Penticton Indian Band responds to concerns about council, chief

PENTICTON – The Penticton Indian Band addressed governance issues being aired by members of the community this afternoon.

The communication comes on the heels of continuing concerns raised about public confidence in the band’s present chief and council.

The band also launched civil proceedings against several past members of council earlier this week.

Band communications coordinator Dawn Russell said in a press release today, Sept. 22, a small group of community members who are dissatisfied with the new direction of the present chief and council are making misleading statements which has been published in local media.

Russell said Chief Chad Eneas and the remaining council members have reviewed policy and by-laws highlighting some of the issues being brought forward in the community.

She said a number of outstanding policies and practices have not moved forward from previous councils and are necessary for the chief and council to govern properly.

Calling the current custom election code “ambiguous at best,” Russell said the code was being interpreted to slant positions and misrepresent band governance and direction. She said the band has obtained legal opinions affirming there is no legal means of recall and the current council does have a legal quorum, contrary to positions taken by some members of the community.

Russell said the band was recently advised to move forward with an injunction to transfer shares held in trust by former council members, a necessary step to avoid deterring potential opportunities and investment possibilities in the band’s companies.

Russell said the chief and council have heard concerns of all community members, not just those “having difficulty adjusting to the new governance table,” adding the present council is working on a course of renewal which will involve mediation and a commitment to community engagement.

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