Illiterate councillors meet with discussion

Page 1

Dissenting residents of the Paddle Prairie Metis Settlement, and government officials are tight-lipped over the recent election of two illiterate Settlement Council members.

Council called in the High Level RCP detachment after a sit-in at the Settlement administration offices by about 30 people took place Friday, August 14.

Gregg Calliou, council chairman charged that the demonstration was not a sit-in, but a deliberate break-and-enter by a few dissident members. Settlement records were stolen and a complaint has been filed said Calliou.

"I don't know what, they (protesters) are complaining about," said Callious, who did concede that protesters may be unhappy over the election of two councillors who cannot read or write.

Calliou also admitted that protesters may be upset over recent firings of three staff members, and recent resident charges over alleged council corruption.

However there has been no written complaints over the elections of Pat Gauthier and Joe Cardinal held six week ago, said Calliou.

A delegation including Elmer Ghostkeeper, Alberta Wanuch and Skipper Villeneuve met Monday with Randy Hardy, president of the Federation of Metis Settlements and Ken Ronstad, Solicitor General of Alberta, responsible for Native programs.

Cameron Hendry of the Metis Settlement Branch of Municipal Affairs, reported that no immediate action on the dispute will be taken by the Solicitor General. The matter has been referred to the Attorney General's department for a review of the complaints made by dissatisfied residents, said Hendry.

"There is nothing much to tell, only that the issue is not settled," said Elmer Ghostkeeper, a former president of the Federation of Metis Settlements.

Using the Metis Betterment Act, protesters have pointed to regulations stating the requirements which Council candidates must meet.

Regulation 56/66 states that to qualify for a seat on the council, a person "must be a Metis, a full age of 18 and able to read and write."

Calliou says the two illiterate councillors had been on Council before and there were no previous complaints about their lack of qualifications.

"I don't know what they (protesters) are scared of. Whether it is because we can't read or write or whatever," said newly election councillor Pat Gauthier.

"Over half the majority of voters want us to stay on because they need help. I'm going to stand by the promises I made to my people," said recently elected Joe Cardinal.

"There are only about 30 (settlement) members that are dissatisfied from about 300 eligible voters," said Calliou.

He added that complaints of staff firings were unfounded, because the employees were unqualified.

A settlement administrator who was originally screened out, but was hired on a trial basis, was dismissed after being given an extension to her three month contract, explained Calliou. Two secretaries were also dismissed because they did not meet the proper qualifications.

Calliou dismissed corruption charges and accusations of witchcraft against his relatives as mud slinging stressing his main concern is the loss of Settlement records and documents.

The missing documents include files on natural gas, water works and housing operations, as well as cancelled cheques and payment records.

The loss of these files has slowed down operations and prevented council from getting a complete picture of the Settlement's financial situation.

"I don't know why anyone would take these files. Someone had to have motives to take them," said Callious. Although council reported the alleged theft, RCMP are yet to lay charges.

"I don't know why they (RCMP) are balking," said vice-chairman Dwayne Calliou. "Nevertheless, those who stole them will be charged with break and enter and theft."

An investigation into the Council's allegations is presently underway, said RCMP Staff Sargeant Lindstrom.

"We are advised from our High Level detachment that a possible offense may have occurred," he added.

Meanwhil the dispute seems to be stymied. Chairman Calliou says he is trying to contact Ghostkeeper and he claims minister Ronstad has washed his hands of the problem facing Paddle Prairie.

"We are in troubled times, we would like to resolve this issue, to stop this infighting, because that is the only way we can survive as a community," said Calliou.

The settlement council consist of chairman Gregg Calliou and vice-chairman Dwayne Calliou, who are brothers, and councillors Gary Houle, Pat Gauthier and Joe Cardinal.

Paddle Prairie has a staggered election system allowing for the election of two councillors in one year, one councillor the next year, then in the following year ? election of two other councillors.

Each position is for a three year term.

Federation of Metis Settlements president, Randy Hardy refused an interview with Windspeaker.