Alleged drug dealers banned from Siksika Nation
By Miriam Ostermann, Associate Editor
Three non-Siksika Nation members were given the 1-2-3 last week after Siksika Nation chief and council banished the alleged drug dealers from the Aboriginal reserve on May 11.
The decision was made following an outcry by community members living in fear of increased drug and criminal activity, who banded together to voice their concerns.
Christopher Whiteman Left, Glen Yellow Feet and Thomas Yellow Feet, reportedly members of the Blood Tribe from the Kainai First Nation in southern Alberta, are well-known for their involvement of drug possession and trafficking within the community.
Following last week’s decision, the three are not permitted to enter the reserve and will face prosecution if they do.
“Leadership is committed to doing our best to keeping our communities safe,” said Ruben “Buck” Breaker, councillor for Siksika Nation and chair of the crime prevention task force, in a press release.
“The community was very instrumental in our decision to banish these non-nation members. We received reports that some members are living in constant fear because of ongoing drug and criminal activity. It was an easy decision for council to take this action. These individuals can go back to their community or the very places to which they got their supply of drugs from. Drugs were never our way.”
Chief and council, which represent Siksika Nation that is home to 7,800 individuals, will continue to work in collaboration with the Gleichen RCMP, other internal services areas, and community involvement to address its current criminal and illegal drug distribution problem that includes methamphetamine, heroine and fentanyl.
Siksika residents can report illegal activity to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, the RCMP complaint line at 403-734-3923, or the Gleichen RCMP detachment at 403-734-3056.