Snowdrift (Feb 07/05) - Chief Archie Catholique of Lutsel K'e is vowing he will fight a move by community members to oust him. "I haven't done anything wrong," he says, adding he believes a majority of the band membership supports him.

Catholique was surprised Jan. 28 when he returned to Lutsel K'e from a Dene chiefs gathering on the Hay River Reserve only to discover a membership meeting was being held that night to discuss his removal.

While he says the meeting was not called in accordance with band policies, a big majority of the approximately 35 people attending wanted him to step down.

Catholique, who has been chief for four years, attended the meeting and acknowledges there were a lot of angry people there.

Bernadette Lockhart, who describes herself as a spokesperson for the band membership, says there are a lot of grounds for Catholique's dismissal. She alleges mismanagement of funds, noting the band is in a deficit. "The only way to find out is to do a forensic audit."

Lockhart also claims the chief is in a conflict of interest with family and friends working for the band. Plus, she says there is a lack of communication between the chief and the people. "He's always out of town."

Lockhart also accuses Catholique of being a "dictator." She says those at the Jan. 28 meeting passed a motion to direct council to remove the chief and conduct a forensic audit. However, Catholique says the motion was invalid, since the proper process wasn't followed to hold the meeting.

The chief notes some band councillors are involved in the revolt, saying it seems they are being pressured by the public.

Another membership meeting is scheduled for today.

"It's a meeting to figure out exactly what people are upset about," Catholique says.

He believes it's because of water bills. As he explains it, the bills were instituted under another chief, but some people have never paid and are now facing the possibility of being cut off. "People are just worried about it," he says. "That's the issue." The chief also notes some Lutsel K'e business people are upset about enterprises being planned by the band, such as a hotel and restaurant.

"All these things can be discussed and negotiated," he says. Catholique says, according to band policies, a chief can only be automatically removed if he or she uses alcohol or drugs, or is charged with an indictable offence.

"I don't fit that criteria," he says.