Removal of two councillors causes controversy at Binche Whut’en First Nation

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“I think in terms of the chaos, there’s a lot of different aspects that we have to look at. There’s a lot of online stuff that people are putting out and it’s pitting the community as a whole through it. And it’s causing some turmoil. So, from that standpoint, it’s just trying to mitigate those things and trying to find resolve.”

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Mavis Erickson – who was elected as an off reserve counsellor – says the issue began a couple of weeks ago when she alleges an employee was assaulted in the reserve’s family development office – leading to a hostage-like situation. She says an investigation into that alleged event is now underway. She says the investigation was to include both employee and community safety. She’s hopeful the investigation will wrap up soon.

“Well, as far as I’m concerned, we’re getting close. Even though Molina and I have been kicked off council so to speak, we’re still working towards getting the investigation conducted so that we have some answers. The police themselves are saying that they’re staying out of it because this is a civil matter. And this was what they’re calling a peaceful demonstration. And my position on that is I don’t think it was peaceful when there’s an alleged assault having taken place and also a hostage incident.”

Chief Jopse refused comment on the alleged hostage taking but told CKPG News he’s doing his due diligence by listening and making sure the voices of band members are heard.

Jopse said the so-called chaos has not, to his knowledge, affected the delivery of services on reserve.

For their part, RCMP say they are aware of these events and continue to monitor the situation. They say a report to Crown Counsel related to the evolving events has been submitted to the B.C. Prosecution Service and is currently under review.

The Binche Whut’en was granted independence by the federal government in 2019.