Mayor John Borrowman said, noting he is keen for Canmorites to learn the history and start being good neighbours again.
Tsuut’ina Chief Lee Crowchild reminded the three Stoney Nakoda chiefs that whatever future the Nation creates, it will be there for the Wesley, Chiniki and Bearspaw children and
grandchildren.
“In our own communities we are seen as leaders, and we are tasked with the sacred bundle of the hopes and dreams of our community,” Crowchild said.
“You are in an era of change and it is important for communities to understand where leaders are coming from.”
Education Key to Future for Nation
Now with a new chief and council, the one returning councillor made the point to mention that the issues Nation leaders are facing are
nothing new.
“These are challenges we’ve met before ... and I hope we can all work together to meet these challenges,” Snow said during his inauguration speech.
Recently elected Wesley councillor Shane Crawler used his inauguration speech as an opportunity to address rumours of how he left Wesley council last time and what he hopes to see in the future. Crawler was suspended from Welsey council during his last term when it was alleged he stole money.
“I’m especially grateful for people re-electing my nephew Shane Crawler. It takes courage to stand up to something like this,” Fox said.
Crawler thanked band members for “believing in him,” speaking first in the Iyãhé Nakoda language and then in English, read by Fox.
“The charges were dismissed and the judge said the [council] suspension wasn’t legal ... I would never steal money. I grew up with the teaching that what you would steal, you would have to carry with you in the spirit world,” Crawler’s speech read.
Despite the hardships the family and Crawler had to face after he was removed from council, the returning councillor said he “forgives my accusers.”
Looking forward, Crawler said he wants to focus on educating the youth and developing the economy to start achieving independence for
the Nation.
“Education is the last arrow we have left,” his speech read. “We need to create a better future.”
The four-year term officially kicked off Dec. 9 and runs until Dec. 8, 2022.
Poucette concluded the ceremony noting that with everyone working together, he is positive they can “achieve great things.”
