IAA assembly held despite Louis protest

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Plagued with a constitutional crisis, the 47th annual assembly of the Indian Association of Alberta got off to a slow start. Board members met behind closed doors to iron out their legal obligations to proceed despite the president's objections.

After a three-hour delay, assembly co-chairman Eugene Creighton announced the meeting would be held according to the schedule set out by the executive committee and elders during the 45th annual assembly held in Fort Vermillion. But association president Roy Louis maintained the gathering had to be held in July.

"I asked the board to seek legal advice to decide the validity of the conference," Creighton said before assuring the crowd the dates, time and location were legitimate.

The assembly, which began with more than 400 people in attendance, was held at the Sarcee Seven Chiefs' Sportsplex southwest of Calgary June 5-7.

Louis refused to attend the annual meeting and could not be reached for comment, but in a letter sent to Alberta chiefs he repeated his position the assembly be held from July 17-19.

He said holding the meeting in June was in violation of IAA constitutional bylaws because the members weren't properly notified.

"The June 5, 6 and 7 meeting contravenes the association's constitution and bylaws as the required 30 days notice was not given to chiefs, bands and members of the association. It is my responsibility under the constitution to ensure constitutional requirements are met," Louis said in his letter.

IAA board member Alex Crowchild said Louis never informed the board about the date changes although the June conference was made official in a board meeting April 9.

He said Louis didn't have the authority to make divisions like that without the board's consent.

The 47th annual IAA assembly was originally scheduled for April 24-26, but the 10-member board voted to uphold last year's proclamation to hold future assemblies the first week on June.

Crowchild insisted IAA members were properly informed of the assembly.

Native lawyer Tony Mandamin said decisions made about IAA assemblies rests with the board.

He noted assembly announcements were sent to all treaty band offices in care of the chiefs in accordance with the constitution.

Mandamin said the site and date was confirmed during last year's assembly in Hobbema.

Board member and respected IAA elder John Samson said he wasn't surprised by Louis' move.

"He's never represented the people right," he said.

More than 270 registered IAA members from Treaty 6, 7 and 8 areas attended the firs day of the conference.