Louise Spence was told she can’t run for chief of her Red Sucker Lake First Nation because she is separated from her husband, but she plans to fight that in court. Spence went to her band office in the western province of Manitoba and was told she could not become chief under new election rules but was not provided with any documentation about the change.
First Nations can override charter
Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms would usually preclude this kind of restriction but exceptions can be made for aboriginal communities.
Other First Nations communities have passed unique election rules. The Garden Hill First Nation, also in Manitoba, has ruled that only people over the age of 50 can run for chief and it excludes anyone in common-law relationships.
‘Respect community’s wishes’
There’s nothing anyone can do but respect the (Red Sucker Lake) community’s wishes, says Grand Chief David Harper who heads an organization representing 30 First Nations in northern Manitoba.
“Marriage is a very sacred thing in that particular community, and that is what they’re trying to promote,” said Harper.
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