The jails are filled with the wrong people

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Canadian society has done the Dene Tha' of northern Alberta great injustice.

High Level, Alberta's most northerly town, was built from the sweat of Canadian pioneers who saw their fortunes written in the stars.

The grain-yielding, resource-rich regions of northwest Alberta had all the makings of a bustling center for economic and social progression.

Today, 28 years since High Level became an official Canadian township, there's a cry from local RCMP they're finding it hard to deal with the increasing rate of Natives arrested for alcohol-related offenses.

They recently told a Native justice task force they can't handle the amount of calls coming in to their office from local businesspeople complaining about drunken Indians on their doorsteps.

Something needs to be done, they claim.

They're right.

Somebody has to admit responsibility for neglect. Ant is isn't the Dene Tha' people, who gave up their land and natural treasures so Canadian society and its government could profit and then get nothing in return.

Alcoholism, combined with a low sense of self-worth, is gripping the people of the Dene Tha' reserves which surround High Level. But it didn't just happen.

The problem with alcoholism in the area is the product of white man's greed with no consideration for the consequences.

The wrong villains are filling High Level jails.