by Richard Gleeson
Northern News Services

NNSL (DEC 18/96) - A war over membership appears to have left area Metis divided, confused and angry.

At an informal meeting organized by the Metis Nation of the Northwest Territories, Yellowknife Metis Local 66 members vented some of their frustration with their leadership.

"I was there on Sunday, and what I saw was a meeting that lacked order," said one man at the Thursday night meeting.

"In refusing to accept a motion from the floor there was a violation by the executive. In refusing the challenge to the chair that followed there was another violation of the rules of order," he said.

The focus of the meeting was the local's break with the Metis Nation to join the North Slave Metis Alliance, which also includes Local 64 and the Yellowknife Metis Council, to form the North Slave Metis Alliance.

Local 66 president Bill Enge said the alliance would speed up negotiations of an impact benefits agreement with BHP. Members of the Local said Enge made the decision without consulting them.

Though he did not attend Thursday's meeting, Enge's presence was felt.

"I am formally advising you that Local 66 considers this 'meeting' a non-event," wrote Enge in letter circulated at the meeting. "The local will take any necessary legal action to declare this meeting null and void, if that becomes necessary."

Kneed Nation leaders at the meeting emphasized the meeting was informal and that no motions or resolutions could be passed. They also noted the proceedings were being recorded, but did not say why.

Mackenzie Delta MLA David Krutko chaired the meeting, which was attended by approximately 60 people.

Responding to questions, Kneed Nation lawyer said the local had the authority to join the alliance, since it received little direction from the membership at last year's annual general assembly.

Former president of the local, Garth Wallbridge, outlined three options for disgruntled members: prevail upon Enge to address their concerns, settle the dispute in court, or form a new local.

Members later voted to go into caucus to discuss financial matters.

At the first inaugural meeting of the North Slave Metis Alliance Saturday afternoon, nearly 50 members heard the executive plea for more membership.

"We've been left out of the land claim process and we need to be registered. The federal government wanted a list in one week and gave us no money to do it," said president Clem Paul.

The executive hit the streets and brought in 300 names, many who'd been in the area before 1921.

Genealogy charts were hung on the wall, but there's lots of work still to done and now the society is established it's time to fine-tune the membership list, Paul said.