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Closure not unexpected

Author

Terry Lusty

Volume

4

Issue

2

Year

1986

Page 3

In conversation with Ray Makowecki, the regional director of the area for Fish and Wildlife, it was discovered that the department has been planning the closure of Cold Lake to all fishing as far back as two years ago.

When questioned by Cold Lake First Nations, Makowecki admitted others had been brought into the picture, had been consulted, but not the Indians of Cold Lake.

Not only did Makowecki know about the plan, he readily admitted to the Cold Lake Band Council that he was involved in the selection of which lakes were to be closed.

The band was rather distraught with this admission and reacted with astonishment and disbelief that Fish and Wildlife are not attempting to consult with the Band two years after the fact. The band is very put out by what they see as "inept" handling of the matter and it has done nothing but add fuel to their furor and an even greater resolve to stick by their decision to continue fishing and to have the issue ultimately dealt with by the courts of the land.