Dissenting Tlicho chiefs push for court to hear lawsuit this week

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/north/story/2009/01/29/tlicho-chiefs.html

[excerpt]

Three of the four Tlicho chiefs in the Northwest Territories say they want their lawsuit against their aboriginal government to be heard in a Yellowknife courtroom as early as Friday.

The lawsuit, launched by Behchoko Chief Leon Lafferty, Chief Charlie Nitsiza of Whati and Henry Gon of Gameti, calls on the government to reinstate meetings of the Tlicho chiefs executive council, which was suspended in November.

The council, the Tlicho government's equivalent of a cabinet, is composed of Grand Chief George Mackenzie, Lafferty, Nitsiza, Gon and Chief Charlie Football of Wekweeti. Football is not involved in the lawsuit.

Mackenzie told CBC News the council was suspended after the three chiefs walked out of a meeting and refused to attend future meetings.