Heart Lake wants publicity

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A recent article in our Windspeaker newspaper reported that the situation at Heart Lake Indian Reserve, approximately 80 km north of Lac La Biche, is an inside problem and should be left at that.

The article quoted Chief Peter Francis as saying that the controversy is indeed a local matter in that the reserve operated under band custom and, therefore, these kinds of issues are internal in nature.

However, a recent visit by Windspeaker to the reserve upon invitation from a group of concerned band members, which included the past chief of 22 years, Eugene Monias, stressed they wanted their concerns brought out into the open.

The band members' main concern is over the present Chief Francis, who"is never around and is neglecting his position" said band member Rosie Monias.

According to Monias, on October 11, eleven band members out of 18 voting members, signed a petition to remove Peter Francis as chief of the Heart Lake Band.

Two of the 11 were counsellors Rosalyn Monias and Darlene Francis. The band council consists of the two councillors and Chief Francis.

"After the petition was signed, we had to decide who should become our new chief. Rosalyn had left the meeting and then called me later and asked to speak to us (who are) concerned. I told her she would have to speak to everyone involved because we had nothing to hide.

"At the meeting in the chief's office, she came in and said that she knew we needed a chief and that if we would accept her she would become chief," said Rosie Monias. According to the band members present, nine people were at this meeting and on October 1, Rosalyn Monias was appointed by motion through a Band Council Resolution as the new Chief of the Heart Lake Band.

To date it is believed that seven voting band members feel Chief Francis is not doing his job. Rosalyn, they felt, sided with the chief and her position as the newly appointed chief was stripped from her. The confusion the band is feeling seems to stem from Peter Francis, still chief, and his unavailability.

"He hasn't been around for a month," says Rosie Monias.

According to the concerned members, their water system is bad and has to be pulled out and replaced. They say they have requested an audit but have yet to see it after 10 months of asking.

With no answerscoming from Chief Francis, this group of concerned voting band members are continuing to hold regular meetings to deal with Francis, whom they regard as the band's problem.

In a later telephone conversation with Band member James Monias, he said that an election will be held for chief and council on December 4. This was finalized at a meeting at Heart Lake on November 19, with Chief Peter Francis in attendance, who it is believed asked for the elections to take place.

According to James Monias, everyone over the age of 18 is eligible to vote, and members who are not on the reserve will also be contacted to come out and vote.