The federal government should butt out of Barriere Lake Algonquin First Nation, according to a throng of protesters who marched from Parliament to the Prime Minister’s Office yesterday.

“They are imposing this puppet council regime on us,” said Tony Wawatie, a spokesman for the group from the remote Quebec community. The group is denouncing a move by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada to impose a band council selection process.

Wawatie alleged the federal and provincial governments are unhappy with the community’s traditional council and their position on logging and management of natural resources.