Pictured from left to right Sunchild Councillour Joey Pete, Sunchild Chief Jonathan Frencheater, O'Chiese Chief Douglas Beaverbones and ASETS Data Manager for Yellowhead Tribal Council Bernadine Coleman.

By Adam Ophus

"We're doing it for the kids"

First Nations take action to evict drug dealers

Nov 21, 2019 | 9:21 AM

Two Central Alberta First Nations are taking action to drive out the illegal drug trade and improve the lives of local youth.

Chiefs from the O’Chiese and Sunchild First Nation signed bylaws on Wednesday giving them the power to evict drug dealers from their communities.

“In the beginning, I wasn’t sure if I was doing the right thing, then some members approached me and said you have to do this, you have to stop this epidemic,” said Chief Douglas Beaverbones of the O’Chiese First Nation.

The new Residency and Trespass Bylaws will allow councils to evict anyone who has been found selling drugs. Penalties and appeals will be handled by a body made up of seven First Nations community members.

“This is an historic event for both nations… we’re a strong nation as one,” Beaverbones said in reference to the last time O’Chiese and Sunchild worked together against a problem like with the Intoxicants Prohibition By-Law of 1988.

mayor hopes to meet housing minister this month

Alberta demands Ottawa back off on housing funding stripped from Red Deer

8h ago

Last seen Jan. 15

Missing: Courtney Cattleman, 17, of Maskwacis

13h ago

eyes up

Air Spray training around Red Deer Regional Airport

14h ago

Chief Beaverbones described during Wednesday’s signing ceremony the difficulties he’s felt watching his community suffer.

“It hurt me to see them like that, I wanted to help.”

Both First Nations say they are well aware of the difficulties that lay ahead, and even referenced the amount of pushback they may have to endure, saying “It may be tough, but we’re doing it for the kids.”

Local children attended Wednesday’s ceremony lofting signs stating their support. “Say no to drugs,” “Don’t use alcohol and drugs, they will kill you,” “Drugs ruin lives,” the signs read.

Elder Advisor Theresa Strawberry noted, “We need to look beyond our struggles, we need to look past the wrongdoings and instead, heal from it.”

O’Chiese and Sunchild First Nations received overwhelming support for the new bylaws from their residents and will be working collaboratively with the RCMP on enforcement of the new bylaws and all aspects of the criminal justice system.