Fort Smith, N.W.T., First Nation's infighting resumes

Political infighting at the Salt River First Nation in Fort Smith, N.W.T., has resumed.

One of the candidates in a byelection for chiefearlier this month, Henry Beaver Jr., has filed a complaint and is challenging the results of the election,in which Frieda Martselos was re-elected.

Meanwhile, councillorsat the troubled First Nationsay Martselos is runningit like a dictator.

They said their first meeting started with a swearing-in ceremony Martselos convened the day after being elected.

The re-elected chief's first words to council were stern orders, said Coun. Judith Gale.

According to Gale, Martselos told council, "'OK, this is the way it's going to be, I am taking over the office. From now on, I am the boss and there will be no more committees from here on forth. There will be no more council talking out of turn; they will all talk in one voice, and that will be through me.'"

There are also allegations that Martselos stacked a membership meeting last week with her supporters and publicly criticized councillors who oppose her.

Martselos is travelling and was not available for comment.