The Chilliwack
Progress Tuesday
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Chilliwack Chiefs in action on the weekend.
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Sally Ann expansion on horizon Salvation Army buys property next to its Yale Road location Jennifer Feinberg The Progress
Gary Abbott is relieved to see an end to an eagle poaching case that has dragged on for years. However, despite the expected mistrial, the traditional powwow dancer is angry about the criminalization of his culture. JENNA HAUCK/ PROGRESS FILE
Eagle poaching case expected to end in mistrial Jennifer Feinberg The Progress Gary Abbott has been waiting for eight long years to be vindicated after facing charges for unlawful possession of eagle feathers. He was one of several charged in a high-profile poaching case launched in 2006 by the B.C. Conservation Office. Abbott’s lawyer, George Wool, informed him last week that a mistrial was about to be declared by the judge due to issues of disclosure. “I am elated,” Abbott told The Progress, before heading off for a short respite in Mexico. “It’s been a long, hard run. This was a fight that needed to be fought.”
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He was originally charged, along with 10 others, with more than 21 counts under the BC Wildlife Act for illegally possessing and trafficking in dead wildlife. “We are the first to fight and win against these laws,” Abbott said, adding that he considers himself a “general” for his people. “Being aboriginal, the use of eagle feathers is part of our rights and title.” A traditional powwow dancer, Abbott said at the time that he had “lost” his spirit after being hit with the charges in 2006. “Who knew we would be criminals for possessing eagle feathers,” he wrote in a blog post. Tyrone McNeil, vice-president of Sto:lo Tribal Council, was thrilled to hear about the prospect
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of a mistrial in this case. “We’re really glad it turned out this way. “There were so many hiccups and it stayed in process for so long. It should have been tossed out long before this,” said McNeil. “It seemed right from the getgo there was a vendetta declared against First Nations. I’m really glad someone decided this was sheer folly, to get it thrown out of the system and to let these guys get on with their lives.” Some of the accused like Abbott, are well-respected in Sto:lo traditional cultural circles, he said. “It’s shameful that they would be persecuted to this extent. It’s a clear case of rights and title that
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should have been recognized,” said McNeil. “It was as if the judicial system was out to attack these men.” Even from the legal point of view, there were allegations of entrapment used by officers, which should have been factored in sooner. It was alleged in 2010 that undercover officers were dispatched to reserves to entice impoverished people to kill eagles for money. “We shouldn’t have to hold a permit. We have been harvesting eagle feathers for cultural purposes for eons,” stated McNeil, adding that only certain individuals are mandated in cultural circles to harvest wildlife. Continued: MISTRIAL/ p6
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Sally Ann is set to expand its footprint in Chilliwack. Salvation Army Chilliwack officials confirmed the recent purchase of the former Budget Car & Truck Rental site at 45748 Yale Road, next door to the Care & Share Centre. “Given what I understand from lawyers and everyone else involved, yes, we are now the current owners of the former Budget property,” said Major Larry Farley, executive director and pastor at Salvation Army of Chilliwack. The existing Sally Ann building has served them “well” for the past 30 years in ministry efforts. “But we have, for 28 years, had our eye on that property next door,” Major Farley underlined. When it came up for sale on the market, they moved decisively toward the purchase, “taking advantage of the generosity of the previous owner.” Although he declined to comment on the final purchase price for the Yale Road commercial property, its assessed value is $504,400, according to online data from BC Assessment. A new facility for the local Sally Ann is definitely in order, he says. “Yesterday wouldn’t be too soon. “We want to improve the service that we provide and the atmosphere in which we do it.” The need for a new facility is driven by a sharp increase in the number of programs they provide, and the burgeoning size of their clientele from marginalized community members.