A battle between two rival groups on the Standing Buffalo first nation turned ugly over the weekend.

The dispute heated up when a new band council elected over the weekend tried to change the locks on the band office.

Roberta Soo Oyewaste was elected as the band’s new chief over the weekend but almost immediately there were efforts to not only remove her as chief but to relieve her of her teaching duties.

There was no school on Monday.

The current chief and council say the weekend election was illegal and its results don’t count.

Chief Roger Redman says he and his council are still in charge.

This assertion is being challenged by Marita Crant who was elected to the band’s senate on Saturday.

RCMP was called in to investigate complaints of assault over the weekend but no charges have been laid.

Meanwhile, another election is scheduled for September – this one called by Chief Redman.