"Natives claim being 'set up' for blame in copter shooting"

CFB IPPERWASH (CP) - Natives occupying a military base have been "set up" to take the blame for a bullet that was fired at a Canadian Forces helicopter this week, their acting chief said Wednesday.

"I just get the feeling we've been set up," Carl George of the Stoney Point First Nation said at the base on Lake Huron, 25 kilometres northeast of Sarnia.

At one point George appeared to blame the military, but said later during a news conference that he had no proof and "didn't want to put blame on anyone."

Maj. Brian Hay denied any suggestions the military is trying to pin blame for Monday night's shooting on the natives, who occupied part of the base in May to back up a land claim dating to 1942.

"Why would we do that?" Hay said, adding that the military can use the law to force the natives to leave and has taken a "non-confrontational posture" to allow a negotiated settlement of the dispute.

Provincial police say elders from the native group living in tents on the base told investigators they believe one of their people was responsible for shooting the helicopter, which landed safely after its low-level surveillance flight over the native camp.

"They are considering identifying the person responsible and turning the individual over to police," said Sgt. Doug Babbitt.

Police are investigating the shooting of the helicopter, which had a crew of five, as an attempted murder. No one aboard was injured and no vital controls were damaged when the bullet tore into the tail boom.

Clifford George, one of six Stoney Point elders, has said someone may have "snapped" under the strain and frustration of repeated low-level flights over the camp.

But on Wednesday he joined the acting at the news conference and said he feels the natives were "set up."

Police searching the area for evidence have found a flare pistol, a pellet pistol and several rounds of ammunition but hadn't arrested anyone in the shooting Wednesday.

Stoney Point natives cut holes through fences and set up tents on the base in May, saying it was time to go "home" 51 years after the government seized their land without compensation during the Second World War.

The Indian Commission of Ontario agreed last month to help resolve the land dispute but won't begin work until the natives solve internal problems.

The natives on the base say they're members of the Stoney Point First Nation, but there is controversy as to whether they are a seperate band or part of the Kettle and Stoney Point band.

The federal government said last year that the only recognized band in the area is the Kettle and Stoney Point band. It also said that the land will be returned to that band when the military no longer needs it.

Carl George said the natives are trying to come up with an agreement that would allow the two groups to remain distinct and fight for the land together.