by Chris Meyers Almey
Northern News Services

NNSL (May 30/97) - Angry words shook the Tree of Peace Tuesday evening in a dispute between members of Yellowknife Metis Local 66.

However, some at the meeting described it as not so wild as last December's Local 66 meeting -- one that wound up with many people walking out.

Early in the meeting, local president Bill Enge challenged Metis Nation lawyer Jack Williams to come into the audience and settle matters with him after Williams said, "I can overpower you."

"Come on, dude, try it," Enge dared.

Metis Local 66 is a member local of the Metis Nation of the Northwest Territories.

Enge accused the Metis Nation of trying to hijack funds from Local 66's deal with BHP Diamonds on impact benefits from the Lac de Gras mine.

Heated exchanges also erupted between Enge and Local 66 members Elaine Woodward and Joyce Pitman, secretary treasurer of the Metis Nation.

Enge demanded that Williams produce a 65-signature petition presented to the Metis Nation by Woodward, but the lawyer refused, saying it would be divisive.

The petition allegedly calls for Local 66 to hold an annual general meeting.

After two and a half hours, Enge promised to hold a meeting of Local 66 executives to address any complaints within three weeks and to determine a date for an annual general meeting.

Williams told Woodward that she only needs to present a two-signature petition to Local 66's executive calling for an annual general meeting and that is what Woodward plans on doing.

The Tuesday meeting had been advertised without a sponsor, so it began with a puzzled audience wondering who was going to conduct it.

Eventually Williams got up to chair the meeting, which quickly degenerated into a series of shouting matches.

Yellowknife Metis Council president Clem Paul volunteered to chair the meeting, but it remained explosive at times.

Yellowknife Metis Council is a breakaway Metis group that no longer belongs to the Metis Nation.