Saddle Lake chief forced out

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The Saddle Lake band is shrouded in a cloak of secrecy after holding a premature election of chief and council Monday.

Nine people were voted in to succeed Chief Eugene Steinhauer and his council after they resigned early last month.

The election was held one year ahead of schedule after a group of disgruntled band members rallied to oust the leadership.

"They're out because they never did a thing," said a band member who wished to remain anonymous.

"They got the reserve into a bigger hole. A lot of us here thought that they never used the band's money properly so we got together to get them out."

She said only a small portion of the and supported the former chief and council and secret meetings were held to plot the overthrow.

Forty people were nominated for the nine positions July 24.

An unnamed source from Saddle Lake told Windspeaker that the band, located 120 kilometres northeast of Edmonton, is comprised of several factions opposing Steinhauer's

leadership.

"It's all because of a lack of performance. Steinhauer always promised he would support the band, and he never did," the source said.

He said residents are upset because the reserve's roads and houses are in disrepair. The source said Steinhauer never secured federal funds to address the band's needs.

He said opposing and members are afraid to come forward for fear of reprisals by the band's administrations.

Eugene Steinhauer could not be reached for comment.

Newly-elected councillor Carl Quinn said he was not involved with any group opposing Steinhauer but agreed there was a feeling of discontent in Saddle Lake.

He said it's a feeling band members can now pull together.

"Sure, you can dig up old bones, but it doesn't do any good. We have to think about the future and get on with things," he said.

Ron Steinhauer, regional executive director of land, revenue and trust for Indian Affairs, said the federal government has no jurisdiction over a band operating under tribal customs.

Under tribal customs a band is responsible for holding and monitoring its own elections.

Steinhauer said his department has not been informed that band members were upset with their leaders.

Elected council members are Quinn, Shirley Halfe, Lena Cardinal, Eric Large, Eli Brertton, Eddie Makokis, Alex Whiskeyjack, Louis McGillvery and James Hunter.