After 9 years, Sahtu Secretariat chair steps down

Ethel Blondin-Andrew, who oversaw the secretariat amidst debates over its transparency, stepped down recently.

Ethel Blondin-Andrew will be replaced by Charles McNeely in the interim

Katie Toth CBC News Posted: Jun 12, 2018 7:30 AM EDT | Last Updated: June 12, 2018

The chair of the Sahtu Secretariat has stepped down after nine years.

Ethel Blondin-Andrew, who is also known for being a former member of parliament for the Western Arctic, completed her term as chair of the secretariat on May 31.

The SahtuSecretariat made the announcement in a newspaper advertisement in News North.

In the announcement,Blondin-Andrew is described as "a great asset to our region with many years of experience and wisdom."

She's a really hard worker. She's done a lot for us in the region.- Joseph Kochon, Sahtu Secretariat board member

Blondin-Andrew and the Sahtu Secretariat office didn't answer calls from CBC about why she left.But the secretariat'sboard member Joseph Kochon, who represents Colville Lake, N.W.T.,said Blondin-Andrewgave notice months ago that she intended to tender her resignation in May.

"She decided to move on," Kochon said. "She's a really hard worker. She's done a lot for us in the region, and she had a lot of responsibilities, so we just wish her luck in whatever else she tackles into the future."

Chief Wilbert Kochon, chiefofBehdzi Ahda First Nation inColville Lake and Joseph Kochon's brother, says Blondin-Andrew was an effective leader who got results.

"It's good working with her over the years and I think she's done a lot of good things for us," he said. "I'm sad to see her leave."

Vice-chair CharlesMcNeelyhas been appointed interim chair.

Not much will change, says critic

But others in the Sahturegion have accused the secretariat of a perceivedlack of transparency andBlondin-Andrew'sbrother, Walter Blondin, has been one of them.

It's going to be more of the same because it's the same people sitting in there.- Walter Blondin

Blondinsaid he doesn't think much will change with his sister's resignation.

"It's going to be more of the same because it's the same people sitting in there," he said.

Blondinpointedto the Sahtu leaders' purchase of a northern outfitting companyin 2017, with a loan from the secretariat, as an example of a decision he saidthat was made withoutconsultation.

Blondin has also called on the secretariat to submit to a forensic audit over how its land trust fund is managed.

Board member Joseph Kochon said that Blondin-Andrew'sresignation had nothing to do with the request for an audit.

"She had a good working relationship with all the board members."

Kochon said thatthe secretariatworkswithlawyers and financial advisors, ensuring "everything's done by the book," and that the secretariat is made up of representatives from throughout the Sahtuwho are appointed in their local communities.

"We follow the mandate given out by the land claims [agreement]," Kochonsaid.

"I'm not sure where [Blondinis] coming from but he's more than welcome to come to the next AGM and ask more questions."