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Jennifer McPhee
Northern News Services
The case will finally go to trial on Sept. 8.
Enge, president of the Metis Nation Local 66, told Yellowknifer he represents 87 others who were stripped of their memberships.
Another plaintiff, Robert Sholto Douglas, is still a member of the NSMA, but was removed from the position of vice-president in October 1998.
Enge and Douglas were founding members of the NSMA. According to Enge, the board of directors cancelled his membership, claiming his ancestors were not in the North on or before Jan. 1, 1921.
"That was nonsense," said Enge, who claims he not only meets the criteria but that NSMA constitution and bylaws required the board to call a special general assembly if they wished to question anyone's membership.
Back in 1998, the presidency was supposed to alternate every two years between a member from Yellowknife and a member from Rae-Edzo, said Enge.
A special general assembly was called in 1998 to review this practice. Enge said he was refused entry into this meeting and told he was no longer a member. He was not given prior notice or offered an opportunity to argue his case.
Enge believes Clem Paul arranged to cancel the memberships of anyone who threatened his leadership.
"I believe he did so in a cynical attempt to establish a tyranny with himself as the tyrant at the top," said Enge.
Enge wants his membership back. According to the statement of claim, the plaintiffs are also seeking a judgement that the current board is operating without legal authority, an injunction preventing the NSMA from carrying on business until a "valid" election. The plaintiffs are also seeking general damages.
President North Douglas was out of town and could not be reached by Yellowknifer.
"It's going to be before the courts," said Paul.
"I've made enough comments on it over the years. It's up to the NSMA to defend those accusations. But as far as I'm concerned it's a frivolous charge and a complete waste of government money to even hear the case."
Paul has his own wrongful dismissal suit. "They ousted me without following due process," he said.
He's suing the NSMA for $200,000 and each of the five members "responsible for plotting the conspiracy" against him for $100,000 each.
Paul was ousted last year and the board claimed he mishandled funds. No trial date has been set.
