First Nation fights for control

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Pikangikum First Nation Elders were in a Winnipeg court room in May, attempting to convince the federal court to return control of the band's affairs to the community.

The remote First Nation located in northwestern Ontario lost the right to manage themselves last year, when Indian and Northern affairs decided to appoint an outside administrator.

Doug Keshan, a lawyer for the band, stated that an audit completed in 1996 showed they were having some financial difficulties. Since that time the band has been able to improve its situation, and in some areas have even had a surplus.

Other lawyers for the band call the takeover "colonialism," adding that this hasn't been imposed since the Trudeau government was in power.

"They never had the opportunity to comment, they were never given reasons for the imposition of co-management. The case revolves around whether the minister of Indian and Northern Affairs has absolute discretion to do whatever he wants in terms of whether he chooses to fund or not fund a First Nation," said Keshan.

Pikangikum First Nation is hoping the federal court will listen to the Elders and reverse the Minister of Indian Affairs' decision, returning full control of the band to the community.