Canada
First Nation weighs banishment of drug dealers


The Pasqua First Nation in Saskatchewan has passed a resolution that authorizes the banishment of drug dealers.

Tribal leaders plan to meet with lawyers to see how they can put the resolution to use. The idea was prompted by a drug bust on the reserve last summer.

Banishment was used traditionally but in modern times it may not be enforceable, according to the director of the Native Law Centre and a spokesperson for the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs.

The Grand Rapids First Nation banished people who deal drugs are associated with gangs but the tribal administrator said it is difficult to enforce because the people keep coming back.

Get the Story:
First Nation moves to banish drug dealers (CBC 2/1)
Drug activity not okay with Sask. First Nation group (The Saskatoon Star-Phoenix 1/29)

Related Stories:
Movie Reviews: Native street gangs in 'Stryker' (01/04)
Report cites increase in Native gang activity (03/15)
Reserve in Alberta hit by week of gang, drug violence (07/18)
Native rapper who boasted of gangs sentenced (07/01)
Men on trial for murder linked to Native gang activity (06/21)
Only one man guilty in crime linked to Native gang (05/27)
Native gang linked to attempted murder case (05/26)
Native youth called more militant, more violent (06/16)
Native unemployment still high in Canada (6/14)
Five people banished over drug problems, violence (04/29)
Native rapper boasts of experience with gangs (03/23)
Natives accused of being gang members banished (03/23)
Young Native girls describe gang experience (03/22)
Two Indian teens kicked off Idaho reservation (03/22)
Indian teens to be banished from Idaho reservation (03/18)
Report cites increase in Native gang activity (03/15)