Liberals Unveil List Of Beatty Supporters

Monday, January 21, 2008 at 15:06

 

 

The Liberal Party of Canada has released a list of northerners who are backing Joan Beatty in a bitter dispute over the party nomination in Desnethe-Missinippi-Churchill River.

 

Supporters of others who were seeking the nomination before Beatty’s appointment have repeatedly asked Beatty to relinquish the nomination.

 

But according to a Liberal press release, leaders such as Hatchet Lake Chief Rosalie Tsannie-Burseth, Fond du Lac Chief Albert Mercredi, Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation Chief Darrell McCallum and Sandy Bay Mayor Ina Fietz-Ray all have publicly declared their support for her.

 

Hatchet Lake band councillor Ed Benoanie says he isn’t bothered by Liberal Leader Stephane Dion’s appointment of Beatty as the official candidate.

 

He says delegates to Prince Albert Grand Council and Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nation assemblies are routinely appointed.

 

La Ronge resident and former Metis Nation – Saskatchewan area director Al Rivard says he has known Beatty for many years and always appreciated her willingness to work with the grassroots.

 

Other prominent northerners who are also on the list include Frank and Neva Merasty of Flying Dust, and Bella Dumais, Tommy Bird and Rachel Jobb from Southend.