Former Blueberry River First Nations Chief Judy Desjarlais has announced her bid for the upcoming election, saying elders and band members encouraged her to run.
She was removed as chief last September after an independent investigation found she violated the Nation’s bylaws by approving an oil and gas permit for Petronas without council approval.
Acknowledging divisions within the Nation, she promises to keep members informed before decisions are made and emphasizes the need for economic development, aiming for greater benefits from oil and gas contracts.
Desjarlais is challenging her removal in federal court, expecting a ruling soon, and has also filed a judicial review against four councillors—Shelley Gauthier, Sherry Dominic, Wayne Yahey, and Troy Wolf—over the election process.
She’s asking the court to delay the January election until her case is resolved, claiming some on council don’t want her to run due to a band rule barring candidates involved in litigation. She argues the four councillors, previously found by a judge to have breached their duties, shouldn’t be eligible to run.
-with files from M. Popove CJDC
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