A court injunction has been served to protesters at the Cowessess First Nation band office and local school to have them removed.
The demonstration at the band office began a week ago. The school protest started on Tuesday. At issue is how the band is being run and how money is being spent. The protesters want Aboriginal Affairs to appoint a third party to manage the financial affairs of the reserve.
They are also awaiting a court ruling that could strip the chief of his power based on the band’s election act, which states anyone who runs for office must reside on the reserve.
One of the protesters at the band office, Dana Pelletier, says the local RCMP were informed of the court injunction last night — and they are waiting to see if the Mounties will come out and enforce the order:
“Right now, we still have the band office locked up — the chains are still on the door. There’s still people out here watching, to make sure nobody comes out. The students are still down at the school. They still have chains on the doors. They have a little tent city out there — about four or five tents and a bunch of kids that have been staying out there 24 hours a day.”
Pelletier says they plan to comply if the Mounties enforce the court order — but until then, protesters will continue to chain the doors of the band office and local school.