Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations Chief Guy Lonechild has issued a news release in response to yet another call for his resignation, but he didn’t actually address the issue.
“The door to the office of the chief is always open,” said Lonechild in the release emailed to news outlets on Thursday.
He was not made available for an interview. In the release, titled FSIN Chief continues to serve the First Nations people of Saskatchewan, Lonechild pledged to continue his work to “full and final completion.”
On Tuesday, five of the six living former chiefs of the federation issued a joint statement calling on Lonechild to resign in light of his recent guilty pleas to impaired driving and failure to stop for police. The joint statement was the latest volley in what some people have said is “payback.”
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In Lonechild’s first year-and-a-half as chief, he was instrumental in reforming the First Nations University of Canada. Some of his most vocal opponents were former university board members who lost their posts due to the reforms, say Lonechild’s supporters.
Last month at the federation’s winter assembly, many hours were spent behind closed doors with the chiefs-in-assembly debating whether Lonechild should be removed from office for his impaired driving conviction. When faced with a petition asking for his resignation, Lonechild refused. A group of chiefs also failed in its attempt to suspend the powers of Lonechild and the organization’s three vicechiefs.
In his news release on Thursday, Lonechild said he is working to revitalize the federation and rebuild the First Nations University.
“Meetings continue with government and industry executives on important matters such as education, child welfare, employment and resource revenue sharing,” the release said.
“We are making significant advancements in these key sectors with a number of initiatives that require immediate attention. My pledge is to lead these endeavours to full and final completion,” said the release.
Lonechild, who is halfway through his first term as chief, has said he plans to seek treatment for his alcohol problem. He is scheduled to appear in circuit court in Rosthern on March 23 for sentencing for impaired driving after he was stopped by police on Sept. 3, 2009.
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