The McLeod Lake Indian Band has obtained a court injunction to remove band members who blockaded the band office Thursday morning.
“The democratically-elected leadership of the McLeod Lake Indian Band is not going to debate in the news media the group’s false and misleading nonsense while they hold the band office ransom,” said Chief Derek Orr in a press release issued Saturday. “This group represents four per cent of the total band membership. This group needs to obey the court order so the leadership can serve band members and manage band assets and businesses.”
The disgruntled band members are upset with precedent-setting revenue-sharing agreement signed in 2010 between the band and Terrane Metals, which would see the band earn money from the Mount Milligan mine.
Named in court order are Vene Solonas, Justin Chingee, Matthew Chingee, Harry Chingee, Agnes Solonas, Lawrence Solonas, Ralph (Jimmy) Chingee, Patrick Prince, Calvin Inyallie, Lester Michael Chingee, Douglas Chingee, and other persons unknown.
“The defendants are effectively assaulting all individuals who would otherwise gain access to the McLeod Lake Indian Band offices including staff, elected leadership, members of the Indian band with business to be conducted in the band office and other individuals and representatives of other organizations with legitimate business dealings with the leadership and staff of the McLeod Lake Indian Band at the McLeod Lake Indian Band office,” reads the statement of claim for the injunction.