George Gordon First Nation. Photo courtesy of Manfred Joehnck.
It was a packed band office on the George Gordon First Nation today as a band member read a statement from the ousted chief saying an appeal will be filed of an October 28 court decision that overturned last spring’s election results.
Bryan McNabb, Jr. was in Ottawa and did not attend the meeting, but several band councilors were there to support the decision. They also want the courts to reinstate them pending the outcome of the appeal.
A Queen’s Bench justice ruled while there was no fraud or corruption, 31 votes were unaccounted for after the election. Because the margin of victory was so close, the judge ruled those votes could have changed the outcome.
Band councillor Angela McNabb says that decision has resulted in chaos and turmoil on the reserve. She says while the action was launched by a few disgruntled band members, the court ruling is affecting everyone.
“Well it is a little bit frustrating because it does cause turmoil and division in the community,” she said. “With no leadership currently, we have no cheque signers.”
Indigenous Affairs insists spending for essential services will be maintained. In the meantime, it is moving to appoint an electoral officer so a new vote can be held.
The rules are spelled out under the First Nations Election Act which the band adopted under the leadership of former chief Shawn Longman. He says it was a good decision and he stands behind the court’s ruling to overturn the results.
“I believe the First Nations Elections Act is doing the job it was designed to do,” he said. “It was designed to create a fair process and to ensure that the voters who voted would have their votes count.”
There is no word on when the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal might hear the case, but generally it takes months or longer.