Government Denies John Cochrane Claims

Government Denies John Cochrane Claims

Friday, April 03, 2009 at 14:23

A group calling itself the John Cochrane First Nation can forget about getting money to map traditional territory, government officials say.

Spokesman John Dorian is upset that his group didn’t get any money to map its traditional territory in the Cumberland House area.

He says instead, the money went to the Cumberland House Cree Nation and Metis.

First Nations and Metis Relations spokesman James Fro says that’s because it isn’t recognized as a band by the federal government.

INAC spokesman Trevor Suter confirms the federal government does not recognize the group as a band.

He says the feds are waiting for research to be filed supporting the group’s claim.

He says it could be confirmed as a band if a recognized First Nation applied to have it designated that way. But that hasn’t happened.