Canoe Lake Members Sue Former TLE Trustees

Canoe Lake Members Sue Former TLE Trustees

Monday, September 27, 2004 at 14:39

 

 

A lawsuit has been launched against the chief of a northern First Nation, the band’s former lawyer and a number of former trustees.

 

The statement of claim, launched by some members of the Canoe Lake Cree Nation, alleges over three million dollars of money earmarked for the band was misspent in 2002.

 

The funds came out of the band’s Treaty Land Entitlement (TLE) agreement — much of which was reportedly going to be used for the purchase of land near Keeley River.

 

The lawsuit alleges the band paid out the three million dollars to 780 band members to settle claims of third party interest.

 

However, the claim states this type of cash settlement is prohibited under the TLE agreement.

 

As well, the suit alleges the trustees overseeing the matter failed to investigate just what those third party interests were.

 

It also states that Delia Opikokew, a former lawyer for the band, was negligent and didn’t offer the trustees proper advice.

 

Canoe Lake chief Guy Larivierre was also named in the lawsuit.

 

Neither Opikokew or Lariviere have been available for comment.

 

The allegations contained in the lawsuit have yet to be proven in court.