By Angela Hill

Elders’ lodge vandalized

Oct 8, 2010 | 10:02 AM

By Angela Hill and Brent Bosker

paNOW Staff

Edith Dreaver is working hard to get the Muskoday Cree Nation Elder’s Lodge back to its original condition.
The lodge, located on the first nation about 25 kilometres southeast of Prince Albert, was broken into and vandalized earlier this week.
“I don’t really know who did it, but the RCMP is trying to find that out,” said Dreaver, the elders’ co-ordinator.
Dreaver works with the elders at meetings and events at the lodge. She said it really frustrates her to see the damage and the lack of respect towards important people in the community.
“I was angry, the elders … do a lot for the reserve and try to help the youth and our children,” she said.
Bingo dabbers were used on the floors and walls, papers were everywhere and profanity was written on the refrigerator. The back door was smashed in, which Dreaver said was how she thinks the vandals got into the building.
“It’s not very respectful when they come and do that to the elders. The elders are so humble, kind and they don’t deserve that. So I felt very angry,” she said.
Clean up has been going on throughout the week and Dreaver said she thinks the lodge will be ready for the elders again soon.
Security cameras for the facility had been approved, but not yet installed. Dreaver said she thinks this is because there was going to be an addition to the lodge and they were waiting for that work to be complete.

Kids behind senseless vandalism: RCMP

It's Camp Tamarak all over again.

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RCMP say four kids from Muskoday First Nation are responsible for vandalising the community’s elders’ lodge this week.

Three of the suspects are under the age of 12 and can't be charged, the other is facing charges of break and enter and mischief.

Back in late August, a group kids from the Wahpeton Dakota First Nation caused extensive damage to the nearby Camp Tamarak.

“We've got a lot of similarities,” said Cpl. Mark Durocher, with the Prince Albert detachment .

“I think it's just kids board out of their minds and got involved in something they shouldn't have,” he said.

RCMP plan to meet with the band and social services to discuss possible restitution.

Durocher said, there is a chance that the three youth under the age of 12 will not face any consequences.

“If the family … or the kids come to us and say, No we're not doing it. There's not much we can do being under the age 12,” said Durocher.

The youth, who can legally be charged, will appear in court November 24.