Mic cut as Tsuut'ina man takes podium in protest at Calgary's southwest ring road opening

A Tsuut'ina man whose family lost their land took over the podium during celebratory remarks from government officials as the last portion of the $1.4-billion southwest Calgary ring road opened on Saturday.

Seth Cardinal Dodginghorse says his family has been greatly affected by the ring road after they were forced from their land. When the first stretch of the road opened last year he cut his braids in protest. His mic was cut on the provincial video feed of the road's opening ceremony on Saturday, but it was recorded by a media pool camera feed.

Transportation Minister Rajan Sawhney​​​​​​, Minister of Municipal Affairs Ric McIver and Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi marked the opening of the southwest ring road at 2 p.m., closing the road to public travel. 

As McIver introduced Nenshi, Dodginghorse instead took to the podium, followed by police officers.

"I honestly do not want to be here right now," he said. 

Part of the freeway is built on land the province acquired from the Tsuut'ina First Nation in 2013. 

"I know that there are people on Tsuut'ina who are still hurting by what this road has caused, they are still feeling it. I know I am still feeling it," he said.