By Bryan Eneas

Acclaimed Chief provides update on Montreal Lake Cree Nation hearing

Jan 6, 2018 | 1:06 PM

New information has come to light following a meeting in the Montreal Lake Cree Nation concerning the election last spring.

Chief Frank Roberts said a hearing in Montreal Lake between himself, former Chief Edward Henderson and an appeals tribunal on Jan. 5 proved something he “knew all along.”

“The tribunal chair, in front of everyone that was present, reaffirmed the by-election process and that in fact, I am the acclaimed chief of our Cree Nation,” Roberts said. “It was good for the former chief to hear this as well, along with all people present.”

Roberts, who was initially deemed ineligible to run in the spring election, filed an appeal and was eventually acclaimed as chief in the fall.

Henderson, who previously stated he was the leader of the Cree Nation citing his victory in the spring election, filed an appeal on the byelection result where Roberts was acclaimed.

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According to Roberts, one of Henderson’s arguments at the hearing revolved around alleged rental arrears which prevented the acclaimed chief from running.

“Former chief Edward Henderson and his lawyer conceded that I do not have rental arrears. This was the basis of his appeal,” Roberts said.

Roberts said Henderson and his legal counsel continued to suggest the acclaimed chief was involved in a federal judicial review during the hearing. Roberts disputes this point and claims he opted out of the review in order to be eligible to run in the byelection.

The acclaimed chief said a meeting between all parties on this matter will be hosted on Jan. 25.

paNOW reached out to Henderson, but he was not immediately available for comment.

Bryan.Eneas@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @BryanEneas