Group suing Colville leaders to meet

Colville Members for Justice will meet Saturday morning in Elmer City to discuss the status and updates on their effort to sue the Colville Business Council over decisions on how much of a $193 million settlement with the United States government to distribute directly to tribal members.

Their civil complaint was dismissed in tribal court, but the groups has filed for an appeal. A hearing on that is set for Feb. 21.

“We still do not have legal counsel and plan to discuss this and other measures available to us,” said Yvonne Swan, who is spearheading the effort.

“It is the consensus of opinion in our organization to continue seeking justice,” she said. “We will not go away because we know we are right in demanding that our constitutional rights, civil rights, and most importantly our traditional rights be respected and upheld.”

The Feb. 8 meeting will take place at 10 a.m. in the lower level of the Elmer City Town Hall, at 505 Seaton Ave. The entrance and parking are behind the building.