RCMP tear down Bill C-31 protest camp

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A two-year protest over band membership through Bill C-31 ended when provincial and federal law enforcers removed the road blockade and camp of protester Fred Fraser.

RCMP and provincial Justice and Transportation department officials removed

the blockade, tents and a rough cabin from three makeshift camp sites in the Kananaskis Country area, approximately 10 kilometres west of Bragg Creek, Alta., Sept. 17.

Fraser and several of his supporters left the area peacefully. The camp had been set up by Fraser in 1991 to protest being refused membership to the Tsuu Tina Reserve after he was reinstated under Bill C-31.

The Kananaskis area is the band's traditional hunting ground, and as such, he has the right to hunt, fish and live there, Fraser said.

Less than two per cent of reinstated Indians in Alberta have been accepted by provincial bands.

The blockade went up in August, after Fraser refused to comply with an order to vacate the area.

A spokesperson with the Alberta Environmental Protection department said Fraser was violating the Public Lands Act by living in the area.

Fraser was ordered in July to leave the camp by Aug. 16 under the Public Lands Act. He also broke the Public Highways Development Act by blocking a roadway, said Bill Gajda, communications director.

Environment minister Brian Evans invited Fraser to take legal action on his complaints about membership in the future and warned his department would "continue to monitor the situation."

Meanwhile, the court challenge headed by three Alberta Natives against Bill C-31 continues its lengthy process in Edmonton.

Two weeks into the process, challengers Walter Twinn of the Sawridge Reserve, and Wayne Roan of the Ermineskin Band, continue to plead their case. The trial in Edmonton and Ottawa is expected to take up to three months to complete.