And now:Ish <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
Date: Thu, 29 Jul 1999 16:44:46 -0400
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
From: Lynne Moss-Sharman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Sweetgrass First Nation (Saskatchewan)
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Thursday, July 29, 1999
Native chief allegedly asked federal official to
'step outside'
Band in financial trouble
James Parker
The StarPhoenix
SASKATOON - The Sweetgrass First Nation Indian band faces having its
financial affairs placed under outside supervision following a rancorous
meeting that ended when the band's chief allegedly asked a federal official
"to step outside" and settle matters.
Trevor Sutter, a spokesperson with the Department of Indian Affairs and
Northern Development, said yesterday that a meeting last week with Wayne
Standinghorn, the Sweetgrass chief, about the band's troubled financial
situation became "rather heated."
Mr. Sutter said the gathering ended abruptly when an Indian Affairs
official suggested the band make some changes to its $230,000 housing
program that is underwritten by the department. "Because they fell behind
in the delivery and reporting of the program, we offered to incorporate the
program as part of their revised remedial management program. That would
allow them to control it a little better. That's when they sort of lost it."
Mr. Sutter said Indian Affairs has asked for a written apology from Mr.
Standinghorn and requested another meeting about the band's financial problems.
The chief, who couldn't be reached for comment, hasn't responded to either
request. His handling of the situation has embarrassed some band members.
"When a leader steps outside the parameters of professionalism to challenge
someone to a fight, it damages the credibility of not only the Sweetgrass
band, but also all First Nations," said Lyle Frank, who plans to challenge
Mr. Standinghorn in a band election this November.
Mr. Sutter said Indian Affairs will soon decide whether to bring in a
co-manager to help run the band or appoint a third party to completely
oversee operations. If the department opts for the latter course of action,
Sweetgrass will become the seventh of Saskatchewan's 70 Indian bands to
have its financial affairs run by an outside manager.
As of last March 31, Sweetgrass had an accumulated deficit of $807,000. The
major contributors to the debt were loans and advances to band members and
the housing program, according to the band's remedial management plan.
Sweetgrass receives about $2.8-million a year from Indian Affairs.
Mr. Sutter said Sweetgrass has been operating under the management plan for
about 18 months. However, Mr. Sutter said the department cut the band's
non-mandatory funding at the end of June because Sweetgrass hasn't provided
an audit for the fiscal year ending in March. Non-mandatory funding
includes payments for the salaries of chief and council.
Mr. Sutter said there were other problems with the band's financial
performance he couldn't discuss.
"Let Us Consider The Human Brain As
A Very Complex Photographic Plate"
1957 G.H. Estabrooks
www.angelfire.com/mn/mcap/bc.html
FOR K A R E N #01182
who died fighting 4/23/99
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
www.aches-mc.org
807-622-5407
