Police seize gambling equipment

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Relations between the provincial government and Manitoba are deteriorating

after RCMP and Dakota-Ojibway tribal police raided five reserves to confiscate gambling equipment.

Native leaders threatened to back out of efforts to create an experimental aboriginal court system. The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs called on communities to

take "direct action" that could include road blocks if further raids are attempted.

"We have an inherent right to self-government," assembly chief Phil Fontaine said. "That means we have the right to carry on whatever activities we deem necessary and gaming is one of those activities."

RCMP and Dakota-Ojibway Tribal police raided five reserves in southern Manitoba, seizing 48 unlicensed video lottery terminals, two blackjack tables and break-open tickets.

The pre-dawn raids went quietly and no arrests were made, said RCMP spokesman Don Svendson. Police are now evaluating evidence and expect to lay gaming-related charges in the near future, he said.

The equipment was taken from Roseau River, Sandy Bay, Waterhen, Pine Creek and Fort Alexander. A provincial justice department officials said three of the communities hold gaming agreements and only unapproved items were taken.

Reaction from some of on-reserve gaming's most vocal supporters has been muted. Roseau River chief Lawrence Henry, who has been threatening to open a casino without government approval, refused comment when contacted by Windspeaker.

But band councillors voted to evict three tribal police officers for taking part in the police action. Tribal police were also forced to move their office from reserve land.

Police chief Frank McKay defended the force, saying it has a duty to enforce the law on First Nations land and will continue to follow Canadian law until new laws are brought into force.

"We are the ones that police that reserve," he said. "We are responsible for that part of the Criminal Code."

Andrew Beaulieau, an adviser to the Sandy Bay band council, said his community had been expecting action and a letter notified them in advance of police intentions. Beaulieau said the province should enter into interim agreements on gaming until its legal status can be sorted out.

"We have jurisdiction. We never deviate from that point. But we have said in

the last few days we will be entering interim arrangements with the province to avoid confrontation," he said.

It was business as usual, however, for bingo players on the Fort Alexander

reserve. An estimated 300 people turned out to try their luck only hours after video lottery terminals and bingo supplies were confiscated, said chief Jerry Fontaine.

The political fray, meanwhile, has been heating up as Native and non-Native leaders issue charges and counter-charges. The Dakota-Ojibway Tribal Council threatened to pull the plug on Tribal Days in Brandon, a festival that brings $2 million to the local economy.

RCMP issued statements claiming seized lottery machines are rigged to give bad payouts. The charge is flatly denied by Native leaders who claim the RCMP is trying to discredit Native efforts to run casinos.