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Metis leader files 27,000 pages of evidence Claims land north of Yellowknife and asserts Metis treaty statusLyndsay Herman Northern News Services Published Saturday, Aug. 18, 2012
"There's not a whole lot new," said Clem Paul, who filed the documents to support his case against the territorial government. "I mean it's old evidence that's been in different archives for hundreds of years. "We're bringing it to the forefront now and we're going to use it as evidence to back up my claim that we are treaty Metis and we always were treaty Metis and we should be treated as such and we have treaty rights just like the Dene. "There are lots of old documents that would help to clarify some of the oral history that was talked about over the years." Paul's fight began when he argued with the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs over his right to build a cabin on Prosperous Lake in 2003. Paul says he has rights to the land as a Metis and a descendant of Metis signatories to Treaty 11 signed in 1921. He said no other aboriginal group has voiced opposition to his claim and doesn't expect any in the near future. Paul is a former president of the North Slave Metis Alliance. "None of them really comment to me," he said. "I'm just doing my own thing. I'm sure now that everything is out and it's public, it will be subject to a lot of debate, a lot of discussion. I don't think any one is going to be offended with what I've found. I think a lot of people will be happy with the stuff I found. It'll probably help them." Kenneth Staroszik, Paul's lawyer, said he expects the next hearing on the issue to occur in December, although the date will not be finalized until October.
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