Walking Smoke Confectionary Subject Of Lawsuit
Friday, February 12, 2010 at 14:59
A member of the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation has filed a lawsuit against a tobacco store on the band’s urban reserve in Prince Albert.
Donald Morin says he first pitched the idea for the Walking Smoke Confectionary eight or nine years ago, but it was rejected.
However, Morin alleges the band accepted a similar proposal less than a year later.
He also feels the deal has been bad for urban members, because he believes not enough of the funds taken in by the confectionary are being returned to grassroots citizens.
Morin’s lawsuit calls for $1.5 million in damages.
He says he would settle for as little as $150,000 if he gets recognition that the idea was his and urban members get a better deal.
Morin says he has felt ostracized since the claim was laid, but insists he won’t back down.
A notice of intent to defend the lawsuit has been filed by most of the parties named in it.
They include the department of Indian Affairs, the Prince Albert Grand Council, the Walking Smoke Confectionary, the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation and various band officials.