Reformed Bad Eagle returns to culture that pulled him through

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Francis Bad Eagle walked the streets and alleys of Edmonton's "skid road" in the mid '70s searching for people who needed shelter for the night when he worked for the Poundmaker Lodge "street patrol" program.

He would take these people, who often had alcohol and drug problems, to AADAC shelters or 'flop houses' for the night.

"I believe there's quite a few people right now who forget their culture because of drinking," says Bad Eagle, 46, who was born on the Peigan reserve.

Alcohol has been a constant course of sorrow for him. He lost one brother and two sisters through alcohol related deaths, and spent time in jail for crimes committed while he was drunk.

However, Bad Eagle has been sober for the past 15 years, through he clearly remembers his "drinking days."

"When I started drinking, I forgot my culture. Nobody forced me to drink, not the government or anybody, just me. I went through hell with this drinking . . . and, I thank the Creator today that I came back to my culture."

He admits there are times when he gets the urge even today to have a drink, but says his memories of "the bottle" and strength from the Native culture always stop him.

Though he doesn't patrol the streets any more, Bad Eagle still gets calls from the police department, asking him to assist people needing a place to stay.

"Sometimes you see the same people more than once, but I can't force them to quit drinking. They have to find strength from inside. They have to put their foot down and decide."

Bad Eagle also performs sweats and pipe ceremonies for men in jail, and he tries to counsel them, but only if they'll listen.

Bad Eagle recalled a rodeo in 1980 in New Zealand which left him crippled for the rest of his life. After 21 years on the rodeo circuit, doctors told him to quit when a bull sent him tumbling awkwardly into the ground. He still needs medical attention for a back injury he suffered at the time.

Powwow absorbs all of Bad Eagle's time and effort now. The eagle staff he proudly displays at North American powwows was conceived in a dream in which the late Ben Calf Robe gave him instructions to design it.

He says powwows today are "artificial" because only the prize money draws people to the event. Still, he's glad that powwows exist even in this form because it brings people together in a friendly environment.

It doesn't matter what cultural background you come from, says Bad Eagle. He doesn't believe people should be divided by differences or color.

"We all pray to the same Creator," he concludes.