DENINU KU'E/FORT RESOLUTION - Another move has been made in the ongoing leadership dispute at Fort Resolution's Deninu Ku'e First Nation (DKFN).

Tom Unka: time for acting chief of DKFN to be removed. - NNSL file photo

A July 13 letter to Akaitcho Territory Government's executive council calls on the chiefs who make up the council not to recognize DKFN Acting Chief Louis Balsillie.

The letter – signed by Tom Unka and four other band members – stated Balsillie does not represent DKFN and cannot participate in any Akaitcho government meeting on the band's behalf.

"What we're requesting is they don't let him participate in any more Akaitcho activities," Unka said.

The letter to the Akaitcho chiefs states, "As most of you are aware, Louis is a self-appointed acting chief who was not voted in, refuses to call an election or hold an AGM and has continued to hold office illegally for two years now, thus failing miserably in demonstrating good leadership."

The letter adds, by ignoring membership's pleas and continuing on with an "illegal" administration, Balsillie has shown total disrespect to all DKFN members and the Akaitcho Territory Government.

Balsillie dismissed the letter.

"They can't speak on behalf of 820 members," he said. "They're speaking on behalf of themselves."

Unka claimed he and the other letter writers have the support of membership.

Balsillie objected to being described as self-appointed, saying, as the then sub-chief, he was named acting chief by council after the suspension and later dismissal of Bill Norn as chief in 2007.

Unka said the letter was partially the result of another delay in holding an annual general assembly.

"It's quite obvious he doesn't want to meet with people," Unka said of Balsillie.

An assembly had been set for July 15, but was rescheduled for Aug. 17.

"We feel it's time we had (Balsillie) removed," Unka said, adding legal action is possible if the situation persists.

Balsillie said the assembly was postponed because an audit of the band's finances has not been completed.

However, Unka said, "We don't need an audit for an election."

The letter to the Akaitcho Territory Government also claimed that delivery of DKFN programs and services are suffering severely, and in some areas are non-existent, and said five employees were forced out of office and three others fired by the "dictatorship" regime."

Balsillie said three employees, including Unka, were fired because they were working against the acting chief and council. Unka had worked for the band as environmental manager.

Balsillie said he is offended at being called a dictator. "There's nothing I did wrong."

The Akaitcho chiefs were meeting in Edmonton late last week, and Balsillie was among them.

In fact, he presented the letter to them.

Balsillie said he won't seek re-election when his term as a councillor is up in September.

"It's too much," he said. "I want to sit back and relax."

Balsillie is in the process of trying to get his job back with Deninoo Community Council. He was terminated as town foreman when he didn't return from an unpaid leave of absence to serve as acting chief.

The matter is now in arbitration.

The DKFN has not held an annual general assembly in more than a year and a half, largely because of an ongoing court challenge by Norn, who claims wrongful dismissal in regards to his 2007 ouster as chief.

In May, a membership petition called for an assembly, followed by a new election for chief and council.

Balsillie has repeatedly argued a new election should not be held until Norn's case is concluded, since it is possible he may be reinstated by a court.