Hay River (Sep 22/03) - The West Point First Nation has fired its chief.

Chief Bobby Cayen Jr., 25, along with Coun. Kenny Cayen, were removed at a Sept. 15 membership meeting of the Hay River band.

According to the band council resolution passed at the meeting, they were "conducting themselves in a hostile and immature manner towards staff and other members of the community."

A source close to the situation, who spoke on condition of anonymity, explains Bobby Cayen Jr. was also not attending many band meetings and was often difficult to locate. "He was getting paid for nothing."

Bobby Cayen Jr. had been chief of the 60-member band since June.

"We need somebody who can be a good spokesperson and representative of all the families," the source said, adding it's a sad situation for the band to face. Cayen could not be reached for comment.

Councillor Ebner Cayen also resigned at the Sept. 15 meeting because of the political turmoil.

That only leaves two councillors -- James Cayen and Sonya Cayen. An emergency membership meeting is set for today, Monday, to set a date for an election.