A councillor on the Key First Nation, Sask., has been suspended after he was charged with 10 drug and weapon-related charges.
RCMP laid the charges after executing a warrant on the First Nation north of Kamsack around 5 a.m. CST Tuesday.
Blog Archives
Lawsuit over Fort McMurray First Nation finances fuels protest outside band office
Band councillor who launched suit now suspended, faces disciplinary hearing
, CBC News,
An ongoing controversy over more than $1 million in payments made to band officials has disrupted a northern Alberta First Nation community, prompting a lawsuit and a blockade of band offices.
Last week, members of the Fort McMurray No. 468 First Nation blocked access to the band’s offices with a pickup truck and signs. Read the rest of this entry
Caldwell First Nation council removes chief and councillor following audit
Caldwell First Nation Chief Louise Hillier stands outside of a membership meeting in Leamington on Sept. 23, 2017. Members were discussing a forensic audit that found lax financial controls surrounding a 2016 powwow. (Dan Taekema/CBC News)
Chief Louise Hillier declined to speak with reporters as she walked into the meeting
By Dan Taekema, CBC News, September 23, 2017
The council of the Caldwell First Nation has removed Chief Louise Hillier and Councillor Lonnie Dodge from their positions in the wake of a forensic audit that found lax financial controls surrounding a 2016 powwow. Read the rest of this entry
Keeseekoose First Nation elders spark RCMP investigation into band council
Flag of the Keeseekoose First Nation in Saskatchewan.
APTN National News, September 19, 2017
The RCMP has confirmed to APTN National News that it has launched an investigation on Keeseekoose First Nation in Saskatchewan after two elders came forward providing a stack of financial documents. Read the rest of this entry
Band councillor suspended after drug, weapon charges
Clarence Papequash.
Clarence Papequash, 64, served on the Key First Nation, Sask.
CBC News, Feb 15, 2017
Alexander First Nation band members sue leaders for alleged ‘illegal’ payments
Former Alexander First Nation chief Herbert Arcand, a current councillor and band administrator are being sued by band members for alleged “illegal” financial activities. (Supplied)
Three band members are suing their former chief, a current councillor and an adminstrator
By Andrea Huncar, CBC News, January 13, 2017
Three band members of the Alexander First Nation northwest of Edmonton are suing their former chief, a current councillor and a band employee for alleged conflict of interest and “illegal and improper” financial dealings. Read the rest of this entry
Samson Cree members demand audit of chief and council
‘The funding that the government gives us … it’s not reaching the real grassroots people who are suffering’
By Andrea Huncar, CBC News, October 14, 2016
Members of another First Nation in Alberta are demanding a forensic investigation into the spending of federal money by its chief and council.
The call for an audit at the Samson Cree Nation in Maskwacis just south of Edmonton comes just weeks after CBC News reported on an audit at Alexander First Nation that identified $2.1 million in unexplained payments by a former chief and staff. Read the rest of this entry
Audit identifies $2.1M in ‘unexplained payments’ to Alexander First Nation former chief and staff
Auditors found past chief Herbert Arcand received $405,119 in unexplained payments, in addition to his salary. (Supplied)
‘It’s a one-sided report to me,’ former chief Herbert Arcand says
By Andrea Huncar, CBC News, September 23, 2016
A “forensic investigation” has identified $2.1 million in “unexplained payments” to a former chief of the Alexander First Nation and seven administrative staff, according to a leaked internal document.
The document says about half of the unexplained amounts, totalling more than $1 million, were paid to former chief Herbert Arcand and current tribal chief administrator Alphonse Arcand. Read the rest of this entry
Women from Alberta First Nation to hold rally after another sex assault charge laid against chief
Alexander First Nation chief Kurt Burnstick is charged with multiple counts of sexual assault.
In the wake of a new sex assault charge being laid against the chief of a First Nation north of Edmonton, a group calling itself the Alexander Women Warriors is planning to hold a rally to express outrage over the fact he still represents them. Read the rest of this entry
Petition demands investigation into Campbell River Band councillor
Big House on Wei Wai Kum First Nation, Photo courtesy of Campbell River Cultural Mapping.
By ALISTAIR TAYLOR, Campbell River Mirror, August 23, 2016
A Wei Wai Kum First Nation member says he has obtained the necessary number of signatures on a petition required to have an investigation launched into the actions of a band councillor.
Chris Drake launched the petition to force an investigation into the actions of Jason Price, accusing him of “taking payments for his own benefit.” Read the rest of this entry
Sechelt Nation locked down
Protesters kept a vigil Tuesday in front of the Sechelt Indian Band offices after locking them with chains and padlocks. – Christine Wood Photo
by Christine Wood, Coast Reporter May 5, 2016
A group of Sechelt Nation members chained and padlocked all entrances to the Sechelt Indian Band (SIB) administration offices on Tuesday, May 3, and posted signs on the doors that read: “Lock Down For Change.”
As of Wednesday, about a dozen members were on site continuing with the protest, saying they represented more than 40 members who shared their concerns.
Among the concerns expressed were the dismissal of Coun. Ben Pierre Jr. and the alleged dismantling of a locally run fishing business.
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