The Electoral Officer of Fond du Lac First Nation says the band’s advisory council should not have to pay out of their own pockets to represent the band.
The council is currently in a legal dispute with Chief Earl Lidgeurre over who is Fond du Lac’s rightful leader.
In October the executive advisory council had served Lidgeurre with impeachment papers over what they say were complaints from members of the band. Shortly after, a Queen’s Bench justice had issued a court injunction keeping Lidgeurre as chief until the matter could be resolved.
Yesterday, a Queen’s Bench judge in Prince Albert continued the injunction keeping Lidgeurre as chief because no one from the advisory council was present in court.
Alex Mercredi, electoral officer and spokesperson for the council, says they were not there because they do not have the finances to afford proper legal representation.
“We are talking $15,000 to $20,000 and I am not going to pay that much of my money to represent the people’s concerns,” said Mercredi. “It is worth it in a sense to have (Lidgeurre) removed, but it is not worth it for the advisory council and myself to fork out money for the cause of the people.”
Despite the court injunction continuing Mercredi says the issue is not ‘dead in the water.’
He says he plans on seeking impartial mediation to help address the concerns of both sides.
Mercredi also says he plans on contacting the Court of Queen’s Bench.