As an avid on-line shopper interested in all things natural, I checked out the website of the "Blood Tribe" in southern Alberta. The Blood Tribe inhabited what is now Southern Alberta and Montana long before any treaties and borders were imposed.
"Head smashed in buffalo jump" is a tourist attraction built by the Alberta government on their land.
In visiting their site, one immediately feels a sense of comfort, whether it's from the words written, the beauty in the pictures, or in the knowledge of such honest and caring individuals, the feeling is serene.
Announced on their web-site is the filing of a class action law suit by three of their members - and it was filed against the lawyer that was supposed to help the many victims forced into the heinous residential school system.
Myself, I only became aware of these schools a few years back, as did many of my friends. Upon learning that the Residential School System was actually yet another act of genocide - is just something so unforgivable and shameful, no words can express how deep the sorrow is.
The defendant in the class action lawsuit - a David Blott, had a basic fiduciary duty to protect his client's best interest and to ensure that each receive their right to proper compensation. As a result of that lawyer's gross negligence and breach in fiduciary duties, many victims were denied compensation altogether while others received far less than what they should have received.
It is estimated that Blott and his cronies billed in excess of 14 million in fees - fees that were appropriated from the very clients they were supposed to be protecting!!!!
This gets worse - apparently Blott and his pals set up corporations to loan their clients advanced funds but then charged them interest at rates exceeding 50%!
This type of abuse will surely prevent other people from engaging the services of lawyers under normal circumstances. However, these were not normal circumstances; the actions of this one lawyer is so heinous and so despicable, one wonders how anyone could ever trust that profession again.
The Calgary Herald includes more details obtained from the filed statement of claim and that story can be read by clicking the following link:
Calgary Herald story from Nov 2/13
Although Blott was relieved from inadequately representing other Residential School Victims including current clients being yanked from his disservice, the Law Society in Alberta has not yet disbarred him as they are still conducting their investigation.
Is someone like that able to look themselves in the mirror without shame?
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