Reason for optimism
From the Calgary Herald: The Blood tribe, which has endured the agony of 16 deaths due to fentanyl overdose, is sowing the seeds for a brighter future.
The southern Alberta band is training a number of its young people to become farmers, raising crops on the tribe’s reserve, which comprises 1,400 square kilometres of prairie countryside. It’s the largest reserve by land area in Canada, and the new initiative has the potential to provide valuable new revenue and employment opportunities.
“It allows for our band members to stay home, have some work, seasonal work throughout the year, and be able to provide for their families right here at home,” says Al Blackwater, a band councillor who is involved in the project.
It’s not that farming is foreign to the region — far from it. Non-tribal permit holders have been farming much of the reserve for years, reportedly generating millions of dollars in profit. Not surprisingly, band officials, who have purchased their own equipment to facilitate the new enterprise, want to “bring those earnings home.”
Thirty students recently completed several weeks of classroom training at Lethbridge College, and earlier this week, they began planting seeds. The young people learned about irrigation, soil management, beef production and farm safety. Some will train with permit holders, and together they will grow crops such as wheat, barley and canola, which can be marketed to southern Alberta buyers.
“Our end goal, 20 to 30 years down the road, is to farm 100 per cent of our land,” says Blackwater.
The Blood tribe deserves credit for gently taking the reins from permit holders. Farming cannot only be a source of revenue for the band, but also help members develop important skills that will be useful in generating family incomes. The industriousness is reminiscent of the Osoyoos Indian band, in the sun-soaked Okanagan Valley, a model of aboriginal ingenuity and entrepreneurism. Its assets include a golf course, a resort and winery.
Yes, the B.C. band had the good fortune to be situated in prime grape-growing and tourism country, but Osoyoos Chief Clarence Louie’s remarks are proof the Blood tribe is on the right track.
“You have to pick up on the economy of the area,” says Louie. “If you are on the coast, it’s trees and fish. For us, it was agriculture and tourism. As they say, you fish where the fish are.”
Or farm where the farms are, if you’re with the Blood tribe. Best of luck with the new venture.