Re-printed without permission from Alberta Native News, February,
1991



             BUSINESSMEN WANT LUBICON CLAIM SETTLED

by Guy Saddy


A group of Peace River businessmen have appealed to MP Albert
Cooper and MLA Al Adair to help get the Lubicon land claims
negotiations back on track.

The group -- along with Peace River Mayor Michael Procter and
Lubicon Lake Band Chief Bernard Ominayak -- met with Cooper and
Adair in early January.

Mayor Procter told the Edmonton Journal "We were concerned for the
Lubicons.  We would like to see them get their problems solved."

In a telephone interview, John MacMillan of MacMillan Construction
-- the organizer of the meeting -- said "I've worked with those
people (the Lubicons) all my life, I just wanted to make sure
they're treated fair in town."

Noting that developments like the Daishowa pulp mill are relatively
recent additions to the area, MacMillan said that the Lubicons have
contributed to the community for years.  He believes that some area
residents have forgotten that the Lubicon members have "spent money
here all their lives."

The Lubicon Band land claim dispute goes back about fifty years. 
It took an ugly turn on November 24, 1990, when logging equipment
owned by Buchanan Lumber was torched on disputed land.  Thirteen
Lubicon Band members have been charged with the torching.

Michael Procter said in a telephone interview that the meeting was
not prompted by that action.

When asked why the meeting took place, Procter said "There didn't
appear to be anything going on for the past several months, and it
didn't seem there was anything being accomplished."

He added that "the Lubicons are neighbours of ours...we'd like to
see a fair settlement reached."

Albert Cooper told the media that he was reviewing the latest
federal government proposal, and was "looking for things in the
offer that Bernard (Ominayak) can live with."

Cooper has yet to contact the Peace River group with any
information regarding the land claim, but Procter said, "When he
has something to put out he'll tell us, but nothing is forthcoming
as yet...I think we're all optimistic."

Al Adair said in a telephone interview that he thought Bernard
Ominayak "was quite pleased" with the meeting.