Indian Affairs Changes Tune on Election Dispute

Indian Affairs Changes Tune on Election Dispute

Monday, January 12, 2004 at 14:28

Indian Affairs is changing its official stance on the election dispute in Black Lake.

Department spokesman Trevor Sutter now says Indian Affairs has no position on the dispute, and will wait for the courts or the community to decide the outcome.

A couple of weeks ago, Sutter stated that the department was prepared to recognize the results of a recently-called election, which is scheduled to take place this Wednesday.

However, Sutter now says the department doesn’t want to state an official position on the matter for fear of potentially influencing the outcome of the dispute.

Lawyers for the band are now challenging the election call in Federal Court, as well as the appeal process leading up to it.

Sutter says if the Federal Court decides to hear the application, the department will abide with whatever the court decides.