A peaceful protest is underway at English River First Nation, less than 50 feet from the band office. (Submitted photo)

By Nigel Maxwell

Transparency

English River band members camp out, in protest of alleged secrecy by leadership

Jan 6, 2021 | 12:23 PM

Relying on a wood burning stove to keep warm, and the kindness of fellow community members to bring them food, Marlene Tcho and Rose Dawastare from English River First Nation, are camping out until they get the answers they want from their elected leaders.

Wednesday marks day eight of their peaceful protest, roughly 50 feet from the steps of the band office. Tcho explained to paNOW she has lived in the community her whole life and has watched councils come and go.

“They said we are gonna make a change and work with the band members but it isn’t like that,” she said.

Tcho said she’s asking for equality and accountability. When pressed to provide examples she claimed to have over 300 documents showing financial irregularities.

“For example they bought a liquor store which none of us were aware of it and to top it off gave it the name “Patch” and Patunak is our community name, not for the liquor store,” she said.

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Part of the Grasswood area near Saskatoon, The Patch Wine and Spirits is located on the English River First Nation’s urban reserve land and is the first Indigenous-owned liquor store in Saskatchewan.

Tcho also claimed the community members have been kept in the dark about an agreement signed between Cameco and the First Nation. The agreement, signed in 2013, provides economic assurances to the community in terms of business contracts, employee wages, and direct investments over the next ten years.

A spokesperson for Cameco confirmed for paNOW on Wednesday the collaboration agreement remains in effect and its terms continue to be honoured by the uranium companies. Still Tcho said she remains waiting for answers from Chief and Council, and wants them to to sit down and talk with her.

“We’ve had no reply and no communication to date,” she said.

(Submitted photo)

paNOW has made attempts to contact the band manager and Chief Jerry Bernard for comment but has not yet received a response.

English River First Nation is located roughly 400 km north of Prince Albert, and is a member of the Meadow Lake Tribal Council.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell