Tsiigehtchic, N.W.T., residents argue chief vote broke rules

People in Tsiigehtchic, N.W.T., are coming forward with concerns about the June election of the community's chief.

Anna May MacLeod is a resident of Tsiigehtchic. 

"I want this to be investigated and charges to be laid," she said, reading from a letter that she sent to Tsiigehtchic's election committee outlining several alleged violations. 

MacLeod and others allege the band adopted a new code for that election, even though it wasn't yet ratified.

Incumbent Phillip Blake was acclaimed as chief during the election.

It's alleged he used the draft code to prevent his opponent, Grace Blake, from running.

'Intimidation, duress'

In his official report, then-electoral officer Graeme Drew says Tsiigehtchic resident Sheila Blake phoned his office. Drew says she told him "election officers . . . have been fired in the past for not doing their job." 

Sheila is Philip Blake's wife.

A letter from the community's custom election committee to Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development characterized this as "intimidation, duress and possibly obstruction."

Drew stepped aside from his position after council decided to go ahead with the June election. He says he still stands by his original recommendation that a new election be called. 

"There hasn't been what I believe is a proper democratic process for the members to be able to choose their leadership," Drew said. "So over 300 Canadians have been denied their democratic rights to choose their leader." 

Philip Blake said Drew recommended that the band council adopt the election code in advance of the election, which the council did when it adopted a band council resolution in April 2015.

Blake said he will not be stepping aside or calling a new election.

The department of Aboriginal Affairs said it has received complaints, but that it's up to First Nations to police their own elections.