Caldwell chief returns but lock soon changed
Mary Duckworth, put on leave against her will as the elected chief of the Caldwell First Nation, returned to work Monday despite opposition from councillors. Administration responded Tuesday by closing its office, sending staff home and changing the lock on a public-access door. Duckworth said she is undeterred and will nevertheless continue serving the Caldwell First Nation.
“I’m not going anywhere,” Duckworth said Tuesday. “I’ve got 21/2 years of a term left and I plan on finishing that term and moving our people forward, with their help.” Caldwell’s director of operations Nikki Orosz said Tuesday that she
could not comment without council’s approval and that no council members were available to talk, either.
The Caldwell First Nation has had a rocky ride of late with chiefs. The previous chief, Louise Hillier, was forced out after a forensic audit found nearly $250,000 in prize money wasn’t properly documented following a 2016 powwow to celebrate a federal government land-claim settlement that netted the band $105 million. The audit also indicated the chief ’s son received a $190,000 contract to videotape the event.
Anger among members led to an election of a new chief and all four council members. Duckworth was elected chief Jan. 20 of this year, winning 132 votes to 40 over Lonnie Dodge. The council members are James Peters, Stan Scott, Steve Simpson and Robyn van Oirschot. It was a new beginning — but all was not smooth for long. After a time, some members asked for a special community meeting to address concerns. Council members informed Duckworth June 13 that she was being put on leave for allegedly not meeting her “fiduciary responsibility.” They said she missed meetings and didn’t sufficiently inform them about issues, among other complaints. Then they sent a letter to Caldwell members laying it all out.
Duckworth was devastated. “It took a huge toll,” she said. “It affected how I was able to even interact with my family because I was deeply hurt.” Duckworth admitted she missed two meetings, though always informed council in advance. She tried to reschedule another meeting, she said, but that councillors refused.
Regardless, the 51-year-old social worker and probation officer said she always acted in the best interest of her community. She felt, however, some councillors were making decisions that would help their families but not necessarily the community as a whole — and that she said so. Relations soured with councillors. Duckworth hired a lawyer. And she said council still has yet to schedule a special meeting members asked for months ago. She decided not to remain silent any longer. A recent traditional Aboriginal ceremony inspired her to return to work, even if councillors didn’t want her there.
“I was at ceremony,” she re- called. “And I thought, I have to go back and serve my people.” She said she has received no word from councillors since her return to work. But after going out to lunch Tuesday, she came back to find a locksmith changing the public-access door at the band office on Orange Street in Leamington. “I’m pretty dumbfounded by it all,” she said. “I’m shaking my head. There was a definite communication breakdown and nepotism slid in and it just rocked the council.”
Duckworth said a number of members are uncomfortable with council changing locks and adding a sign that says visitors must sign in. Nevertheless, Duckworth said she plans to get back to the work she was elected to do. “Even if the council isn’t prepared to work with my people, I am still the chief,” Duckworth said. “I was elected and I will serve them.”