Blood Tribe members in Standoff -- LNN

By Connor Gunn/Sarah Jones

Blood Tribe members protest to halt outsourced work in Standoff

Apr 5, 2021 | 1:19 PM

STANDOFF, AB– A petition has been started to stop outsourcing work on the Blood Tribe. Members of the Blood Tribe in Standoff have been protesting over the past weekend to make their situation known.

Talbera International Technologies in Lethbridge have been handling capital projects such as buildings and other upgrades according to member Beth Day Chief.

Normally these contracts would need to be bid on by local contractors but Day Chief says Talbera has been awarded the contracts due to them being listed as the project manager, the consultant, and the engineer for many of these projects.

From the online petition, Blood Tribe members would like to see the following happen:

1. An internal audit & investigation of all contracts awarded to Talbera International Technologies Ltd. from the Blood Tribe, its entities, and departments.

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2. An internal audit & investigation of all non-tribal-owned companies that were subcontractors under Talbera International Technologies Ltd.

3. Accountability & Transparency from senior management, directors & managers of the Blood Tribe on the contracts that were awarded to Talbera International Technologies Ltd, and why Talbera International Technologies Ltd held the position of project manager, consultant, general contractor, and engineer for these contracts.

“You know we are very capable of doing the work, we’ve got the manpower, we got the equipment, and we have the experience to do the job. So why aren’t we working.”

Day Chief is worried about keeping money circulating in their economy, and hiring more local residents could help support up to 15 families on the reserve.

“Right now we’re saying there’s enough work here, our members are fully capable of doing the work so let’s start looking at our small business owners and put some confidence behind your people.”

Day Chief hopes to have more members of the Blood Tribe working soon which would help with unemployment in the area.

Signatures for the petition will be accepted until Tuesday morning and a link can be found here.

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