Councillors mum on Kátł’odeeche First Nation chief’s reasons for quitting
Un texte de Niles Niemuth
Kátł’odeeche First Nation councillors in the N.W.T. are remaining tight-lipped about what triggered the sudden resignation last week of Elaine Auger as chief.
The shake up in leadership came just ahead of a meeting of the Dene National Assembly, which is being hosted this week in the Kátł’odeeche First Nation near Hay River, N.W.T.
Auger said in a statement last week that she quit because of unaddressed allegations of harassment and sexual harassment involving a council member.
In her address to the Dene National Assembly Tuesday, the First Nation’s acting Chief Shirley Lamalice confirmed that the council had accepted Auger’s resignation.
Lamalice did not have anything further to say on the issue when asked by CBC News.
CBC News has contacted other Kátł’odeeche First Nation councillors about Auger’s resignation. Some have declined to comment, while others have not responded.
Coun. Nancy Norn-Lennie would not address Auger’s allegations but said she would miss the former chief’s leadership.
“To me, she was a really intelligent young woman,” Norn-Lennie said. “She’s ethical, and it was really important for us that she knew the financial side of things and with human resources, and she’s got that kind of background.”
Auger was elected chief of the First Nation in December 2024.
In a written statement posted to the band’s Facebook page last week, Auger said she quit as a matter of integrity.
“I will not participate in abusing, intimidating or undermining staff or community members. I will not accept a culture where women are expected to remain silent when they experience disrespect or harassment,” she said.
Auger declined to comment to CBC News about her resignation.
Her last day as chief was Sept. 25.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Tłegǫ́hłı̨ Got’įnę celebrates self-government agreement in Norman Wells, N.W.T., CBC News
United States: Alaskan authorities intercept Canadians allegedly smuggling drugs, firearms into U.S., CBC News
