A break and enter at the Chief Goodstoney Rodeo Centre in Morley is under investigation by Cochrane RCMP.
Discovered by facility workers in the morning of April 24, the break-in resulted in extensive damage, including graffiti, broken windows and lights, and toppled furniture. In addition, a number of computers are missing from the premises.
While there is currently no line on possible culprits, Cpl. Troy Savinkoff of the Cochrane detachment said fingerprints were recovered at the scene.
“Right now, the case is still an open file,” said Savinkoff. “We’re waiting on identification information to proceed. Currently, there are no suspects.”
The rodeo centre has been a fixture in the community for decades. The venue has been used to host powwows, hold a selection of training meetings and workshops, as well as rented out for a variety of events.
The facility is named after Chief Jacob Goodstoney, one of the Stoney representatives who signed Treaty 7 in 1877.
Tara Beaver was on hand the morning of the discovery at the rodeo centre. She said this crime might be the push the Stoney Nakoda Nation needs to crack down on gang-related activity in the community.
“This is an issue that needs to be addressed before it gets out of hand,” she said. “It crushes my heart.”
While there has been gang-related crime in Morley, Cpl. Savinkoff said at this point there is nothing to indicate a gang was responsible for the damage to the rodeo centre.
But this hasn’t stopped Beaver and Amanda Goodstoney from initiating a gang awareness project, which Goodstoney said will be launched this month.
“The whole month of May is about spreading the message to Nation members,” said Goodstoney, a descendent of the facility’s namesake. “The people who are (committing these crimes) are young. They need guidance and direction to learn these senseless acts effect everyone — even them.”
Goodstoney, of the Wesley Nation, said she’ll be teaming up with representatives from the Bearspaw and Chiniki Nations to launch the awareness initiative. Together, with help from RCMP and aboriginal gang experts, Goodstoney said the group aims to reach people through community engagement sessions and in-school presentations.
“We, as a people, need to start holding community members responsible for their actions,” said Goodstoney.
“There is a lot of do, but I look forward to it — it’s for the better of the community,” she added. “I care about the youth. To me, (these crimes) are a cry for attention and a cry for help.”
To volunteer with the gang awareness initiative, contact Amanda Goodstoney at [email protected].
Anyone with information about the break and enter can anonymously call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
