Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Wrigley (Sep 02/02) - The Pehdzeh Ki First Nation election to replace their fired chief has been put off until Sept. 12.

Mike Canadien, senior administrative officer for the band, said the postponement is due to too many band members being in the bush for a community hunt. The election was originally set for Aug. 29. Nominations are closed and Tim Lennie, David Moses and Gary Yendo are vying for the chief's seat.

Canadien said the election delay is not because Pehdzeh Ki council is considering former chief Percy Hardisty's plea for mediation to resolve the situation.

"As far as they're concerned, it's been dealt with. It was dealt with when he was ousted with that vote of non-confidence," said Canadien, who added that Hardisty has not contacted the band office directly since being removed.

Hardisty was in Edmonton on medical leave at the time of the Aug. 12 public meeting where the non-confidence vote was held. Hardisty issued a statement on Aug. 22 calling for a mediator to be appointed by the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development.

Hardisty contends that because the Aug. 12 public meeting was not sanctioned by chief and council, the resolution for an election is illegal.

"The radical nature of (opposition membership) leads to an administratively challenged group that wish to operate on their agenda resulting in further instability and turmoil within the community," the press release reads. "If political turmoil and instability within the leadership of the community is allowed to continue this will jeopardize (economic development) projects."