Potts and his council impeached

Temagami First Nation
News Release

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Bear Island, Lake Temagami - There was significant movement this week in the ongoing struggle between the beleaguered Council of Gary Potts and the Temagami First Nation membership, who overwhelmingly back the Council of Chief Roxane Ayotte. On Sunday March 29th, 2009 in a constitutionally required second and final vote the Temagami First Nation voted overwhelmingly and unanimously in favour of impeachment and removed Gary Potts, Peter McKenzie, Annette Polson and Thomas Friday from office. Sherwood Becker Jr. resigned during the impeachment process.

In a bizarre reversal of roles Gary Potts who was honoured by Trent University and presented with an honorary Doctorate degree for his efforts in promoting and defending Aboriginal rights now finds himself being impeached for acting against the interest of his own community’s democratic right to self-government.

Rather than follow the direction of a September, 2008 community meeting, Potts and Council decided to file an action to begin a Judicial Review in the Federal Court. Regardless of how one spins it, the Federal Court action is being used in an attempt to quash the internal decisions of Temagami First Nation as expressed by majority vote.

It has been a difficult and challenging period for our First Nation, but there is new hope now that the Potts Council’s reign has come to an end. Temagami First Nation has reaffirmed by majority votes on March 14th and March 29th the overwhelming support for the Ayotte Council, elected in October, 2008, which is now poised to fully assume their administrative and executive authorities.

Further positive developments came with the election of two Councillors on a snap by-election called by the Potts Council on March 26th during the impeachment process. The Councillors who “intend to take every measure possible to ensure that the expressed will of TFN members is realized” were elected by overwhelming majority and are working in support of the Ayotte Council.

Our Elders are relieved. “I am confident that Chief Roxanne Ayotte and all our elected officials will now move forward in the best interest of Temagami First Nation,” says Maurice McKenzie.

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