Stoney Nakoda chiefs launch investigation into colleague

Wednesday, April 27, 2011  

Two chiefs of the Stoney Nakoda First Nation in Alberta have launched an investigation into another tribal leader.

Chief David Bearspaw of the Bearspaw Band and Chief Bruce Labelle of the Chiniki Band are accusing Chief Ernest Wesley of the Wesley Band of "financial irregularities and malfeasance." Wesley welcomes the audit, his administrator said.

"The books are open and if they want to come in and do that, they're welcome," Hopeton Louden told The Calgary Herald.

Last month, Bearspaw and Labelle complained that Wesley refused to sign off on the First Nation's joint budget, putting an estimated $38 million in government funds at risk. Wesley eventually agreed to the budget.

The First Nation is made up of the Bearspaw, Chiniki and Wesley bands. Each band has their own chief and council.

Get the Story:
Stoney chiefs launch audit of spending (The Calgary Herald 4/27)

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