Chief’s bid to restore funding ‘ridiculous,’ say members of Liard First Nation

Chief Daniel Morris filed documents asking Federal Court to restore First Nation’s control of funding

By Phillippe Morin, CBC News, May 6, 2016

A group of Liard First Nation members is opposed to a recent court action launched by their chief and council.

In early April, Chief Daniel Morris filed court documents in Vancouver asking the Federal Court to restore the First Nation’s control of federal funding.

The First Nation, based in Watson Lake, Yukon, has been under third-party management for two years. The condition was imposed after it fell more than $700,000 in debt and failed to abide by the Federal First Nations Transparency Act.

Vuntut Gwitchin chief, Roger Kyikavichik, arrested on sexual assault charge

Roger Kyikavichik, chief of Old Crow’s Vuntut Gwtichin First Nation, was arrested Dec. 23 and charged with sexual assault Dec. 30, RCMP say. (Submitted to CBC News)

Allegations stem from incident in fall of 2014

CBC News, Dec 30, 2015

Roger Kyikavichik, chief of the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation, faces a charge of sexual assault, Yukon RCMP said Wednesday.

The charge stems from an alleged incident in the fall of 2014. Police say the charge was filed in Yukon Territorial Court Wednesday, although Kyikavichik was arrested Dec. 23.

Federal government reinstates funds frozen under First Nations Financial Transparency Act

Liberals to suspend court actions against First Nations that have not complied with act

By Kathleen Harris, CBC News, Dec 18, 2015

The Canadian government is reinstating funds frozen under the controversial First Nations Financial Transparency Act, Indigenous Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett says.

The government is also halting compliance measures that required bands to post detailed financial information online. 

Rule changes to reserve lands mark new hope for indigenous businesses

by Jeff Gray, The Globe and Mail, Dec 10, 2015

A proposal for a gas station, restaurant and gift shop alongside Highway 69 near Parry Sound, Ont., is more than a small business plan: It’s a sign of a new era for the tiny Shawanaga First Nation.

About three hours north of Toronto, the Shawanaga First Nation has about 200 on-reserve members and nearly 70 per cent unemployment. But Chief Wayne Pamajewon says things are set to change, thanks to a process that has just granted the band more direct control over its own lands.

Paul First Nation members want chief, council removed

 

Chief Casey Bird of Paul First Nation. Photo: CBC News.

By Michel Boyer, Global New, November 25, 2015

 

Members of the Paul First Nation west of Edmonton are calling on the federal minister of indigenous affairs to remove their chief and council from office.

The First Nation is also suing Chief Casey Bird for breach of trust and negligence, claiming he sold off a parcel of land for a fraction of its value. 

We Wai Kai Elders remove chief from office

We Wai Kai chief Ralph Dick, on right.

by  Alistair Taylor, Campbell River Mirror, Nov 26, 2015

The We Wai Kai Nation Council of Elders has removed Ralph Dick from the office of Chief after they determined he breached the nation’s Conflict of Interest Policy.

“While we wish the decision did not fall to us, the Council of Elders members also swore an Oath of Office and are bound to uphold the Election Code and the Conflict of Interest Policy,” the Council of Elders say in a written decision, a copy of which was provided to the Mirror.

RCMP probing officers’ handling of domestic violence allegation against Onion Lake Chief Fox

Vicki Monague filed complaint over RCMP’s handling of her criminal allegation of domestic violence against Onion Lake Cree Nation Chief Wallace Fox. Photo supplied by Monague to APTN.

by Jorge Barrera, APTN National News, October 27, 2015
The RCMP is probing complaints filed against officers from the Onion Lake Cree Nation detachment over their handling of a domestic violence allegation against Chief Wallace Fox, APTN National News has learned.

Fox, the long-time chief of the Saskatchewan First Nation, was charged Monday with two counts of assault, one count of possession of a dangerous weapon and one count of uttering threats to damage property stemming from a domestic incident at his Onion Lake residence. He is scheduled to appear in provincial court on Dec. 16.

Onion Lake Chief Fox facing dangerous weapon, assault charges related to domestic incident

Onion Lake First Nation chief Wallace Fox. Photo: Global News.

by Jorge Barrera, APTN National News, October 26, 2015
Onion Lake Cree Nation Chief Wallace Fox is facing multiple charges stemming from a domestic incident which occurred in the Cree community on May 18, the Saskatchewan RCMP said in a statement Monday.

Fox is facing two counts of assault, one count of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose related to the use of a knife and one count of uttering threats to damage property, the RCMP statement said.

Lillooet band office attacker’s death not linked to police response, IIO finds

David Allan Patrick James, 22, died after he allegedly entered the band office with weapons on Oct. 14

David James, 22, has been identified as the man behind an attack in Lillooet, B.C. (CBC News, submitted by the James family)

CBC News, Oct 20, 2015

B.C.’s civilian police watchdog (IIO) has found police were not connected to the death of a man who viciously attacked the Bridge River Indian Band office near Lillooet, B.C. earlier this month.

David Allan Patrick James, 22, died after he allegedly entered the band office with weapons just before 8:30 a.m. PT on Oct. 14, and assaulted staff, sending 11 people to hospital.

David James identified as man behind Lillooet attack

Investigators enter the Bridge River Indian Band office where one man died and nine others were injured following an attack, near Lillooet, B.C., on Wednesday October 14, 2015. A man suspected in a violent assault is dead and 10 others are hurt after an attack that reportedly involved a hammer. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Cuts to welfare funding has created an impossible situation on reserve, chiefs say

CBC News, Oct 16, 2015

The man who died following an attack at the Xwisten/ Bridge River Indian Band near Lillooet Wednesday has been identified as David Allan Patrick James.

James, 22, died after being restrained following a vicious attack that sent 11 people to hospital. Three victims remain in serious condition.

James was a member of the band community, and had been identified as someone needing help, according to a statement released by a coalition of First Nations organizations Friday.