by Chris Meyers Almey
Northern News Services

NNSL (June 2/97) - The Salt River First Nation is in turmoil, with two elected chiefs in place.

Jerry Paulette was elected in 1995 and a new band council election was to be held May 8, but a petition of 143 signatures set it back a year, in order to provide continuity while land claim negotiations continued, according to George Cleary of the Department of Indian Northern Affairs.

However, a group of band members opposed the delay held a meeting May 6 and elected Raymond Beaver as chief.

Paulette said he encouraged band members to stay away from that meeting, but 80 to 100 attended.

Paulette said last week that he and his council are being accused of manipulating the petition process, an allegation he denies.

Last Tuesday the "new" chief and council tried to occupy the band office, but Paulette's supporters were on hand, forcing a standoff. RCMP were called in, but matters remained peaceful.

Indian and Northern Affairs has sent a letter recognizing Paulette and his council as the legitimate office-holders, Paulette said.

"To clear the air," however, Paulette and his council have called an election for Sept. 11.

Paulette said the suspects the ringleader behind the election of a new chief and council is former MLA Jeannie Marie Jewel. Both she and Beaver work for the Fitz-Smith Native Development Corp, the band's business wing.

Paulette said the financial situation of the corporation is unclear. The company's books are a mess, Paulette said, and the band council has ordered an audit, which will take four or five weeks to prepare.

"These people were trying to get a coup before the audit is completed," Paulette said. "Hopefully we won't find anything irregular."

News/North made repeated attempts to contact Beaver and Jewell Friday afternoon, but the corporation's phone line was constantly busy and fax drew no response.

Cleary said DIAND has been encouraging the Salt River band members to resolve their own problem, but if they can't negotiate, DIAND will appoint an independent mediator, if both factions agreed.