Feds refuse funding to Cold Lake band

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The Cold Lake Indian reserve is being denied government funding because of an illegal election that has pitted band members against their chief and council.

Contribution funding to the northeastern Alberta reserve has been frozen by the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs until a new chief and council is named under the Indian Act, says the director of Lands, Revenue and Trust.

Gerry Throndson said Harvey Scanie was named as chief illegally last June and is not being recognized by the Indian Affairs department.

According to Throndson, a submission made earlier this year by the band council to hold an election was denied by Indian Affairs because a majority of the Cold Lake members were not in favor of changing the code.

The Regional Director of Indian Affairs, Elizabeth Turbayne, notified them that they would be violating the Indian Act if they went ahead with an election without federal government approval.

"We wrote to the band in February advising them that their regulations (for holding an election) have not been approved," he said.

"Because we don't recognize the new chief and council we can't enter into any new agreements with them (chief and council)."

Cold Lake member Frank Charland said Scanie and the band council aren't wanted by the reserve's members anyway.

He claims voters were not notified that the Cold Lake reserve was not eligible to elect a chief under band customs.

When another election was called in August after band members found out about Turbayne's letter, Charland said Scanie and the council refused to step down.

"They're using their own election bylaws," he said.

"Nobody elected them. They're just there. They're going to hurt the band."

Cold Lake elder Jenny Andrew said she has even been denied an appointment to see Scanie who she claims has deceived the band.

"They just go ahead and do what they want without our consent. I don't like the way things are going but they won't let me say anything," she said.

Scanie said he's not about to give in to what he believes is government intimidation.

"Turbayne has nothing to do with my government. She doesn't have any business (denying us funding)," he said.

"We can handle ourselves. My people still recognize me."

Throndson said funding won't resume until an election is held under the Indian Act.

He said he is negotiating with a band administrator to expedite a legal election and resume funding.