Tribal Council Split Over Election Rule Change

Tribal Council Split Over Election Rule Change

Wednesday, September 22, 2010 at 14:34

 

 

The chief of the Little Black Bear First Nation is defending last-minute amendments to the File Hills Qu’Appelle Tribal Council election act.

 

The amended election act was voted on this past Saturday.

 

The FHQTC election is set for this Friday.

 

According to a release from opposing chiefs, the six First Nations that amended the election act represent only 40 per cent of the tribal council population and have 40 of the 81 voting delegates.

 

Little Black Bear Chief Perry Bellegarde says the changes were made with transparency and openness.

 

He says the voters now include duly-elected council members from the member First Nations — instead of delegates chosen by the chiefs, as has been the case.

 

Myke Agecoutey is the incumbent tribal vice-chairman for the FHQTC and says this move threatens the sovereignty of individual First Nations and their chiefs.

 

The chiefs opposed to the changes are from the Carry The Kettle, Peepeekisis, Muscowpetung and Nekaneet First Nations, as well as the Standing Buffalo Dakota Nation.