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Hornepayne First Nation countersues NAN for $3.4 million

THUNDER BAY -- Hornepayne First Nation elders are countersuing Nishnawbe Aski Nation for $3.4 million.
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Members of HPFN pack their belongings after a seven-week sit in at NAN's financial office. (Leith Dunick, tbnewswatch.com)

THUNDER BAY -- Hornepayne First Nation elders are countersuing Nishnawbe Aski Nation for $3.4 million.

The suit was filed Thursday in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, hours before band members planned to end a seven-week sit-in which saw them take over NAN's financial offices located on Fort William First Nation.

Earlier this week NAN filed a $150,000 statement of claim against nine elders and Chief Ron Kocsis, also seeking a restraining order barring the group from several NAN properties.

Kocsis alleges interference from NAN officials in the First Nation's 2008 and 2014 elections. None of the claims by either party have been proven in court. 

The counter claim asks for $3 million for the alleged interference, $150,000 in general damages and $200,000 in punitivie damages. 

Koscis said despite the hardships, the sit-in has been worth it. 

"I think they've really sent the message to NAN that the community is no longer going to be opressed by them," he said. "My job as chief was to facilitate, the help bring them here or help them sustain. But the elders were the backbone of this sit-in."

Hornepayne First Nation is recognized by NAN and listed among its member communities. 

Kocsis said the elders wanted their right to duly elect a chief recognized, and accused NAN of making decisions for Hornepayne First Nation without proper authorization, including aerial surveys by the Nuclear Waste Management Association. 

"It appears there is more roots within their corporate agenda that we're not fully aware of. But as time moves forward, we will discover those roots," he said. 

Kocsis said the elders want to get back to their home community and begin moving it forward. 

Edler Roseabell Goulet said it's been a rough seven-week stretch camped out at the NAN offices, a trailer located on Back Street on Fort William First Nation. 

She said they've slept on floors and endured other hardships. 

"It was pretty hard on us," Goulet said. 

The statement of claim filed this week by NAN does not sit well with her. 

"It's really upsetting for us. They want to do that to us because we didn't want to accept what had happened to us." 

Nishnawbe Aski Nation's suit claims damages and loss of economic activity during the sit-in, alleging the Hornepayne First Nation elders used office equipment without permission and led to employee stress that required counselling. 

Nishnawbe Aski Nation has been contacted for comment. 

 



Leith Dunick

About the Author: Leith Dunick

A proud Nova Scotian who has called Thunder Bay home since 2002, Leith is Dougall Media's director of news, but still likes to tell your stories too. Wants his Expos back and to see Neil Young at least one more time. Twitter: @LeithDunick
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