Article Origin
Volume
Issue
Year
Page 3
Kehewin, AB.
Kehewin chief Gordon Gadwa, tentatively ousted as leader by a group of reserve residents alleging fiscal mismanagement, says the real issue is the payment of gas royalties to
former enfranchised Indians who have been reinstated with treaty rights under the federal government's Bill C-31.
"Many of our long-time band members had taken out bank loans using their monthly gas royalty payments as collateral. Earlier this year, the band council made a decision to
get these loans paid off by the end of this year before beginning to pay royalty payments to there-instated Bill C-31 Indians in January 1990.
"I believe it's that decision that has caused the problems we're now facing with some residents," Gadwa said.
Gas royalties, formerly set at $75 per month but now lowered to $50 because of the petroleum industry downturn, are to be paid to every individual included on Kehewin's band
list of treaty members.
The issue of financial mismanagement is a red herring, Gadwa alleges.
"We've had our financial accounts audited by Schappert & Schappert, chartered accountants of Bonnyville every year and a copy goes to the Department of Indian Northern
Affairs. There has never been a problem with our books," said Gadwa.
Wayne Schappert of the Grande Centre branch of the chartered accounting firm confirms Gadwa's statements.
An official with Indian & Northern Affairs Canada in St. Paul, Denis Leroux, also confirms there has been no financial mismanagement involving the Kehewin reserve during
Gadwa's ten year tenure as chief.
He also said during mandatory annual general meetings for all Alberta reserves, copies of band accounts are made available to members along with reports of yearly business
conducted by the administration on behalf of reserve residents.
Indian Affairs official Gerry Throndson, in charge of lands, revenues and trust pointed out last week that despite a petition and band council resolution to have Gadwa removed
as chief, there is nothing in the department's mandate to allow that.
"As far as we're concerned, he's till the elected chief," he said.
In Gadwa's absence, six of eight band councillors appointed councillor Gloria Badger as acting chief.
Although Gadwa has been temporarily removed from office and locks in the administration building have been changed, he says he isn't losing sleep over the charges of
financial mismanagement and lack of leadership.
"The people here elected me to council for six years and since 1979 have been re-elected me for two year terms as their chief.
The upheaval has caused some programs to be cancelled or put on hold until the current issue is settled.
A scheduled rodeo, to run in conjunction with the annual powwow held two weeks ago was cancelled and a sod-turning ceremony for the construction of a high school on the
reserve has been put on hold.
As well, a Northern Alberta Native Cowboy's Association regional rodeo championship planned for September, with winners advancing o the international Indian rodeo
championship in Albuquerque, New Mexico, may not go ahead.
Gadwa says he's keeping a positive attitude and has had many band members telephone and approach him pledging their support.
"The way I see it, we try to run the reserve according to laws we've enacted. If some people don't want to recognize those laws, what's the use in having them?" He says.
Gadwa says he holds no animosity towards those who have orchestrated his temporary ouster.
"These people have been my friends and relatives all my life and I'm not going to throw it away overnight because of a difference of opinion. I'm here to resolve things the best
way we can for the reserve," he said.
- 1652 views