Me and My Family!

Tansi/Good Day Readers:

Were we suprised or what? Before retiring for the evening we like to do a late night sweep of our favourite blogs for pictures and ideas we can use. Imagine how we were taken aback to find the following story posted on Truth To Power (http://www.accesstoinfo.blogspot.com). In a few short months TTP has made quite a name for itself exposing power abuses by the rich, not so rich and famous. Looking at visitor numbers it's attracting quite a following throughout North America because of its many links - look at them!

As for the picture, the only people we recognize are Plaintiff David Chartrand and trusty brother Plaintiff Elbert to his immediate right. The backdrop suggests it was taken at a 40th anniversary celebration of the MMF's founding. Don't see Murray Trachtenberg. If you know anyone locate them and we'll post your reply.

By the way, Counselor Trachtenberg did not have the common courtesy to reply to our generous offer.

Clare L. Pieuk

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MANITOBA METIS FEDERATION INC.

NEWS BULLETIN!

Co-Defendant Pieuk caves in - offers MMF deal they can't refuse!
As originally posted on: CyberSmokeBlog.blogspot.com
May 16, 2006

Tansi/Good Day Folks:

Word has reached me David Chartrand is desperately looking for a way to end this turkey of a defamation lawsuit which has become an MMF public relations nightmare in the midst of an election! Therefore, to be Big about it, I've decided to help The President, his fellow Plaintiffs and Counsel Murray Norman Trachtenberg by making the following generous Offer To Settle which was surface mailed today.
Sincerely,

Clare L. Pieuk
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File No. CI 05-01-41955
THE QUEEN’S BENCH
Winnipeg Centre
(Expedited Action – Rule 20A)

BETWEEN:

MANITOBA METIS FEDERATION INC., ANITA CAMPBELL, DAVID CHARTRAND, ELBERT CHARTRAND, RITA CULLEN, DARREL DESLAURIERS, JEAN DESROSIERS, WILLIAM FLETT, JOHN FLEURY, LAURA HYRICH, JULYDA LAGIMODIERE, JOYCE LANAGAN, LEAH LAPLANTE, JUDY MAYER, ROSEMARIE McPHERSON, CLAIRE RIDDLE and DENISE THOMAS
Plaintiffs

- and -

TERRY BELHUMEUR, CLARE L. PIEUK and VANESSA EVERTON
Defendants
________________________________________
OFFER TO SETTLE

________________________________________
CLARE L. PIEUK
2-371 Des Meurons Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R2H 2N6

OFFER TO SETTLE – WITHOUT PREJUDICE
Defendant Clare L. Pieuk offers to settle this action on the following terms and conditions:
1. Co-Defendant Pieuk shall pay to each Plaintiff the amount of $1.00 Canadian (one Loonie) with the exception of Mr. David N. Chartrand who will receive $2.00 Canadian (one Toonie) in recognition of his position as President, Manitoba Metis Federation. Such payment shall be by way of certified cheque or bank draft or lawyer’s trust cheque and shall be received by the Plaintiffs’ Counsel within 7 days of the acceptance of this Offer and in any event, no later than 12:01 on Friday May 26, 2006.

2. The Co-Defendant will provide an original signed letter of apology to Counsel for the Plaintiffs at the time the amount of $18.00 is paid.

3. The following apology/retraction letter will be posted on http://www.cybersmokeblog.blogspot.com for ten (10) calendar days:

There has been an exchange of opinions expressed by David Chartrand and his supporters, on one hand, and myself (and others) on the other in relation to Metis hunting rights and the role of the MMF. Some of these views have been expressed publicly through a number of media – websites, newspapers and public gatherings and meetings. A number of Metis, through various means, including letters to your website have expressed a level of discomfort with all of the "arguing" going on. Some of these opinions, on both sides, have bordered close to being personal attacks and possibly dafamatory – probably because both sides speak about issues close to their hearts and what they have been fighting for a longtime.

As some point there needs to be a re-examination of the process. I won’t repeat some of the comments made about me but I believe that some of them are undeserved and go beyond what is appropriate. As for my contributions – sure I disagree with and oppose the position of the MMF on how to further our people’s hunting, fishing, harvesting and other Section 35 constitutional rights. That is my right as an MMF member. If I do not agree with my politicians – I can express that along with my reasons. Similarly, the MMF and its President can be critical of any Metis Member or any lawyer’s opinion on how these issues should be handled.

For my part, I would like to say for the record that while I have my own personal views of handling these complicated issues arising from court decisions on harvesting rights, I respect our democratic system and rules for governance. I also respect our right to free speech and the fact that we can push through advocacy and through the courts if we feel this is the better way to make our points.

Once elected, the Board of Directors and the President have the mandate to act in the manner they believe is in the best interests of the Metis in Manitoba. Judging by the diverse comments on different websites, it is clear there are vast differences of opinion on what this may be. Some people have expressed to me the belief that my comments go too far. I want to make it clear that while I may have used strong language to make some of my points, I do not intend to suggest or insinuate that the MMF Inc. or its President are doing anything illegal or malicious. I also do not intend to cast any personal attacks about any person’s personal abilities, characteristics or their personal lives. I agree with one of your reader’s comments that the interests of the Metis Nation will not be promoted by any of us "going overboard" and commenting on things that go beyond the immediate issues we are giving our opinions about.

Lionel Chartrand
February 11, 2004

4. The Manitoba Metis Federation also post this apology on its website http://www.mmf.mb.ca for ten (10) calendar days.

5. The Plaintiffs agree to pay all Co-Defendant Pieuk's legal costs plus interest forthwith

6. Within 7 days from the receipt of the funds and documents referred to in paragraphs 1, 2, 3 and 4, Counsel for the Plaintiffs will provide:

(a) A Release in a form mutually acceptable to the Plaintiffs, their Counsel and Co-Defendant Pieuk

(b) A Notice of Discontinuance without costs in a form mutually acceptable to the Plaintiffs, their Counsel and Co-Defendant Pieuk

THIS OFFER IS OPEN for acceptance until 12:01 a.m. Friday May 26, 2006 after which time it will expire.
DATED May 16, 2006.

CLARE L. PIEUK
2-371 Des Meurons Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R2H 2N6

TO: POSNER & TRACHTENBERG
Barristers, Solicitors & Notaries Public
710 – 491 Portage Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 2E4

MURRAY NORMAN TRACHTENBERG
Solicitor for the Plaintiffs