Band Calls For Support On Elder Definition

Band Calls For Support On Elder Definition

Thursday, September 10, 2009 at 12:13

The council of elders from the Peepeekisis First Nation met last night to speak out about a case that’s before the court.

The elders say a federal decision defining “who is an elder” would undermine indigenous sovereignty on Peepeekisis and other communities.

They are calling on other First Nations for support.

Alma Poitras, an elder from Peepeekisis, says she has faith that things will turn out for the better, because she is certain that the people who have been taken to court haven’t done anything wrong.

Last month, the judge urged both parties to come to an agreement on whether the Peepeekisis council of elders had the authority to remove their chief, Beverly Bellegarde.

The judge will hand down a decision next week, if an agreement cannot be reached.