Corrupt election practices charged

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Charges of nepotism and corrupt election practices, responsible for a bitter dispute on the Big Prairie Metis Settlement (Peavine), continue and are confirmed by a government official who states the recent elections "were not fair and were not democratic".

High Prairie Metis Settlement Liaison Officer, Andre L'Hirondelle, was the returning officer during the July 16 election which saw incumbent Rene Cunningham, brother of chairman Sydney and council member Fred Cunningham win his bid for re-election. L'Hirondelle has written reports to Edmonton regarding the "undemocratic" election practices on the settlement located 32 miles north of High Prairie.

"It appears that (the settlement's) membership has been tampered with by a certain component of the settlement," said L'Hirondelle.

L'Hirondelle confirmed that he has written several reports to the Metis Settlements Branch in Edmonton regarding the election and the 75-name petition submitted by disgruntled members of the settlement.

Several members of the settlement met with the council August 4 to discuss the disputed election and the 75-name petition, claiming the election had been unfair because several members had not been allowed to vote.

However, before the discussion could begin, Chairman Sydney Cunningham asked each of the 15 members present why they had attended the meeting. After a brief discussion he announced that he and the council had only agreed to meet with four representatives.

Settlement member Terry Gauthier produced the letter which was read by Settlement Administrator Dennis Cunningham.

The council next admitted that no limit as to the number of members had been made but "it (the letter) was mis-typed. We will not see more than four or we will adjourn the meeting," said Chairman Sydney Cunningham.

After some discussion, most of the delegation left the building, along with the Windspeaker reporter, as requested by the council.

After a two-hour meeting council refused to make any definite statement on the disputed election and Chairman Sydney Cunningham refused to make any statements. Administrator Dennis Cunningham said a letter would be drafted to the dissident members within the next few days.

"The letter will inform the members of the council's decision. No decision will be announced until after council meets," said Cunningham, who added he did not "think there will be a new election."

In an interview after the meeting, settlement member Terry Gauthier, who headed the delegation, said he and many of the members were dissatisfied with the recent "undemocratic and unbiased" election.

Gauthier produced a release made by council to all members outlining eligibility to vote. Provision was made to allow members whose names did not appear on the voters roll to sign a declaration form in order to vote.

"I turned up and asked to vote," said settlement member Hilma Supernault. "But I was told by Andre (L'Hirondelle, the returning officer) that he wasn't allowed to let anyone sign the declaration forms unless they were 18-years old. I wasn't allowed to vote even though I was raised here and my family live here," she complained.

Supernault claims that at least "five members were not permitted to vote" despite the provision of the declaration forms and that several "non-resident non-members" had been permitted to vote by council.

"We have evidence that some came from as far away as Joussard and one lady is a treaty Indian," she added.

In a letter addressed to members of the settlement, L'Hirondelle (who is also the settlement liaison officer) said he had been instructed by council to allow residents whose names were not on the voters roll to submit declarations, but that on the morning of the election L'Hirondelle had been instructed "that only the residents between 18 and 19 (years of age) would be able to fill out the declaration forms."

Supernault and other unhappy members of the settlement have sent several letters to Alberta Minister Nil Crawford, calling upon the minister to "dismiss the brother quorum" on the council. Peavine council consists of four councillors and one chairman, three of whom are brothers.

However, former Federation of Metis Settlement vice-president, Lawrence Cunningham, said the dissidents are "jealous" trouble makers and feels the council must not comply with the wishes of the "mob."

Cunningham, who is related to the three brothers, stated other members of the settlement are envious of the position of the family and are trying to "overturn the due processes of a democratic election."

"We (the Cunningham family) have worked long and hard to get what we have achieved. They (the protestors) are just not prepared to work."

"It is quite simple," he said. "When you feed a dog he is grateful and becomes your friend. When you feed a man he turns on you and becomes your enemy," he added.

However, several members complained that Lawrence Cunningham himself rarely lives on the Peavine settlement, preferring to spend much of his time in Edmonton.

"We wouldn't mind not having running water and no furnaces if it was the same for all of us, but we all know only the chosen few get these amenities," said Thelma Gauthier.

"I wish we could live like the Hutterites. They work together. But the way things are now, I am telling my children to leave the settlement. There is no future here."

Other members complain that jobs go to a "select" few and that many jobs are not open to the membership. Elmer Anderson said he was refused to contract to haul gravel in favor of another contractor from Gift Lake.

"I set up a road block, but in the end the council said I had to fight this contractor ? not them. It's just not right," said Anderson.

No member of council would speak to Windspeaker on this or other accusations. However, Lawrence Cunningham said Anderson was refused the contract because his bid was too high.

"The council has a duty to get the lowest bid. Not just to give contracts to setlement members," said Cunningham.

But, council member Kenny Noskey pointed out council should negotiate the contract with Anderson in order to bring the bid down in price.

"We owe it to our people to put them top of the list," said Noskey.

And other members complain the council is ignoring the plight of many old people on the settlement, including Tom and Sarah Carifelle, who live in a small house with no running water and no furnace.

"If I didn't haul wood, we would have froze to death," explained 80-year old Tom Carifelle. "And Sarah has a hard time getting about," he added.

Sarah Carifelle, 80, has great difficulty walking and said she hardly steps outdoors in the wintertime because she is afraid she may fall.

"I have to walk to the outhouse. We don't have running water," she added.

Both Sarah and Tom complain council does little or nothing for them and say they are bitter and angry over their treatment.

"We came here 38 years ago," said Sarah. "We worked hard, but council treats us worse than dogs."

Despite the petition and the many letters to government, Acting Director of Metis Settlements Branch in Edmonton, Cameron Hendry stated his department will not step in.

"Councils are an advisory body, not a government. They do have input into membership issues, but do not have the power to establish membership. The minister makes that decision," said Hendry, who added he saw the Peavine dispute as a local issues which should be resolved locally.

We are reluctant to impose rules from the outside. We are trying to see if the people could work out their differences between themselves," said Hendry, who added he had received the reports from L'Hirondelle and from the members.

A meeting has been scheduled in Peavine for August 17. Several members have invited government officials and Randy Hardy, president of the Federation of Metis Settlements.

Despite numerous telephone calls, Hardy has refused to speak to Windspeaker. However, Hilma Supernault said Hardyhas refused to attend the meeting with only an invitation from settlement members ? he wants the request to come from the council.