Indigenous pair assaulted, stage awareness walk

An Indigenous couple assaulted in Airdrie in early December staged a walk this weekend to raise awareness of racism in Alberta.

Telly Bear on Saturday led a group of about a dozen people on the nine-kilometre walk from Crossiron Mills shopping centre just north of Calgary city limits to the Airdrie 7-Eleven — where he and his wife had been assaulted a week earlier — on Yankee Valley Boulevard just east of Highway 2.

Other supporters followed in vehicles.

The event began with a prayer and traditional singing before the group embarked on the more than two-hour trek north, walking against the wind in -6 C temperatures.

It was meant to spread the message of the effects of racism in Alberta while serving as a symbolic statement about resiliency, Bear said.

“We wanted to do this so it doesn't happen to anyone else,” he said.

“The regalia I was wearing, it's a traditional outfit of a dog soldier ... a warrior a long time ago who would stay outside of the perimeter of the camp and they would protect anything and anyone inside the village.

“That's what I did for my wife. I was a dog soldier and I was protecting her with my life.”

Bear said the assault occurred around 10:30 p.m. on Dec. 3 after he and his wife, Judy Bear, encountered a man outside the 7-Eleven who used racial slurs while yelling at the couple to “get out of Airdrie.”

He said the assailant followed the couple by car, eventually rear-ending his stopped truck at high speed.

Bear said he exited his truck, at which point he was hit on the head and back numerous times with a baton.

Bear suffered injuries including a hairline fracture in his arm, and his wife was diagnosed with whiplash and a concussion from the collision.

Those injuries aren't getting any better, Bear said, adding they required continued medical visits since the assault.

RCMP arrested Darrian Chief, 27, of Airdrie, at the time of the assault.

He faces charges of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and assault with a weapon, and is scheduled to appear in Airdrie Provincial Court on Jan. 14.

Police said the incident is not being investigated as a hate crime.

Under Canada's Criminal Code, racial motivation of an offence is typically considered by judges during sentencing as an aggravating factor.

Bear said he wanted to thank Airdrie RCMP and other first responders for their support during and after the assault.

The couple has also started a Gofundme campaign to raise money for their medical costs, including physiotherapy for Judy's whiplash.

As of Sunday afternoon, they had received about $500 in donations.

A warrior a long time ago ... would stay outside of the perimeter of the camp and they would protect anything and anyone inside the village.