Esgenoôpetitj First Nation re-elects dismissed chief, councillors
Esgenoôpetitj First Nation, also known as Burnt Church, has re-elected the chief and six of the councillors who were dismissed by a federal cabinet order after an investigation found evidence of vote buying in the 2014 election.
Ron Levesque, spokesperson for Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, confirmed via email Alvery Paul was re-elected as chief in the June 11 election in the northeastern Mi'kmaq community, along with the following band councillors:
- Jason Dean Barnaby - Elected
- Christopher [Jason] Bonnell - Re-Elected
- Carrie Dedam - Re-Elected
- Clark Dedam - Re-Elected
- Derek Dedam - Re-Elected
- Irene Dedam - Elected
- Billy Jack Francis - Re-Elected
- Deanna Joe - Elected
- Gerald Lambert - Elected
- Lorna Paul - Elected
- Mary Lita Richardson - Re-Elected
- Carla Ann Ward - Elected
Chief Paul was not available for comment.
The entire band council was dismissed by a federal cabinet order after an investigation found evidence of vote buying in the 2014 election.
Gov. Gen. David Johnston issued the order on April 21 on the recommendation of the minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs. No information about the nature of the evidence was revealed.
But "following a review of all particulars and documents filed in connection with the appeal, which included a report prepared by an independent investigator," Minister Carolyn Bennett "is satisfied that there was corrupt practice in connection with the election," it states.
The dismissals came after a nearly two-year investigation — just weeks before the band council members' terms were set to expire.
Curtis Bartibogue filed an appeal of the 2010 election. He served on the band council for about 10 years. He told CBC News in April that band council candidates offering cash in exchange for votes had been going on for a long time. He could not be reached for comment on this story.
Metepenagiag election
The Metepenagiag Mi'kmaq Nation. also known as Red Bank, also held an election on June 11, re-electing Chief Bill Ward and the following the following councillors for a two-year term:
- Allan Michael Blowers - Re-Elected
- Kevin Wesley Eugene Levi - Elected
- James Malcolm Peterpaul - Elected
- Lawrence Ward (Larry) - Elected
- Laurie Marie Watson - Re-Elected
- Diana Marie Webb - Elected
