Indian Claims Commission Visits Sturgeon Lake

Indian Claims Commission Visits Sturgeon Lake

Thursday, December 07, 2006 at 15:46

An official with the Sturgeon Lake First Nation says he feels confident the band will be able to recover land taken from it decades ago by the federal government.

Earl Ermine was one of several residents to participate in a special consultation meeting this week between the band and the Indian Claims Commission.

The gathering saw elders talk to federal officials about their understanding of a disputed incident which took place in 1913.

Ermine says the band apparently offered Ottawa some of their timber in exchange for haylands, but it appears the government took the opportunity to seize a portion of the reserve.

Meantime, a lawyer for the commission says the testimony is very valuable.

Karen Webb-Johnston says oral tradition is often a band’s only way of letting the government know its side of the story.

She hopes the case can be wrapped up sometime in 2007, but admits it could very easily drag on longer.