A Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation tribunal has rejected an appeal launched by one of the candidates in the band’s chief election earlier this year.
Harold Linklater lost to incumbent chief Darrell McCallum by nine votes.
Linklater was denied a recount, despite the fact there were 48 spoiled ballots, and took his case to a federal court.
The court agreed his case should be heard by the band’s appeals committee — but on Friday, it rejected his case.
Despite the decision, Linklater doesn’t regret going to the justice system — noting it’s the first time in the band’s history that an appeal hearing has been held.
Linklater adds he still believes his “rights were violated”, but hopes lessons are learned from his ordeal when the band revises its election act.
Peter Ballantyne is the one of the largest First Nations in the province, with administration established in seven communities in northeast Saskatchewan.