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Vol. 15, No. 12, Wednesday, February 19, 2020 www.LamontLeader.com
Bruderheim pair among five charged following police chase BY JOHN MATHER One week after a drug and weapons bust shook Lamont, police helicopters and unmarked vehicles converged on the town again, Feb. 12 as a police chase ensued nearby. The chase began when police had attempted to stop a suspected stolen vehicle on Highway 16, after a theft was reported in Mannville. The driver of the vehicle refused to stop, leading police on a chase which involved a number of detachments along with RCMP Air Services. After turning off Highway 16, a tire deflation device was successfully used
bringing the chase to a halt near Josephburg. Five occupants of the vehicle were arrested without incident. As a result, Erin Brown, 41 and Patrick Hurley, 41, of Bruderheim, Morgan Parker, 26, of Edmonton and Samantha Binkowski, 28, and David Desroches, 32, of no fixed address were charged with theft of truck; two charges of possession of stolen property under $5,000; two charges of theft over $5,000; two charges of break and enter to a business; break and enter to a dwelling; flight from police, and possession of break-in instruments.
In addition, Binkowski was also charged with failing to comply with conditions of release; Brown was charged with possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine); Parker was charged with two incidents of failing to comply with conditions of release; Desroches was charged with wearing a disguise while committing an offence; and Hurley was charged with failing to comply with conditions of release and wearing a disguise while committing an offence. Following judicial hearings: • Binkowski was remanded in custody pending payment of cash bail and is
scheduled to appear in Vermilion Provincial Court on Mar. 2, 2020; • Brown was released to appear in Vermilion Provincial Court on Mar. 2, 2020; • Parker was remanded in custody pending payment of cash bail and is scheduled to appear in Vermilion Provincial Court on Mar. 2, 2020; • Desroches was remanded into custody to appear in Vermilion Provincial Court on Mar. 2, 2020. • Hurley had his first court appearance on Feb. 18 in Lloydminster.
14 Elk Island bison relocated to northern Alberta Woodland Cree First Nations to insert buffalo into food chain as it diversifies food sources BY CRYSTAL INVERARITY Officials from Elk Island National Park have translocated roughly 3,000 bison over the past 100 years, to various conservation projects and parks around the world as well as some indigenous communities. The bison used to be gathered and brought in on horseback, said park officials on Feb. 11, as more bison were gathered to be relocated on the Woodland Cree First Nation, about 500 km northwest of Edmonton, That has changed to a quieter luring of the bison in the past years, with hay bales set out mid–December to bring the bison into pens and corrals along the perimeter of the handling facility located on the southside of the national park, south of Lamont. The whole procedure of gathering the bison and prepping them for transport, from start to finish is based upon less stress, and the least invasive techniques for the bison. The handling facility itself is made up of custom designed corrals and chutes – all being circular, to assist a steady flow of movement with less stops and starts for the bison. Park staff were to speak in no more than a whisper. The snowy, -1C weather, Feb. 11, almost meant the day being halted, with the temperature too warm
to work bison in. Once in the squeeze chute, each bison got the same treatment by the park veterinarian and staff; a mask was carefully placed over the bison’s eyes to assist in calming, there was a teeth check (to assist with estimating the age
of bison), blood work, and pregnancy check. Some also got collared, for tracking information purposes. Of the bison being worked on, four bulls and 10 cows were being prepared for transport to Woodland Cree Nation – one of about 30 nations to sign the
Elk Island National Park veterinarians and staff examine a bison to gauge its health prior to it being shipped off to the Woodland Cree settlement, some 500 km north of Edmonton, Feb. 12. The 14 bison shipped to the indigenous settlement will be used as part of the food chain for the settlement.
Buffalo Treaty. Woodland Cree Nation Elder Kathleen Laboucan was on hand to speak with media; as was Lawrence Lamouche First Nations traditional land manager. “The Woodland Cree First Nation landbase is shrinking, so we need to diversify to meet change, without depending on others,” said Laboucan. “Bringing in bison will assist us in being self-sustainable, and help build a larger food supplying system.” “Our people in the community are excited, we need to get used to the idea, we need to plan for the future and other food sources. The moose population is down, we need to be forward thinking.” The nation has been unpopulated by bison for the last century - the main source of meat right now is bear, as well moose, deer, duck and fish. Tribe members will learn how to utilize all parts of the bison, in following tradition as they do with moose. Bison are translocated out of EINP every few years, to make sure habitat is not over grazed. The remainder of the gathered bison will be checked and set free, while others will be up for auction, and some possibly going to Russia.