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WEKWEETI - A former chief in Wekweeti is speaking out against the current operation of the band council.

In May 2008, former Wekweeti chief Joseph Judas wrote a letter to then-Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs Michael McLeod to express his concern.

"There are supposed to be five councillors and the chief but there are only two councillors," wrote Judas.

In his letter Judas also complained that council was not holding regular monthly meetings.

"People have asked for meetings but when council allows for a meeting, they don't allow the public to attend," he said.

Judas was responsible for holding regular monthly meetings that were open to the public when he was chief. He said without holding meetings the band was not eligible for funding from MACA.

Judas said he tried raising the issue several times but has now given up.

"It's not really operating the right way but they're doing what they have to do so I just let it be," he said.

Assistant deputy minister of Municipal and Community Affairs Sheila Bassi-Kellett said although the shortage of councillors is less than ideal, it is still within the bounds of the law.

The Tlicho community governments are established under separate legislation than most other charter communities in the NWT. Under the Tlicho Community Government Act a quorum is defined as a majority of councillors. So even if there are vacancies the council can still have quorum to make decisions.

Bassi-Kellett said MACA has less power to intervene in Tlicho communities when compared with other NWT hamlets and towns.

"We have limited capacity to be able to respond but really the ownership of this issue rests with the citizens of the community," said Bassi-Kellett

She said there have been three attempts to hold byelections in Wekweeti to fill the vacant seats but so far nobody has stepped forward to run.

She said in other communities, council may appoint a councillor to an empty chair, but that provision is not allowed under the Tlicho Community Government Act.

All four Tlicho communities are holding elections this June and Bassi-Kellett said she is hoping more citizens in Wekweeti will put their names on the ballot.

Bassi-Kellett could not comment on Judas's allegation of closed door meetings. She said councils are required to hold open meetings and give public notice of when those meetings will be held. She said there are provisions for in-camera discussions to be held.

Despite repeated calls, News/North was unable to reach Chief Charlie Football to discuss this matter.