Roxanna Thompson
Northern News Services
Published Monday, June 30, 2008

THEK'EHDELI/JEAN MARIE RIVER - Stan Sanguez is no longer the chief of the Jean Marie River First Nation.

Sanguez was removed by a vote of non-confidence on June 14 during the band's annual general meeting, said Tammy Neal, the band manager.

Fifteen people, enough for a quorum, participated in the vote, which was held by ballot. Ten people were in favour of ending Sanguez's term, she said.

Six band councillors also ratified the decision during a special council meeting held June 16, Neal said.

Sanguez was present at the annual general meeting the morning of June 13 but didn't attend any more of the weekend's meetings.

"His non-attendance triggered the vote," she said.

Sanguez was in his third and final year of his term as chief. The election that would have occurred in October will now take place near the beginning of August, said Neal.

According to Sanguez, a long-standing split along family lines in the community is responsible for his removal as chief.

Sanguez said he only attended the beginning of the meeting because he didn't feel he was being supported by certain sections of the community, particularly the Norwegian family.

"It's just childish," he said.

Sanguez said the way he was removed shows the community will be in trouble if self-government is obtained.

"The community isn't ready for self-government if we keep bickering and fighting amongst ourselves," he said.

Sanguez is questioning the process that was used to remove him. Some members who were at the meeting said the vote was done hastily and that they didn't support it, he said.

Despite these questions Sanguez said he doesn't want to be reinstated as chief and won't fight the vote.

Sanguez said he's speaking with a lawyer to ensure he will be properly compensated for his wages by the band until Oct. 26, when his term would have ended.

Fred Norwegian, a former chief and current band councillor, disagrees with Sanguez's explanation for his removal.

"I don't really think we, the Norwegians, are against him," he said.

Norwegian pointed out that all of the families in Jean Marie River are related.

"I don't think the intention of the Norwegian family is to separate the community," he said.

Norwegian, who attended the annual general meeting, said the people there decided something had to be done because of Sanguez's lack of attendance and also for other reasons.

"Mr. Sanguez sometimes didn't listen to the council," said Norwegian.

"Along with his walking out of the meeting, there was some dissatisfaction with the way he was performing."