Walpole Island First Nation residents are pushing for an immediate change in their current chief and council.
Former workers at a gas station owned by Walpole Island First Nation have been out in front of the Walpole Island First Nation governance building since last Friday, looking at getting Walpole Island residents to sign a petition asking for the removal of the current Walpole Island chief and council.
They are planning a peaceful protest on Tuesday morning where they are set to lock the doors of the Walpole Island governance building and keep the chief and council members from entering the building.
The Bkejwanong Gas Bar, which is owned by Walpole Island, closed abruptly last week leaving about 18 workers without a job. Workers at the gas station said there have been issues with transparency, as they were given no reason why the gas bar was shut down or future plans.
Walpole Island leadership released a public letter last week addressing financial concerns that residents have, noting that chief and council has inherited a complex financial situation, blaming their challenges on a lack of transparency and accountability in financial decisions made by previous chief and councils.
The letter said it’s concerning that three fiscal years of audits are outstanding, putting at risk critical funding that WIFN requires to meet the needs of membership. Walpole Island is currently completing a comprehensive examination at their finances from the past five years.
The gas station has been open since May of 2021.
The petition being circulated said it’s asking for the removal of the current chief and council due to possible Indian Act band election regulations; Walpole Island First Nation band membership having no confidence in chief and council in doing what is right, just and fair; as well as alleged malfeasance by chief and council.
Current chief Dan Miskokomon was elected a year ago, along with council, for a two-year term.
