The former Chief of the Blueberry River First Nations has announced she will be running in the upcoming election. Judy Desjarlais said elders and band members have encouraged her to run.
Desjarlais was removed as chief in September of last year after an independent investigation. The investigation determined she had violated the Nation’s bylaws.
The ruling found Desjarlais unilaterally granted oil and gas permit approval to Petronas for work on Blueberry’s land, without obtaining the required approval from council.
In acknowledging the division with-in the first nation, Desjarlais is pledging to make sure members are informed before decisions are made, not after.
She is also stressing the need for economic development. Desjarlais wants to see Blueberry members benefit more from oil and gas contracts that have been signed by the first nation.
Desjarlais has challenged her removal in federal court and is expecting a decision in the next month or so.
Now, Desjarlais has filed another judicial review regarding four Blueberry councillors. Shelley Gauthier, Sherry Dominic, Wayne Yahey and Troy Wolf announced that nominations to run for council close on December 3rd, while the election will be held in January.
Desjarlais is now asking the court for election day to be delayed until there is decision on her review or until, “such date be set by the honorable court.”
Desjarlais believes there are those on council does not want her to run for chief. She cited a band procedure that prevents individuals from running for council who are involved in litigation.
She points to the four current councillors, who she says, were found by a judge to have breached their duties. Desjarlais believes they shouldn’t be allowed to run.