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Three white, middle-aged men accused of helping with a large marijuana grow site on a Saskatchewan First Nation first applied to the self-described head chief of Turtle Island for adoption to become Indian, a Regina court heard Wednesday.
With membership came certain advantages -- like the ability to grow "medicine" in a sovereign land without need for a permit, Lawrence Hubert Agecoutay explained to the jury. But there was more.
"I told them that they didn't have to pay tax because the Indians don't have to pay tax," added Agecoutay, who prefers to be called Chief or Kitchi O-Stew Ka-Nee-Ka-Na-Go-Shick Okimow-Wacon Ka-Nee-Ka-Neet.
Agecoutay spent his second day on the witness stand testifying in his own defence. The 52-year-old, his brothers Robert Stanley Agecoutay, 48, and Joseph Clayton Agecoutay, 47, as well as Chester Fernand Girard, 59, Nelson Edward Northwood, 58, and Jack Allan Northwood, 55, -- the men Agecoutay says sought adoption to be closer to the Creator -- are charged with illegally producing marijuana and possessing the drug for the purpose of trafficking.
Girard's lawyer Drew Hitchcock told the jury he will not be calling any evidence.
Defence lawyer Robert Mulligan, who represents Nelson Northwood, is expected to open his case today. The other accused have not yet indicated whether or not they'll be calling evidence.
The six were charged after an RCMP raid on Aug. 21, 2005 uncovered more than 6,000 plants, primarily growing in six large greenhouses and four smaller plots near the homes of Joseph and Robert Agecoutay on the Pasqua First Nation.
"You call it marijuana, I call it medicine," Lawrence Agecoutay said, taking issue with Crown prosecutor Darrell Blais' choice of words in cross-examination.
In his earlier testimony, Agecoutay said he is a pipe carrier and the international, traditional, inherent and spiritual chief of the "Soto" Nation ( the spelling he uses ) and for the Anishinabe Federation of Sovereign Nations. He is a band member of the Pasqua First Nation and even worked on its treaty land entitlement case, until the elected chief and council "weeded me out," he testified.
A seal featuring a turtle on documents seized from his home also refers to Agecoutay as the head chief of the Anishinabe Nations of Turtle Island Indian Reserve. Turtle Island refers to the Americas.
"I am not a Canadian," said Agecoutay. He said a sovereign nation makes its own laws. Asked if he feels he is exempt from Canadian drug laws prohibiting marijuana production, Agecoutay again said it was medicine and added that "the criminal element is the THC." THC is the chemical in marijuana that produces a high. Agecoutay said the medicine is a powder created from crushing the plants.
He said he was directed by the Creator to grow the medicine to help his people dying of cancer and diabetes and had a five-year plan for a centre that would eventually churn out medicine, hemp clothes and fuel. Knowing nothing about horticulture himself, he relied on Girard, who showed him a book titled The Emperor Wears No Clothes about the medicinal use of marijuana and hemp.
He met the Ontario man and the Northwoods, B.C. brothers who disagree with Canada's tax laws, through his Anishinabe Website, which advertised adoption for a $10,500 fee. Unable to come up with that amount, Girard offered to provide seed for the medicine -- saying each seed was worth $20 -- and use his expertise to grow the plants.
Agecoutay said he often used his treaty card to buy supplies for the site, with money loaned by Girard, so there was no tax.
"He ( Girard ) makes money grow," Agecoutay said, clarifying that he meant the money would stretch if there was no tax.
"I agree, he makes money grow," Blais replied as the courtroom erupted in laughter.
Source: Regina Leader-Post
Author: Barb Pacholik
Copyright: 2008 The Leader-Post Ltd.
Website: canada.com
With membership came certain advantages -- like the ability to grow "medicine" in a sovereign land without need for a permit, Lawrence Hubert Agecoutay explained to the jury. But there was more.
"I told them that they didn't have to pay tax because the Indians don't have to pay tax," added Agecoutay, who prefers to be called Chief or Kitchi O-Stew Ka-Nee-Ka-Na-Go-Shick Okimow-Wacon Ka-Nee-Ka-Neet.
Agecoutay spent his second day on the witness stand testifying in his own defence. The 52-year-old, his brothers Robert Stanley Agecoutay, 48, and Joseph Clayton Agecoutay, 47, as well as Chester Fernand Girard, 59, Nelson Edward Northwood, 58, and Jack Allan Northwood, 55, -- the men Agecoutay says sought adoption to be closer to the Creator -- are charged with illegally producing marijuana and possessing the drug for the purpose of trafficking.
Girard's lawyer Drew Hitchcock told the jury he will not be calling any evidence.
Defence lawyer Robert Mulligan, who represents Nelson Northwood, is expected to open his case today. The other accused have not yet indicated whether or not they'll be calling evidence.
The six were charged after an RCMP raid on Aug. 21, 2005 uncovered more than 6,000 plants, primarily growing in six large greenhouses and four smaller plots near the homes of Joseph and Robert Agecoutay on the Pasqua First Nation.
"You call it marijuana, I call it medicine," Lawrence Agecoutay said, taking issue with Crown prosecutor Darrell Blais' choice of words in cross-examination.
In his earlier testimony, Agecoutay said he is a pipe carrier and the international, traditional, inherent and spiritual chief of the "Soto" Nation ( the spelling he uses ) and for the Anishinabe Federation of Sovereign Nations. He is a band member of the Pasqua First Nation and even worked on its treaty land entitlement case, until the elected chief and council "weeded me out," he testified.
A seal featuring a turtle on documents seized from his home also refers to Agecoutay as the head chief of the Anishinabe Nations of Turtle Island Indian Reserve. Turtle Island refers to the Americas.
"I am not a Canadian," said Agecoutay. He said a sovereign nation makes its own laws. Asked if he feels he is exempt from Canadian drug laws prohibiting marijuana production, Agecoutay again said it was medicine and added that "the criminal element is the THC." THC is the chemical in marijuana that produces a high. Agecoutay said the medicine is a powder created from crushing the plants.
He said he was directed by the Creator to grow the medicine to help his people dying of cancer and diabetes and had a five-year plan for a centre that would eventually churn out medicine, hemp clothes and fuel. Knowing nothing about horticulture himself, he relied on Girard, who showed him a book titled The Emperor Wears No Clothes about the medicinal use of marijuana and hemp.
He met the Ontario man and the Northwoods, B.C. brothers who disagree with Canada's tax laws, through his Anishinabe Website, which advertised adoption for a $10,500 fee. Unable to come up with that amount, Girard offered to provide seed for the medicine -- saying each seed was worth $20 -- and use his expertise to grow the plants.
Agecoutay said he often used his treaty card to buy supplies for the site, with money loaned by Girard, so there was no tax.
"He ( Girard ) makes money grow," Agecoutay said, clarifying that he meant the money would stretch if there was no tax.
"I agree, he makes money grow," Blais replied as the courtroom erupted in laughter.
Source: Regina Leader-Post
Author: Barb Pacholik
Copyright: 2008 The Leader-Post Ltd.
Website: canada.com
