Re-elected Caldwell chief seeks unity with all-new band council

The thrice-ousted chief of Caldwell First Nation was re-elected to the top job for a third time and will now be joined by an all-new council.

“The people have spoken. They've removed the council and put the chief back in,” Mary Duckworth said.

The band membership voted in four new councillors — Ian Duckworth, Doug Heil, former chief Larry Johnson and Nikki van Oirschot — in what could be viewed as a repudiation of the previous band council, which was often at odds with Duckworth. Three of the four previous councillors — Robyn Perkins, Stanley Scott and Steve Simpson — were defeated in the election while the fourth, James

Peters, did not run for re-election.

Duckworth was challenged by Tammy Jolicoeur, the First Nation's administrative services manager, for the chief's position.

Duckworth, who was last removed from office by council on Sept. 9, wants to focus on healing in the community.

“What I want to see accomplished is unity within the community . . . and for everyone to have a voice,” she said.

Duckworth said the new council will look at the business side of the First Nation to see how Caldwell's interests can be advance but stressed this approach will require the entire community.

She said the new council campaigned on running for the people, “so that's what they have to demonstrate in this next term.”

One of the first orders of business is a request for a general membership meeting to get input from the community, Duckworth said.

Duckworth was first elected chief in January 2018 on the heels of a controversy that erupted over a forensic audit surrounding the finances of the nearly $600,000 spent by the previous council on a powwow in August 2016. Shortly after being elected, Duckworth questioned spending, hiring practices and various other policies. She was suspended from office and removed five months later.

Duckworth was voted back in in February 2019. She was ousted a second time on Sept. 15, 2020, following allegations she harassed staff and exceeded her powers to appoint people to boards. She denied the allegations.