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 Some members of West Point First Nation want out of the Hay River area band. They include Ken Thomas (standing), and, from left, Leon Thomas, Karen Thomas and Jim Thomas. - Paul Bickford/NNSL photo |
The dissident group -- including former chiefs Karen Thomas and Leon Thomas -- is seeking to be transferred to the Ehndaajo Council, an until-now dormant council of elders independent of WPFN.
"We're going to use it as a vehicle to create a whole new entity," says Ken Thomas, the co-ordinator of the Ehndaajo Council.
Thomas has written a letter -- due to be faxed today -- to DIAND Minister Robert Nault requesting separate band status.
"The elders would like the Ehndaajo Elders Council to be upgraded to full band status with additional members from the Hay River area," the letter reads.
Thomas also writes, "If there is no decisive action taken soon, we will have to seek outside sources to help resolve these issues through legal means."
Thomas says 25 members are needed to form a new band, adding 24 members of the WPFN have signed requests for transfer to a new band. That number includes children, whose parents want their families to be transferred.
West Point First Nation declined to comment on any possible division of the band. A spokesperson said it needs to receive further information from DIAND.
Internal divisions
WPFN has faced internal divisions for many years. The group wanting out claims the band has been mismanaged and dominated by one faction.
Former chief Karen Thomas denies it is a family feud.
"It never was that way. It was portrayed that way."
However, in his letter to Nault, Ken Thomas mentions one family controlling the band. Although not named in the letter, the WPFN is largely governed by the dominant Cayen family.
"The current West Point Band is dysfunctional," says Thomas, who notes dissatisfied members used all means possible to solve the internal disagreements.
Former chief Leon Thomas agrees with the move to form a new band. "It's a step in the right direction. There's no one representing all community members. We have no say in anything."
Dividing a band is a long and difficult process, says Linda Molner, the manager of registration, revenue and band governance with DIAND's NWT region.
Molner says a family feud is not a legitimate reason to divide a band.
