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Re: "Third party to take helm during battle for chief role; Brothers-in-law in stalemate over leadership of aboriginal community," The Journal, Dec. 4, and "Lubicons' dispute is settled, says chief," by Steve Noskey, Letters, Dec. 10.
As members of the Lubicon Lake Elder's Council, we feel the need to respond.
Steve Noskey is the first cousin of Loon River Cree Nation Chief Arthur Noskey, the son of Frank Noskey, who sits on the Loon River Cree Nation Elder's Council, and brother and cousin to a number of the Loon River Cree Nation's Council members.
Noskey ran twice for the Loon River Cree Nation Council before claiming to have won election as chief of the Lubicon Lake Indian Nation on June 5, 2009. Noskey's only claim to Lubicon status is the fact that he is married to a Lubicon member. This is not sufficient grounds to claim membership in our nation.
The federal Department of Northern and Indian Affairs has a record of all registered Indians in Canada and is aware of the Noskey's membership status. We urge the department's regional director, George Arcand, to acknowledge that Noskey and many of his supporters are not members of the Lubicon Lake Nation.
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