Alexis council target of marathon sit-in

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Political opponents of Alexis chief Howard Mustus are staging a sit-in in the band council chambers demanding they have access to band financial records.

By Windspeaker publication deadlines, the protests had occupied the chambers for 10 days and were vowing to continue their action until the records are released.

"We've come up with the agreement that we will stick it out until we get something," said Genevive Jones, a spokesman for the Alexis Action Committee, the group that called the sit-in.

Protest organizers claim up to 40 people are involved in the marathon demonstration, occupying the chamber in shifts. They are demanding release of financial statements amid rumors that band spending is motivated by the personal interests of political leaders in the 800-member community.

"I just want to know where the money is going," said Don Kootenay, who has participated in the sit-in.

Mustus was not available for comment. But supporters of the chief say there is no ground for the demonstration and that band accounting has satisfied audits by the Indian Affairs department.

"Howard Mustus is an honest man," said one man in a group of supporters that briefly joined the sit-in on its second day as part of a counter demonstration.

Indian Affairs official Ken Kirby said confidential annual reviews show the band's books are in order.

"There is nothing that would lead us to believe that an investigation of band finances is warranted," he said.

The demonstration has been peaceful, although it has caused some tension in the community. On its second day, band officials closed the office, disrupting the distribution of welfare checks and pay checks for band workers.

Angry residents blamed the protesters for holding back their money. A group arrived at the band office and there were several heated arguments.

Two police officers from nearby Mayerthorpe were called in and the situation calmed down .