Chief dismisses ‘wild accusations’ of intimidation

Smoke from the sacred fire and sage smudges swirled in the breeze during the Elders’ Council held in Sheguiandah First Nation, Ont. on Aug. 10.

Elders from the United Chiefs and Councils of Mnidoo Mnising First Nations (UCCMM) met on the side of Highway 6 in front of the Elders’ building in Sheguiandah, a protest site where members had been camping for 18 days. A few tipis are up, along with a few tents where people have been sleeping.

The situation was serious enough to warrant Elders from other communities from around Manitoulin Island to attend.

Signs dot the side of the highway for passersby to read and honk for support. Written across the signs are sayings like, ‘A chief is supposed to give to his people, not take,’ and ‘We accept your resignation.’

Protesters want Chief Orville Agounie to resign his position. Members tell stories of intimidation, job dismissals and lack of accountability from the chief and his brother, who is also a member of council.

The local newspaper has reported that the chief is also facing charges of assault against two people. The alleged assaults are against a youth and an Elder, according to community members at the protest site.

Two elected councillors, Derek Assiniwe and Kevin Mishibinijima, have been supporting the community members who want the resignation of the chief.

Josh Eshkawkogan is one of the UCCM Elders from Wikwemikong. He supports the community protest, but also looks at the big picture.

“The structure of our political governance has to be looked at to be able to prove and provide equality for all band memberships in all of our communities.”

“The voice of the community is the people,” said Eshkawkogan. “The majority of the voice is being mistreated, not listened to by leadership. There’s action being taken in Sheguiandah because their voice is not being heard. So, I support them, because this could happen in my community.”

For Elder Gordon Waindubence, who also sits on the UCCMM Elders Advisory Council, Sheguiandah is his community. He worries about his community, but at the same time, he can take a step back from it and look at the dysfunction from a different perspective.

“When we look at the issues, they’re all the same across Canada, like what’s happening here,” Waindubence said.
“The common enemy here is called Indian Affairs, with the Indian Act system.” He also says, “What’s happening here is happening in other communities across Canada. This is not an isolated incident.”

On that note, he’s right on the money. Clear across the country, in the Northwest Territories, media reports indicate a former band councillor of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation has started a petition to oust the current leadership after Aboriginal Affairs refused to get involved in the internal conflict.

Closer to home, just three hours south of Sheguiandah, a similar situation has been brewing in Shawanaga First Nation for quite some time. Community members through an Elders Tribunal dismissed chief and council last fall, however, only the chief stepped down.

Since they’re under a custom election code, the Indian Act doesn’t apply there. It’s also not known at this time if Aboriginal Affairs will get involved after having been contacted by a group of concerned citizens.

Meanwhile, Sheguiandah Councillor Assiniwe has been in touch with Aboriginal Affairs hoping the department can step in to do something about the situation in his community.

But, in an email from Aboriginal Affairs to Windspeaker, spokesperson Michelle Perron wrote, “The Government of Canada recognizes the right of all Canadians to engage in peaceful protests. Departmental officials are aware of the demonstration on Highway Six by Sheguiandah First Nation community members and Band councillors.  The department is working with the First Nation to ensure essential services continue to be delivered to community residents.”

Perron adds, “This is an internal governance matter, which we encourage the [First Nation] to resolve. For more information please contact the First Nation.”

For his part, Sheguiandah Chief Orville Agounie dismisses claims of intimidation as wild accusations and attributes the unrest in the community to changes administration has been making to uphold and implement housing and employment policies.

Agounie, well into his second term, says, “Rents weren’t being collected so we put the housing policy in place, and we’re working on people to pay.”

He also says they’re clamping down on the personnel policy to be more accountable. But, the former secretary at the band office begs to differ.

Micki Atkinson says she was fired unjustly, and nearly four weeks after her dismissal, she’s still waiting for her Record of Employment so she can file for Employment Insurance. Atkinson says that hasn’t been forthcoming, and she has filed a complaint with the Labour Board.
Agounie calls Councillors Assiniwe and Mishibinijima ‘rogue,’ and says the protest in the community lacks substance.

The chief says the councillors have breached every oath, including confidentiality, and if they miss one more regular band council meeting, to total three, they can be unseated, according to the Indian Act.

On the assault charges he’s facing, Agounie said “They’re a complete fabrication. I will be vindicated and I look forward to my next court date in September.”

As far as the problems go in the community, Elder Waindubence believes the issues can be quickly resolved.
“The [protest] camp will come down if the Indian Act chief will step down. Simple. And enact our traditional laws.”