EDMONTON (CP) - A major oil spill near a popular Alberta resort lake has led to a multimillion-dollar lawsuit by an aboriginal band that has lived there for hundreds of years.

The Paul First Nation says it is suing Canadian National Railway, as well as the federal and Alberta governments, over a derailment that fouled Lake Wabamun last August. Chief Daniel Paul says the band's 1,700 members rely heavily on fish, ducks and geese from the lake, which is still contaminated months after the toxic spill.

Both CN and the province are refusing comment on the lawsuit, but say an extensive assessment will be done before cleanup efforts resume in the spring.

Some residents in the town of Wabamun are planning a class-action lawsuit against CN over the derailment, which spilled 700,000 litres of fuel oil and pole-treating oil.

CN offered up to $5,000 cash to people living along the lake last fall, but the offer was rejected.

© Canadian Press 2006