A group of protesters is remaining defiant in the face of a court injunction ordering them to take down their blockade at the McLeod Lake Indian Band office.
Group leader Justin Chingee said Tuesday that they now have the elders on their side.
"The elders passed a vote of non-confidence and they [band council members] refused to step down," Chingee said. "So the elders are passing a resolution to assume power over the McLeod Lake Indian Band and its assets to tide us through this time."
Chingee also claimed a majority of the band's members support the elders.
"It's everybody's mom, it's everybody's dad, it''s everybody's grandma and grandpa," he said. "We've had at least 20 of our elders come here to support us."
The opponents are claiming mismanagement and failing to get members' permission to use a portion of a revenue-sharing agreement with Thompson Creek Metals, which is building the Mount Milligan gold and copper mine, to pay their salaries after a trust fund out of the band's Treaty 8 settlement ran into trouble.
Some of the protesters, including Chingee, ran unsuccessfully for council in the last election and
Chief Derek Orr dismissed the opposition as a vocal minority.
"It's about 10 to 15 of our members and our total membership is about 503 members, so that's about four per cent, and of the voting membership, that's about eight per cent," Orr said.
In 2008, when he and many of the current councillors were elected, the band was in a dire financial situation and had a $8.1 million deficit in the Treaty 8 trust.
But after cutting its budget by 41 per cent, the band has been able to reduce its debt by $10.8 million and reduce the Treaty 8 trust deficit by nearly $7 million, the band is back in the black, Orr has said.
"We're just steadfast that the allegations put forth are really nonsense and we have nothing to hide," Orr said.
The RCMP is taking a hands-off approach to the situation.
"An Injunction order has been issued in this matter but enforcement of the order allows for police discretion," North District RCMP Cst. Lesley Smith said.
"Enforcement is not the first or only step when trying to resolve disputes of this nature. It is our intention that everyone involved can come to an agreement and return to a safe and productive working environment. The RCMP respects that it has been a peaceful protest to date and we will continue to work diligently towards a safe outcome in a timely manner."
The blockade has meant the band is currently unable to deliver services to members, Orr said.
"That's why it's so urgent that the police move forward and disband the blockaders," he said.
