Letter Highlights Tension in FSIN Executive

Letter Highlights Tension in FSIN Executive

Monday, August 08, 2011 at 13:48

MBC News has learned that one week before FSIN Chief Guy Lonechild was suspended with pay and replaced by First Vice-Chief Morley Watson, Lonechild wrote a letter to Watson, reprimanding him for speaking out about Wes Stevenson’s involvement with the First Nations University of Canada.

In the letter, which Lonechild sent to all chiefs in Saskatchewan as well as stakeholders such as Indian Affairs and the provincial government, Lonechild tells Watson he was told verbally, with witnesses present, to not engage in any public or media communications regarding either Stevenson or FNUC.

He wrote that the Chief is the authorized portfolio holder responsible for Education, including FNUC.

Watson’s letter, which was disseminated to chiefs across the province, said the day Stevenson pleaded guilty to defrauding the government was a “day of reckoning” and illustrated the FSIN did what it had to do 6 years ago when allegations surfaced.

Stevenson is now suing Watson for this letter.