Chief want Bill C-31 people to 'come home'

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"I want the Bill C-31 people to come home," said Eugene Monias, in an emotional interview, after he was elected to once again become chief of the Heart Lake Indian Reserve on December 4.

Monias had served as chief of the Heart Lake Band, located 80 km north of Lac La Biche, for 22 years prior to the recent election and says he ran because the people wanted him to.

The election follows heated arguments and conflict between Monias and his supporters and the now defeated Chief Peter Francis. At one point the RCMP were requested to attend one of the meetings, because some members believed that violence might erupt. Many band members, along with Chief Monias, said that Francis was never available for days at a time and they wanted a chief who worked with the Band members.

Also elected as band councillors are James Monias and Darlene Francis.

According to Chief Monias, 17 votes were registered for him and 10 against out of the 27 Band members who attended the election.

District director for Indian Affairs, Jim Roller, also made himself available for the election meeting.

"A Band Council Resolution was signed by chief and council, and now I suppose my first goal is to make it official with the government that we will take over as chief and council" said Monias, stating that he will do this by notifying the Indian Affairs district office in St. Paul, personally.

Chief Monias says that he and council will now look into all the business the past chief and council were doing and then, "we will start new and right from the top."

Monias further stated that his top priority is to establish off-reserve members and Bill-C-31 members back on the Heart Lake Reserve.

"I am going to try hard. I want them here. I will help them the best that I can. I will also fight for our kids who are on welfare; I will fight for their moms," said Monias, who says he also has good council that he can depend on and the majority of the Heart Lake band members back him up.

"All the band members wanted me to run for chief. When I was chief I never had

a problem like this. I only wanted to run as chief for three months, but the band members say I can stay as long as I want. Everyone said 'we want Eugene Monias'."

Monias has promised the Heart Lake Band members that he will show the people that he and his council can do for them.

"We have a lot to do and I will be working as I never have before in my life," Monias said.