BTC Asks Province To Mediate Dispute With Rival

Friday, July 04, 2008 at 13:22

 

 

First Nations and Metis Relations Minister June Draude says the Battlefords Tribal Council’s call for mediation is already being answered.

 

The BTC has asked Premier Brad Wall to freeze all funds going from the Gold Eagle Casino to the Battlefords Agency Tribal Council’s Community Development Corporation.

 

It is hoped that pressure will bring the BATC to the table for mediation, according to BTC spokesman Wayne Semaganis.

 

But Draude says the province is already trying to get mediation going.

 

The government plans to set up talks for later this month.

 

According to Semaganis, BTC has been trying to get mediation going for more than a year.

 

Among other things, his group alleges that rules regarding the distribution of Community Development Corporation money have been broken.

 

BATC officials have not been available for comment.