Hearing On Definition of Elder Wraps Up

Hearing On Definition of Elder Wraps Up

Thursday, August 20, 2009 at 14:41

A Federal Court hearing that could give the courts authority to define who an elder is has wrapped up in Regina.

A federal court judge has heard from lawyers representing both former chief Beverly Bellegarde and the Peepeekisis council of elders.

Bellegarde’s lawyer, Jeffery Rath, says the band’s custom election act, which gave the council of elders authority to remove Bellegarde, is “vague” and “ambiguous”.

The lawyer for the council of elders, Phillip Gallet, admits the legislation isn’t perfect.

But, he says, Peepeekisis band members feel this is not a matter for the Federal Court to resolve, and that they have the right to deal with their affairs.

The judge is expected to make a ruling in the case in September.