Pubdate: Sun, 10 Aug 2003
Source: Meadow Lake Progress (CN SN)
Copyright: 2003 Meadow Lake Progress
Contact:  http://www.bowesnet.com/mlprogress/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2156
Author: Jacquie McFarlane

DILLON RESIDENTS TRYING TO MAKE CHANGE

Meadow Lake Progress -- While the community of Dillon tries to deal with 
the reality of a recent murder, some of its residents are trying to make a 
difference and flush drugs and alcohol out of the community.

Concerned citizens gathered with a police member and then held a 
demonstration on Aug. 4 to express concerns about what was going on in the 
community. Emotions still ran very close to the surface among those sitting 
at the table.

"It just didn't start yesterday. A lot of things happened in this community 
that people covered up and now it's come out in the open," said 72-year-old 
Adaline Bekkattla from St. George's Hill.

The issue of drugs and alcohol came to the forefront after 31-year-old 
community health representativ, Joan Flora Campbell, who died from a trauma 
to the head. The accused is Larry R. Billette. It is believed that drugs or 
alcohol were involved.

"When this lady was stabbed it was really hard for me," said Lena 
Montgrand, an aunt of the deceased. "She really was a good lady. Whenever 
you saw her she had a smile on her face."

According to Norbert Billette, an elder who organized the meeting, there 
have been three deaths related to alcohol since the beginning of June and 
he feels it's something that needs to be stopped.

"Why I started this, I don't know why," said Norbert. "When these things 
happen in our community nobody feels safe and we don't know what to do. I 
want to help the community as much as I can."

The concern for this small group of community members is the amount of 
alcohol and drugs that are making their way onto what is supposed to be a 
dry reserve. Some people drive into Buffalo Narrows to buy alcohol, while 
there are also suspicions of bootleggers and drug dealers living within 
Dillon. Alcohol and drugs are what is causing many community members to 
feel unsafe.

"I don't want to venture that all of them are but a vast majority of 
offences are a result of alcohol or drug involvement," said Sgt. Gord 
Wellar from the Buffalo Narrows detachment. "It's a community concern. 
There's been community meetings and not just since the murder, but before 
the murder, to address the problem."

While these members are feeling frustrated they have taken the first steps 
by holding a demonstration, contacting the chief and council and looking 
into possible programs the community could be working with. They're hoping 
to see more action from their chief and council.

"He said his first priority is healing in this reserve but I don't see 
that," said Norbert, of chief Elmer Campbell.

However, the RCMP have found that the band administration has been working 
very hard to enforce bylaws within the community.

"The elected officials have shown support to the police in trying to ensure 
people in the community follow the bylaw," said Sgt. Wellar.

The Buffalo River Dene First Nation was contacted but due to vacation and 
other obligations the chief and councilors were unavailable.
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