Protesters picket Wikwemikong band office

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Signs of frustration with the leadership have been evident on the Wikwemikong Unceded Reserve in recent weeks and emotions have been running high.

One of the more dramatic manifestations of discontent occurred March 25 when several people carrying placards descended on the band administration building.

The protesters called for the resignation of Chief Gladys Wakegijig, who had been elected in a byelection Sept. 15, 2001.

Chanting "No more chains, no more lockouts," the demonstators criticized the chief for what they termed unilateral decision-making.

"There's no accountability; lack of information is a big problem," said John Fox, one of the organizers of the picket. "We need answers. Even the council members have a hard time because there's no input into the agenda."

He listed the island land claims process and the impending governance changes as important concerns. He explained that the demonstration was staged to "raise awareness about what is going on. Folks here want action. Our main concern is the overall direction of the community," he said.

"The chief is inaccessible when we try to ask her questions. We don't get any satisfaction on getting basic information," Fox said.

Jean Trudeau, also took to the picket line.

"We hope this is a wake-up call for other band members to realize what is going on before our next election Aug. 26.

"Traditionally band members have always had a voice at the council table. The chief doesn't allow us to speak at council; people feel oppressed and dictated to."

She said the community needed a commitment that the council would work as a team.

"They are all mature adults so they should be able to work together. If it is not resolved, there will be more frustration for band members and frustration in turn creates anger. The system isn't working now."

The roots of the dissatisfaction expressed in late March can be traced back to Feb. 1. On that date, according to the Wiky News, the Wikwemikong Development Commission (WDC) was "closed until further notice" by Chief Wakegijig. Staff members were perplexed to find a chain and padlock barring their place of employment.

The next day the barricade was removed by former Wikwemikong Chief Eugene Manitowabi, the Wiky newspaper reported.

There has also been an on-going dispute in the community over the band's offer to purchase the financially troubled Mnidoo Valley Golf Course. The facility had been put on the auction block by the Business Development Bank of Canada after accumulating a $1.7 million debt. Wikwemikong council voted Feb. 27 to acquire the course for $785,000.

Faced with a stalemate on the band governing body, five members of the Wikwemikong Council resigned April 8. According to one former councillor, Donald Trudeau, the elected representatives had come to feel like "puppets" on council.

"We were prevented from doing our jobs; we are not going to be a part of this anymore."

From Trudeau's perspective, "The chief's unilateral actions are a detriment to the community. We have had to deal with bombshell, after bombshell, after bombshell," he said. "I am not going to legitimize it by staying on."

Trudeau said he knows how democracy is supposed to work.

"The chief is supposed to be a spokesperson for decisions made by council and to work to make them a reality. To stay on would be to enable the dysfunction to continue. If we kept our positions we would be masking the undercurrents of an agenda and actions we don't agree with. It may look like business as usual to outside observers but it is anything but business as usual."

The way to resolve the situation, he believes, is to declare an accelerated general election. "What is happening is not in the best interests of the community," he said. "Things are not going well so we should go to the ballot box again. Let's have a fresh start with a brand new chief and council."

Windspeaker attempted to speak with the chief, but she was unavailable.