Mismanagement alleged at Sturgeon Lake

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Sturgeon Lake Chief Ron Sunshine says six women band members demanding an investigation of the band's financial affairs are on a "witch-hunt."

The women arrived in Edmonton Oct. 14 on a 350-km protest march from the reserve to protest what they called the council's mismanagement of band funds, said the group's spokesperson, Cecilia Soto. They began their walk Sept.22.

Soto said mismanagement of funds by the council left it with a $1.5 million deficit. At an Oct. 18 news conference Soto pointed to a real estate venture in which the band sold a piece of property to a Valleyview man for $30,000. The band, said Soto holding the certificate of title, bought the land for $64,000.

"We didn't even know it had been sold. At all the band meetings it appeared as an asset on the financial statements."

But Sunshine said there is no basis for the groups' allegations.

"All band business has been conducted in accordance with the Indian Act," he said. "Our audits show nothing wrong and Indian affairs has never accused us of wrongdoing, so the women don't have substantial evidence."

"We run on an agenda and we get elected on that agenda. These people just want to challenge the current leadership so they can take power. It's a witch-hunt."

He dined the band is in a deficit position, because "there is additional money coming in."

Sunshine confirmed the piece of land had been sold, but added that it was "a 15-year conditional sale in which the band had first right to buy it back."

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

"The land they're talking about is old news, it was sold five years ago. Besides it wasn't reserve land."

Indian affairs will investigate the group's accusations and coordinate a meeting between the protesters and the band council. Ken Kirby, director of Indian services for the Alberta region, said the review should take three weeks to complete.

"An audit of band finances has just been received and we're analyzing it. They (the protesters) have strong views. Hopefully after we finish our review they can sit down and find some solutions," he said.

But Soto is not satisfied with a review. She wants a full investigation into their concerns and is demanding to meet with Indian affairs Minister Tom Siddon.

"Too many things are happening behind closed doors. We want to know how our money is being spent. We want to see Siddon. We want him to do a full-blown investigation not just an analysis," she said.

Sunshine said he has offered to open the band's financial statements to the group, which initially began its protest in March with a sit-in at band offices. But Soto denies such an offer was made.

"What's he talking about? We've asked him how many times to see the books and he hollors at us and says the information is confidential. But that's non true because any band member can look at the ledgers and journals."

The group, which ranges in age from 36 to 70, says it will not stop until "this mess is cleaned up."

"There's mismanagement, squandering and who knows what else with the money that belongs to us, our children and grandchildren? We won't give up until we find out what's going on," said Soto.