Band members ignored

Page R8

There is no Cree word for "lawyer."

But the fate of the Beaver Lake First Nation band members lies in the hands of legal advisers and the courts.

Since the reserve's band elections four months ago, Beaver Lake First Nation has been turned upside down. The outcome of the February 8 election was a new chief and council, replacing chief Al Lameman, who had been in office for 19 years.

Lameman filed an appeal because of a spoiled ballot and a new election was called by the electoral officer. However, the new chief Emille Cardinal, and his two new councillors did not recognize the findings and went so far as to place a restraining order against him.

That order was turned over, and at the nomination for candidates in the re-election, only Al Lameman as chief and two councillors were nominated. With no other nominees, the three were acclaimed to the positions of new chief and council.

Now, again, the matter has gone before the courts. Lawyers for Lameman and Cardinal took their cases to the federal circuit court in Edmonton April 22. Because a similar case involving an Indian reserve in Saskatchewan was also before the court at the same time, Associate Chief Justice Jerome adjourned the Beaver Lake case.

A court ruling on April 22, 1994, by Justice J. Jerome suspended the operations

of the reserve until a court decision is reached on who the legal chief and council is to be. Until such decision is handed down the day-to-day operations of the reserve are run by

an administrator appointed by Indian Affairs.

With no response in months from councils or the courts, approximately 40 band members set up a blockade June 13. Spokesperson Joyce Gladue said the blockade is their response for being ignored by political and Indian Affairs.

Until recently, band members have said little publicly about what is happening on the reserve. Meetings and decisions are being made illegally, when no one has the authority to do so, Gladue added, referring to a recent agreement to hold the annual competition powwow. The people were adamant that there will be no powwow this year, she said.

"In light of the political and financial situation of the reserve, a powwow is not a priority at this time," said Gladue.

"They (politicians and Indian Affairs) are not listening. The majority of the people are not being heard," said spokesperson Violet Cardinal.

Affected by the blockade is the closure of the Detox Centre, Amisk School, and Spruce Point. The administration building was allowed to stay open so that the administrator is able to carry out the basic daily functions of the reserve.