Dehcho Grand Chief Kenny Cayen was voted out of his leadership position during a video conference Feb. 16, SA国际影视传媒 has learned.

The vote was unanimous among those in attendance, according to one source.

The Dehcho First Nations is the public government for the Dehcho region representing eight First Nations and two Metis groups.

Cayen, of the West Point First Nation, was acclaimed to the position in 2021 during the 28th Dehcho Annual Assembly in Fort Providence.

SA国际影视传媒 has been able to confirm that at least three chiefs were not present at the meeting but heard about CayenSA国际影视传媒檚 removal after the fact.

Chief Lloyd Chicot, who was also travelling that day and out of cell range, said he could not cast a vote and that it is rare for a Grand Chief to be voted out of office.

Certain procedures to hold office were not followed, Chicot said.

SA国际影视传媒淭he direction was given back before Christmas that there were certain things that he had to do like hold ceremonies, have an oath of office and that kind of stuff but that was never done,SA国际影视传媒� Chicot said.

SA国际影视传媒淣ormally when we have an acclaimed chief, the assembly puts forward a policy that the grand chief has to go by. He has to swear in for a swearing-in ceremony and has to report to the office in Fort Simpson through the work of the assembly. That didnSA国际影视传媒檛 happen.SA国际影视传媒�

Chicot said a vote on the matter was put off twice in recent months to give Cayen time to move to Fort Simpson or make arrangements to be in the First Nations office Monday to Friday, but that didnSA国际影视传媒檛 happen, either.

Chicot said he expects the Dehcho First Nations executive committee will appoint an interim grand chief to set the direction for the communities until the next Dehcho Assembly is held in the spring.

Chief Steven Vital of the Nahanni Butte Dene Band also heard the news recently.

SA国际影视传媒淚 just heard that myself that as of Monday (Feb. 21) he was voted out due to non-confidence,SA国际影视传媒� Vital said.

SA国际影视传媒淚 didnSA国际影视传媒檛 even get to have a vote. I just heard about it just this week because it came to my email.SA国际影视传媒�

Chief Dolphus Jumbo, of the Saamba KSA国际影视传媒檈 First Nation, could not be reached Wednesday, but was also not in attendance for the vote due to travel, according to his office.

Ramona Pearson, communications coordinator with the Dehcho First Nations declined to comment on all questions regarding Cayen when reached by phone on Feb. 23.

The Dene Nation stated that because its role involves working as a partner with all five regions of the NWT to advance the rights and interests of Denendeh citizens that it does not get involved in how regional First Nations groups are governed.

SA国际影视传媒淲e do not have a formal response as this matter is not for Dene Nation to make (a) comment,SA国际影视传媒� stated Leanne Goose, Dene Nation spokesperson.

SA国际影视传媒淲e do not participate in these conversations as it is a regional issue that is for the DehCho Nations to address in their way.SA国际影视传媒�

Goose said that Dene Nation is uncertain of how rare it is for a grand chief to be voted out in such a way and that Dehcho bylaws and council will guide its next steps to replace the leader.

SA国际影视传媒淟eaders are important to guiding the actions from the peopleSA国际影视传媒檚 concerns that affect their rights and interests,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淲e offer our respects that the matter is addressed in a good way that follows our Dene laws, values and principles.SA国际影视传媒�

Several efforts were made on Feb. 25 to reach all chiefs and Metis presidents, as well as Cayen.

They did not get back to SA国际影视传媒 by end of day Wednesday.