Metis Elders Hire Lawyer To Handle Funding Talks

Metis Elders Hire Lawyer To Handle Funding Talks

Friday, July 29, 2005 at 15:09

 

 

The head of the Primrose Lake Air Weapons Range Negotiating Committee says some good developments came out of a recent meeting in Beauval.

 

It was roughly two weeks ago that a number of West Side elders held a meeting about the Primrose settlement matter.

 

The head of the negotiating committee, Alex Maurice, says the elders decided to hire Calgary lawyer Ron Maurice to represent the four northern communities that are to be given money by the government.

 

Earlier this year both Ottawa and the province determined that $19.5 million should be given to the communities of Jans Bay, Cole Bay, Ile-a-la-Crosse and Beauval because people from those communities were forced off their traditional land when it was turned into an air weapons range.

 

Maurice says the appointment of the lawyer is a key move, because talks with the government are planned to take place in late August.

 

As well, he says they need to get some money rolling in before the next federal election.

 

Maurice says the lawyer’s job will include working on a trust agreement with the government.

 

The next regional meeting on the issue is set for August 14th in Beauval.