Hobbema breaks ground for first Native-run prison

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In a chilly, windswept field federal officials and members of the Samson Cree Nation gathered last week to break the hard ground where Canada's first Native-run federal prison will be built.

"I want to see the bulldozer pull up right behind us as we leave. I want to see bricks and mortar," said federal Solicitor General Doug Lewis, who announced the

project in January.

In a speech that started out as a plug for the unity agreement that will be the subject of a national referendum Oct. 26, Lewis called the prison project "bold and unique."

Lewis lined up with Corrections Canada head Olaf Ingstrep and Samson chief Victor Buffalo to plunge gold-colored shovels into the ground in a symbolic sod-turning ceremony on the Samson reserve, about 100 kilometres south of Edmonton.

The 60-bed, minimum security pilot project has been widely touted as a possible solution to dealing with the cultural isolation and over-representation of Native people in the corrections system.

The new prison will cost an estimated $8 million and will be jointly managed by Ottawa and the band. It will specialize in culturally sensitive rehabilitation programs run by a First Nations staff.

In a speech citing the "historic" significance of the project, Buffalo played down "negative talk" surrounding fears of bringing criminals into the community.

"We are dealing with our own people on our own terms every step of the way," he said in a short speech emphasizing the project's advantages for Hobbema's four reserves and neighboring communities.

About 60 people turned out for the ceremony and unveiling of a polished, wooden road sign proclaiming the land as the site of the future prison in English, French and Cree.

Flora Cardinal, a member of the steering committee planning the facility's design, said the group has been touring jails in western Canada to learn about the needs of Native prisoners.

Programs for aboriginal offenders are not well integrated into the corrections system's mainstream at this time, she said. There is a lack of follow-up work for offenders who require specialized counselling and often don't recognize rehabilitative measures like elder counselling in parole hearings.

The new prison will likely include services ranging from primary to university-level education, job skills training, drug and alcohol counselling and Native life skills programs.

Planners expect many of the 30 to 35 permanent staff positions to be filled by members of First Nations. At a reception honoring the announcement of the project last January, Samson leaders said they hope the anticipated 50 construction jobs will also help alleviate soaring unemployment rates in the 4,200 member band.