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Date: 20040503

Docket: A-495-03

Citation: 2004 FCA 178

CORAM:        LINDEN J.A.

NOËL J.A.

SEXTON J.A.

BETWEEN:

                                                       SAMSON CREE NATION

                                                                                                                                          Appellants

                                                                           and

               HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN IN RIGHT OF CANADA as represented by

           THE MINISTER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS AND NORTHERN DEVELOPMENT

                                                                                                                                        Respondent

                                                                           and

              ANDREW MARK BUFFALO also known as ANDREW MARK FREEMAN

                             on his own behalf and on behalf of all other members of the

                      Samson Cree Nation on whose behalf Her Majesty the Queen holds

                     unpaid per capita distributions in the Samson Band Suspense Account

                                                                                                                                      Respondents

                                                                                                                             Docket: A-714-02

BETWEEN:

              ANDREW MARK BUFFALO also known as ANDREW MARK FREEMAN

                             on his own behalf and on behalf of all other members of the

                      Samson Cree Nation on whose behalf Her Majesty the Queen holds

                     unpaid per capita distributions in the Samson Band Suspense Account

                                                                                                                                      Respondents


                                                                           and

            HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN IN RIGHT OF CANADA as represented by the

                MINISTER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS AND NORTHERN DEVELOPMENT

                                                                                                                                        Respondent

                                                                                                                                                           

BETWEEN:

                                                       SAMSON CREE NATION

                                                                                                                                            Appellant

                                                                           and

               HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN IN RIGHT OF CANADA as represented by

           THE MINISTER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS AND NORTHERN DEVELOPMENT

                                                                                                                                        Respondent

                               Heard at Vancouver, British Columbia on May 3, 2004, 2004.

              Judgment delivered from the Bench at Vancouver, British Columbia on May 3, 2004.

REASONS FOR JUDGMENT OF THE COURT BY:                                                       NOËL J.A.


Date: 20040503

Docket: A-495-03

Citation: 2004 FCA 178

CORAM:        LINDEN J.A.

NOËL J.A.

SEXTON J.A.

BETWEEN:

                                                       SAMSON CREE NATION

                                                                                                                                          Appellants

                                                                           and

               HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN IN RIGHT OF CANADA as represented by

           THE MINISTER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS AND NORTHERN DEVELOPMENT

                                                                                                                                        Respondent

                                                                           and

              ANDREW MARK BUFFALO also known as ANDREW MARK FREEMAN

                             on his own behalf and on behalf of all other members of the

                      Samson Cree Nation on whose behalf Her Majesty the Queen holds

                     unpaid per capita distributions in the Samson Band Suspense Account

                                                                                                                                      Respondents

                                                                                                                             Docket: A-714-02

BETWEEN:

              ANDREW MARK BUFFALO also known as ANDREW MARK FREEMAN

                             on his own behalf and on behalf of all other members of the

                      Samson Cree Nation on whose behalf Her Majesty the Queen holds

                     unpaid per capita distributions in the Samson Band Suspense Account

                                                                                                                                      Respondents


                                                                           and

            HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN IN RIGHT OF CANADA as represented by the

                MINISTER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS AND NORTHERN DEVELOPMENT

                                                                                                                                        Respondent

                                                                                                                                                           

BETWEEN:

                                                       SAMSON CREE NATION

                                                                                                                                            Appellant

                                                                           and

               HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN IN RIGHT OF CANADA as represented by

           THE MINISTER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS AND NORTHERN DEVELOPMENT

                                                                                                                                        Respondent

                                     REASONS FOR JUDGMENT OF THE COURT

               (Delivered from the Bench at Vancouver, British Columbia on May 3, 2004)

NOËL J.A.

[1]                These are two appeals from judgments by Hugessen J. relating to competing claims to moneys being held by the Crown in trust for members of the Samson Band.

[2]                By an order rendered march 5, 2003 Hugessen J. held that the moneys in question were payable to Andrew Mark Buffalo et al. as a representative of a class of people on whose behalf the moneys are being held.


[3]                By a subsequent order rendered October 9, 2003 Hugessen J. certified the class of persons who were entitled to the per capita distributions and denied the motion brought by the Samson Cree Nation for leave to intervene in the proceedings leading to the determination of the individual entitlement of the members of that class.

[4]                The Samson Cree Nation now appeals both aforesaid decisions.

[5]                We have not been persuaded that Hugessen J. committed any error in coming to the conclusion that he did in either decision. Both appeals will be dismissed with costs payable by the Appellants to the Respondents Andrew Mark Buffalo et al.

[6]                These reasons and the accompanying order will be filed in A-495-03 and a copy will be filed in A-714-02.

(Sgd.) "Marc Noël"                                                                                                                                      J.A.


                                                  FEDERAL COURT OF APPEAL

                            NAMES OF COUNSEL AND SOLICITORS OF RECORD

DOCKET:                                          A-495-03

STYLE OF CAUSE:                          SAMSON CREE NATION v. THE QUEEN ET AL.

                                                                             

PLACE OF HEARING:                    Vancouver, B.C.

DATE OF HEARING:                      May 03, 2004

REASONS FOR JUDGMENT : JUSTICE MARC NOEL

DATED:                                             May 03, 2004

APPEARANCES:

Ms. Priscella E. Kennedy                                                       FOR APPELLANT

Mr. Terrence Glancy                                                             FOR RESPONDENT

Mr. Kevin Kemmis                                                                 FOR RESPONDENT

SOLICITORS OF RECORD:

Ms. Priscella E. Kennedy                                                      FOR APPELLANT

Parlee McLaws LLP.

Edmonton, AB

Mr. Terrence Glancy                                                              FOR RESPONDENT

Royal McCrum Duckett & Glancy

Edmonton, AB

Mr. Morris Rosenberg                                                           FOR RESPONDENT

Deputy Attorney General of Canada


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