An editorial apology

In an editorial on this page of the May 6, 2001 edition of The Drum, we printed commentary in an editorial entitled: “Dignity in Exile,” regarding the death of Mary Hall and the manner in which she was treated by the Dakota Tipi Chief and Council. In that editorial, this reporter stated "When her sons told me that they had been denied permission by the chief and council of Dakota Tipi to bury her on her own reserve, I was reminded that there is much unfinished business for the Hall sons and daughters to to carry on with." The article then went on to say "When a first nation denies honouring one of its own elders in life and then in death, it is a sign that the first nation is in moral and spiritual crisis."

While I was told by Mary Hall's son that they had been denied permission by the chief and council to bury their mother on her own reserve, further investigation reveals that no formal request had been made to the Chief and Council for such a burial and, as such no denial to such a request was made. Mr. Hall assumed such a request would be a waste of time because years earlier, a request for financial assistance for the burial of his sister was denied. He also based his assumption on the history of his family's relationship with the Chief and Council. Before printing the editorial that appeared on May 6, 2001, I called the Dakota Tipi Band Office to speak to Chief Pashe regarding an editorial I was writing about why Mary Hall was not allowed to be buried on the reserve. I told the person taking the message that I had three specific questions for Chief Pashe.

1) Did Chief and Council deny a request by the Hall family to bury Mrs. Hall on reserve?
2) If the Chief and Council denied such a request from the Hall family, what were their reasons and authority for doing so?
3) Was there a way for the family to appeal that decision and have chief and council reconsider their position?

I was told by the person taking the message that the Chief would not be returning my call.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused the Dakota Tipi Chief and Council or any negative effect those comments may have had on the reputation of the Chief and Council.