Blueberry River First Nation Elder calls for governance reform

By Ed Hitchins Local Journalism Initiative FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Members of Blueberry River First Nation (BRFN)’s elders council have announced the removal of councillor Shelley Gauthier during a press conference in Fort St. John on Friday afternoon. Under band custom, Gauthier represented the family of Edward Apsassin, and family members did not agree that their best interests were being represented. Family members expressed serious concerns, including an overall lack of transparency and undermining the family’s trust. BRFN Elder Clarence Apsassin expressed his concern about the First Nation’s governing structure at a conference room in the Holiday Inn Express off Alaska Highway. According to Apsassin, the decision to remove has been posted in BRFN offices for at least two weeks, and the motion to remove Gauthier will be presented…

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