Members of the Squamish Nation are demanding that two of their elected band councillors resign from their positions and that the band conduct a more far-reaching audit in the wake of an independent financial investigation conducted for the First Nation.
More than 300 band members gathered for several hours to discuss the recently released financial report at a general community meeting.
Many of those present weren't happy about what the report revealed, said Bev Brown, a Squamish Nation member who attended. "There were a lot of unhappy community members," said Brown. "For us it's a big, big deal."
Two members of the Squamish Nation's elected council - Krisandra Jacobs and Glen Newman - were recently stripped of their authority over any financial matters after an independent investigation revealed a significant portion of about $1.5 million from the band's "emergency fund" was not properly accounted for over the past two years.
The investigation by lawyer Nazeer Mitha revealed Jacobs and Newman spent hundreds of thousands of dollars a year from the Squamish Nation's emergency fund without keeping proper records about who was given the money or what it was used for.
Joanne Nahanee said that hasn't sat well with many band members who voiced their concerns at Sunday's meeting. Nahanee said Jacobs spoke at the meeting, telling members that her actions were taken to protect the confidentiality of those seeking assistance.
But Brown said some band members were upset they had to go through an official process to be granted - and in some cases, turned down for - emergency funds, while others were directly handed cash by Jacobs. "It's crazy to have a policy if you're not going to follow it," said Brown. "People were in an uproar."
Nahanee said she'd still like to see both Jacobs and Newman step down from their elected positions.
Chief Ian Campbell said the meeting was an opportunity for band members to discuss the report and raise issues. Now the council will have to consider their comments and decide what to do, he said.
Campbell said unless people in elected positions resign, there is no mechanism for removing them from office.
Both Nahanee and Brown said they'd like to see a more extensive thirdparty examination of band finances.
Members are questioning the conduct of the Squamish Nation's finance department, which issued large numbers of cheques to Jacobs and Newman without proper oversight, said Nahanee.
Campbell said the Squamish Nation is committed to seeing that stricter financial controls are followed in the future.
