And now:Ish <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
Date: Tue, 27 Jul 1999 08:21:14 -0400
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
From: Lynne Moss-Sharman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Duck Lake, sex offender resigns
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Convicted sex offender quits work on program for abuse victims
JAMES PARKER, Saskatoon StarPhoenix
DUCK LAKE, Sask. - A convicted sex offender has quit his First Nation's job
developing programs for people abused at residential schools after his
victim complained.
Dave Cameron stepped down from his position as residential school strategy
co-ordinator at the Beardy's and Okemasis First Nation after it was
revealed last week that a woman assaulted by Cameron was outraged over his
appointment.
Chief Rick Gamble said he regrets that Cameron quit his six-month contract
position to help develop programs for people who suffered abuse at
residential schools.
Gamble said unlike the conventional justice system, First Nations don't
ostracize people who commit crimes but work to bring them back into the
community.
Gamble's view was endorsed by community elders and Lawrence Joseph,
vice-chief of the Federation of Indian Nations, who said the band is a
sovereign nation which can run its residential school program as it sees fit.
"At what point does an individual, who has been convicted, sentenced and
counselled, claim the right to come back as a contributing member of
society?" asked Gamble, who was flanked by a group of elders at a news
conference held to defend Cameron's hiring.
Cameron, who could not be reached for comment, was to help document the
needs of former residential school students, many of whom suffered sexual,
physical and emotional abuse at the institutions.
The information collected was to serve as the basis for counselling and
programs to be delivered at the reserve.
The initiative was funded by a national $350-million healing fund for
residential school victims.
Cameron, 48, was a child-care worker and sports and recreation director at
St. Michael's Residential School in Duck Lake, Sask., when he assaulted a
student. He was given a nine-month sentence in 1996.
The victim and another former student filed a suit against Cameron and the
federal government in 1997, claiming they were assaulted on numerous
occasions, with the nature of the assaults ranging from fondling to sexual
intercourse.
The women claim the residential school didn't interview Cameron, obtain his
family history or conduct psychological testing before it hired him. They
claim the assaults have hampered their enjoyment of life and rendered them
unable to take advantage of some educational and employment activities.
In an interview last week, Cameron said he was sexually abused at St.
Michael's when he attended the school in the late 1950s and 1960s.
After his release from jail, he said he entered therapy and a men's healing
group. He also gave up alcohol in 1997.
Cal Albright, the band's justice co-ordinator, said Cameron holds two
university degrees and was well qualified for the position.
In addition, Gamble and Albright said before the band hired Cameron, it
talked to the victim.
"In her words, she had forgiven Mr. Cameron and at some point in time she
was prepared to meet him and lay the matter to rest forever," said Gamble.
"Now that process has been broken."
The woman couldn't be reached for comment. But her lawyer, Ron Piche, said
his client isn't prepared to forgive Cameron.
The two women involved in the law suit "believe they've been exploited by
Mr. Cameron," he said.
Piche said restorative justice is a laudable goal. But he said it was
inappropriate for the band to hire Cameron for the residential school project.
(Saskatoon StarPhoenix)
© The Canadian Press, 1999
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FOR K A R E N #01182
who died fighting 4/23/99
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