Claims of Sturgeon mismanagement unfounded

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There is no evidence to substantiate claims of mismanagement against the Sturgeon Lake band, says a senior Indian affairs official.

"We reviewed the evidence and found no suggestion of mismanagement or illegal activities," says Ken Kirby, director of Indian services for the Alberta region.

He says the main problem was a lack of communication between the chief and council and the band members who initiated the complaint.

Six Sturgeon Lake women walked 350 km to Edmonton in October to demand an investigation into what they called the council's mismanagement of band funds.

Spokesperson Cecilia Soto charges that mismanagement left the band with a $1.5 million deficit.

Sturgeon Lake Chief Ronald Sunshine is relieved the investigation into the "downright stupid allegations " is over.

"I was confident all along because they were trying to make us look bad. The case is closed and they're the losers. Look at all the money they spent and all the miles they walked. It was all for nothing."

Protester Evelyn Soto says the group of six, which ranges in age from 36 to 70, is angry with Indian affairs because. "we asked for a full investigation and all we got was an overview. We know the band is squandering our money."

In their complaint, the group pointed to a real estate deal in which the band sold a piece of property to a Valleyview man for $30,000. The band bought the land for $64,000. The protesters claim they were unaware of the sale because the property appeared as an asset in the band's financial books.

Sunshine says the sale was a "15-year conditional sale in which the band has first right to buy it back."

He refused comment on why the land still appears as an asset in the financial books.

Evelyn Soto says the group's "hand are tied since Indian affairs has made its mind up. If we say anything more, we'll be kicked out of the band. We have no freedom."

Sunshine says there has never been any discussion of kicking the protesters our of the band if they continue making allegations of wrongdoing.

"They can do what they want. They won't get punished because it's not an issue with the council. As usual they're creating these problems in their heads."

Sunshine says the case "is really an issue of a minority of the population being dissatisfied with the elected officials."

"If they aren't happy with the way we do things, why don't they run for office? If they want change, they can have it by participation in the electoral process. If they are not prepared to do that, they have no right to be on the outside and bitch. The council was elected on a mandate and we're meeting that mandate."

Cecilia Sota said earlier she would not consider running for office in the next Sturgeon Lake band election in August because of family commitments.

Kirby says the department is in the process of co-ordinating a meeting between the protesters and the chief and council to "clear up concerns that may be based on misunderstandings or politics."