Chief Admits On-Reserve Liquor Ban Didn’t Work
Friday, July 16, 2004 at 13:21
The chief of the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation isn’t surprised his home community has voted to remove its dry reserve status.
In a plebiscite held last month, the residents of Pelican Narrows decided to overturn the ban on alcohol. The community also voted in favour of a proposed hotel and lounge on the reserve.
Chief Ron Michel says even though the bylaw was brought in under his watch 10 years ago, he admits it wasn’t effective.
Michel says the end of the dry reserve bylaw won’t stop him from talking to the local RCMP about other proposed ordinances for Pelican Narrows — including a noise bylaw and a bylaw regarding drinking in public places.