Chief calls RCMP to remove protesters

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Protesters continued to blockade the band school and administration offices on the Long Lake Cree Reserve, ignoring an injunction issued to end the blockade.

Six councillors - John Gladue, John Herman Kehewin, Marc Gadwa, James Dion, George Dion and Glen Youngchief - are opposing Chief Gordon Gadwa and two councillors loyal to him.

The councillors, along with about 150 supporters, say they don't recognize Gadwa's re-election in early November. They refused to vote or mount a campaign because the election wasn't conducted in the traditional way.

"None of us even ran in that election, we thought we were safe, we thought we were OK. That's what Indian Affairs told us to do," said John Gladue.

In addition to the election dispute, charges of corruption are also being thrown at Gadwa in connection with his privately-owned constructin company and band funds.

"Sawmill profits were directly from the sawmill to administration to his construction company, all in one day. Our question is where are the invoices for these payments?"

One cheque was for $61,000, Gladue added. His group wants a forensic audit including reserve businesses, not just an audit of the money Indian Affairs puts into the band.

Gadwa defended the one-day transfer of funds to his company, saying he was owed the money for work completed transporting logs to the mill a year ago. He was willing to present the appropriate invoices at a band meeting tentatively scheduled for the end of November.

"It's not what I did wrong; it's what those guys want - they want power," said Gadwa, who has been chief for 14 years.

The councillors scheduled their own election for Nov. 17, but Brian Scully, with Indian and Northern Affairs, said the government recognizes Gadwa as chief.

The blockade began about Nov. 8 and Gladue and his followers say everyone is prepared to go to jail if necessary. Bonnyville RCMP have been on the reserve every day since Nov. 13, and responded to the injunction filed by Gadwa in provincial court to have the protesters removed.

The police attempted to negotiate with protesters but by press time local sources indicated the RCMP were prepared to enforce the injunction.

"Our instructions are to go after the ringleaders and enforce the court order. We're getting a lot of pressure from the parents to get the barricades down so their kids can go to school," said Gadwa. "We're not targeting Elders at all, but we don't agree with their actions. As far as we are concerned, Elders aren't supposed to take sides."

Gadwa was elected to a three-year term in March of 1993. Gadwa was later convicted of assaulting Gladue and fined $250, which Gadwa appealed. His sentence was changed to a conditional discharge and he was put on three months probation.

The councillors removed Gadwa's signing authority on Aug. 30 in an attempt to force him out. Gadwa called this month's election to show he had support in the community, but Gladue claims the dispute has split the community in half.

"We're fighting a dictator and that's all there is to it," said Gladue.