Liard First Nation members clash over election

The Liard First Nation in Yukon seems to be headed towards a controversial election.

The current chief and council's three-year term ends in December, but some community members say the leadership has not yet appointed an election committee.The First Nation's rules say that should have been done bylast month.

Now a group ofcitizens haselected itsown committee, and it'sapplying to Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) to be recognized as valid.

'They're now the protectors'

George Morgan has already declared his intention to runfor chief.However, without an officialelection committee, he says he cannot file papers to become an official candidate.

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He says about 80 Liard First Nation citizens held a meeting earlier this month in Watson Lake. Chief Daniel Morris was invited, along with the two sittingcouncillors, but Morgan says they did not attend.

The assembled members cast ballots and created a six-womanelection committee which would also fulfil the duties of a returning officer.Twowomen arefrom Lower Post, B.C., and four are fromLiardFirst Nation in Watson Lake.

Morgan says the group was onlyformed after the chief and council neglected their duty to hold a general assembly by August.

"They [the committee] are now the protectors of this election.I assume they'll be sending INAC a letter very quickly," Morgan said.

Mogan says the chief and council have not recognized the new committee as legitimate.

"They're fighting the election. They're saying we're don't have any authority," Morgan said.

The next step will dependon INAC's reaction.The newly-formed group is requesting a copy of the Liard First Nation voters' list, and forms for candidate registration.

"It remains to be seen if the legitimacy will be respected," Morgan said.

Independent consultant hired

The new committeeis taking steps to ensure its legitimacy.

The community meeting and vote this month was overseenby Neil Sterritt, a B.C.-basedGitxsanconsultant on aboriginal issues.He's been involved in many meetings over the years, involving Yukon First Nations.

"My role at Watson Lake last week was to impartially chair a special meeting at which the members elected the six person election committee,pursuant to the Liard First Nation Election Regulations," confirmed Sterritt.

Federal governmentnot getting involved

INACdid not comment on the new election committee, or its legitimacy.

A statement fromthe department says INAC is not getting involved, and refers all inquiries to the First Nation.

"Matters pertaining to their election remain in the purview ofthe First Nation, and they continue to have sole authority to take the necessary steps to launch an election process," wrote Kim-Mia Pronovost, senior communications officer for INAC's Yukon region.

"The Department has norole to play in decisions pertaining to their election," the statement says.

The Liard First Nation is currently under third-party management.All of its fundingfrom INAC or Health Canada isbeing administered by an outside party.

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Half of the First Nation'scouncil members stepped down duringChief Daniel Morris' term.

Neither Morrisnor the two remainingcouncillors could be reached for comment.