Southern Chiefs' Organization suspends leader, staffer

The Southern Chiefs Organization has suspended its leader over allegations of misusing funds at a casino and amusement park in Minnesota.

Grand Chief Murray Clearsky and his chief of staff Michael Bear were suspended with pay pending the outcome of an outside audit.

• Southern Chiefs' Organization rocked by spending allegations

The decision was made following a late meeting of the SCOthat started Monday evening and ended early Tuesday morning.

Morris Swan Shannacappo, chief of Rolling River First Nation, saidthe investigationwill be swift.

"We're certainly doing something about it. It's not gonna take as long as Mike Duffy's investigation we are doing it immediately," he said, referring to the embattled senator who resigned from the Conservative caucus earlier this year amid controversy over his living and travel expense claims.

That investigation into Duffy's expenses is still ongoing.

"We're gonna put in an interim financial committee to come in and look at all our books along with the auditors to see if everything is on the up and up and then from there we will call a summit and give our final response,"Shannacapposaid.

Staff of the SCO whichrepresents 33 chiefs in southern Manitobacame forward last week accusing Clearsky of withdrawing thousands of dollars in cash advances at automatic teller machinesin Minnesota.

On Aug. 19, four withdrawals totalling $839.08 were made at Valleyfair, an amusement park in Minnesota. And over two days, Sept. 17 and 18, a number of withdrawals totalling $9,655.25 were made at ATMs in and around Shakopee, Minn.

Not all the chiefs at the meeting were happy with the suspension.Long Plain chief Dennis Meeches wanted Clearsky to resign.

And Swan Lake Chief Francine Meeches called the delay in a decision on Clearsky's future a joke, telling reporters,"we have to answer to our people."

AMCoffers help

The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs said on Tuesdayit will help in any way it can toweather a spending scandal andrestore financial accountability to the SCO.

AMC Grand Chief Derek NepinakspoketoClearskybefore he was suspended and monitored the decision of the meeting from Toronto, where he is for meetings.

Nepinak saidhe wasn't surprised at the decision to suspended Clearsky, sayingaccountability is a challenging issue for many in the public eye.

"You know, it's happening at all levels of government,whether it be in Manitoba or whether it be at the federal government," he said.

"You look at what's happening in the Senate, you look at what's happening right in the PrimeMinister'soffice. To me it's a nationwide issue and it's a concern that we should all be paying attention to."

Nepinaksympathizes withClearskyon a personal level but said the SCOleaderhas to face whatever consequences come out of the scandal.