Protestors in Watson Lake, Yukon call for chief’s resignation
Chief Liard McMillan says reports of unhappy members are overblown
CBC News
Posted: Jul 5, 2012 4:48 PM CT
Last Updated: Jul 5, 2012 5:35 PM CT
A resident of Liard First Nation in Watson Lake, Yukon is calling for the resignation of the chief and an early general assembly.
Vianna Abou claims more than 100 Liard citizens have signed a petition backing her demands.
She said it goes back to the chief's bullying behaviour.
"There's a lot of family members here that are very upset with the way he's conducting himself," she said.
Abou said (Chief Liard McMillan) even told her she would not get work with the First Nation.
But McMillan said it's not that cut and dry.
“You know the expectation that the pipeline is going to go through tomorrow and that her business is going to get a whole bunch of work and contracts is a bit unrealistic at this point."
He said only 5 or 6 people were actually protesting on Tuesday and reports of unhappy members are overblown.
“Half of those people were intoxicated and by noon hour, it was just Vianna by herself," he said.
The chief says many members were caught up in the protest because protestors had put locks on the door the same day people showed up to collect social assistance.
The conflict is too much for band councillor Jimmie Wolftail.
"It really appears judging by the signs there's other membership that's jumping on board with their own personal issues," he said.
McMillan dismissed Abou's demands for a general assembly this month.
He said they’re sticking with the August date for a general assembly at Frances Lake, as requested by the elders.
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