Members of the Paul First Nation west of Edmonton are calling on the federal minister of indigenous affairs to remove their chief and council from office.
The First Nation is also suing Chief Casey Bird for breach of trust and negligence, claiming he sold off a parcel of land for a fraction of its value.
“You’ve been betrayed, dishonesty, as a result of that incompetence,” elder Nelson Adams told band members Sunday.
The group of about 30 voted unanimously to remove Bird.
A statement of claim filed in court alleges Bird sold off about 628 acres of the band’s land for $1, when its assessed value is nearly $1.8 million.
“We’re very disappointed in our chief that he didn’t consult with the members in selling the land,” said Cynthia Rain. “He’s done a lot of stuff and appointed himself in positions where he has all the say.”
K&R Inc., a Stony Plain company, is also named in the lawsuit.
Owner Kelly Haberman told Global News Wednesday his company was appointed by the band council to handle the sale of the land via auction.
Haberman said the Paul First Nation received an advance of $500,000 for the land.
He said the First Nation owes K&R more than $700,000, which he expects to recoup from the land’s eventual sale.
Bird disputes the allegations against him. He said the band received the $500,000 advance and has already spent it.
“(The money) went for payroll, personal loans for the council, meeting expenses,” Bird said Wednesday.
The allegations against Bird and K&R Inc. have not been verified to be true and a statement of defence has not been filed.
The members who voted to oust the chief and council have sent a letter to the federal minister responsible for First Nations. However, the ministry told Global News the Indian Act doesn’t allow for a chief or councillor to be removed through a community impeachment process.
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