The elected chief of Salt River First Nation (SRFN) has been suspended for a fifth consecutive time.
Toni Heron confirmed on Friday she was handed another 60-day suspension earlier this month. She also provided a copy of the band council resolution (BCR) ordering the suspension. It was signed by every councillor except Levi MacDonald, Heron’s grandson.
The Band Council Resolution suspending Heron was signed by every councillor except Levi MacDonald, Heron’s grandson. (Photo courtesy of Toni Heron)
SRFN’s council has handed down five consecutive suspensions for Heron since shortly after she took office last October. Prior to the first suspension, Heron was given a letter by council listing her alleged failures. These included failing to take timely action on a number of items, such as submitting a bid for the construction of a new fire centre in Fort Smith.
The most recent BCR also references “the suspended Chief’s past involvement, in 2007, in the removal of Chief Frieda Martselos from office only one week after she was declared elected,” and “the suspended Chief’s past involvement, in 2008, in the suspension of Chief Martselos for her Duties as Chief.”
Councillor Brad Laviolette has served as acting chief since Heron’s first suspension.
The first suspension was upheld by a federal court judge. SRFN’s lawyer has argued the council has the right to enact repeat suspensions.
Heron told CKLB she did not want to comment before a consultation with her legal team early next week.
