Call for audit causes crisis in Metis community

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A movement to file an investigative audit into the finances of Alberta's largest Metis settlement has lead toward violence, say members.

Paddle Prairie is locked in a civil war marked by threats, intimidation tactics and Indian medicine, said Roe Graham.

"The situation has degenerated to where people are sitting at home in fear," said Graham. "There are many threats, Indian medicine, pressure, blood poured on driveways."

Some older members aren't going out of their homes, while others carry loaded rifles if out alone. They are being targeted because of questioning council and administrative policies, and refusing to back down in a call to audit settlement finances, said Graham.

The group, calling themselves the Paddle Prairie Metis Settlement Peoples Committee, wrote the commissioner of the Alberta Metis Settlement Transition Commission requesting the audit in April. They were concerned with the lack of economic development on the settlement, despite transition funds being poured into the community following the 1990 Metis Settlement Act.

The demise of plans to develop the settlement's timber resources through logging and the establishment of a saw mill also lead to member's growing frustration.

In April more than 115 people signed a petition directed to Commissioner Dennis Surrendi asking for an investigation, as mandated in section 171 of Bill 35. Repeated appeals to Social Services Minister Mike Cardinal were not answered.

Surrendi attended a public meeting May 5 and suggested a lack of communication between council, administration and the group was the real culprit in creating tension. The commissioner's response was answered with polite disbelief, and a renewed request for a financial investigation. An annual internal audit suggested by Surrendi was dismissed as being "nothing more than a rubber stamp of approval of mathematical accuracy."

Animosity between the two settlement factions continues to grow. During a recent election for two council positions there were allegations of fraud and strong-arm tactics to keep dissenting voting members away.

After months of harassment, the group filed a complaint with the High Level RCMP on May 17. Staff Sgt. Greg Lynch said the unit is currently investigating the criminal allegations.

Despite struggling in what he terms an up-hill battle, Graham believes his and the group's perseverance will eventually resolve the issues gripping the northern community.

"Our first concern is the alleged misuse of funds. We feel everything should be out in the open,"said Graham. "If the allegations turn out to be false, then that will clear the air and we can get on with our lives."