Boycott may result

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Stronger economic development on the Saddle Lake Reserve may result from the band's boycott of St. Paul businesses.

The boycott is in response to a raid on a bingo on the reserve that had allegedly been held without a provincial gaming license.

"It's about time we started to look at economic development on our own reserve," says Band Councillor Henry B. Quinney, a former chief.

"We have outlets here," he says, "and we'll be doing some serious short-term and long-term planning" to use them more and develop them and others.

He says the band must work toward becoming more self sufficient in meeting on the reserve rather than from off-reserve businesses.

As far as the St. Paul protest is concerned, the town's Chamber of Commerce

now wants to meet with the band to discuss the situation.

"We told them if they're really interested in meeting with us, they can meet on our turf (on the reserve).

Nine RCMP from the St. Paul Detachment raided a bingo on the reserve July 29 and charged four people with illegally holding a bingo and selling lottery tickets without a license.

The band, interpreting the move just the latest in a series of incidents resulting from poor relations with the town, launched the boycott in retaliation.

They also cite the fact that few Native people are employed by St. Paul Merchants even though Native people contribute considerably to their income.

"Our relationship should be stronger because we feel we've contributed a lot to the town, spokesperson Louise McGilvery says.

Also at issue is the question of the sovereignty of Indian reserves, and whether or not they fall under provincial gaming laws.