Pelican Lake Power Struggle Continues

Pelican Lake Power Struggle Continues

Tuesday, March 01, 2005 at 14:11

A leadership dispute on the Pelican Lake First Nation continues to be waged in an Ottawa courtroom.

Officials with Indian Affairs received notice last week from a federal court that the current chief and council at Pelican Lake must continue to be recognized.

Department spokesman James Parker says the order stipulates that the March 5th, 2004 election — which saw Chief Peter Bill re-elected — be preserved and maintained accordingly.

However, Parker also notes the federal court is still calling for a judicial review of the election, meaning things aren’t settled just yet.

For the past few years, the First Nation has been the scene of political turmoil as protests, court challenges and sit-ins have been staged by those band members who claim Bill should not be in power.

Parker says it’s not known just exactly what the federal court will do if a review of the election is not held before the May 10th deadline.