Every year, the Samson Cree Nation celebrates summer with a powwow that draws thousands of people from all over North America. But this year, band members were shocked to learn a violent sex offender was among those in attendance at the sacred Aug. 13 celebration.
Darrell Moosomin was out on an escorted temporary absence from the nearby federal institution Pe Sakastew—better known as a healing lodge—when he went missing.
READ MORE: Calls for review of inmate escape after horrific crimes revealed in parole docs
Moosomin is now back in custody after just over a week of freedom. He was caught hitchhiking on Aug. 21, heading east towards his home province of Saskatchewan, where he committed his crimes.
Watch below: Global’s ongoing coverage of Darrell Moosomin’s escape
While news he’s behind bars is a relief, there are some serious questions being asked on the reserve where he went missing.
“To find out that Pe Sakastew had allowed escorted visits to our powwow…that was kind of like, ‘wow’ we didn’t expect that.
“We didn’t know that. We didn’t even know that happened,” Samson Cree Nation Councillor Vernon Saddleback told Global News Monday.
“Where was the communication? You get angry at first because you fear for the safety of your community. There was an immediate social media storm over this, a lot of people were genuinely scared. They were afraid,” Saddleback said.
READ MORE: Outrage after dangerous offender walks away while on escorted day pass in central Alberta
Moosomin’s crimes are so heinous, a judge declared him a dangerous offender and jailed indefinitely.
Moosomin has approximately 74 convictions dating back to 1979, including sexual assault, assault with a weapon, obstructing a police officer and forcible confinement.
In 1994 Moosomin tortured a woman for eight hours. The victim was able to escape after he fell asleep, but suffered injuries and trauma to most of her body.
“This is a dangerous offender, I read the charges that were reported about him, and I’m wondering why wasn’t there a tracker on this guy, more than just an elder watching him,” Saddleback said.
Saddleback told Global News the Samson Cree Nation will need to discuss the future of Pe Sakastew. He said it was always sold as a healing lodge but given what he’s learned about Moosomin, he questions the safety for neighbouring band members.
When Moosomin escaped, people started locking their doors. It has left them shaken.
“They do some good…but there’s this one person that makes it bad for everybody now,” Saddleback said of Pe Sakastew inmates.
Prior to his latest escape, Moosomin had participated in dozens of escorted temporary absences.
He was turned down over and over for full parole and day parole, most recently in 2014.
A sex offender assessment of Moosomin was completed in February 2016, deeming him a “medium risk.” Prior assessments deemed him as a moderate- to high-risk to reoffend and his request to have “unescorted” temporary absences was declined.
The board noted Moosomin would “present an undue risk to society” if left unescorted.
Moosemin also has a prior conviction for escaping lawful custody.
READ MORE: Canada-wide warrant issued for prisoner who escaped while on day leave south of Edmonton
Saddleback wants the federal government to review how these cases are handled.
“Definitely Corrections Canada needs to look at how they do business. How are they allowing these people out into our community?” he said.
“Let’s be honest, Maskwacis historically doesn’t have a good name,” he continued.
“The media always comes out here when something bad happens and part of our summer celebrations is trying to show people this is a safe community, this place is a place people can come to and enjoy themselves.”
He worries if gone unchecked, the decisions of CSC could further taint the reputation of the Maskwacis reserve.