Indian Affairs Weighs In On Sturgeon Lake Turmoil

Friday, April 25, 2008 at 15:18

 

 

Indian Affairs says it won’t intervene in a situation at the Sturgeon Lake First Nation that has some band members talking about removing their chief and council.

 

Some band members say the local tribunal has the authority to recall the chief and council if band leaders don’t produce an audited financial statement.

 

Roughly 60 reserve residents held a meeting last night in the cold outside the community’s gymnasium, because the band council barred the gathering from being held in a band facility.

 

The band’s chief electoral officer says the tribunal will have grounds to throw the chief and council out of office if an audit is not produced at a May 20th band meeting.

 

But Indian Affairs spokesperson Gaylene Anaquod says her department won’t be able to enforce that measure if it comes to that.

 

She says it will be up to the courts.

 

Anaquod adds the department prefers to let First Nations resolve their own conflicts — but it is willing to provide mediation services.

 

Chief Wesley Daniels has been unavailable for comment.