2009-04-02
06:41:44
A hint of what may happen if a Fort Frances town lease for Pither's Point Park is allowed to lapse at the end of this month was revealed at a town hall meeting Wednesday night.
About 50 people, including about a third of them from the native communities affected by the issue, attended.
Meeting organizer Andrew George read a letter from Ontario and federal legal representatives that warned both the town and the four First Nations bands in September of the importance of reaching a deal then.
"It is the view of both Ontario and Canada the lands are unsold surrendered lands which would be unencumbered by any lease," read George. "The lands will not automatically revert to First Nations, nor would the town have any continued legal right to occupy or to use the lands."
At least two band councillors from Couchiching First Nations did attend the meeting, but all of the First Nations chiefs and elected representatives from the town of Fort Frances stayed away.
"We elected those people, we put them in office. Why aren't they here?" questioned Ida Linklater.
Residents plan to initiate a letter writing campaign asking all levels of government to keep the park open to the public.
