Pelican Lake dispute far from over

Pelican Lake dispute far from over

Monday, November 17, 2003 at 13:29

A dispute between some disgruntled band-members of the Pelican Lake First Nation and its chief and counsel shows no sign of letting up soon.

For several months now the two sides have been at odds over the results of the latest band election, which saw Chief Peter Bill launched into power.

Some members say voting irregularities took place during the campaign and as a result they launched an appeal soon after it was decided.

In turn the counsel launched an appeal of its own after a federal judge sided with the protesters.

Spokesperson for the angry band members is Jones Thomas. He says the members have now asked a judge from North Battleford to place the band’s finances under third-party management. He knows it’s a drastic move but says they have been left with little choice.

Thomas says he expects to hear a decision on the receivership application to come down any day now. He adds the next band election is slated for March – but he and the other members don’t want to have to wait that long for the situation to be decided.