Former chief guilty of drug trafficking

A former chief of the Key First Nation has again pleaded guilty to drug trafficking.

Clarence Papequash, 64, was a member of the band council on February 15 when he was charged with 10 drugs- and firearms-related offences. After he was arrested and released on bail, the current chief suspended Papequash from council and removed him from his duties overseeing social development, public works and the elders committee for the First Nation just north of Kamsack.

In Yorkton court March 13, Papequash pleaded guilty to one count each of possession of codeine for the purpose of trafficking and one count of possession of ammunition while prohibited.

In 2014 and 2015, Papequash served a six-month conditional sentence for trafficking morphine. In that case, from November 2010 when Papequash was chief, he had arranged to have his wife sell half a pill of morphine pill to man who working as an agent for the RCMP. The wife also pleaded guilty and served three months in jail.

While the case was before the courts, Papequash was reelected chief in 2012, but when he pleaded guilty in May 2014, he stepped down.

While acknowledging Papequash had a reduced role in the actual trafficking, Queen’s Bench Justice Jennifer Pritchard viewed the man’s position as aggravating admonishing him in a written decision.

“It is an indisputable reality that (the Key First Nation) struggles with drugs and alcohol,” Pritchard wrote.

“Mr. Papequash has directly contributed to this serious problem and has violated the trust that was reposed in him by virtue of his office and stature in the community.”

She also noted as aggravating the fact that Papequash was an addictions counselor, formerly serving on the board of the Saulteaux Healing and Wellness Centre.

“He must have had first-hand knowledge of the horrors involved in drug abuse,” Pritchard stated. “It was his job to be part of the solution. Instead, he has been part of the problem.”

Finally the judge noted the defendant’s loss of status in stepping down as chief as mitigating.

“His loss of the leadership position is an appropriate repercussion from these illegal activities,” she said. “He is clearly not qualified to lead his community in addressing its most pressing issues.”

On the current guilty plea, Papequash is scheduled to be sentenced April 24. For a second conviction, he will almost certainly spend some time in jail.