Northern Village OKs Development In Disputed Area

Northern Village OKs Development In Disputed Area

Thursday, July 10, 2008 at 14:17

 

 

The village of Green Lake is moving ahead with plans to develop 59 residential lots around the community.

 

The plan has drawn criticism from some local residents, who feel the development is moving ahead on land that is historically owned by Metis.

 

Ric Richardson is one of the Metis local members concerned about the situation.

 

He says a lawsuit that was launched 25 years ago against the provincial government spells out the Metis ties to the area.

 

According to Richardson, orders-in-council were issued in 1942 and 1964 to set aside lands for the Metis in the Green Lake area.

 

Richardson says they have never been revoked, and a number of people believe the 12 townships involved are Metis territory.

 

Village administrator Tina Rasmussen says she hasn’t even seen the lawsuit.

 

She also notes community consultations about the project took place six years ago, and many residents are telling council they don’t want to wait forever for development to proceed.

 

Rasmussen adds many of the village’s councillors are Metis themselves, and want to see the question of historical ownership answered just like anyone else.

 

However, she stresses nothing has happened in the courts up to this point, and lawsuit or not, they have to move forward.