Protesters abandon sit-in but continue fight

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Protesters abandoned their marathon sit-in at the Alexis band council chambers and took their fight against Chief Howard Mustus to the courts and the Indian Affairs department.

Almost two weeks after they began their occupation, members of the self-named Alexis Action Committee stopped the demonstration to force the band council to release its financial records.

A temporary court order is preventing them from resuming the protest, which was called off when committee supporters feared continued occupation might lead to "aggression".

But the group still plans to fight a band council application for a permanent injunction against further sit-ins at the reserve about 70 km northwest of Edmonton.

"We will go back when it is right to go back. Now we are dealing with the legalities," said action committee spokesman Genevive Jones.

"Our demonstration was a peaceful one. We've had a lot of reaction from the council. So we are going to get something."

Even if the group is successful in blocking further injunctions, they are not sure whether they will resume their demonstration at the council chambers, Jones said. The committee now is considering going to the courts to force the release of band financial statements and has asked Indian Affairs to review Mustus' re-election this spring.

Action committee members began their sit-in during the first week of April. The protest was prompted by suspicions among some Alexis residents that band spending is motivated by the personal agendas of local politicians.

Mustus has yet to comment publicly on the protest. But supporters of the chief have defended his integrity and his political opponents on the committee admit he has support of at least half the 800-member band.

Indian Affairs spokesman Ken Kirby also said annual confidential accounting reviews show the band's books are in order.

"There is nothing that would lead us to believe that an investigation into band finances is warranted," he said in a recent interview with Windspeaker.