Official Statement: Opaskwayak Election Code Upheld by Leadership and Administration

Official Statement from Chief and Council:

We encourage membership to refrain from spreading rumours of slander, defamation and character assassination.

Chief and Council, along with its administration, continue to comply with the Opaskwayak Cree Nation Election Code. We are aware of the importance of the code and understand it is set in place by the people to ensure fairness, transparency and accountability are followed by leadership.

On Thursday, June 30, 2022, there was an altercation in Chief and Council Chambers, regarding the code process, resulting in the Manitoba First Nations Police Service (MFNPS) being dispatched. About a dozen band members tried to intimidate leadership and staff when they demanded to see private information that is privileged for the eyes of those on the Opaskwayak Election Board.

According to Section 14, Annual Checks – Criminal Records Vulnerable Sector and Child Abuse Registry Checks, members of Chief and Council are required to submit their private information in a sealed envelope by June 30, of each calendar year to the Opaskwayak Election Board.

The incident resulted in the group obstructing the process. The Election Code requires the Chief and Council Executive Assistant to gather the above said private information. Upon deadline, the Chief and Council Executive Assistant then hands the annual check documents off to the Election Administrative Officer.

Unfortunately, the group interfered and continued to demand the privileged and sealed envelope be opened in front of them. The staff involved were put in a difficult situation where they felt unsafe. This resulted in the documents escorted to the administrative safe located in the VLT’s by a MFNPS Constable. Once the group dispersed, two Election Board members picked up the sealed envelope.

According to Section 92, Duty of Opaskwayak Cree Nation Election Board, the Election Board has the obligation to implement the code and make a ruling on all sections of the code including Section 14, which is currently being questioned.

A second incident took place on July 4, 2022, where the same group rushed Chambers again, as well as the Executive Office and the VLT’s gaming centre. Due to the first altercation on June 30, some staff have started working from home for their safety.

Just like the group, Chief and Council and its administration are also anxiously awaiting the ruling the Election Board will make regarding this matter. It is the Election Board that will determine whether or not all Chief and Council complied with the June 30 deadline.

At no time did leadership or its staff try to interfere with the Election Code and its process. The Election Board is an arm’s length governing body and we remain committed to adhering to the decisions they make.

We understand membership have a right to express concern. However, rumours with malicious intent will not be tolerated. Nor will we allow intimidation to our frontline staff. These incidents will result in added security measures to Chief and Council Chambers out of the safety for our staff. Should this type of behaviour continue, other safety measures will continue to be enforced.

May we all learn from these altercations. In the future, please be respectful of one another regardless of a difference in political views. We welcome democracy minus the slander and defamation. Let’s remember that we are all connected. We are a community walking together towards Mino Pimatisiwin, the good life.

We help one another. Wahkotowin. This is our way.

Ekosi,
Sidney Ballantyne
Chief

Councillors:
William J. Lathlin
Edwin Jebb
John-Paul Martin
Derek Constant
Maureen Brown
Dale Knutson
Joel Pelly
Mike Bignell