Sandy Lake election policies questioned by band members

While contemplating a run at public office in his community, Sandy Lake’s Ringo Fiddler was told he wasn’t eligible.
It had nothing to do with his skills, abilities or knowledge.
Fiddler said the reason he was not able to run in the March 26 election is because he was in a common-law relationship.
“I feel I was discriminated against,” Fiddler said. “In the past, there have been no problems with single, married or common-law people leading the community. Why is it a problem now? We have rights too.”
During the lead up to the election – the nomination meeting was March 2 – announcements about the policy were made.
This included information broadcast over the radio and a presentation made during a general community meeting, Fiddler said.
Because of the change in policy, Fiddler said he’s not sure he’ll ever seek election in the community.
Community member Thomas Dixon was equally upset common-law members were not allowed to run in the election.
“A lot of good people could run (for council) but they are not allowed to,” Dixon said. “We have no freedom of speech.
During the election, we couldn’t talk about any of the candidates. We couldn’t say anything at all.”
Chief Adam Fiddler and community election officer Moonias Fiddler did not return messages seeking comment about the issues described by Ringo Fiddler and Dixon.
When reached at home, a second election officer, Zack Kakegamic, declined to answer any questions about the election saying he was no longer employed by Sandy Lake First Nation.
Dixon is concerned with Sandy Lake’s election process – so much so he’s contacted Indian and Northern Affairs Canada about the matter.
The community used a band custom election code, Dixon explained, though he claims a written code is not in place.
The lack of a written election custom code has been an issue in the past with Sandy Lake as well, Dixon said.
In 1999, when the community was seeking the resignation of then-Chief Eli Sawanas, the lack of an election code became an issue.
As a result, then INAC Minister Jane Stewart wrote a letter to the community offering funding to develop a written electoral process.
“I also understand Sandy Lake First Nation does not have a written election code specifying what redress mechanisms are available under custom to cover situations like this,” Stewart wrote in a letter to the community. “In the absence of a written code, band members may wish to work through the elected councillors to try to resolve their concerns.”
The letter continued to say INAC would be willing to provide $10,000 to assist the community develop a written electoral process.
Dixon said someone was hired to start the process of preparing the policy but it only amounted to a draft which was never implemented by the First Nation.
INAC does not have a copy of the Sandy Lake election code on file.
“Since the First Nation has always been under the custom process, the department (INAC) does not have a copy of the code and the First Nation is not compelled to provide the code as it is outside the Indian Act jurisdiction,” said Linda Britt, a communications officer with INAC.
She said when there are governance disputes in communities which use the band custom code, INAC can only encourage all the parties to work together to address their concerns.
Fiddler said it is not only the common-law election issue that upsets him, but also the way it came to be.
“I’ve been told it’s the law but I’ve never heard of such a law,” Fiddler said. “I’ve heard people say this came from the Elders but I’ve never heard of such a thing ever from the Elder’s Council.”
Fiddler has grown frustrated at the process.
“I can’t even get an answer to my questions,” he said. “I’ve written letters to chief and council, called them and I get no reply.”
Dixon said he’s also received no reply to a letter to council.