Chief responds to turmoil

The chief of the Penticton Indian Band said the five vacancies on band council will be filled this fall with an official byelection for the vacant spots.

In a statement sent to media outlets, Friday, Chief Chad Eneas said the PIB is “maintaining its functions as a government” and that all services are being provided to its members. The chief implied media reports stating an overall discontent were exaggerated and that band council has received many letters of support.

“There are many challenges when change happens and although it may be uncomfortable, we will get through this as a community,” Eneas said. “With sound advice, financial scrutiny, appropriate budgeting and effective measures for addressing conflicts of interests, we will maintain the interest of the community as a whole.”

Eneas, a professional bull rider, was elected chief in 2016, beating incumbent Jonathan Kruger who had been the PIB chief for eight years. Kruger subsequently ran for a spot on band council and was elected. Gone since May are five members of band council: Naomi Gabriel, Kruger, Denise Lecoy, Tim Lezard, and Joseph Pierre.

Lezard, who tendered his resignation in a letter dated Sept. 5, wrote: “There are inconsistencies in process, structure, direction — which includes how our community meetings are guided since the term of the newly elected chief came into effect.”

Kruger and Lezard had the most seniority on council, having served 16 and 12 years respectively. The date of the by election will be announced in the near future. As a result of the present turmoil, an unnamed group of band members called in August for the elected leaders to submit to a confidence vote. It’s unclear what resulted from that request.