The chief of Moosomin First Nation has been removed from office over vote-buying allegations.
Chief Elliot Kahpeaysewat was ordered removed by Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada for violations of the Indian Act. According to the department, the reason he has been removed is vote buying in the 2011 election for chief and council.
According to the facts provided to the Regional Optimist by the federal department of Aboriginal Affairs, Moosomin First Nation held its band election for one chief and eight councillors on Jan. 22, 2011.
The election was appealed, however, on allegations of corrupt practice - vote buying - on the part of Kahpeaysewat.
"Based upon the information submitted in connection with the appeal, including the report of an independent investigator, there was sufficient evidence to support the allegations of corrupt practice whereby Chief Elliot Kahpeaysewat provided money to multiple electors in exchange for their votes," according to a department statement.
This is in violation of the Indian Act, they said. As a result the position of chief has been declared vacant.
According to Aboriginal Affairs, a by-election is not mandatory for the position of chief as the vacancy will not impact the band council's ability to form quorum.
This is not the first time \ allegations of corruption have swirled around Northwest First Nation elections. The former chief of Red Pheasant reserve, Charles Meechance, was removed from office and eventually sent to jail after vote buying activities came to light in his 2005 election.
As well, appeals have been launched in recent years in connection to alleged vote buying in other First Nations elections on both Red Pheasant and Mosquito. While investigations have gone on, no action has been taken by Aboriginal Affairs about those other allegations to this point.
The federal department has indicated their intention to reform the First Nations election process. In their statement issued Tuesday, they pointed to Bill S-6, the First Nations Elections Act, introduced in the Senate on December 6, 2011. They say the proposed legislation will address longstanding issues with the current election system under the Indian Act, including those surrounding mail-in ballots.
