Hunting Case Brings Legal Experts To Dillon

Hunting Case Brings Legal Experts To Dillon

Thursday, March 30, 2006 at 14:18

 

 

The Buffalo River Dene Nation will be a hub of activity over the next four days.

 

A total of 15 international lawyers and observers have begun arriving on the reserve to discuss ways to elevate a hunting rights case involving the Buffalo River Dene Nation to the International Court in the Hague.

 

Two members of the band were charged with hunting offences about a decade ago after a hunting excursion on the Primrose Lake Air Weapons Range.

 

Saskatchewan’s appeal court eventually rejected their argument that it is traditional band territory, even though a lower court agreed with the hunters’ point of view.

 

The Supreme Court of Canada decided not to hear the case.

 

Now, band members hope the United Nations will intervene.

 

The leadership at the Buffalo River band would like to have the federal government charged with human rights violations in the Hague next year.

 

The organizer of this week’s event, Adelard Blackmon, says the meeting with the lawyers should help make that a reality.

 

Blackmon says chiefs from other bands in Saskatchewan and Alberta are also present in a show of support.