Frustration over PIB council

Photo: PIB

The newly elected Chief and Council in December

Frustrations are growing for some members of the Penticton Indian Band with how the First Nation is being governed.

A group of disgruntled band members are calling for a community-wide referendum on a vote of non-confidence for Chief and Council.

“The tension in the community has been building since the election of the new Chief and Band Council which ended December of 2016 we are now in the 8th month of our election,” a news release from the group reads.

“Frustration and anger has come over our community.”

Three band councillors have resigned since the election, the first, Joseph Pierre, came in May. Naomi Gabriel and Denise Lecoy have also resigned since then, according to PIB spokeswoman Dawn Russell.

A motion of non-confidence was first brought against chief and council back in April, but was tabled at the time due to a death within the community.

Former council member Dolly Kruger says another motion was brought forward this month that has not been dealt with yet either.

At an “extremely intense and highly charged” election nomination meeting for the three empty council seats on Wednesday night, Kruger said they reiterated their demands for a community-wide vote of non-confidence.

“We want to hear from both sides,” she said, noting there are some within the community that will not speak out for fear of financial repercussions.

Three senior managers have also resigned since the election, according to the news release from the group.

Complaints against Chief and Council are stated as a “complete lack of communication to community and outside world” and ongoing HR issues.

Chief Chad Eneas did not immediately respond to request for comment.

Kruger said if the proposed referendum of non-confidence succeeds, they would like to see Chief and Council disbanded and new elections called.

“We understand the severity of this decision and did not arrive at it easily,” the group’s statement reads. “We are not going away.”