Yellowknife (Sep 20/04) - Victor Marie, a former chief of Salt River First Nation in Fort Smith, is facing a charge of theft over $5,000.

According to the RCMP, the funds were stolen from 4990 NT Ltd., a stand-alone surveying company. It is not owned by the SRFN but was incorporated with a loan from the band.

The charge was laid in July.

The offence is alleged to have taken place between April 23 and July 23, 2003.

Marie, who declined comment on the charge, was chief from 2002 until his term ran out earlier this year. He did not seek re-election.

Tanya Tourangeau, a former finance clerk with the band, has also been charged with one count of theft over $5,000 from the same company and during the same time period.

RCMP declined to provide further details on the charges, such as the amount allegedly stolen.

Marie and Tourangeau were represented by an agent in Fort Smith Territorial Court on Sept. 9. No pleas were entered.

The case is scheduled to be back in court on Nov. 25.