the life of helen betty osborne

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2008 Helen Betty Osborne Foundation

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PDF Format ISBN 978-1-55379-224-6

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The Life of Helen Betty Osborne

in a in pu ications

a graphic novel


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David Robertson script, layout & book design

2008 Helen Betty Osborne Memorial Foundation. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be printed or reproduced in any manner

without the written permission of the publisher and the foundation.

Distributed by Portage & Main Press. Published by IN A BIND PUBLICATIO

Print Format ISBN:978-0-9689653-4-4/PDF Format ISBN: 978-1-55379-2

Madison Blackstone illustrations


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he Helen Betty Osborne Memorial Foundation would like to acknowled

Betty for her courage to dream, her determination to fulfill those dreams

and the gift of her legacy, which gives hope to future generations, the Os-orne Family, the Winnipeg Foundation, the Winnipeg Partnership Agree-

ent and the Government of Manitoba Aboriginal and Northern Affairs

he author would like to acknowledge Judge Sinclair, Alan Ross, Edwin

Jebb, Mr. Benson and all who shared their knowledge and memories.

hanks to Bettys wonderful friends, Byron, Rebecca, Eva and Katherine,

who took the time to meet and share stories about, and feelings toward, a

eautiful young woman they loved very much. hanks to Jen Cabral for h

hotography. Special thanks to a new friend, Eva Simpson, for her honesty

indness and understanding.

o all who guided and supported me throughout this long but rewarding

journey, especially my family, who understood the time and commitment

his project required and deserved: hank you. hanks to the Helen Bettysborne Memorial Foundation board members for believing in my vision

for, and entrusting me with, Bettys story Dave Robertson

he Helen Betty Osborne Memorial Foundation board members are:

Diane Carriere, Mary Young, Eleanor hompson, Conrad Delaronde,

Andrew Clarke and Arnold Asham.

he events in Bettys story are true.

he events in Daniels story represent our ability to change, learn and grow


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Present Day...


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ring ring ring ring ring ring ring ring ring ring ringring ring ring ring ring ring ring ring ring ring ring


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cultural genocide


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together


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mom...can onething change you?

yes i think it can.

i catch myself sometimes

looking at my reflection and

seeing somebody that i dont

recognize...somebody that i

dont like. a part of me is not

the same.

a part of me is gone.do you think thatsbad? is it anything?

i think it is what you want tomake it. this change youre

talking about. maybe its notjust yourself you see differ-ently...

i feel like i was blind before,numb to people like betty. icouldnt sleep last night. ilook back at things and wish iwouldve done something.

but i didn t.

nobody can change the past,

but we can learn from it.

so maybe it happened

for a reason.


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go back towhere youbelong. dirty indians.


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believed


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the ending is thehardest part, mom.there was no reasonfor it. only that shewas an indian woman.thats it!

you cant understandit daniel, you werenot raised thatway.

you know, thoseboys that killedher...three of themdidnt even go tojail. one of themdid but not for likesixteen years!

even happen?

pretend the salt isthe pas back then. itwas a racist town.they didnt like theaboriginal people atall. it was a lot likethe black people inthe south...they werehated becausethey were notwhite.

so when helen betty waskilled you would thinkthat the reserve wouldgo nuts right? but theydidnt go nuts. lots ofthem were questionedbecause they were indian,though. no whites were!maybe they were scaredto say something...or...

maybe they didntknow the residential

school kids from othercommunities. kidslike betty didnt stayon the reserve eventhough theywere aboriginal.maybe it wouldvebeen better for themthat way, i dontknow. but they hadto stay in the paswith white familiesand nobody on thereserve knew the kidsso they didnt getmixed up in it.

the kids that did know her weresuspects because they wereaboriginal. people knew who did itbut nobody spoke up, not until roburbanoski took over the case. hegot some justice done...but maybeit was too late.

things have gotten better in thepas since that time. things thathappened back then...theywould never happen now.i think it all goesbacktobetty.

much change.

but...society raises ourchildren, too. the pointis, hate for someonelike that doesnt justhappen. it islearned, likeanythingelse.


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St. Anthonys Hospital

what are you up to?

nothing. just about to head back...do you have the time though??

around seven...dontyou have a watch?

NOPE.


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his is what they did to her


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back home, its cold andark...

but wewouldnt behere.

we wouldnt be talking aboutthe same things. not aboutschool, what classes we weregoing to take, where we weregoing to meet for break...


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LITTLE IS KNOWN OF HERWHEREABOUTS AFTER THIS TIME.SHE WAS SEEN PASSING BY THECAMBRIAN HOTEL AT 12:45AM.SHE HAD AN ARGUMENT THEreEARLIER IN THE EVENING WITHHER EX-BOYFRIEND

BEFORE MEETING FRIENDS AT THNORTHERN LITE CAFE. AT 2:00AMSHE WAS SEEN AT THE LEGIONWHERE A DANCE WAS TAKINGPLACE. AT ABOUT 2:15AM HERFRIEND REBECCA ROSS SAW HERWALKING WEST ON EDWARDSAVENUE. REBECCA CALLED OUTBUT BETTY DIDNT ANSWER.

IN DECEMBER, WHEN HER FRIENDS TRAVELLED BACK TO NORWAYHOUSE, THEY BOARDED THE SAME YELLOW PLANE THEY HAD ARRIVEDIN. EIGHT OF THEM HAD COME WITH HOPE IN 1969. SEVEN WENT HOFOR CHRISTMAS IN 1971. NOBODY SAT IN BETTYS SEAT, AS THOUGIT WAS SACRED. THERE WAS AN EERIE SILENCE ON THE PLANe. THEWERE ALL WAITING TO HEAR HER LAUGH.

BETTY WAS ABDUCTED ON THIRDSTREET AT ABOUT 2:30AM ONNOVEMBER 13, 1971 BY FOUR WHITEyoung men. WHEN SHE REFUSED TOPARTY WITH THEM THEY TOOK HERTO A CABIN AND ASSAULTED HER.

WHEN SHE CONTINUED TO FIGHT,SHE WAS BROUGHT TO A PUMPHOUSE NEAR THE AIRPORT AND GUYHILL RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL. THERE,HER SCREAMS COULDNT BE HEARD.THERE, HER LIFE WAS TAKEN.

'


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The Pump House - 11:30am

opportunity faith


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aboriginal woman

nothing

hope


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Helen Betty OsbornJuly 16, 1952 - November 13, 19

ONE WORTHY OF REMEMBRANC


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he Death of Helen Betty Osborne - The Aboriginal Justice Inquirys Conclusio

We realize, of course, that much has changed in the years since Betty Osbornes life wa

taken in 1971. The segregation in the school lunch room, the bars and the movie theat

has, we understand, ended. Still, much more must be done.

f the two communities make a real and concerted effort to eradicate the separation,things will inevitably improve. he non-Aboriginal community must learn to respect

Aboriginal people and their culture. Instead of looking at the Aboriginal people only a

consumers, the business community should be offering them employment in stores and

businesses. It is surprising even now to see how few Aboriginal people are employed in

the shopping mall located on the reserve. If Aboriginal people are to become self-suffi-

cient, those in control of business have to make a greater effort to provide them with a

opportunity to work...

he pervasive separation and discrimination that existed in he Pas in 1971 shows theneed for increasing the involvement of the Aboriginal peoples in the institutions of ma

stream Canada. Would the case have come more quickly to a conclusion if more Abor

nal persons were in the police? Or in the Crown Prosecutors office? Of course, we hav

no way of knowing and it is pointless to speculate. But it is a fact that it was the specia

effort made by Constable Urbanoski which brought those involved to court. his may

due in part to changes in police practice. It is only recently that the police have resorte

to the use of newspaper advertisements and television shows such as Crime Stoppers.

ut it is also possible that, had there been Aboriginal persons involved in the investiga-

tion and prosecution, the necessary extra effort might have been forthcoming earlier. Wdo not know if that is so. We cannot know. We believe that only if the justice system e

ploys more Aboriginal persons will such questions be avoided in the future. Until it do

such doubts and suspicions will continue to arise...

t is clear that Betty Osborne would not have been killed if she had not been Aborigina

The four men who took her to her death from the streets of The Pas that night had go

ooking for an Aboriginal girl with whom to party.

hey found Betty Osborne.

When she refused to party she was driven out of town and murdered. Those who ab-

ducted her showed a total lack of regard for her person or her rights as an individual.

hose who stood by while the physical assault took place, while sexual advances were

made and while she was being beaten to death showed their own racism, sexism and

ndifference. Those who knew the story and remained silent must share their guilt.

www.ajic.mb.ca


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Madison Blackstonelives in Yorkton, Saskat

ewan, and has been a professional artist since 199

his is Blackstones first expressions in the world o

the Graphic Novel. A single mother of two daug

ters, Blackstone has devoted her life to art and cr

ativity. Madisons work has led to numerous galle

showings, awards and international recognition.

With fresh eyes and an eager heart I am humbled

as a female artist to be involved in honouring the

ife of a determined, brave young woman with

dreams, hopes and goals. Helen Betty Osborne

believed in her ability to achieve a dream to be-

come a teacher. he obstacles she faced were gre

David Robertsonis an Aboriginal writer who

lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba with his wife and

three children. David has been writing since a

young age and has two previous novels. his is

Davids first Graphic Novel as a writer and as apublisher.

It has been an honour and a privilege to script a

publish this graphic novel, a work that has been

production for over three years. Since 2005 Bett

has been a constant presence in my life and her

undying and vibrant spirit has driven and change

me. I write to you, across this page, as a member

of a larger community. The call of this story is to

realize that one person can make a difference and, indeed, should feel personally re-

sponsible to contribute to the betterment of our society. It cannot be denied that much

has changed and improved since November 13, 1971. However, many things remain th

same. I offer he Life of Helen Betty Osborne as a continuation of the profound wor

the Helen Betty Osborne Memorial Foundation has done and will continue to do. I as

you, upon closing the pages of this graphic novel, to contribute to the elimination of r

sm, sexism and indifference. [email protected]

the financial hardships, racism, leaving her family. Although her right to live and pursue

her dream was taken away from her, I believe that in death she has achieved her goal

teaching. he lesson we have to learn is that her death not be in vain. he Life of Hel

etty Osborne has truly been a spiritual experience for me as the artist. She has guided

my hand and touched my life. Thank you Betty and to those who allowed me the op-

portunity to, through my art, be loud enough for Betty. [email protected]


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ovember 13, 1971

Dreams broken like her ivory lines,Sometimes white isnt so pure.he crimson tributaries

Snake and burrow into her frozen hands.

What was ever so hard to take?Sometimes brown isnt so lovely.It is safe here now,ven tangled like reaching branches.

f we listened hard enough would the breeze

whisper?Sometimes silence isnt so peaceful,It screams but cant delineate desperate

,r if prayers streamed like red wine, unan-

, .

n stiffened concrete like cold stretched skinSometimes blue isnt heaven,

he world is in focus but fractured.

It couldnt bare the cold either, not that night.

Hate seeped through cracks and thought it wasinvited.It drove her as though it knew her destination.She is a photograph behind shattered glass,

ble to breathe but forever distorted.

e cut our fingers to wipe away the shards.

est in eace etty.

y avid obertson

the life of helen betty osborne

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