The RCMP say they are looking into allegations of influence of appointments after receiving complaints over a recent election on the Big River First Nation.
Sgt. Paul Dawson says officers from the Saskatoon-based commercial crimes unit and the Prince Albert-based Aboriginal policing unit are making inquiries to determine if a criminal investigation is warranted.
Meanwhile, a candidate who ran against incumbent Chief Bruce Morin says efforts at an election appeal are being hampered.
Ralph Morin alleges several violations of the band’s election act have occurred — and the appeal committee is being uncooperative.
He says they are also trying to have meetings at the band hall but were informed it was not available.
Morin says they will try and have a meeting again tomorrow.
Meantime the embattled chief of the reserve is laying out his side of what happened.
After hearing reports that the band is being investigated by the RCMP for vote buying, Big River First Nation Chief Bruce Morin says that isn’t even possible with the rules set up in their custom election act.
Morin says the band does not use mail-in ballots.
He adds the election officer was Gordon Alger.
The chief was re-elected for his 4th term on October 3rd.
Trevor Sutter with Aboriginal Affairs says a representative of the department attended a tribunal and the election results will stand.
Sutter adds the department does not intervene when a First Nation has their own custom election act.