A K谩t艂SA国际影视传媒檕deeche First Nation finance clerk is fighting for her right to run for chief.

April Martel was acclaimed to another term as KFN chief as part of the Nov. 24 band election, but Elaine Auger, who was told she couldnSA国际影视传媒檛 run for chief because she doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 meet the First NationSA国际影视传媒檚 residency requirements, is appealing that ruling by the KFN election returning officer.

SA国际影视传媒淚 was told I was not allowed to run when I filed my nomination papers in September because I did not have a two-year residency,SA国际影视传媒� Auger said. SA国际影视传媒淭his was because I just returned from British Columbia and moved back in July.SA国际影视传媒�

Auger said that although she was aware of the rules she feels that they are discriminatory under Section 15 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. As a result she is challenging the decision.

SA国际影视传媒淚 decided to fight it and it is currently going through an adjudication appeals process,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淚 hired a lawyer who is representing me and we are waiting to see what the outcome is going to be.

SA国际影视传媒淚f they donSA国际影视传媒檛 allow me to put my name on the ballot, then once we receive that decision, ISA国际影视传媒檓 going to bring it to the Supreme Court.SA国际影视传媒�

Auger said that it isnSA国际影视传媒檛 lost on her that her efforts are a bit out of the ordinary given that, to her knowledge, the residency rules for running for chief havenSA国际影视传媒檛 been tried before.

SA国际影视传媒淭he reason why ISA国际影视传媒檓 doing what ISA国际影视传媒檓 doing is because itSA国际影视传媒檚 never been challenged and itSA国际影视传媒檚 discriminatory,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淚 just believe that the rules should meet the Charter of Rights and all regulations and codes shouldnSA国际影视传媒檛 be discriminatory.SA国际影视传媒�

Chief Martel said AugerSA国际影视传媒檚 argument doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 hold water: the reserve has its own election bylaw, and the Charter doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 guarantee an individualSA国际影视传媒檚 ability to run in any election they choose.

SA国际影视传媒淯nder the election code, it states that you have to live and reside on the reserve for two years before running for chief,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淭his election code was passed long ago by the membership and is still strongly supporteed by the membership.

SA国际影视传媒淲e have our own election code under our own reservation. We donSA国际影视传媒檛 follow CanadaSA国际影视传媒檚 rules or Indian Affairs rules. We follow our own rules on our reservation.

SA国际影视传媒淪heSA国际影视传媒檚 trying to challenge it because she states that she has Canadian rights to run in any election.SA国际影视传媒�

Auger says has never run for either chief or council before but sees a lot of problems at KFN that she wants to address, starting with social issues.

SA国际影视传媒淢y protocol as a chief is to move forward with issues like housing, drug and alcohol abuse on the reserve and creating more programs toward helping that,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

Her other criticism is what she sees as a lack of transparency among the governing body and regular members. Although she admits KFN does have a very active Facebook page and website, she says communications need to be improved, especially for Elders who may have little to no Internet access.

SA国际影视传媒淭hereSA国际影视传媒檚 no transparency whatsoever and I think more has to be explained when it comes to what the First Nation is doing with economic development, jobs and employment,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

SA国际影视传媒淭here is no communication at the moment from chief and council, mostly because of Covid happening and a lack of meetings.SA国际影视传媒�

Council will be made up of Irene Graham, Michael Sunrise, Rebecca Aylward, Peter Sabourin, Shirley Lamalice and Robert Lamalice. An official annoucement was expected to be made late Nov. 29.