Dissenters defy elders over bison import

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What was to be an historic celebration turned into an angry confrontation on the Blood Reserve. On Monday, March 8, a small group of protesters set up a highway blockade that kept Chief Harley Frank, Elders from the Buffalo Women's Society and two truckloads of bison from entering the reserve for almost two hours.

The drama actually began about a year ago, when Frank was the tribe's Economic Development Officer under former Chief Roy Fox. In a plan that was meant both as a symbolic reaffirmation of his people's independence and a commercial enterprise, Frank suggested the tribe develop a herd of buffalo on the almost-defunct Blood Indian Ranch.

The concept was approved by the chief and council and negotiations began for the purpose of 84 bison from the Triple Seven Ranch in South Dakota. Cost of the animals was finally settled at just over $1,100 each.

The deal was finally completed at the end of February, three months after Fox and about half his council has been ousted and Frank was elected as chief. Six of the council members under Fox were re-elected.

Since that election, Frank and the old council members haven't seen eye-to-eye

on a number of issues, including the bison purchasing.

Citing the tribe's $3 million debt as ample reason not to go ahead with the almost $100,000 bison buy, Frank was asked to cancel the deal. When he refused, a protest group formed.

Robert Blood, one of the most outspoken members of the protesters, said Frank had ignored the council's request to suspend the purchase, showing complete disregard of their opinions.

"He just went ahead on his own with the deal," Blood said. "He has no authorization for this and no right to spend the money."

Frank may not have had council's approval, but he did have the backing of many

of the tribe's Elders, especially the Buffalo Women's Society which had been promised an animal for ceremonial use in their Sun Dance ceremonies. Hereditary Chief Jim Shot Both Sides also supported the purchase.

A group of Elders and Buffalo Society women, along with Chief Frank and his wife Lois, left last week for South Dakota, to escort the bison home.

Spiritual ceremonies were held at the Triple Seven Ranch, and later at the Coutts, Alberta border crossing, where the animals entered Canada.

The bison, all year-and-a-half old pregnant cows, were transported by two large cattle liners, taking three days for the trip. At least one of the animals died enroute and will be replaced. Reports are that a second one may have suffered the same fate.

Frank says he was well aware that a protest was being planned, but wasn't sure

of the exact nature it would take. He was visibly tired and upset when his convoy of animals and people was halted by a blockade.

About a dozen protesters and Blood Police were at the site when the chief and the bison arrived at the Highway 509 entrance to the reserve, just after 1 p.m. Also present were a small number of people who had shown up to accompany the bison to their new home on the reserve, ending a 120-year period when the animals were missing from the Blood way of life.

With Frank, his wife and a group of Elders walking in front, the lead truck inched its way across the reserve boundary. Protesters also placed themselves in front of the truck's bumper, trying to stop the procession. At one point, Robert Blood laid down in the middle of the highway, only to have some of the Elders bodily move him from the road.

He was later chastised by others in his own group for being rude to the Elders.

RCMP finally persuaded the protesters and onlookers to move out of the way,

but small confrontations continued to develop, mainly between the protesters and the elderly Native women.

Once the cattle liners and their escort turned off the highway onto the gravel road leading to the ranch, RCMP blocked the entrance. A number of onlookers, media vehicles and at least one of the protesters managed to make their way down to the 25,000 acre ranch by cutting acrossthe prairie.

A brief ceremony and a number of speeches welcomed the animals to the ranch. Close to tears, Frank told the small assembled audience that the bison would help end the dark days brought upon his people by the coming of the white man, both spiritually and financially. Buffalo meat currently brings a high price, largely because of its excellent taste and low fat content.

Council is now attempting to suspend Frank from his position as chief, though the legal weight of the move is unknown. Frank has retaliated by stating he will change the structure of the council and suspend its members without pay.