Photo courtesy of keyband.com
The losers in last fall’s election of the Key First Nation, about 100 kilometres north of Yorkton, want the election results tossed out and a new vote held. They have been trying to make that happen for the last nine months.
The application to overturn the results was filed last October. Since then, the file has grown to more than 1,800 pages. There have been dozens of case management conferences since then.
Another was scheduled for today in a Regina courtroom, but the respondents filed a last minute notice, indicating they would not be able to attend.
There are allegations of vote buying, payoffs, promised jobs and even an offer of a $400,000 contract.
None of the allegations have been proven in court, and all are being denied. Those filing to have the results overturned are also asking for court costs, which will be thousands of dollars. They also want the chief and some band councillors found guilty of contempt of court for failing to provide requested documentation. The case is still a long way off from being settled.
Among those making allegations of corruption is former band councillor, Clarence Papequash, who is currently serving a one-year jail sentence for drug trafficking.
In his affidavit to the court, Papequash claims he was offered $5000 not to run for chief, and put his support behind Johnny Brass, who was eventually elected to that position last October.
Papequash was elected as a band councillor, but vacated the position last March after pleading guilty to drug trafficking.